IXL | Semicolons, colons, and commas: review

Consider the comma in bold, which is used to connect two sentences. If it is not the best choice, replace it with a different punctuation mark.

;:,

Some researchers believe that dreams serve to consolidate our memories, others claim that dreams are just random flickers of brain activity.

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Learn with an example

question

Consider the commas in bold, which are used to separate the items in a list. If they are not used correctly, remove them or replace them with different punctuation marks.

;:,

In the past, leeches were used to treat many different medical conditions, including gout, a type of arthritis, whooping cough, a respiratory tract infection, and tumors.

key idea

Semicolons, colons, and commas can all be used to join two sentences.

Use a comma to connect two sentences that are joined with a coordinating conjunction, such as and, or, but, or so.

Hannah enjoys hiking and rock climbing, but Jim prefers to stay inside with a book.

Use a semicolon to connect two sentences that are joined with a conjunctive adverb, such as consequently, however, or therefore.

Hannah enjoys hiking and rock climbing; however, Jim prefers to stay inside with a book.

Use a colon or a semicolon to connect two closely related sentences that are not joined with a conjunction. A colon is the best choice when the second sentence explains, defines, or illustrates the meaning of the first sentence. A semicolon is better when the second sentence is related to the first in another way.

Hannah enjoys hiking and rock climbing: she has climbed Mount Rainier three times.

Hannah enjoys hiking and rock climbing; Jim prefers to stay inside with a book.

Both semicolons and commas may be used to separate three or more items in a series.

In most cases, use commas to separate items in a series. Put a comma after each item in the list, except for the last one.

Our speakers will be Kevin O'Malley, Rachel Stein, and Linda Wu.

Use semicolons to separate items in a series when using commas would be unclear, such as when one or more items in the series already contain commas.

Our speakers will be Kevin O'Malley, an English professor; Rachel Stein, a print journalist; and Linda Wu, a blogger.

Colons and commas may be used to introduce lists, quotations, and nonrestrictive appositives that come at the end of a sentence. Colons almost always follow a stand-alone sentence.

Use a colon to introduce a list that follows a stand-alone sentence. If a list does not follow a stand-alone sentence, do not use punctuation to introduce the list.

My parents have visited much of Western Europe: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.

My parents have visited much of Western Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.

Use a colon to introduce a quotation that follows a stand-alone sentence. (Some style guides consider it acceptable to introduce any quotation with a colon, but if the quotation does not follow a stand-alone sentence, a comma is usually a better choice.)

In his introduction, Jeong claims that most prior research in this area is unreliable: "These oft-cited studies had small sample sizes and lacked control groups."

In his introduction, Jeong claims, "These oft-cited studies had small sample sizes and lacked control groups."

Use a comma or a colon to introduce a nonrestrictive appositive that comes at the end of a sentence. These appositives always follow a stand-alone sentence. A comma is typically used, but a colon may sometimes be a better choice in order to create emphasis or a dramatic effect.

Last Halloween I dressed up as my favorite superhero, Superman.

As he flew closer, we recognized the man soaring through the air: Superman.

Also use a colon after a phrase like this, the following, or as follows if the phrase refers to what comes after the colon.

Senator Thompson had this to say about the controversy: "I maintain that the bill is unjust and must not pass into law."

You must use only the following materials: newspaper, popsicle sticks, and masking tape.

Chelsea's reasoning was as follows: if they raised enough money with the bake sale, they might be able to afford new uniforms.

solution

Use semicolons. One or more of the items in the series have commas within them.

$Confetti$

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Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

HH.1Join sentences with semicolons, colons, and commas

HH.2Use colons and commas to introduce lists, quotations, and appositives

HH.3Use semicolons and commas to separate items in a series

MM.3Semicolons, colons, and commas: review

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