Semicolons - practice quiz - English for Everyone - Free Printable

Let’s work through each part of the worksheet step by step.

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Part 1: Use a semicolon to combine independent clauses.

Rule: When you have two complete sentences (independent clauses) that are closely related, you can join them with a semicolon instead of a period or conjunction.

1) “I want to wear the red shirt” and “my favorite color is red.”
→ These are two full thoughts. Combine with semicolon:
I want to wear the red shirt; my favorite color is red.

2) “Janie easily got an A on the test” and “she studies very hard.”
→ Both are complete sentences.
Janie easily got an A on the test; she studies very hard.

3) “I hope I get a lot of presents today” and “is my birthday.”
→ Wait — “is my birthday” is NOT a complete sentence. It needs a subject. Probably meant: “Today is my birthday.”
Assuming that correction:
I hope I get a lot of presents today; today is my birthday.
*(But if we must use exactly what’s written, it’s not grammatically correct — so likely a typo in the original. We’ll assume “today is my birthday” was intended.)*

4) “The war is imminent” and “the armies are ready.”
→ Two complete sentences.
The war is imminent; the armies are ready.

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Part 2: Use a semicolon AND a conjunctive adverb to combine clauses.

Rule: Semicolon + conjunctive adverb (like however, therefore, thus, etc.) + comma → connects two independent clauses.

Given list: in addition, thus, nevertheless, therefore, still, however, indeed, furthermore, then

1) “I am really tired” and “I cannot get to sleep.”
→ Logical connection: tired but can’t sleep → contrast → use “however” or “nevertheless”
Try: I am really tired; however, I cannot get to sleep.

2) “I am wearing a sweater and a jacket” and “I am cold.”
→ Cause and effect? Actually, wearing clothes should help, but still cold → contrast again → “still” or “nevertheless”
Try: I am wearing a sweater and a jacket; still, I am cold.

3) “Our mission seemed impossible” and “we tried our best to accomplish it.”
→ Contrast again → “nevertheless” or “however”
Try: Our mission seemed impossible; nevertheless, we tried our best to accomplish it.

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Part 3: Use semicolons to separate items in a list when items already contain commas.

Rule: If list items have commas inside them, use semicolons between the items to avoid confusion.

1) List of days:
Thursday, Dec. 24th
Friday, Dec. 25th
Saturday, Dec. 26th
Sunday, Dec. 27th

Each item has a comma → use semicolons between items:
The store will be closed on the following days: Thursday, Dec. 24th; Friday, Dec. 25th; Saturday, Dec. 26th; Sunday, Dec. 27th.

2) Employees with ages:
Robert, who was 42 years old
Juan, who was 28 years old
Dana, who was 24 years old

Each has a comma → use semicolons:
The company hired three new employees: Robert, who was 42 years old; Juan, who was 28 years old; and Dana, who was 24 years old.

*(Note: Add “and” before last item for proper grammar.)*

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Final Answer:

Part 1:
1) I want to wear the red shirt; my favorite color is red.
2) Janie easily got an A on the test; she studies very hard.
3) I hope I get a lot of presents today; today is my birthday. *(assuming correction)*
4) The war is imminent; the armies are ready.

Part 2:
1) I am really tired; however, I cannot get to sleep.
2) I am wearing a sweater and a jacket; still, I am cold.
3) Our mission seemed impossible; nevertheless, we tried our best to accomplish it.

Part 3:
1) The store will be closed on the following days: Thursday, Dec. 24th; Friday, Dec. 25th; Saturday, Dec. 26th; Sunday, Dec. 27th.
2) The company hired three new employees: Robert, who was 42 years old; Juan, who was 28 years old; and Dana, who was 24 years old.