Semicolon Colon Practice Worksheet | PDF - Free Printable

Explanation:
We need to decide whether each sentence needs a semicolon (;), a colon (:), or no punctuation change (C). Let’s go one by one, using the rules:

🔹 A colon is used:
- After an independent clause to introduce a list, explanation, or appositive (especially when the list follows “as follows”, “including”, etc.).
- To introduce something that explains or expands on what came before.

🔹 A semicolon is used:
- Between two independent clauses (complete sentences) that are closely related — *without* a conjunction like “and” or “but”.
- Before words like “however”, “therefore”, “consequently”, etc., when they join two independent clauses.

🔹 If no punctuation is needed (or current punctuation is correct), mark C.

Now analyze each sentence:

1. *Bert was proud of his new title Vice President of Sales.*
→ “Vice President of Sales” is an appositive (renaming “title”). It should be set off with commas or a colon if introduced formally. But here, it's directly after “title” — standard style uses a colon when introducing a formal title:
✔ Correct: *Bert was proud of his new title: Vice President of Sales.*
→ So we need a colon after *title*.

2. *I have not heard the latest comments therefore, I cannot render an opinion.*
→ “therefore” joins two independent clauses. Should be:
*I have not heard the latest comments; therefore, I cannot render an opinion.*
→ Semicolon before “therefore”.
✔ Add semicolon before *therefore*.

3. *The new officers are as follows, Ron, the president, Hubert, the vice-president, and Don, the secretary.*
→ “as follows” signals a list → use colon, not comma.
✔ Change comma after *follows* to colon.

4. *The siren blew loudly I rushed to the window, and the police raced past as I looked out.*
→ Two independent clauses: “The siren blew loudly” and “I rushed to the window…” — but there’s no conjunction between first two parts. Actually:
“The siren blew loudly” + “I rushed to the window…” — these are two independent clauses joined only by a comma splice (incorrect). Should be:
*The siren blew loudly; I rushed to the window, and the police raced past as I looked out.*
→ Use semicolon after *loudly*.

5. *We took our raincoats, boots, and umbrellas for the cookout.*
→ This is fine. List separated by commas, no issue.
✔ C

6. *My son is a medical technician, my daughter, a postal worker, and my wife, an editor.*
→ This is a list of appositives. The commas are correctly used (serial commas + appositive commas). No semicolon/colon needed.
✔ C

7. *I will sing for the performance, but I will not act.*
→ Comma + “but” is correct for joining two independent clauses.
✔ C

8. *This quiz covers these topics, nouns, verbs, and pronouns.*
→ “these topics” introduces a list — should be colon:
*This quiz covers these topics: nouns, verbs, and pronouns.*
✔ Add colon after *topics*.

9. *The house looked like what we wanted on the other hand, we had not been inside.*
→ “on the other hand” joins two independent clauses. Should be:
*The house looked like what we wanted; on the other hand, we had not been inside.*
✔ Add semicolon before *on*.

10. *The order was requested one week ago however, I expected the package to arrive by now.*
→ “however” joins two independent clauses → needs semicolon before it:
*The order was requested one week ago; however, I expected the package to arrive by now.*
✔ Add semicolon before *however*.

11. *You asked for forgiveness, he granted it to you.*
→ Comma splice! Two independent clauses. Should be:
*You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.*
✔ Add semicolon after *forgiveness*.

12. *Other people did Bob’s work for him consequently, the office began to run more smoothly.*
→ “consequently” joins two independent clauses → needs semicolon before it:
*Other people did Bob’s work for him; consequently, the office began to run more smoothly.*
✔ Add semicolon before *consequently*.

13. *The meeting must include the following people, Mark, Jay, Chris, and Ruby.*
→ “the following people” introduces a list → use colon, not comma:
*The meeting must include the following people: Mark, Jay, Chris, and Ruby.*
✔ Add colon after *people*.

14. *In Bob’s absence, Harry took care of making copies and answering phone calls.*
→ One independent clause; no issue.
✔ C

15. *Miss Patsy had the thing she really craved power.*
→ “the thing she really craved” is followed by the noun “power” — this is an appositive. Should be:
*Miss Patsy had the thing she really craved: power.*
✔ Add colon before *power*.

Now summarize answers per item:

1. :
2. ;
3. :
4. ;
5. C
6. C
7. C
8. :
9. ;
10. ;
11. ;
12. ;
13. :
14. C
15. :

Final Answer:
1. :
2. ;
3. :
4. ;
5. C
6. C
7. C
8. :
9. ;
10. ;
11. ;
12. ;
13. :
14. C
15. :