Semicolon Colon Practice Worksheet | PDF - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Semicolon Colon Practice Worksheet | PDF
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Semicolon Colon Practice Worksheet | PDF
Let’s go through each sentence one by one. We’re looking for places where a semicolon (;) or colon (:) should be used — and if the sentence is already correct, we write “C”.
Remember:
- Use a colon to introduce a list, explanation, or quote after a complete sentence.
- Use a semicolon to join two closely related complete sentences without a conjunction (like “and” or “but”), OR to separate items in a list that already have commas.
---
1. Bert was proud of his new title Vice President of Sales.
→ “Vice President of Sales” explains what the title is → use colon before it.
✔ Fix: Bert was proud of his new title: Vice President of Sales.
2. I have not heard the latest comments therefore, I cannot render an opinion.
→ Two complete sentences joined by “therefore” → needs semicolon before “therefore”. Also remove comma after “therefore”.
✔ Fix: I have not heard the latest comments; therefore, I cannot render an opinion.
3. The new officers are as follows, Ron, the president, Hubert, the vice-president, and Don, the secretary.
→ “as follows” introduces a list → use colon after “follows”, not comma.
✔ Fix: The new officers are as follows: Ron, the president, Hubert, the vice-president, and Don, the secretary.
4. The siren blew loudly I rushed to the window, and the police raced past as I looked out.
→ First part (“The siren blew loudly”) and second part (“I rushed...”) are both complete thoughts → need semicolon between them.
✔ Fix: The siren blew loudly; I rushed to the window, and the police raced past as I looked out.
5. We took our raincoats, boots, and umbrellas for the cookout.
→ This is fine! No need for semicolon or colon. List is simple.
✔ Answer: C
6. My son is a medical technician, my daughter, a postal worker, and my wife, an editor.
→ This is a list with internal commas → use semicolons to separate the main items.
✔ Fix: My son is a medical technician; my daughter, a postal worker; and my wife, an editor.
7. I will sing for the performance, but I will not act.
→ Already has “but” connecting two clauses → no semicolon needed. Correct as is.
✔ Answer: C
8. This quiz covers these topics, nouns, verbs, and pronouns.
→ “these topics” introduces a list → use colon after “topics”.
✔ Fix: This quiz covers these topics: nouns, verbs, and pronouns.
9. The house looked like what we wanted on the other hand, we had not been inside.
→ Two complete sentences → need semicolon before “on the other hand”. Remove comma after “hand”.
✔ Fix: The house looked like what we wanted; on the other hand, we had not been inside.
10. The order was requested one week ago however, I expected the package to arrive by now.
→ Two complete sentences → semicolon before “however”. Remove comma after “however”.
✔ Fix: The order was requested one week ago; however, I expected the package to arrive by now.
11. You asked for forgiveness, he granted it to you.
→ Two complete sentences → need semicolon instead of comma.
✔ Fix: You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.
12. Other people did Bob’s work for him consequently, the office began to run more smoothly.
→ Two complete sentences → semicolon before “consequently”. Remove comma after “consequently”.
✔ Fix: Other people did Bob’s work for him; consequently, the office began to run more smoothly.
13. The meeting must include the following people, Mark, Jay, Chris, and Ruby.
→ “the following people” introduces a list → use colon after “people”.
✔ Fix: The meeting must include the following people: Mark, Jay, Chris, and Ruby.
14. In Bob’s absence, Harry took care of making copies and answering phone calls.
→ Simple sentence, no list or compound structure needing punctuation fix.
✔ Answer: C
15. Miss Patsy had the thing she really craved power.
→ “power” explains what “the thing” is → use colon before “power”.
✔ Fix: Miss Patsy had the thing she really craved: power.
---
Final Answer:
1. Bert was proud of his new title: Vice President of Sales.
2. I have not heard the latest comments; therefore, I cannot render an opinion.
3. The new officers are as follows: Ron, the president, Hubert, the vice-president, and Don, the secretary.
4. The siren blew loudly; I rushed to the window, and the police raced past as I looked out.
5. C
6. My son is a medical technician; my daughter, a postal worker; and my wife, an editor.
7. C
8. This quiz covers these topics: nouns, verbs, and pronouns.
9. The house looked like what we wanted; on the other hand, we had not been inside.
10. The order was requested one week ago; however, I expected the package to arrive by now.
11. You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.
12. Other people did Bob’s work for him; consequently, the office began to run more smoothly.
13. The meeting must include the following people: Mark, Jay, Chris, and Ruby.
14. C
15. Miss Patsy had the thing she really craved: power.
Remember:
- Use a colon to introduce a list, explanation, or quote after a complete sentence.
