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How to Use Semicolons and Colons — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 9 punctuation worksheet.

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Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 9 · English · Punctuation

How to Use Semicolons and Colons — Answers

Part A: Which mark?

A semicolon links two main clauses that are closely related, or separates items in a complex list. A colon comes after a complete clause and introduces a list, an explanation or an example. Circle the mark that fits each gap.

1.It was pouring outside [ ] we decided to stay in and watch a film.
  1. Asemicolon ( ; )
  2. Bcolon ( : )
  3. Ccomma ( , )

Answer: semicolon ( ; )

Two closely related main clauses, each of which could stand alone, can be joined with a semicolon. A comma alone would create a comma splice.

2.You will need three things for the hike [ ] water, a hat and sunscreen.
  1. Asemicolon ( ; )
  2. Bcolon ( : )
  3. Ccomma ( , )

Answer: colon ( : )

A colon introduces a list after a complete clause (You will need three things for the hike).

3.The plan had one fatal flaw [ ] nobody had checked the weather.
  1. Asemicolon ( ; )
  2. Bcolon ( : )
  3. Ccomma ( , )

Answer: colon ( : )

A colon can introduce an explanation of what came before. The second part explains the flaw.

4.The bus was late [ ] however, we still arrived on time.
  1. Asemicolon ( ; )
  2. Bcolon ( : )
  3. Ccomma ( , )

Answer: semicolon ( ; )

Use a semicolon before a linking adverb such as however, therefore or meanwhile when it joins two main clauses, and a comma after it.

5.We visited Rome, Italy [ ] Paris, France [ ] and Madrid, Spain.
  1. Asemicolon ( ; )
  2. Bcolon ( : )
  3. Ccomma ( , )

Answer: semicolon ( ; )

When list items already contain commas, semicolons separate the items so the reader does not get lost.

6.I love reading [ ] and my sister loves drawing.
  1. Asemicolon ( ; )
  2. Bcolon ( : )
  3. Ccomma ( , )

Answer: comma ( , )

With a joining word such as and, but or so, use a comma (or nothing in a short sentence), not a semicolon.

Part B: Right or wrong?

Circle True or False.

7."The subjects I enjoy most are: art, science and music." uses the colon correctly.

Answer: False

The words before the colon (The subjects I enjoy most are) are not a complete clause. Remove the colon, or rewrite: I enjoy three subjects most: art, science and music.

8."She trained every day; she wanted to make the team." uses the semicolon correctly.

Answer: True

Both parts are main clauses, and they are closely related (the second explains the first).

9."Because it was late; we went home." uses the semicolon correctly.

Answer: False

Because it was late is a subordinate clause and cannot stand alone. Use a comma: Because it was late, we went home.

Part C: Punctuate it

Rewrite each sentence with the punctuation asked for.

10.Join with a semicolon: "The museum was closed. We went to the park instead."

Answer: The museum was closed; we went to the park instead.

11.Join with a semicolon and therefore: "The road was flooded. The school buses could not run."

Answer: The road was flooded; therefore, the school buses could not run.

12.Add a colon: "The recipe needs only four ingredients flour, eggs, milk and butter."

Answer: The recipe needs only four ingredients: flour, eggs, milk and butter.

13.Add a colon to introduce an explanation: "Ava finally understood why the plant had died nobody had watered it for a month."

Answer: Ava finally understood why the plant had died: nobody had watered it for a month.

14.Punctuate this list with semicolons: "The finalists were Leo, the drummer, Aisha, the singer, and Ben, the pianist."

Answer: The finalists were Leo, the drummer; Aisha, the singer; and Ben, the pianist. (Without semicolons, a reader might think there were six finalists.)

Part D: Your turn

15.Your turn: write four sentences about a trip, event or competition. Use a semicolon to join two main clauses in the first, a semicolon before however or therefore in the second, a colon to introduce a list in the third and a colon to introduce an explanation in the fourth.

Model answer: 1. The race started at dawn; the air was still cold and misty. 2. I had trained for months; however, my legs felt heavy from the first step. 3. At the drink station I grabbed three things: a cup of water, a slice of orange and a handful of jelly beans. 4. In the end I learned an important lesson: start slowly and finish strongly.

Success criteria:

  • Semicolon correctly joins two related main clauses
  • Semicolon before however or therefore, with a comma after it
  • Colon introduces a list after a complete clause
  • Colon introduces an explanation after a complete clause
  • All four sentences are complete and make sense
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