Using Semicolons. Why are semicolons important? Semicolons between independent clauses Semicolons between items in a series Review A Review B

Transcription

1 Using Semicolons Why are semicolons important? Semicolons between independent clauses Semicolons between items in a series Review A Review B

2 Why are semicolons important? ; Notice that a semicolon contains both a period and a comma. You can think of it as a blend of the two. A semicolon marks a pause in a sentence. It is not quite as strong as a period, but it is stronger than a comma. Strongpause pause Slight Medium pause (period) (comma) (semicolon) Patty likes to act; her her act. Her act, but sister gets stage fright.

3 Why are semicolons important? Semicolons are just the right punctuation mark to signal a medium pause and to help readers follow your writing. Confusing Rain soaked the earth plants became green fragrant flowers bloomed. Clear Rain soaked the earth; plants became green; fragrant flowers bloomed. [End of Section]

4 Use a semicolon between independent clauses if the independent clauses are closely related in meaning and are not joined by and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet Independent clause Independent clause Ted noticed the weather; he put on his raincoat.

5 Independent clause An independent clause (or main clause) has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause can stand by itself as a sentence. Subject Verb Wolves howled in in the distance. Subject Verb The campers were not afraid.

6 Remember: Use a semicolon to join independent clauses only if the clauses are closely related. Incorrect Josh wants to go to Spain; she wants to go swimming. These two clauses aren t closely related. Correct Josh wants to go to Spain; Spain. She she wants to wants go to France. go swimming. A These period two is clauses used since are the closely two related. clauses A are semicolon not closely can be related. used to join them.

7 Remember, a semicolon must be followed by an independent clause, not a phrase. Also, the first word in an independent clause after a semicolon is lowercased, not capitalized. Manuel looked out at the downpour; put then on he his put boots on his and boots raincoat. and raincoat. Now Put on there his are boots two and independent raincoat clauses doesn t separated have a subject, by a semicolon. so it is a phrase, not an independent clause.

8 Identify the two independent clauses in each sentence. Then, add the semicolon where it is needed. 1. Gwen likes classical music Fred prefers jazz. 2. Mimi s family celebrates Hanukkah they display a menorah. 3. It has been snowing all night the trees are covered in white.

9 Identify the two independent clauses in each sentence. Then, add the semicolon where it is needed. 1. Gwen likes classical music ; Fred prefers jazz. Clause #1: Gwen likes classical music Clause #2: Fred prefers jazz These clauses are closely related. They can be joined by a semicolon.

10 Identify the two independent clauses in each sentence. Then, add the semicolon where it is needed. 2. Mimi s family celebrates Hanukkah they display a Menorah. Clause #1: Mimi s family celebrates Hanukkah Clause #2: they display a menorah These clauses are closely related. They can be joined by a semicolon. ;

11 Identify the two independent clauses in each sentence. Then, add the semicolon where it is needed. 3. It has been snowing all night ; the trees are covered in white. Clause #1: It has been snowing all night Clause #2: the trees are covered in white These clauses are closely related. They can be joined by a semicolon.

12 On Your Own Add semicolons where they are needed in the following sentences. 1. Maria is the faster sprinter Angie is the best longdistance runner. 2. Roger might enjoy that movie Faye would also probably like it. 3. This book has great photos I love this shot of a mother giraffe with her baby. 4. The recreation center offers many activities gymnastics and basketball are two of them.

13 Answers Add semicolons where they are needed in the following sentences. 1. Maria is the faster sprinter Angie is the best long-distance runner. 2. Roger might enjoy that movie Faye would also probably like it. 3. This book has great photos I love this shot of a mother giraffe with her baby. 4. The recreation center offers many activities gymnastics and basketball are two of them. ; ; ; ;

14 Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression. Emma felt shy; however, she soon made some friends. My bird does tricks; for example, he rings a bell with his beak. Notice that the conjunctive adverb and the transitional expression are followed by commas.

