Practice Exercises: Semicolons - Answers

1.  I will not do my homework; you can't make me.
   (Joining 2 complete sentences that are related.)
2. I love semicolons; in fact, I am using one right now.
   (Using a semicolon WITH a conjunctive adverb/transitional word.)
3. Can't join them! (The sentences are not related.)
   

1.  Before going to bed, I always brush my teeth.
   (A semicolon can join only two complete sentences, not a dependent clause and a sentence.)
2. My roommate made a cake; it was terrible!
   (The semicolon joins two complete sentences. A comma cannot join two complete sentences without a coordinating conjunction.)
3.  I saw the thief speed away, and I even got his license plate number.
   (A comma CAN join two complete sentences with the help of a conjunction.)
4. I like pretzels; however, I love potato chips.
   (A semicolon can be used with a conjunctive adverb/transitional word.)

1. We saw alligators, baboons, camels, and ducks.
   (Semicolons are not needed because the list does not contain commas.)
2. They visited Tulsa, Oklahoma; Chicago, Illinois; Memphis, Tennessee; and Dayton, Ohio.
   (Semicolons are needed because the items in the list contain commas.)