ACT English : Colon Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #81 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
In the past three years, Jing has lived in Madison, Wisconsin: Ann Arbor, Michigan: and Laramie, Wyoming.
In the past three years, Jing has lived in Madison, Wisconsin; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Laramie, Wyoming.
In the past three years, Jing has lived in Madison, Wisconsin: Ann Arbor, Michigan: and Laramie, Wyoming.
In the past three years, Jing has lived in: Madison, Wisconsin; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Laramie, Wyoming.
In the past three years, Jing has lived in Madison, Wisconsin, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Laramie, Wyoming.
In the past three years, Jing has lived in: Madison, Wisconsin: Ann Arbor, Michigan: and Laramie, Wyoming.
In the past three years, Jing has lived in Madison, Wisconsin; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Laramie, Wyoming.
Because “In the past three years, Jing has lived in” is not an independent clause, no punctuation is needed to separate it from the list that follows. Because the items in the list are compound (each place name contains a comma), semicolons are needed to separate the items and provide clarity.
Example Question #81 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Julia had several requirements for the ideal job candidate; he or she should be experienced, amiable, and willing to put in long hours.
Julia had several requirements for the ideal job candidate, he or she should be experienced, amiable, and willing to put in long hours.
Julia had several requirements for the ideal job candidate; he or she should be experienced, amiable, and willing to put in long hours.
Julia had several requirements for the ideal job candidate; He or she should be experienced, amiable, and willing to put in long hours.
Julia had several requirements for the ideal job candidate, He or she should be experienced, amiable, and willing to put in long hours.
Julia had several requirements for the ideal job candidate: he or she should be experienced, amiable, and willing to put in long hours.
Julia had several requirements for the ideal job candidate: he or she should be experienced, amiable, and willing to put in long hours.
Because “Julia had several requirements for the ideal job candidate” is an independent clause, the list that follows must be preceded by a colon, not a semicolon.
Example Question #82 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Lacey has several basic babysitting rules, the children can only have one friend over at a time, the TV can’t be on during dinner, and bedtime is at eight o’clock sharp.
Lacey has several basic babysitting rules; The children can only have one friend over at a time, the TV can’t be on during dinner, and bedtime is at eight o’clock sharp.
Lacey has several basic babysitting rules, The children can only have one friend over at a time, the TV can’t be on during dinner, and bedtime is at eight o’clock sharp.
Lacey has several basic babysitting rules; the children can only have one friend over at a time, the TV can’t be on during dinner, and bedtime is at eight o’clock sharp.
Lacey has several basic babysitting rules: the children can only have one friend over at a time, the TV can’t be on during dinner, and bedtime is at eight o’clock sharp.
Lacey has several basic babysitting rules, the children can only have one friend over at a time, the TV can’t be on during dinner, and bedtime is at eight o’clock sharp.
Lacey has several basic babysitting rules: the children can only have one friend over at a time, the TV can’t be on during dinner, and bedtime is at eight o’clock sharp.
Because “Lacey has several basic babysitting rules" is an independent clause, the list that follows must be preceded by a colon. A semicolon is never used to separate a list from its antecedent.
Example Question #83 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The following students must report immediately to the principal’s office: Jamie Kendrick, Leon Duke, and Cesar Alonso.
The following students must report immediately to the principal’s office, Jamie Kendrick, Leon Duke, and Cesar Alonso.
The following students must report immediately to the principal’s office: Jamie Kendrick, Leon Duke, and Cesar Alonso.
The following students must report immediately to the principal’s office; Jamie Kendrick, Leon Duke, and Cesar Alonso.
The following students must report immediately to the principal’s office: Jamie Kendrick; Leon Duke; Cesar Alonso.
The following students: must report immediately to the principal’s office, Jamie Kendrick, Leon Duke, and Cesar Alonso.
The following students must report immediately to the principal’s office: Jamie Kendrick, Leon Duke, and Cesar Alonso.
Here, we’re separating an independent clause (“The following students must report immediately to the principal’s office”) from a list (the students’ names), so the correct punctuation is a colon and not a semicolon. Semicolons are only used to separate two independent clauses, not an independent clause and a list. Although the list that follows the semicolon isn’t a complete sentence, the first word must still be capitalized because it’s a person’s name. The items in the list aren’t compound items, so a simple comma is fine to separate them.
Example Question #84 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Lannifer is an expert on growing several kinds of trees: elms, American chestnuts, red oaks, and lindens are among her specialties.
Lannifer is an expert on growing several kinds of trees: elms; American chestnuts; red oaks; and lindens are among her specialties.
Lannifer is an expert on growing: several kinds of trees elms, American chestnuts, red oaks, and lindens are among her specialties.
Lannifer is an expert on growing several kinds of trees: elms, American chestnuts, red oaks, and lindens are among her specialties.
Lannifer is an expert on growing several kinds of trees, elms, American chestnuts, red oaks, and lindens are among her specialties.
Lannifer is an expert on growing several kinds of trees; elms, American chestnuts, red oaks, and lindens are among her specialties.
Lannifer is an expert on growing several kinds of trees: elms, American chestnuts, red oaks, and lindens are among her specialties.
Here, we’re separating an independent clause (“Lannifer is an expert on growing several kinds of trees”) from another independent clause that enumerates several items first introduced in the first clause, so the best punctuation is a colon and not a semicolon.
Example Question #31 : Colon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
When you go to the store, please purchase the following items: flour, bread, milk, and eggs.
items flour, bread, milk, and eggs.
NO CHANGE
items, flour, bread, milk, and eggs.
items: Flour, bread, milk, and eggs.
NO CHANGE
Because this sentence introduces a list of items, a colon must precede the list. The first item in the list should not be capitalized (unless it is a proper noun).
Example Question #32 : Colon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
I enjoy many types of music, including: classical, rock, jazz, and blues.
including classical; rock, jazz, and blues.
including classical, rock, jazz, and blues.
NO CHANGE
including classical rock jazz and blues.
including classical, rock, jazz, and blues.
When a list is preceded by a preposition or a verb (including), a colon is unnecessary. A comma is necessary after music because it separates the independent clause from the dependent clause.
Example Question #131 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
I need a teacher who can do the following, be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
I need a teacher who can do the following be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
I need a teacher who can do the following; be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
I need a teacher who can do the following: be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
NO CHANGE
I need a teacher who can do the following. Be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
I need a teacher who can do the following: be patient, possess cross-cultural skills, and understand advanced physics concepts.
This sentence contains a series of items. The list is not preceded by a verb or a preposition, so a colon is an appropriate way to introduce the items.
Example Question #33 : Colon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
During winter break I want to go to: Aspen, Vail, and Monarch.
NO CHANGE
to, Aspen, Vail and Monarch.
to Aspen Vail and Monarch.
to Aspen, Vail, and Monarch.
to Aspen, Vail, and Monarch.
In this sentence the colon is separating the preposition ("to") from it's objects ("Aspen, Vail and Monarch"). Thus, the colon should be removed. Colons should never separate parts of a sentence that are grammatically connected. Also, note that commas should separate items in the list, and that an Oxford Comma should appear before the "and."
Example Question #34 : Colon Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Allison likes games such as: bingo, chess, and card games.
Allison likes games such as, bingo, chess, and card games.
Allison likes games such as bingo, chess, and card games.
Allison likes games, such as, bingo, chess, and card games.
NO CHANGE
Allison likes games such as bingo, chess, and card games.
The colon use is incorrect. "Such as" does not require a colon after it. Colons must follow complete independent clauses that could stand on their own as a sentence, and no sentence could end with "such as."
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