Use these Semicolon Usage practice questions to review how semicolons are used between independent clauses, before transition words, and in lists that already contain commas. After answering each question, open the explanation to see the punctuation rule behind the correct answer.
Semicolon Usage Topics Covered
- Using semicolons between independent clauses
- Avoiding comma splices
- Avoiding run-on sentences
- Using semicolons with transition words
- Using semicolons in complex lists
- Choosing between commas and semicolons
- Recognizing correctly punctuated sentences
Semicolon Usage Practice Questions
She was not prepared for an overnight stay, that is; she had not brought a change of clothes.
- She was not prepared for an overnight stay; that is, she had not brought a change of clothes.
- She was not prepared for an overnight stay: that is; she had not brought a change of clothes.
- She was not prepared for an overnight stay, that is she had not brought a change of clothes.
- No error
Show Answer
Answer: A. She was not prepared for an overnight stay; that is, she had not brought a change of clothes.
A semicolon can be used before an introductory phrase such as that is when it introduces another complete thought. A comma should follow the introductory phrase.
The corrected sentence is:
She was not prepared for an overnight stay; that is, she had not brought a change of clothes.
Check back with me next week; I will have a better idea of the schedule by then.
- Check back with me next week, I will have a better idea of the schedule by then.
- Check back with me next week I will have a better idea of the schedule by then.
- Check back with me; next week I will have a better idea of the schedule by then.
- No error
Show Answer
Answer: D. No error
The sentence is already correct. The semicolon separates two independent clauses:
Check back with me next week.
I will have a better idea of the schedule by then.
Using a comma between these two complete thoughts would create a comma splice. Using no punctuation would create a run-on sentence.
This organization has chapters in Wilmington, Delaware, Hanover, New Hampshire, and New York, New York.
- Wilmington; Delaware, Hanover; New Hampshire, and New York; New York.
- Wilmington, Delaware; Hanover, New Hampshire; and New York, New York.
- Wilmington Delaware, Hanover New Hampshire, and New York New York.
- No error
Show Answer
Answer: B. Wilmington, Delaware; Hanover, New Hampshire; and New York, New York.
When list items already contain commas, semicolons can be used to separate the larger items in the list.
The corrected list is:
Wilmington, Delaware; Hanover, New Hampshire; and New York, New York.
The commas stay between each city and state, while the semicolons separate the city-state groups.
When I am done with my work I will help you with yours and then your work will be done sooner.
- When I am done with my work, I will help you with yours, and then your work will be done sooner.
- When I am done, with my work I will help you with yours and then; your work will be done sooner.
- When I am done with my work, I will help you with yours; and then your work will be done sooner.
- No error
Show Answer
Answer: C. When I am done with my work, I will help you with yours; and then your work will be done sooner.
The introductory dependent clause When I am done with my work should be followed by a comma.
The semicolon helps separate the two larger parts of the sentence, especially because the first part already contains internal punctuation.
The corrected sentence is:
When I am done with my work, I will help you with yours; and then your work will be done sooner.
Please bring needed camping supplies for example a tent, a sleeping bag, and a lantern.
- Please bring needed camping supplies; for example, a tent, a sleeping bag, and a lantern.
- Please bring needed camping supplies, for example, a tent, a sleeping bag, and a lantern.
- Either answer A or answer B
- No error
Show Answer
Answer: C. Either answer A or answer B
Both answer A and answer B are acceptable because the phrase after for example is a list, not a complete sentence.
A comma should follow for example in either version.
Correct versions include:
Please bring needed camping supplies; for example, a tent, a sleeping bag, and a lantern.
Please bring needed camping supplies, for example, a tent, a sleeping bag, and a lantern.
Some famous trios include Athos, Porthos, and Aramis; Huey, Dewey, and Louie; and Moe, Larry, and Curly.
- Athos; Porthos; and Aramis, Huey; Dewey; and Louie, and Moe; Larry; and Curly.
- Athos Porthos and Aramis, Huey Dewey and Louie, and Moe Larry and Curly.
- Athos, Porthos and Aramis, Huey, Dewey and Louie, and Moe, Larry and Curly.
- No error
Show Answer
Answer: D. No error
The sentence is already correct. Each trio contains commas within the group, so semicolons are used to separate the larger groups.
The three groups are:
Athos, Porthos, and Aramis
Huey, Dewey, and Louie
Moe, Larry, and Curly
The semicolons make the list easier to read.
I am unable to attend, however my representative will attend in my place.
- I am unable to attend, however, my representative will attend in my place.
- I am unable to attend; however, my representative will attend in my place.
- I am unable to attend however my representative will attend in my place.
- No error
Show Answer
Answer: B. I am unable to attend; however, my representative will attend in my place.
The word however connects two independent clauses. A semicolon should come before however, and a comma should follow it.
The corrected sentence is:
I am unable to attend; however, my representative will attend in my place.
I know you’re there; I can see you trying to hide behind the sofa.
- I know you’re there I can see you trying; to hide behind the sofa.
- I know you’re there, I can see you; trying to hide behind the sofa.
- I know you’re there I can see you trying to hide; behind the sofa.
- No error
Show Answer
Answer: D. No error
The sentence is already correct. The semicolon separates two independent clauses:
I know you’re there.
I can see you trying to hide behind the sofa.
A semicolon should not be placed between parts of a verb phrase, such as trying to hide, or between a verb and a prepositional phrase.
She knew her way around the building, she had been there before.
- She knew her way around the building; she had been there before.
- She knew her way; around the building, she had been there before.
- She knew; her way around the building, she had been there before.
- No error
Show Answer
Answer: A. She knew her way around the building; she had been there before.
The sentence contains two independent clauses:
She knew her way around the building.
She had been there before.
Since there is no coordinating conjunction between them, a semicolon can be used to join them.
The corrected sentence is:
She knew her way around the building; she had been there before.
They were ready, they were willing, they were able, and they were there.
- They were ready, they were willing, they were able; and they were there.
- They were ready; they were willing; they were able, and they were there.
- They were ready they were willing they were able; and they were there.
- No error
Show Answer
Answer: B. They were ready; they were willing; they were able, and they were there.
Each of the first three parts is an independent clause:
They were ready.
They were willing.
They were able.
Because the clauses are not joined by coordinating conjunctions, semicolons are used between them.
The final clause is joined with and, so a comma is acceptable before and.
How to Use These Semicolon Usage Practice Questions
Start by answering each question before opening the explanation. Then compare your answer to the punctuation rule in the solution. If you miss a question, review whether the sentence contains independent clauses, transition words, or list items with internal commas.
For extra review, focus on the question types you miss most often. Semicolon questions often test whether you can recognize comma splices, run-on sentences, transition words such as however, and complex lists that need stronger separation than commas alone can provide.