15 Conjunctive adverbs Common Conjunctive Adverbs also however meanwhile still besides instead nevertheless then consequently likewise otherwise therefore A conjunctive adverb shows how ideas relate to each other. It expresses a relationship between two independent clauses.

16 Transitional expressions Common Transitional Expressions as a result for example for instance in fact in spite of in conclusion in other words that is A transitional expression shows how ideas fit together. It makes a connection between the ideas in two independent clauses.

17 When a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression appears within one of the clauses, it is set off by commas. That quilt is quite old; it is, in fact, filled with cotton. Notice that the two clauses are still separated by a semicolon.

18 Semicolons between independent clauses You may need to use a semicolon (rather than a comma) before a coordinating conjunction to join independent clauses that contain commas. Confusing Clear June sat with Tony, Pat, and me, and Max sat with Flora, Mia, and Karli. June sat with Tony, Pat, and me; and Max sat with Flora, Mia, and Karli.

19 You may need to use a semicolon (rather than a comma) before a coordinating conjunction to join independent clauses that contain commas. Confusing Clear Searching for the key, I found a dime, a nickel, and a pen, and John, my brother, found his lost watch. Searching for the key, I found a dime, a nickel, and a pen; and John, my brother, found his lost watch.

20 If a sentence is clear without a semicolon, don t add one just because the clauses contain commas. Donny, you are a talented artist, and your sister is, too. A comma is all that is needed between these two independent clauses.

21 Add semicolons where they are needed in the following sentences. 1. I ll bring the plates, drinks, and cups and the sandwiches will be delivered. 2. The skit is suited for our team that is, it has enough parts for everyone. 3. Mayor Chavez was scheduled to speak however, he canceled at the last minute.

22 Add semicolons where they are needed in the following sentences. 1. I ll bring the plates, drinks, and cups ; and the sandwiches will be delivered. Because the first independent clause has commas, this sentence would be confusing without the semicolon. A semicolon makes the sentence clear.

23 Add semicolons where they are needed in the following sentences. 2. The skit is suited for our team that is, it has enough parts for everyone. A semicolon is used between independent clauses joined by transitional expressions such as that is. ;

24 Add semicolons where they are needed in the following sentences. 3. Mayor Chavez was scheduled to speak ; however, he canceled at the last minute. A semicolon is used between independent clauses joined by conjunctive adverbs such as however.

25 On Your Own In the following sentences, add semicolons or replace commas with semicolons where needed. If a sentence is already correct, label it C. 1. Lara s father is a successful poet in fact, he has published three books of poetry. 2. Denny, Scott, and Teresa went to the movies, and Heidi, Colleen, and I went to the park. 3. Grandma usually goes to Maine in the summer, however, last year she went in September. 4. Matty, this book is overdue, and you need to return it. [End of Section]

26 Answers In the following sentences, add semicolons or replace commas with semicolons where needed. If a sentence is already correct, label it C. 1. Lara s father is a successful poet in fact, he has published three books of poetry. 2. Denny, Scott, and Teresa went to the movies, and ^ Heidi, Colleen, and I went to the park. 3. Grandma usually goes to Maine in the summer, however, last year she went in September. ^ 4. Matty, this book is overdue, and you need to return it. ; ; ; C

27 Semicolons between items in a series Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas. Three of the largest cities in the United States were New York, New York; Los Angeles, California; and Chicago, Illinois.

28 Semicolons between items in a series Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas. It is a pleasure to introduce Mrs. Boyce, our mayor; Ms. Lincoln, the editor of Newport Daily News; and Mr. Quinn, our guest of honor.

29 Semicolons between items in a series For each of the following sentences, identify each item in the series. Then change commas to semicolons where necessary. 1. My uncle will visit on Thursday, March 25, Friday, March 26, or Saturday, March I spend most of my time with Eric, my brother, Chris, my best friend, and Lenny, my cousin. 3. Would you prefer to live in San Francisco, California, Boise, Idaho, or Portland, Oregon?

