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31 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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The colon ( : ) goes before a list or explanation.
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True
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Is the colon used correctly?
This recipe requires only three ingredients: sardines, tomato sauce, and olive oil. |
Yes, it is correct.
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The part of a sentence BEFORE/AFTER a colon must be an independent clause.
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Before
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Is the colon used correctly?
I am going to the store to get: sardines, tomato sauce, and olive oil. |
No, it is not correct. "I am going to the store to get" is not able to stand alone as a complete sentence. It can be fixed by removing the colon.
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Colons can also go before explanations, rules, or examples.
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True
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Is the colon placed correctly?
I was fired today: my boss caught me trying to steal a laser printer. |
Yes, it is correct.
The first part is able to stand alone. The second part (stealing) explains the first part (getting fired). |
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Determine is the colon is placed correctly.
I have really enjoyed hearing you lecture about: grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. |
Incorrect.
The first part of the sentence cannot stand alone. The colon should simply be removed. |
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Determine is the colon is placed correctly.
We will do a soft launch of our new product in two markets: Los Angeles and New York. |
Correct.
The first part is an independent clause, and the second part is a list of two items. |
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Determine is the colon is placed correctly.
It can hardly be said that the nation's government was negligent in planning for such a disaster: there had never been volcanic eruption in the region in the whole of recorded history. |
Correct.
The first part is an independent clause, and the second part is a list of two items. |
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Determine is the colon is placed correctly.
The protest was effective, but not without cost: sixteen people died. |
Correct.
The first part is an independent clause, and the second part is a list of two items. |
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Determine is the colon is placed correctly.
He said something absolutely outrageous: "Shut up, Mr. President." |
Correct.
The first part is an independent clause, and the second part is a "list of one item." |
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A semicolon ( ; ) connects two independent clauses. The two parts on either side of the semicolon must be able to stand alone; they must also be closely related in meaning.
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True
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Is the semicolon placed correctly?
I have to admit that I hate spending Christmas with your parents; they always give me a ridiculous sweater and expect me to wear it. |
Correct.
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The two parts on either side of a semicolon must be able to stand alone and must be closely related in meaning.
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True
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Is this "closely related in meaning" for a semicolon placement?
The volcano devastated the town; there was still hope. |
No.
It needs a word such as - although, but, however |
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DO/DO NOT use a semicolon before "and" or "but"
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do not
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DO/DO NOT use a semicolon before "however"
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do
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DO/DO NOT use a semicolon before "and" or but".
DO/DO NOT use a semicolon before "however" and a comma after. In every case, the parts before and after the semicolon must be be able to stand alone. |
do not
do |
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Words like "thus", "therefore", "moreover", and "nevertheless" CAN/CAN NOT be used after semicolons in the way that "however" is used.
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can
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The sentence
"The dog asked for a treat; he gave it one" correctly uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses. |
True
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Correct the punctuation errors. Correct/Incorrect.
The cobblestone streets lent a certain historic charm; but they cost the city a mint to maintain. |
Incorrect.
Do not use a semicolon before "but", use a comma instead. |
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Correct the punctuation errors. Correct/Incorrect.
I was offended; we left. |
Correct.
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Correct the punctuation errors. Correct/Incorrect.
The 1950s in America were a period of prosperity and consumerism; programs such as The Donna Reed Show, Leave it to Beaver, and Father Knows Best portrayed comfortable suburban lifestyles made easier by modern appliances. |
Correct
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Correct the punctuation errors. Correct/Incorrect.
Although he won the election by a landslide; international bodies suspect serious irregularities in the voting process. |
Incorrect
The first part of the sentence is a dependent clause. "Although he won the election by a landslide" cannot stand alone. The sentence could be fixed by removing the word "although" OR by replacing the semicolon with a comma. |
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Correct the punctuation errors. Correct/Incorrect.
He needs a kidney transplant; without it, he'll die. |
Correct.
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Hyphens ( - ) join words together with no spaces.
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True.
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Dashes ( -- ) come in two varieties, the "en dash" (the width of a letter n) and the "em dash" (the width of a letter m)
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True
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A dash adds an additional thought to an independent clause.
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True
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A set of dashes can also insert a list into the middle of an independent clause.
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True.
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When you are given a sentence using a set of dashes, you should attempt to remove the dashes and whatever is in between them and see whether the sentence still makes sense.
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True.
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True or False:
A colon is not needed when a list is introduced with the word "including." |
True.
Only use a colon when the first part of the sentence can stand alone. |
