Tag: semicolon

Questions Related to semicolon

The morning dawned bright and clear: Peter and his family were ready for their long journey.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. clear;

  2. clear ...

  3. clear,

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
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 A.
Option B - An ellipsis is used to represent a trailing of thought.
Option C - A comma is used before a conjunction that joins two independent clauses.
Option D - A colon is used between sentences grammatically correct but closely related.

The Queen enjoyed a long reign, she ruled justly and mercifully.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. reign;

  2. reign:

  3. reign

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
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 A.
Option B - A colon is used between sentences grammatically correct but closely related.
Option D is incorrect. A comma is used before a conjunction that joins two independent clauses.

Team interaction is a key ingredient of workplace culture: good communication between team members is essential for success.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. culture;

  2. culture -

  3. culture ...

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The given sentence describes two separate clauses that can exist independently. However, the use of colon (:) to join both the clauses is incorrect. A colon is generally used to introduce a list of items in a sentence.

 A semi colon (;) is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted. Thus, the correct answer should be Option A.
Option B - A hyphen is used for the formation of certain compound terms. For example, eye-opener, free-for-all etc.
Option C - An em dash(---) is used to create a strong break to show an interruption ,or a change of thought.


He was kind-hearted and gregarious, everyone liked him.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. gregarious;

  2. gregarious -

  3. gregarious:

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The given sentence consists of two independent clauses. According to general rule, a semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted. Thus, the correct answer should be Option A.
A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses.
A dash is used to set apart clauses in a sentence that also has a conjunction.
A colon is used between independent clauses only when the second illustrates or explains the first.

The land was beautiful: the land was green.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. beautiful;

  2. beautiful -

  3. beautiful ...

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
A semi colon represents a longer pause than a comma. It is used to separate clauses which are loosely connected in thought. 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 usage of an em dash will also be incorrect, it is used to set apart parenthetical phrases and clauses in a sentence.
An ellipsis can be used to represent a trailing of thought.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

Communication is one of the most important soft skills - it is key to any work project.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. skills, it is

  2. skills; it is

  3. skills: it is

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
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 usage of an em dash will also be incorrect, it is used to set apart parenthetical phrases and clauses in a sentence.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part of the sentence:
The house had balconies, a well-equipped kitchen and a pretty garden at the back, it was everything Hannah and Ralph were looking for.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. balconies, a well-equipped kitchen and a pretty garden at the back;

  3. balconies and a well-equipped kitchen, and a pretty garden at the back:

  4. balconies, a well-equipped kitchen and a pretty garden at the back -

Show answer
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 comma is used before coordinate conjunctions that joins two independent clauses whereas, a colon is used between sentences grammatically correct but closely related.
An em dash is used to set apart parenthetical phrases or clauses in a sentence. 
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.
Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.
The trees were tall, leafy and abounding with spring flowers, it seemed the ideal location for Michael's outdoor play.
semicolon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. tall, leafy and abounding with spring flowers ...

  3. tall, leafy, abounding with spring flowers; it

  4. tall, leafy and abounding with spring flowers; it

Show answer
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. 'Tall', 'leafy' and 'flowers' 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 D is correct. 

Elise loved baking elaborate confections; she wanted to be a professional chef.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. confections:

  3. confections,

  4. confections ...

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
A semi colon is used to separate clauses which are loosely connected in thought. The given sentence consists of clauses that are not strongly connected, so a semi colon must be used to link them. Thus, the correct answer is Option A.
Option B - A colon is used between sentences grammatically correct but closely related.
Option C - A comma is used before a conjunction that connects two independent clauses
Option D - An ellipsis can be used to represent a trailing of thought.