SAT Writing : Identifying Semicolon Errors
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Example Question #11 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The carousel, originally introduced to Europe during the Crusades, was derived from a jousting game; and later became a staple at fairs and amusement parks. No error
Crusades,
No error
game;
carousel, originally
fairs and amusement parks
game;
A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses. In this case, the phrase after the semicolon is not an independent clause but rather a compound predicate of the subject "The carousel." No punctuation is needed here.
Example Question #12 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The ballerina's exceptional twirling and precise body control left the audience members in awe; her mastery, accomplished through years of intense training, was not lost on even the inexperienced spectators. No error
No error
not lost on
mastery,
awe;
exceptional twirling and precise body control
No error
A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses. The two clauses separated here by the semicolon are both independent, so the semicolon use is correct.
Example Question #13 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Fire-breathing seems quite foolish and dangerous to an uninformed observer; but any experienced fire-breather knows how to properly minimize the potential risks. No error
observer; but
quite foolish and dangerous
any experienced fire-breather knows
No error
properly minimize
observer; but
This is an incorrect use of a semicolon. A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses, but the second clause starts with the conjunction "but." In this instance, either a comma should be used instead of a semicolon or the conjunction "but" should be deleted to make the semicolon appropriate.
Example Question #14 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Milwaukee was chosen as the host site for the conference not because of any bias the board members held; but rather because of its central location. No error
held; but
No error
site
was chosen
its
held; but
A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses, but the second of the clauses here is dependent. The clause that follows the semicolon here could not stand alone as its own sentence, and thus is not an independent clause. The appropriate punctuation to use here would be a comma.
Example Question #15 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
He ran to and from the store; several times. No error
times.
and
;
No error
He ran
;
Semicolons are predominantly used to separate two independent clauses. In the sentence above, the semicolon is incorrect because it is not separating two such clauses. The best way to correct this sentence would be to simply remove the semicolon.
Example Question #16 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My dad likes to tell a lot of bad jokes; it's quite intolerable. No error
;
tell
it's
My dad
No error
No error
Semicolons are predominantly used to separate two independent clauses. In the sentence above, the semicolon is used correctly. There are no other errors in the example sentence. The verb "tell" is in the correct tense; "it's" is the correct contraction.
Example Question #17 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I ran to the market; back again in a single afternoon. No error
;
single afternoon
No error
ran
in
;
Semicolons are predominantly used to separate two independent clauses. In the sentence above, the semicolon is incorrect because it is not separating two such clauses. The best way to fix this sentence would be to replace the semicolon with the word "and." The correct version of this sentence would read: "I ran to the market and back again in a single afternoon."
Example Question #18 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I really love cooking; and baking in the afternoon. No error
really
;
afternoon.
No error
baking
;
Semicolons are predominantly used to separate two independent clauses. In the sentence above, the semicolon is incorrect because it is not separating two such clauses. Semicolons should never be placed in the middle of a clause.
Example Question #19 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The milk wasn't past its listed expiration date; but we threw it out anyway because of a funky odor emanating from the box. No error
No error
its
date; but
past
threw
date; but
A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses (grammatically complete clauses that could stand on their own as sentences). The second half of this sentence, after the semicolon, is a subordinate and dependent clause (it could not be a legitimate sentence on its own), thus a semicolon is inappropriate here. A comma would be the appropriate choice. "Its" is the correct possessive. The sentence is in the correct tense.
Example Question #20 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Franklin; one of the strongest people I know, can lift extremely heavy weights. No error
strongest
know,
extremely
Franklin;
No error
Franklin;
Semicolons are almost exclusively used to separate two indepenedent clauses, or clauses which may stand as a sentence on their own. As such, the best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the semicolon following the word "Franklin" and replace it with a comma. Note that semicolons are never used to punctuate interrupting phrases, which require a comma on either end.
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