Tag: semicolon

Questions Related to semicolon

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

  1. Spain is a beautiful country; the beache's are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean.

  2. Spain is a beautiful country: the beaches are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean.

  3. Spain is a beautiful country, the beaches are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean.

  4. Spain is a beautiful country; the beaches are warm, sandy and spotlessly clean.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Option D is correct. The first part of the sentence describes the country Spain, whereas the second part denotes the change in the subject, the beaches of Spain. Here, the use of semi colon is apt because it connects two independent clauses. The punctuation mark comma has been appropriately put between warm and sandy because it indicates a pause between the different items in a sentence. The other options are incorrect as they do not have proper usage of punctuation marks.

Over the last few years, there has been a radical change in the village's population ... most people under the age of 35 have migrated to nearby cities.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

  1. population;

  2. population,

  3. population.

  4. NO CHANGE


Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The given sentence describes the radical changes in the village over the years.The punctuation semi colon (;) is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
Option B - A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses.
Option C - A period is used only at the end of a declaratory sentence and not in between.
Option D - An ellipsis (…) is a set of three dots indicating an omission. This punctuation is not required in the given sentence.
Thus, the most suitable answer will be Option A.

There were seeds, nuts and fruit in the salad, it was a nutritious meal.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

  1. seeds, nuts, fruit in the salad:

  2. seeds, nuts and fruit in the salad:

  3. seeds, nuts and fruit in the salad;

  4. NO CHANGE


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Compound sentences are those which contain more than one subject or predicate. Semicolon is used to show bigger separation when there is already comma within a sentence for smaller separations. 'Seeds', 'nuts' and 'fruit' are more than one subject in the sentence thus semi colon is used after them to show bigger separation. Hence, option C is correct. 

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part of the sentence.

The bridge was sturdy, flexible and strong; it withstood the storm well.

  1. sturdy, flexible, strong: it

  2. sturdy, fleixble and strong - it

  3. sturdy, flexible, strong; it

  4. NO CHANGE


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Compound sentences are those which contain more than one subject or predicate. Semicolon is used to show bigger separation when there is already comma within a sentence for smaller separations. 'Sturdy', 'flexible' and 'strong' are more than one predicate in the sentence thus semi colon is used after them to show bigger separation. The statement given is correct. thus, option D is correct option. 

The umbrella was faded, torn and broken, it was old and much-used.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. broken;

  3. broken ...

  4. broken:


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Compound sentences are those which contain more than one subject or predicate. Semicolon is used to show bigger separation when there is already comma within a sentence for smaller separations. 'Faded', 'torn' and 'broken' are more than one predicate in the sentence and comma is used within sentence thus semi colon should be used after them to show bigger separation. Thus, option B is correct. 

Mother Teresa ran hospices and homes for people with serious diseases, soup kitchens, dispensaries and mobile clinics: she received numerous awards for her work.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

  1. clinics,

  2. clinics;

  3. clinics ...

  4. NO CHANGE


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Compound sentences are those which contain more than one subject or predicate. Semicolon is used to show bigger separation when there is already comma within a sentence for smaller separations. The given sentence already has commas to show smaller separations in a list of items thus semi colon should be used after them to show bigger separation.Thus, option B is correct. 

His step was sure, his gait was stylish.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

  1. sure. His

  2. sure; his

  3. sure: his

  4. NO CHANGE


Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The semi colon represents a longer pause than comma. It is used to separate clauses which are loosely connected in thought. As, the given sentence consists of clauses that are not strongly connected., a semi colon must be used to link them.
A colon is used between sentences grammatically correct but closely related.
The period is used to mark an end to a statement and not link them.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

The coffee was warm, the eggs were boiled to perfection and the toast was crisp; Maria and Luke were all set to have breakfast.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. crisp,

  3. crisp:

  4. crisp ...


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Compound sentences are those which contain more than one subject or predicate. Semicolon is used to show bigger separation when there is already comma within a sentence for smaller separations. The given sentence already has comma to show smaller separation thus semi colon should be used after them to show bigger separation. The given sentence is correct thus, option A is the right answer.  

The peacock's tail was blue and green, his body was an iridescent blue.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

  1. green:

  2. green -

  3. green;

  4. NO CHANGE


Correct Option: C
Explanation:
The semi colon represents a longer pause than comma. It is used to separate clauses which are loosely connected in thought. As, the given sentence consists of clauses that are not strongly connected., a semi colon must be used to link them. Thus, the correct answer is Option C
Option A - A colon is used between sentences grammatically correct but closely related.
Option B - A dash is used to connect related concepts to one another.
Option D is incorrect. A comma is used before a conjunction that joins two independent clauses.

His house had French windows in every room, he wanted to be sure of having fresh air blowing through the interiors.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. room;

  3. room:

  4. room -


Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The semi colon represents a longer pause than comma. It is used to separate clauses which are loosely connected in thought. As, the given sentence consists of clauses that are not strongly connected., a semi colon must be used to link them.
A colon is used between sentences grammatically correct but closely related.
A comma is used before coordinate conjunctions that joins two independent clauses.
An em dash is used to set apart parenthetical phrases or clauses in a sentence. 
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.