1. Semicolons
Correct and incorrect use

2. What is a semicolon?
A semicolon looks like this - ;
Semicolons have only one job. They connect
two independent clauses that are closely related.
Use a semicolon when you really want to use a
comma but know that you should use a period.
Example:
Susan enjoys running; she runs more than five
miles each day.

3. Concepts to Review
Independent and Dependent Clauses
Independent Clause: has a subject and verb and
can stand alone as a sentence
Dependent clause: does not have a subject and
verb and cannot stand alone as a sentence
Subjects and Verbs
Subject: noun or pronoun that functions as the
main “actor” in the sentence.
Verb: action or state-of-being word, describes
what the subject does
Diagramming – when in doubt about a clause,
diagram it!

4. Correct or Incorrect?
For each of the following sentences, choose
choice A on your iClicker if you believe the
sentence is punctuated correctly. Choose choice
B on your iClicker if you believe the sentence is
punctuated incorrectly.
Remember, a semicolon joins two closely related
independent clauses.

5. Sentence #1
The little girl with big brown eyes and a purple
bow in her hair; she walked her puppy named
Macy around the neighborhood.

6. Sentence #1
Incorrect!
Why?
“The little girl with big brown eyes and a purple
bow in her hair” is a dependent clause. There is
no verb!
girl
(subject) (verb)
??

7. Sentence #2
Tommy and Timmy are great baseball players;
they both made the varsity team during their
freshman year.

8. Sentence #2
Correct!
Why?
The semicolon joins two independent clauses.

9. Sentence #3
You have a paper due on Thursday; make sure
that you start it soon!

10. Sentence #3
Correct!
Why?
The semicolon joins two independent clauses.

11. Sentence #4
We read the play Romeo and Juliet in class last
month; I thought it was romantic, but Jude
thought it was boring.

12. Sentence #4
Correct!
Why?
The semicolon joins two independent clauses.
Remember: two independent clauses can also be
joined with a comma and conjunction. This
sentence had both; don’t let it confuse you!

13. Sentence #5
Even though Kelly is excited to start 10th grade
soon; she is also a bit nervous.

14. Sentence #5
Incorrect!
Why?
“Even though Kelly is excited to start 10th grade
soon” is not an independent clause.
It has a subject and verb, but it cannot stand
alone as a sentence. It is an introductory clause.