Semicolons and Colons
ENG II B
INDEPENDENT WORK
Pick up the handout Semicolons
and Colons Guided Notes from
the bookcase in the front of the
room.
Read and wait for instruction.
CLAUSES
A clause is a group of WORDS that
contains a VERB and its SUBJECT
and is used as PART of a sentence.
CLAUSES
 Although every clause has a subject and verb, not all
clauses express a complete thought. Those that do
express a complete thought are called
INDEPENDENT clauses. Such clauses could be
written as separate SENTENCES. We think of them
as clauses instead of sentences when they are
JOINED with one additional clause or more in a single
larger sentence. Clauses that do not make complete
sense by themselves are called SUBORDINATE or
DEPENDENT clauses. These clauses do the job of
NOUNS, ADJECTIVES, or ADVERBS just as phrases
do.
CLAUSES
Most dependent clauses are introduced by
a word like when, if, until, or because that
makes them dependent. When we hear a
clause that starts with one of these words
we know that there has to be AT LEAST
ONE MORE CLAUSE in the sentence, and
that at least one of
the other clauses must be an
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE.
INDEPENDENT WORK
Pick up the handout from the tray on the
bookcase in the front of the room.
Complete.
You may use your notes from the previous
day, if needed.
Formative Assessment 2
INDEPENDENT WORK
Pick up the handout from the tray on the
bookcase in the front of the room.
Complete, reading directions. Instead of
SF for Sentence Fragment, use DC for
Dependent Clause.
You may use your notes from the previous
day, if needed.
Formative Assessment 3
INDEPENDENT WORK
Pick up the handout from the tray on the
bookcase in the front of the room.
Complete, reading directions. Be sure to
also circle the word that tells you the clause
is dependent.
You may use your notes from the previous
day, if needed.
Formative Assessment 4
INDEPENDENT WORK
Study your notes for five minutes in
preparation for summative assessment
over Independent and Dependent Clauses.
Summative Assessment 1
INDEPENDENT WORK
Pick up the handout from the tray on the
bookshelf.
Read and be ready to discuss.
Summative Assessment 1
Rule 1
Use a semicolon between
independent clauses in a
sentence if they are not
joined by and, but, or, nor,
for, or yet.
STEPS
1. Are there two independent clauses? If so what are
they. Underline the 1st one time and the 2nd two times.
Can each stand alone and make sense without the
other? Is each a complete thought?
2. Are they joined by and, but, or, not, for, or yet? If so, a
comma should be before the conjunction and no
semicolon is needed.
3. Are the two independent clauses closely related? Are
they about the same topic and the same aspect of the
topic? If not, a period is required. If they are, use a
semicolon.
Rule 2
Pick up the handout from the tray on the bookcase in
the front of the room. Copy semicolon rule 2 onto the
appropriate place on the handout.
 Semicolon Rule 2: Use a semicolon between
independent clauses joined by such words as for
example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly,
moreover, nevertheless, furthermore, otherwise,
therefore, however, consequently, instead and hence.
Rule 2
These words are often transitional expressions linking
independent clauses. When used in this way, they are
preceded (come before) by a semicolon. They are,
however, usually followed by a comma.
 INCORRECT
Emma felt shy, however, she soon
made some friends.
 CORRECT
Emma felt shy; however, she soon
made some friends.
Rule 2
 Semicolon Rule 2: Use a semicolon between
independent clauses joined by such words as for
example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly,
moreover, nevertheless, furthermore, otherwise,
therefore, however, consequently, instead and hence.
 INCORRECT
My parents are strict, for example, I
can watch TV only on weekends.
 CORRECT
My parents are strict; for example, I
can watch TV only on weekends.
Rule 2
 Semicolon Rule 2: Use a semicolon between
independent clauses joined by such words as for
example, for instance, that is, besides, accordingly,
moreover, nevertheless, furthermore, otherwise,
therefore, however, consequently, instead and hence.
 CAUTION: When the expressions listed in the rule
appear within one of the clauses, not as a transition
between clauses, they are usually punctuated as
interrupters (set off by commas). The two clauses are still
separated by a semicolon:
 Our student council voted to have a Crazy Clothes Day;
the principal, however, vetoed the idea.
Rule 3
Use your Semicolons and Colons Guided Notes
handout. Copy semicolon Rule 3 onto the appropriate
place on the handout.
 Semicolon Rule 3: A semicolon (rather than a comma)
may be needed to separate independent clauses joined
by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when there are
commas within the clauses.
Rule 3
 Semicolon Rule 3: A semicolon (rather than a comma)
may be needed to separate independent clauses joined
by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when there are
commas within the clauses.
The use of a semicolon often helps to make a sentence
clear.
 CONFUSING
Alan, Eric, and Kim voted for her, and
Scott and Vanessa voted for Jason.
 CLEAR
Alan, Eric, and Kim voted for her; and
Scott and Vanessa voted for Jason.
Rule 3
 Semicolon Rule 3: A semicolon (rather than a comma) may be needed to
separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction
(FANBOYS) when there are commas within the clauses.
 CONFUSING
 CLEAR
Scanning the horizon for the source of
the whirring sound, Leo saw a huge,
green cloud traveling in his direction,
and, suddenly recognizing what it was,
he knew that the crops would soon be
eaten by a horde of grasshoppers.
Scanning the horizon for the source of
the whirring sound, Leo saw a huge,
green cloud traveling in his direction;
and, suddenly recognizing what it was,
he knew that the crops would soon be
eaten by a horde of grasshoppers.
Rules 2&3
Pick up the handout from the tray on the bookcase in the front of the
room. Complete Formative # _____.
This is INDEPENDENT WORK.
Please complete on your own, without consulting other students.
You MAY use your notes.
Rule 4
Pick up the handout from the tray on the bookcase in
the front of the room. Copy semicolon rule 2 onto the
appropriate place on the handout.
Rule 4: Use a semicolon between items in a series if the
items contain commas.
Rule 4
Rule 4: Use a semicolon between items in a series if the
items contain commas.
EXAMPLES

I have post cards from Paris, France; Rome, Italy;
Lisbon, Portugal; and London, England.

The photography Club will meet on Wednesday,
September 12; Wednesday, September 19;
Tuesday, September 25; and Tuesday, October 2.
Rule 4
Pick up the handout from the tray at the front of the room.
Complete Formative # _____.
This is INDEPENDENT WORK.
Please complete on your own, without consulting other
students.
You MAY use your notes.
Review
Use this time to review Semicolon Rules 1-4.
Look over your notes, the exercises you have
completed, etc.
Summative 2 Tomorrow
Semicolon Summative 2
Five Minutes
Use this time to review Semicolon Rules 1-4.
Look over your notes, the exercises you have
completed, etc.
Summative 2 Today!