a piece of punctuation that can separate items in a detailed list in which each item includes commas

when the meaning of a sentence or text is unclear to the reader

a piece of punctuation placed after a main clause that can introduce a list or question

a piece of punctuation used to separate nouns in a list and to demarcate a non-finite clause or a relative clause

Semi-colons: second function

English

Apostrophes: for contraction, singular possession and plural possession 2

Hyphens and ellipsis

Colons: first function

Colons: second function

Semi-colons: first function

Speech three ways

Bullet points

In this unit, pupils learn how to use the colon and the semi-colon.

In 'Speech punctuation, parenthesis and apostrophes', pupils learnt to punctuate a speech interrupted sentence. In this unit, pupils will learn how to use the colon and the semi-colon. 

In this unit, pupils review a range of previously taught punctuation, including speech punctuation for three different types of speech sentence and apostrophes for contraction and singular and plural possession. They are also introduced to hyphens, colons, semi-colons and bullet points.

Punctuation

Which of the following pieces of punctuation might we need to punctuate a detailed list? 

because none of the items contains a comma

Why does the following list **not** need semi-colons? 'I bought several items: eggs, milk, cheese and cream.'

Why does this list need semi-colons? 'The landscape was filled with exciting noises: the loud, shrill squawk of a bird; the harsh, low growl of a puma; and the chirp of a rodent, scurrying away.'

between two adjectives in an expanded noun phrase

For what reasons are there commas in this list? 'She saw incredible things: bright jewels, shimmering in the darkness; mummies, whose bandages were pure white; and beautiful, golden treasures.' 

it is easier to see what the list items are

Using semi-colons in lists helps reduce ambiguity. What does this mean? 

an expanded noun phrase with two adjectives

Which language features are used in the following list item? 'a vast, ice-covered mountain, towering above her head'

two groups of words that could each make a complete sentence

We really enjoyed ourselves my mum; was less impressed. 

We really enjoyed ourselves; My mum was less impressed. 

We really enjoyed ourselves; my mum was less impressed. 

Which version below joins these two sentences correctly using a semi-colon? 'We really enjoyed ourselves. My mum was less impressed.'

the match was cancelled at the last minute. 

Match each main clause to a closely-related one to create a sentence that could be joined with a semi-colon.

Pausing at the door; the headteacher smiled he was so impressed. 

Pausing at the door, the headteacher smiled; he was so impressed. 

Pausing at the door the headteacher smiled he was; so impressed. 

Which of the following sentences has the semi-colon in the correct position? 

Before I could finish my lunch, the bell rang; it was time to go back. 

Wincing in pain; Jacob lay on the floor, it had been a hard tackle.

Mr Martinez smiled; as Jun answered it was a very impressive response. 

Aisha sang beautifully, filling the whole church; it was a beautiful moment.

Select all of the sentences with a semi-colon in the correct position. 

Mr Martinez waved at me in the shop; he had recognised me. 

Alex passed the ball to me first; he lives in the next village over. 

Izzy loves to draw; her brother prefers to paint. 

Miss O'Neill drives to school by car; her house is very small.

Which of the following sentences uses a semi-colon correctly to join two closely-related ideas?

Starter Quiz

What can a semi-colon join together?