- Use a semicolon to join two closely related complete sentences without a conjunction (like “and” or “but”), OR to separate items in a list that already have commas.
---
1. Bert was proud of his new title Vice President of Sales.
→ “Vice President of Sales” explains what the title is → use colon before it.
✔ Fix: Bert was proud of his new title: Vice President of Sales.
2. I have not heard the latest comments therefore, I cannot render an opinion.
→ Two complete sentences joined by “therefore” → needs semicolon before “therefore”. Also remove comma after “therefore”.
✔ Fix: I have not heard the latest comments; therefore, I cannot render an opinion.
3. The new officers are as follows, Ron, the president, Hubert, the vice-president, and Don, the secretary.
→ “as follows” introduces a list → use colon after “follows”, not comma.
✔ Fix: The new officers are as follows: Ron, the president, Hubert, the vice-president, and Don, the secretary.
4. The siren blew loudly I rushed to the window, and the police raced past as I looked out.
→ First part (“The siren blew loudly”) and second part (“I rushed...”) are both complete thoughts → need semicolon between them.
✔ Fix: The siren blew loudly; I rushed to the window, and the police raced past as I looked out.
5. We took our raincoats, boots, and umbrellas for the cookout.
→ This is fine! No need for semicolon or colon. List is simple.
✔ Answer: C
6. My son is a medical technician, my daughter, a postal worker, and my wife, an editor.
→ This is a list with internal commas → use semicolons to separate the main items.
✔ Fix: My son is a medical technician; my daughter, a postal worker; and my wife, an editor.
7. I will sing for the performance, but I will not act.
→ Already has “but” connecting two clauses → no semicolon needed. Correct as is.
✔ Answer: C
8. This quiz covers these topics, nouns, verbs, and pronouns.
→ “these topics” introduces a list → use colon after “topics”.
✔ Fix: This quiz covers these topics: nouns, verbs, and pronouns.
9. The house looked like what we wanted on the other hand, we had not been inside.
→ Two complete sentences → need semicolon before “on the other hand”. Remove comma after “hand”.
✔ Fix: The house looked like what we wanted; on the other hand, we had not been inside.
10. The order was requested one week ago however, I expected the package to arrive by now.
→ Two complete sentences → semicolon before “however”. Remove comma after “however”.
✔ Fix: The order was requested one week ago; however, I expected the package to arrive by now.
11. You asked for forgiveness, he granted it to you.
→ Two complete sentences → need semicolon instead of comma.
✔ Fix: You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.
12. Other people did Bob’s work for him consequently, the office began to run more smoothly.
→ Two complete sentences → semicolon before “consequently”. Remove comma after “consequently”.
✔ Fix: Other people did Bob’s work for him; consequently, the office began to run more smoothly.
13. The meeting must include the following people, Mark, Jay, Chris, and Ruby.
→ “the following people” introduces a list → use colon after “people”.
✔ Fix: The meeting must include the following people: Mark, Jay, Chris, and Ruby.
14. In Bob’s absence, Harry took care of making copies and answering phone calls.
→ Simple sentence, no list or compound structure needing punctuation fix.
✔ Answer: C
15. Miss Patsy had the thing she really craved power.
→ “power” explains what “the thing” is → use colon before “power”.
✔ Fix: Miss Patsy had the thing she really craved: power.
---
Final Answer:
1. Bert was proud of his new title: Vice President of Sales.
2. I have not heard the latest comments; therefore, I cannot render an opinion.
3. The new officers are as follows: Ron, the president, Hubert, the vice-president, and Don, the secretary.
4. The siren blew loudly; I rushed to the window, and the police raced past as I looked out.
5. C
6. My son is a medical technician; my daughter, a postal worker; and my wife, an editor.
7. C
8. This quiz covers these topics: nouns, verbs, and pronouns.
9. The house looked like what we wanted; on the other hand, we had not been inside.
10. The order was requested one week ago; however, I expected the package to arrive by now.
11. You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.
12. Other people did Bob’s work for him; consequently, the office began to run more smoothly.
13. The meeting must include the following people: Mark, Jay, Chris, and Ruby.
14. C
15. Miss Patsy had the thing she really craved: power.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of semicolons worksheet.
