2. Commas, Colons, and
Semicolons
Commas are used to separate ideas, to set off
special elements, and to set off quotations.
A colon is used to introduce lists of items, after
the greeting of a business letter, and to separate
hours and minutes in time expressions.
A semicolon is used to join two related sentences,
each with balanced meaning.
3. Commas
Commas are used to separate
ideas, to set off special
elements, and to set off
quotations.
4. Commas are used to separate
ideas.
Incorrect: Kari is bringing
candles baskets napkins and plastic
plates to the park.
Correct: Kari is bringing
candles, baskets, napkins, and
plastic plates to the park.
5. Commas are used to set off
special elements.
Incorrect: Yesterday my team
won the game.
Correct: Yesterday, my team
won the game.
6. Commas are used to set off
quotations.
Incorrect: Clark asked
“Where is Lois?”
Correct: Clark asked, “Where
is Lois?”
7. A colon is used to introduce lists of
items.
Incorrect:The following items will be
required at camp, sleeping bag, tent,
hiking shoes, and compass.
Correct: The following items will be
required at camp: sleeping bag, tent,
hiking shoes, and compass.
8. A colon is used after the greeting
of a business letter.
Incorrect: Dear Sir,
Correct: Dear Sir:
9. A colon is used to separate hours
and minutes in time expressions.
Incorrect: The time is 815.
Correct: The time is 8:15.
10. A semi-colon is used to join two
related sentences, each with
balanced meaning.
Incorrect: The field trip to the park should
be fun we are all going to bring a game to
play.
Correct: The field trip to the park
should be fun; we are all going to bring a
game to play.
11. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A. Among the books were the following
items, a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and
folder.
B. Among the books were the following items:
a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.
C.Among the books were the following items;
a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.
D.Among the books were the following items
- a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.
12. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A. Among the books were the following
items, a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and
folder.
B. Among the books were the following items:
a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.
C.Among the books were the following items;
a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.
D.Among the books were the following items
- a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.
13. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A. Open your folder, take out your
homework and pass it forward.
B. Open your folder; take out your
homework; and pass it forward.
C. Open your folder, take out your
homework, and pass it forward.
D. Open your folder: take out your
homework and pass it forward.
14. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A. Open your folder, take out your
homework and pass it forward.
B. Open your folder; take out your
homework; and pass it forward.
C. Open your folder, take out your
homework, and pass it forward.
D. Open your folder: take out your
homework and pass it forward.
15. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A. Mario likes to play- football,
tennis, baseball and volleyball.
B. Mario likes to play football, tennis,
baseball, and volleyball.
C. Mario likes to play: football,
tennis, baseball and volleyball.
D. Mario likes to play; football,
tennis, baseball, and volleyball.
16. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A. Mario likes to play- football, tennis,
baseball and volleyball.
B. Mario likes to play football, tennis,
baseball, and volleyball.
C. Mario likes to play: football, tennis,
baseball and volleyball.
D. Mario likes to play; football, tennis,
baseball, and volleyball.
D. Mario likes to play; football, tennis,
baseball, and volleyball.
17. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A. Please take out the trash, and don't
forget to put the lid on the can.
B. Please take out, the trash, and don't
forget to put the lid on the can.
C. Please, take out the trash and don't,
forget to put the lid on the can.
D. Please, take out the trash, and don't
forget to put the lid on, the can.
18. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A. Please take out the trash, and don't
forget to put the lid on the can.
B. Please take out, the trash, and don't
forget to put the lid on the can.
C. Please, take out the trash and don't,
forget to put the lid on the can.
D. Please, take out the trash, and don't
forget to put the lid on, the can.
19. Choose the sentence with
punctuation errors.
A. The waitress asked, "Would you
like anything else?"
B. Bobby asked for eggs and toast for
breakfast.
C. Henry took a long nap but he was
still tired.
D. Mrs. Todd calmed the excited,
noisy children.
20. Choose the sentence with
punctuation errors.
A. The waitress asked, "Would you
like anything else?"
B. Bobby asked for eggs and toast for
breakfast.
C. Henry took a long nap but he was
still tired.
D. Mrs. Todd calmed the excited,
noisy children.
21. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky,
Portland, Oregon, and Sacramento,
California.
B. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky-
Portland, Oregon- and Sacramento,
California.
C. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky;
Portland, Oregon; and Sacramento,
California.
D. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky:
Portland, Oregon: and Sacramento,
California.
22. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A.The field trip to the park should be fun we
are all going to bring a game to play.
B. The field trip to the park should be fun, we
are all going to bring; a game to play.
C. The field trip to the park should be fun we;
are all going to bring a game to play.
D. The field trip to the park should be fun; we
are all going to bring a game to play.
23. Which of the following sentences
is punctuated correctly?
A.The field trip to the park should be fun we
are all going to bring a game to play.
B. The field trip to the park should be fun, we
are all going to bring; a game to play.
C. The field trip to the park should be fun we;
are all going to bring a game to play.
D. The field trip to the park should be fun; we
are all going to bring a game to play.
