SAT Writing : Identifying Semicolon Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I need to go to the dry cleaners; and I also need to go and pick up some flowers for my wife.
I need to go to the dry cleaners; though I also need to go and pick up some flowers for my wife.
I need to go to the dry cleaners; or I also need to go and pick up some flowers for my wife.
I need to go to the dry cleaners; and I also need to go and pick up some flowers for my wife.
I need to go to the dry cleaners; I also need to go and pick up some flowers for my wife.
I need to go to the dry cleaners; but I also need to go and pick up some flowers for my wife.
I need to go to the dry cleaners; I also need to go and pick up some flowers for my wife.
Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses; however, they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The sentence above incorrectly places the coordinating conjunction "and" after the semicolon. Replacing the semicolon with a comma, or deleting the coordinating conjunction would both grammatically correct this sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, I need to go to the dry cleaners; I also need to go and pick up some flowers for my wife.
Example Question #42 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Emmett is one of the rudest human beings I have ever met; but I can't deny that he's a fascinating conversationalist when he wants to be.
Emmett is one of the ruder human beings I have ever met but I can't deny that he's a fascinating conversationalist when he wants to be.
Emmett is one of the ruder human beings I have ever met, but I can't deny that he's a fascinating conversationalist when he wants to be.
Emmett is one of the rudest human beings I have ever met, but I can't deny that he's a fascinating conversationalist when he wants to be.
Emmett is one of the rudest human beings I have ever met; but I can't deny that he's a fascinating conversationalist when he wants to be.
Emmett is one of the ruder human beings I have ever met; but I can't deny that he's a fascinating conversationalist when he wants to be.
Emmett is one of the rudest human beings I have ever met, but I can't deny that he's a fascinating conversationalist when he wants to be.
Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses; however, they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. Commas with a conjunction and a semicolon are both grammatically correct options to join two independent clauses into one compound sentence; whichever you choose is a matter of personal writing style. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, Emmett is one of the rudest human beings I have ever met, but I can't deny that he's a fascinating conversationalist when he wants to be.
Example Question #591 : Sat Writing
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Francois always struck me as a smarmy chap; but several people seem to like him.
Francois always struck me as a smarmy chap; although several people seem to like him.
Francois always struck me as a smarmy chap; despite several people seem to like him.
Francois always struck me as a smarmy chap; in spite several people seem to like him.
Francois always struck me as a smarmy chap; several people seem to like him.
Francois always struck me as a smarmy chap; but several people seem to like him.
Francois always struck me as a smarmy chap; several people seem to like him.
Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses. Note though that semicolon must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "Francois always struck me as a smarmy chap; several people seem to like him."
Example Question #592 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The old tree had been there for forty years; but now John was thinking of cutting it down. No error
years;
of cutting
No error
was thinking
had been
years;
Semicolons link two independent clauses; the phrase "but now John was thinking of cutting it down" is not an independent clause. The use of "but" makes it dependent on the first clause, and means that a comma is more appropriate. Note that coordinating conjunctions should never follow semicolons.
Example Question #593 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Five states have laws that would apply in this case, in their jurisdictions; Montana, New York, New Hampshire, Colorado, and Kansas. No error
jurisdictions;
Colorado, and
their
No error
case, in
jurisdictions;
When introducing a list, a colon or a comma should be used (eg. "...in their jurisdictions: Montana..."). Semicolons are generally used to link two independent clauses in a sentence.
Example Question #594 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I find it extremely difficult to concentrate with all of the noise; and I worry that I may have to move out of my building. No error
I find it extremely
concentrate with
noise; and
my building.
No error
noise; and
Semicolons may be used to separate two related, independent clauses; however, they must be used alone, and without any accompanying conjunction. The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected in the sentence above is, "noise; and." The required correction is simply to delete the coordinating conjunction "and."
Example Question #595 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you don't stop lying to the police; I'm afraid you're going to find yourself in a world of trouble. No error
No error
the police;
If you don't stop
world of trouble.
I'm afraid
the police;
In the example sentence "If you don't stop lying to the police" acts not as an independent clause, but rather as a dependent introductory clause. Thus, the semicolon must be replaced with a comma in order for this sentence to be grammatically correct.
Example Question #41 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I find it hard to believe that my Senator would refuse to vote on such an important issue; but that appears to have been exactly what he did. No error
exactly what he did.
I find it hard
No error
issue; but
my Senator
issue; but
The example sentence correctly recognizes that the two clauses are independent, but in attempting to connect them into one compound sentence the author overzealously includes an unnecessary co-ordinating conjunction after the semicolon. This is overkill! Either a comma with an appropriate coordinating conjunction OR a semicolon with no accompanying conjunction can be used to punctuate this sentence. Deleting "but" or replacing the semicolon with a comma would fix this sentence.
Example Question #42 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I don't; believe that you did what you said you did, and I must insist that you stop lying to me. No error
No error
you did,
I don't;
you did what
I must insist
I don't;
Semicolons must follow independent clauses. Independent clauses must include all of the necessary components of a complete basic grammatical sentence. In the example sentence the semicolon interrupts the independent clause "I don't believe that you did what you said you did." The rest of the sentence is correct as written, as a comma and coordinating conjunction are used to connect the two independent clauses. Semicolons should never interrupt any clause.
Example Question #598 : Sat Writing
Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year, eventually it had to be cancelled.
Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year eventually it having to be cancelled.
Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year so eventually it had to be cancelled.
Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year, eventually it had to be cancelled.
Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year therefore eventually it had to be cancelled.
Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year, and eventually it had to be cancelled.
Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year, and eventually it had to be cancelled.
The sentence is actually a run on sentence, with two complete sentences being jammed together to make a grammatically incorrect sentence. Such compound sentences need to be separated either by a comma and a conjunction, or a semicolon. This makes "Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year, and eventually it had to be cancelled," the correct answer choice.
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