Intermediate Test Prep ELA 8 (Grades7-8) Literary Devices

Are you ready to practice using semi-colons?

Remember semi-colons are used much the same way that commas are used, but are stronger. They have three uses:

to join two simple sentences when there is no connecting word (and, but)
to join two simple sentences joined by a conjunctive adverb (therefore, however, instead, also) - be sure to use the semi-colon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after
to separate groups of words that already contain commas

Let's practice using semi-colons correctly!

Read each sentence below and decide where semi-colons should go.

I was born on April 3, 1990 my brother was born July 14, 1993.
The academic award winners were Laura, English, Jon, math, Suzanne, science, and Dan, social studies.
Get plenty of sleep the night before a big game it is hard to play your best when you are tired.
The Johnsons asked me to babysit on Saturday however, I was busy.
I wanted my mother to grill steak for dinner instead, she made lasagna.
The concert tour included the cities of New Orleans, Louisiana, Memphis, Tennessee, and Dallas, Texas.
Getting up early has its rewards sunrise is the most beautiful, peaceful time of day.
I studied really hard for my French test therefore, I got the highest grade in the class.

How did you do? If you had difficulty, go back to the lesson and review it once more and then try this practice again.

Click on the chalkboard to return to the lesson on semi-colons