Semicolon, Colon or Period Between Clauses

Start with Semicolon, Colon or Period Between Clauses so students can tell the three marks apart, then move to the adverb and list sheets. Use the lab summary as an editing check at the end.

Choose a period, semicolon or colon between clauses in sentences about a glacier research team. A period separates two sentences. A semicolon joins two closely related clauses. A colon joins two clauses when the second one explains or completes the first. The directions on the page read: Write a period, a semicolon or a colon in each box. A capital letter after the box means a new sentence begins. For 2, 4 and 7, explain your choice on the line. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 8th grade punctuation, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.

When a conjunctive adverb such as however or therefore joins two complete sentences, put a semicolon before it and a comma after it. When it interrupts the middle of one clause, set it off with a pair of commas. Conjunctive Adverbs in the Middle of a Clause practices both.

Use semicolons between list items when the items already contain commas, such as a name followed by a description. The semicolons show where each item ends. Plan and Write Semicolon Lists From a Chart builds these lists from a chart of four festivals.

A colon can follow a complete sentence when the next words explain or complete it. It should not split a verb from its object or follow the words such as. Semicolon, Colon or Period Between Clauses asks students to choose among the three marks.

Hyphenate compound numbers such as twenty-one and number phrases before a noun, such as a 12-year-old swimmer or a two-thirds majority. Do not hyphenate when the phrase comes after the noun, as in the swimmer is 12 years old.