Semi-colons: first function

English

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. 

Punctuation 

words that could make a complete sentence

What must be on either side of a semi-colon?

The competition was ferocious; Many players got injured. 

The competition was ferocious; many players got injured. 

The competition was ferocious, many players got injured. 

Which version below joins these two sentences correctly using a semi-colon? 'The competition was ferocious. Many players got injured.'

she had been looking forward to it for days.

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

Laura stopped smiling; as she entered the room she could see them doing a test. 

Laura stopped smiling as she entered the room; she could see them doing a test. 

Laura stopped smiling as she entered the room she could see; them doing a test.

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

When we reached the mountaintop, I smiled; the view was incredible. 

As the door creaked open; we froze, the house was completely dark. 

Pausing mid-explanation, Mr Martinez glared at Andeep; he had been talking. 

Aisha tiptoed down the stairs; which creaked loudly.

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

Miss O'Neill hurried into the classroom; she had heard that I was injured. 

Alex was appalled; he is my next-door neighbour. 

Lucas loves Spanish food; his brother hates it. 

Aisha is very rarely late; she lives close to school.

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

What piece of punctuation can be used to introduce a list, a question or an explanation?

We had several lessons this morning: maths, English, spelling and handwriting. 

The lessons we had this morning were: maths, English, spelling and handwriting. 

We had many lessons this morning, including: maths, English and spelling.

Which sentence uses a colon to introduce a list correctly?

We crept deeper into the cave: shivering with fear, would we make it out alive?

We crept deeper into the cave, shivering with fear, would we make it out alive?

We crept deeper into the cave, shivering with fear: would we make it out alive?

Which sentence uses a colon correctly to introduce a question?

Mr Martinez was furious: his face was bright red. 

Mr Martinez was furious: someone had drunk his coffee.

The man smiled: he had seen an old friend.

Which of these sentences contain an explanation following the colon?

If you must go into town, take this shopping list: I need a few things. 

If you must go into town: take this shopping list, I need a few things. 

If you must go into town, take this shopping list, I need: a few things. 

Which of these explanation sentences is correctly punctuated?

Which of the following could complete this sentence as an explanation? 'The cat pounced:'

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Semi-colons: first function

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.