Question

Look at the spaces indicated in the sentences below. Where would it be appropriate to put a semicolon (;)? A. His suitcase held only a few items: a magazine from Kenya[] two carefully folded silk handkerchiefs, each with the monogram IA[] and a can of brown shoe polish. B. They were getting ready to make the trip to the island[] It was a yearly ritual. C. The first words of her speech were uninspiring[] "Um, I seem to have misplaced my notes." D. There was only one problem[] I was stuck in a cardboard box.

Answer 1

The asnswer would be B. because a semicolon means that two complete sentences are being joined together as one

Answer 2

Answer and explanation: A semicolon can be used mostly in this cases: when we list elements and any of the items contain commas, for example, sentence A: His suitcase held only a few items: a magazine from Kenya; two carefully folded silk handkerchiefs, each with the monogram; and a can of brown shoe polish.

We also use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are related, for example, sentence B: They were getting ready to make the trip to the island; It was a yearly ritual.

In sentences C and D, we use a colon instead of a semicolon, because a colon is used to introduce an explanation: The first words of her speech were uninspiring: "Um, I seem to have misplaced my notes" and There was only one problem: I was stuck in a cardboard box.