30 Semicolons between items in a series For each of the following sentences, identify each item in the series. Then change commas to semicolons where necessary. 1. My uncle will visit on Thursday, March 25 ; Friday, March 26 ; or Saturday, March 27. Item #1: Thursday, March 25 Item #2: Friday, March 26 Item #3: Saturday, March 27 A semicolon is used between items in a series when the items contain commas.

31 Semicolons between items in a series For each of the following sentences, identify each item in the series. Then change commas to semicolons where necessary. 2. I spend most of my time with Eric, my brother ; Chris, my best friend ; and Lenny, my cousin. Item #1: Eric, my brother Item #2: Chris, my best friend Item #3: Lenny, my cousin A semicolon is used between items in a series when the items contain commas.

32 Semicolons between items in a series For each of the following sentences, identify each item in the series. Then change commas to semicolons where necessary. 3. Would you prefer to live in San Francisco, California ; Boise, Idaho ; or Portland, Oregon? Item #1: San Francisco, California Item #2: Boise, Idaho Item #3: Portland, Oregon A semicolon is used between items in a series when the items contain commas.

33 Semicolons between items in a series On Your Own Change commas to semicolons where necessary in the following sentences. If a sentence is already correct, label it C. 1. The film club met on Monday, May 8, Monday, May 15, and Tuesday, May I bought my sister several gifts, including a book, a skirt, and a tennis racket. 3. Contact the following committee chairpersons: Anna Chen, fundraising, Ben Cohen, volunteer services, and Donna Massad, event planning. [End of Section]

34 Semicolons between items in a series Answers Change commas to semicolons where necessary in the following sentences. If a sentence is already correct, label it C. 1. The film club met on Monday, May 8, ; Monday, May 15, and ; Tuesday, May 23. ^ ^ 2. I bought my sister several gifts, including a book, a skirt, and a tennis racket. C 3. Contact the following committee chairpersons: Anna Chen, fundraising, ; Ben Cohen, volunteer services, ; and Donna Massad, ^ event planning. ^

35 Review A In the following sentences, add semicolons or replace commas with semicolons where needed. 1. The game began on time unfortunately, it was stopped because of rain. 2. Mr. Pope, a graphic designer, Mrs. Hill, an illustrator, and Ms. Chen, a writer, all helped with the project. 3. Our dog likes to hide things he once hid my gym uniform under my bed. 4. My grandparents will arrive on Tuesday, June 8, and the next day, if everyone is rested, we will leave for Florida. [End of Section]

36 Review A In the following sentences, add semicolons or replace commas with semicolons where needed. ; 1. The game began on time unfortunately, it was stopped because of rain. 2. Mr. Pope, a graphic designer, Mrs. Hill, an illustrator, and Ms. Chen, a writer, all helped ^ ^ with the project. 3. Our dog likes to hide things he once hid my gym uniform under my bed. 4. My grandparents will arrive on Tuesday, June 8, and the ^ next day, if everyone is rested, we will leave for Florida. ; ; ; ;

37 Review B In the following sentences, add semicolons or replace commas with semicolons where needed. 1. Rita s friends in Tokyo, Japan, Paris, France, and Lima, Peru. 2. The moon is rising over the mountains it is full and bright in the twilight. 3. Artists find inspiration in everyday life, for example, nature can be a rich source of ideas. 4. Kim, my cousin, and Gary, her friend, came by to see me, and Hank, my brother, fixed us all lunch. [End of Section]

38 Review B In the following sentences, add semicolons or replace commas with semicolons where needed. 1. Rita s friends in Tokyo, Japan, Paris, France, ; and Lima, Peru. ^ ^ 2. The moon is rising over the mountains it is full and bright in the twilight. 3. Artists find inspiration in everyday life, ; for example, nature can be a rich source of ideas. ^ 4. Kim, my cousin, and Gary, her friend, came by to see me, and Hank, my brother, fixed us all lunch. ^ ; ; ;

39 The End