1 / 13

Using Semicolons

Using Semicolons. Semicolons are a stronger punctuation than a comma. In fact, they can sometimes take the place of a period. There are three times when you might use a semicolon:. 1. Between two sentences. Example: Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice.

winda
Download Presentation

Using Semicolons

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Using Semicolons

  2. Semicolons are a stronger punctuation than a comma. In fact, they can sometimes take the place of a period. There are three times when you might use a semicolon: • 1. Between two sentences. • Example: Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice. • DO NOT use it between a dependent and an independent clause: • Example: Since he started school; he has not had any free time. • 2. Between two independent clauses linked with a transitional phrase or a conjunctive adverb: • Example: Many corals grow very gradually; in fact, the creation of a coral reef can take centuries. • 3. Between items in a series containing internal punctuation or when the sentence contains so many commas that it would be confusing to read: • Example: Classic science fiction sagas are Start Trek, with Mr. Spock; Battlestar Galactica, with Cylon Raiders; and Star Wars, with Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader.

  3. Check Your Knowledge • Add a semicolon where necessary in the following sentences. If the sentence is already correct, do nothing. • 1. Do not ask me to be kind just ask me to act as though I were. • 1. Do not ask me to be kind; just ask me to act as though I were.

  4. Check Your Knowledge • 2. When men talk about defense they always claim to be protecting women and children but they never ask the women and children what they think. • 2. When men talk about defense, they always claim to be protecting women and children, but they never ask the women and children what they think.

  5. Check Your Knowledge • 3. When I get a little money I buy books if any is left I buy food and clothes. • 3. When I get a little money, I buy books; if any is left, I buy food and clothes.

  6. Check Your Knowledge • 4. America is a country that doesn’t know where it is going but is determined to set a speed record getting there. • 4. America is a country that doesn’t know where it is going, but is determined to set a speed record getting there.

  7. Check Your Knowledge • 5. Wit has truth in it wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words. • 5. Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words.

  8. Check Your Knowledge • 6. Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides. • 6. Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.

  9. Check Your Knowledge • 7. I do not believe in the afterlife, although I am bringing a change of underwear. • 7. I do not believe in the afterlife, although I am bringing a change of underwear.

  10. Check Your Knowledge • 8. We don’t know what we want but we are ready to bite someone to get it. • 8. We don’t know what we want, but we are ready to bite someone to get it.

  11. Check Your Knowledge • 9. To survive, mountain lions need a large, open area in which to range, a steady supply of deer, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and opossums, and the opportunity to find a mate, establish a den, and raise a litter. • 9. To survive, mountain lions need a large, open area in which to range; a steady supply of deer, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and opossums; and the opportunity to find a mate, establish a den, and raise a litter.

  12. Check Your Knowledge • 10. These families eat at soup kitchens, they have no money for anything other than rent and basic clothing. • 10. These families eat at soup kitchens; they have no money for anything other than rent and basic clothing.

  13. Review • There are three times when you might use a semicolon: • 1. Between two sentences. • 2. Between two independent clauses linked with a transitional phrase or a conjunctive adverb. • 3. Between items in a series containing internal punctuation or when the sentence contains so many commas that it would be confusing to read.

More Related