Using Semicolons
Semicolons help you connect closely related
ideas when punctuation stronger than a comma
is needed. By using semicolons effectively, you
can make your writing sound more
sophisticated.
Read the following examples and write your
own sentences using a semi-colon:
Connect closely related ideas
Some people write with a word processor;
others write with a pen or pencil.
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Where there is a connective linking the ideas
However they choose to write, people are
allowed to make their own decisions; as a
result, many people swear by their writing
methods.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Link lists where the items contain commas to
avoid confusion between list items
I have been to Newcastle, Carlisle, and York in
the North; Bristol, Exeter, and Portsmouth in
the South; and Cromer, Norwich, and Lincoln in
the East.
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Link lengthy clauses or clauses with commas to
avoid confusion between clauses
Some people write with a word processor,
typewriter, or a computer; but others, for
different reasons, choose to write with a pen or
pencil.
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Avoid using a comma when a semicolon is
needed:
Correct the following sentences using semicolons and comma appropriately:
Incorrect: The cow is brown, it is also old.
Correct: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Incorrect: I like cows, however, I hate the way
they smell.
Correct:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Incorrect: I like cows: they give us milk, which
tastes good, they give us beef, which also tastes
good, and they give us leather, which is used for
shoes and coats.
Correct:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incorrect: Cows, though their bovine majesty
has been on the wane in recent millenia, are
still one of the great species of this planet,
domesticated, yet proud, they ruminate silently
as we humans pass tumultuously by.
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Correct:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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The comma splice.
The comma splice is one of the most frequent
mistakes made when using a comma. The
comma splice occurs when a comma is used to
connect two independent clauses.
In this example the two clauses make sense on
their own. Connecting them with a comma is
incorrect:
Jim usually gets on with everybody, he is an
understanding person.
Tick the sentences showing the comma splice:
1. Paul loves to travel, he visits Hungary at least
once a year.
2. Flying back from Greece, we saw a beautiful
sunset.
3. I always find writing essays difficult, I usually
leave them to the last minute.
4. She makes a smashing apple pie, I love it.
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If you have two independent clauses that need
to be separated, you have several choices:
1. You can make them into two sentences using
a full stop. This is probably the easiest
solution but may not be the best in terms of
style or developing your argument.
Jim usually gets on with everybody. He is an
understanding person.
2. You can use a semicolon. Semicolons should
not be overused. A semi-colon suggests a
link between the two clauses. This can be a
powerful tool in developing a convincing
argument.
Jim usually gets on with everybody; he is an
understanding person.
3. Introduce a connective to connect the
sentences. By doing this, you make the
connection between the two more explicit.
Jim usually gets on with everybody because he
is an understanding person.
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Identify and correct the comma splice using a
full stop, connective or semi-colon. Some
sentences may just need the comma removing
– others will need no correction at all:
1. I love eating fruit, it is one of my favourite
things.
2. After visiting the cinema, we are intending to
go to the pub.
3. After a couple of drinks, we enjoyed a lovely
stroll along the beach.
4. There are many reasons to visit Greece, the
beaches are lovely and the people are
friendly.
5. I'll never be able to buy a house, prices these
days are just ridiculous.
6. I cannot afford a house in London, so I am
moving to Sunderland.
7. This is a lovely cake, you must give me the
recipe one day.
8. The computer in my room is old, but the
carpet is ancient.
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Model Verbs
Model verbs reflect possibility:
Can
would
may
might
will
must
shall
should
ought to
could
Write these into the table in order of strength
of possibility
Strong
possibility
unlikely
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Models of Ability
Put in 'can', 'can't', 'could' or 'couldn't'. If none
of these is possible use 'be able to' in the
correct tense.
1)
you swim when you were 10?
2) We
get to the meeting on time yesterday,
because the train was delayed by one hour.
3) He
arrive at the party on time, even after
missing the train, so he was very pleased.
4) He's amazing, he
including Chinese..
speak five languages,
5) I
drive a car until I was 34. Then I moved to
the countryside, so I had to learn.
6) I looked everywhere for my glasses but I
find them anywhere.
7) I searched for your house for ages. luckily I
find it in the end.
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Modals of Obligation
Put in 'mustn't' or 'don't / doesn't have to':
1) We have a lot of work tomorrow. You
late.
2) You
secret.
tell anyone what I just told you. It's a
3) The museum is free. You
4) Children
be
pay to get in.
tell lies. It's very naughty.
5) John's a millionaire. He
go to work.
6) I
do my washing because my mother does
it for me.
7) We
8) You
rush. We've got plenty of time.
smoke inside the school.
9) You can borrow my new dress, but you
get it dirty.
10) We
one tonight.
miss the train, because it's the last
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Modals of Probability
Put in 'must + infinitive' (for something that's likely
about the present)
Or
'must + have + past participle' (for something that's
likely about the past).
Q 1- 3 have been done for you.
1) Keiko always does really well on exams. She
(study) a lot.
must study
2) That woman drives a very expensive car. She
(have) a lot of money.
must have
3) You
(practise) a lot before you gave your
speech. It was really good.
must have practised
4) When Lizzie got home yesterday there were flowers
on the table. Her husband
(buy) them.
5) Where is my purse? I saw it earlier, so it
in this room.
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(be)
6) Sarah couldn't find her glasses. She thought she
(leave) them at her office.
7) It
(be) cold outside. That man in the street is
wearing a coat.
8) All my plants
(be) dead! I forgot to water
them before I went on holiday.
Read these again.
Tick the sentences which show tense transition
– for example from present to past tense. Being
able to control tense transition is a Level 6 /
grade B skill.
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Bringing it all together
Write about ‘My favourite day of the week’
using all the skills discussed in this booklet:

Fronted adverbials

Complex noun phrases

Prepositions

Model verbs

Semicolons – be careful not to overuse
comma splicing
Use lined paper - about 200 words - annotate
features
Remember at level 6 we do not write in a
formulaic way. We write in a subtle, controlled
way that supports the purpose and meaning of
our writing. You may wish to draft your writing
first!
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