Colons, Semicolons, And Dashes

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| By Eric Burnquist

Eric Burnquist

Community Contributor

Quizzes Created: 7 | Total Attempts: 72,022

Questions: 10 | Attempts: 11,352 | Updated: May 2, 2023

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Choose either a colon, semicolon, or dash in the following sentences

Questions and Answers

1.

I think it might be time to upgrade my cellphone___ the new Android might fit the bill.
- A.
  
  ; (semi-colon)
- B.
  
  : (colon)
- C.
  
  - (dash)
Correct Answer
A. ; (semi-colon)

Explanation
The two phrases in this sentence are independent clauses, meaning that they could stand on their own as two individual sentences. We separate independent clauses by using SEMI-COLONS.

Rate this question:

6
0
2.

I am continually astonished by the variety of peppers in the natural world___ bell, jalapeno, habanero, cayenne, poblano... The list goes on!
- A.
  
  ; (semi-colon)
- B.
  
  : (colon)
- C.
  
  - (dash)
Correct Answer
B. : (colon)

Explanation
We are listing multiple types of peppers in this sentence. Every time that we list information within a sentence, we use a COLON.

Rate this question:

4
0
3.

A political statesman, a visionary scientist, and a coiner of aphorisms__ Benjamin Franklin was a renaissance man in an Enlightenment era.
- A.
  
  ; (semi-colon)
- B.
  
  : (colon)
- C.
  
  - (dash)
Correct Answer
B. : (colon)

Explanation
We are listing the many roles Benjamin Franklin embodied. Because this is a list, we use a COLON.

Rate this question:

3
0
4.

After months of false starts and dead ends, the detective was finally able to finger the culprit ____ the butler!
- A.
  
  ; (semi-colon)
- B.
  
  : (colon)
- C.
  
  - (dash)
Correct Answer
C. - (dash)

Explanation
We are including an interjection in this sentence. Separate this interjection from the whole of the sentence by using a DASH

Rate this question:

4
0
5.

The Omega J800 ___ a masticating juicer ___ provides top of the line juices at a price designed for consumers.
- A.
  
  ; (semi-colon)
- B.
  
  : (colon)
- C.
  
  - (dash)
Correct Answer
C. - (dash)

Explanation
"A masticating juicer" is an appositive. We separate appositives by using DASHES.

Rate this question:
6.

Sometimes, I really resent my lactose intolerance___ soy milk is so much more expensive.
- A.
  
  ; (semi-colon)
- B.
  
  : (colon)
- C.
  
  - (dash)
Correct Answer
A. ; (semi-colon)

Explanation
Again, we have two related independent clauses in one sentence. We separate independent clauses by using a SEMI-COLON

Rate this question:

6
0
7.

The process behind establishing a viable residential community is truly complex___ maintaining order and safety, establishing affordable housing, creating relationships of trust, and attracting profitable local businesses.
- A.
  
  ; (semi-colon)
- B.
  
  : (colon)
- C.
  
  - (dash)
Correct Answer
B. : (colon)

Explanation
We are listing the steps in a process. Because we are listing items within a sentence, we use a COLON

Rate this question:

3
0
8.

The NFC East has four of the NFL's most storied and popular franchises___ the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins, the New York Giants, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
- A.
  
  ; (semi-colon)
- B.
  
  : (colon)
- C.
  
  - (dash)
Correct Answer
B. : (colon)

Explanation
We are listing the teams of this conference. Any time that we list information in a sentence, we use a COLON

Rate this question:

4
0
9.

Phil ___ dressed in furs and strutting ostentatiously ___ was never one for a quiet entrance.
- A.
  
  ; (semi-colon)
- B.
  
  : (colon)
- C.
  
  - (dash)
Correct Answer
C. - (dash)

Explanation
We separate descriptive phrases by using DASHES.

Rate this question:

4
0
10.

We have to be more careful about what we say___ it's hard to know who to trust in this day and age.
- A.
  
  ; (semi-colon)
- B.
  
  : (colon)
- C.
  
  - (dash)
Correct Answer
A. ; (semi-colon)

Explanation
This sentence has two independent clauses - to parts that could stand as their own independent sentences. Any time two independent clauses are in one sentence, they must be separated with a SEMI-COLON.

Rate this question:

3
0

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Current Version
May 02, 2023

Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team
Dec 13, 2012

Quiz Created by
Eric Burnquist

Colons, Semicolons, And Dashes

I think it might be time to upgrade my cellphone___ the new Android might fit the bill.

I am continually astonished by the variety of peppers in the natural world___ bell, jalapeno, habanero, cayenne, poblano... The list goes on!

A political statesman, a visionary scientist, and a coiner of aphorisms__ Benjamin Franklin was a renaissance man in an Enlightenment era.

After months of false starts and dead ends, the detective was finally able to finger the culprit ____ the butler!

The Omega J800 _ a masticating juicer _ provides top of the line juices at a price designed for consumers.

Sometimes, I really resent my lactose intolerance___ soy milk is so much more expensive.

The process behind establishing a viable residential community is truly complex___ maintaining order and safety, establishing affordable housing, creating relationships of trust, and attracting profitable local businesses.

The NFC East has four of the NFL's most storied and popular franchises___ the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins, the New York Giants, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Phil _ dressed in furs and strutting ostentatiously _ was never one for a quiet entrance.

We have to be more careful about what we say___ it's hard to know who to trust in this day and age.

Colons, Semicolons, And Dashes

I think it might be time to upgrade my cellphone___ the new Android might fit the bill.

I am continually astonished by the variety of peppers in the natural world___ bell, jalapeno, habanero, cayenne, poblano... The list goes on!

A political statesman, a visionary scientist, and a coiner of aphorisms__ Benjamin Franklin was a renaissance man in an Enlightenment era.

After months of false starts and dead ends, the detective was finally able to finger the culprit ____ the butler!

The Omega J800 ___ a masticating juicer ___ provides top of the line juices at a price designed for consumers.

Sometimes, I really resent my lactose intolerance___ soy milk is so much more expensive.

The process behind establishing a viable residential community is truly complex___ maintaining order and safety, establishing affordable housing, creating relationships of trust, and attracting profitable local businesses.

The NFC East has four of the NFL's most storied and popular franchises___ the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins, the New York Giants, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Phil ___ dressed in furs and strutting ostentatiously ___ was never one for a quiet entrance.

We have to be more careful about what we say___ it's hard to know who to trust in this day and age.

The Omega J800 _ a masticating juicer _ provides top of the line juices at a price designed for consumers.

Phil _ dressed in furs and strutting ostentatiously _ was never one for a quiet entrance.