Semicolon & Colons
Where should the semicolon go?
I wanted to visit the museum my sister preferred the botanical gardens.
I wanted to visit the museum; my sister preferred the botanical gardens.
Where should a dash go for emphasis?
I finally solved the problem after hours of frustration.
I finally solved the problem-- after hours of frustration.
Where should the comma go?
After reviewing the evidence carefully the detective wrote his report.
After reviewing the evidence carefully, the detective wrote his report.
Where should the commas go in the list?
I need to pack my notebook pens and calculator for the exam.
I need to pack my notebook, pens, and calculator for the exam.
Choose the verb that is grammatically acceptable:
The collection of rare manuscripts from the Renaissance (are/is) stored in a climate-controlled archive.
The collection of rare manuscripts from the Renaissance (are/is) stored in a climate-controlled archive.
subject = collection = singular subject
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
I planned to write a novel it turned out to be more difficult than I expected.
I planned to write a novel; it turned out to be more difficult than I expected.
Where should the dashes go to set off the list?
The ingredients flour sugar eggs and butter were all sourced locally.
The ingredients-- flour sugar eggs and butter-- were all sourced locally.
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
Despite the heavy rain the team continued practice with determination.
Despite the heavy rain, the team continued practice with determination.
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
She wanted to join the debate team but she had to finish her research paper first.
She wanted to join the debate team, but she had to finish her research paper first.
Choose the verb that is grammatically acceptable:
Neither the principal nor the teachers (was/were) prepared for the sudden schedule change.
Neither the principal nor the teachers (was/were) prepared for the sudden schedule change.
*When it's "Neither", the verb agrees with the subject closest to it*
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
She studied all night for the exam however she still felt unprepared.
She studied all night for the exam; however, she still felt unprepared.
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
The conference that was supposed to be in April has been postponed until July.
The conference-- that was supposed to be in April-- has been postponed until July.
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
The novel which was published last year has already won three awards.
The novel, which was published last year, has already won three awards.
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
The festival featured music food and crafts yet attendance was lower than expected.
The festival featured music, food, and crafts, yet attendance was lower than expected.
Choose the verb that is grammatically correct:
Each of the students who completed the advanced placement course (have/has) demonstrated exceptional analytical skills.
Each of the students who completed the advanced placement course (have/has) demonstrated exceptional analytical skills.
*Each = singular*
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
The company had promised to deliver the materials on time nevertheless the shipment was delayed by several days, which caused significant problems for the project.
The company had promised to deliver the materials on time; nevertheless, the shipment was delayed by several days, which caused significant problems for the project.
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
She had one clear goal to win the championship before graduating.
She had one clear goal-- to win the championship before graduating.
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
My cousin an accomplished pianist performed at Carnegie Hall last season.
My cousin, an accomplished pianist, performed at Carnegie Hall last season.
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
He bought apples oranges bananas and grapes before leaving the market.
He bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes before leaving the market.
Choose the verb that is grammatically acceptable:
The impact of social media platforms, particularly those that target younger audiences, (has/have) transformed the way adolescents communicate.
The impact of social media platforms, particularly those that target younger audiences, (has/have) transformed the way adolescents communicate.
Subject = impact = singular
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
He had studied the theory extensively moreover he had completed several experiments to test it, but the results were inconclusive.
He had studied the theory extensively; moreover, he had completed several experiments to test it, but the results were inconclusive.
Correctly punctuate this sentence:
He thought he understood the assignment until he read the final paragraph.
He thought he understood the assignment—until he read the final paragraph.
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
Walking through the dark forest she realized she had forgotten her flashlight and her map.
Walking through the dark forest, she realized she had forgotten her flashlight and her map.
Correctly punctuate the sentence:
Although the movie was long it captivated the audience and the acting was superb.
Although the movie was long, it captivated the audience, and the acting was superb.
Choose the verb that is grammatically acceptable:
There (is/are) several reasons why the proposal should be reconsidered.
There (is/are) several reasons why the proposal should be reconsidered.
Reasons = subject = plural