[Solution] Grammar/Mechanics Checkup 9: Semicolons and Colons

You will use commas and periods most frequently in your business sentences. However, a good writer should know how to use colons and semicolons as well. These two punctuation marks might look similar, but they serve different purposes.

Determine what punctuation rule is illustrated by the following sentence.

I have never met someone who does their job so well; they are consistently professional.

• Use a colon to separate items in a series.
• Use a semicolon to join closely related independent clauses.
• Use a semicolon to join closely related dependent clauses.

Identify which option in each of the following groups is punctuated correctly.

• I hung a picture; in the new conference room: it brightens the room.
• I hung a picture in the new conference room, it brightens the room.
• I hung a picture in the new conference room; it brightens the room.

• Most people like to work close to home: however, I enjoy my commute.
• Most people like to work close to home; however, I enjoy my commute.
• Most people like to work close to home however, I enjoy my commute.

• I saw Emily Zhou, regional sales officer; Daniel Ortega, president of SellPlus; and Lupe Hernandez, vice president of sales.
• I saw Emily Zhou, regional sales officer Daniel Ortega, president of SellPlus and Lupe Hernandez, vice president of sales
• I saw Emily Zhou, regional sales officer Daniel Ortega, president of SellPlus; and Lupe Hernandez, vice president of sales.

• I would like to take a vacation at the end of this month; however, it is a busy time of year at our office
• I would like to take a vacation at the end of this month, however it is a busy time of year at our office.
• I would like to take a vacation at the end of this month: however, it is a busy time of year at our office.

Determine what punctuation rule is illustrated by the following sentence.

I wonder if I will see Mary Ortega, founder of Season Fruit Shipping; Jose Arenas, head shipping agent at Produce Plus; or Delia Finnegan, manager of Finnegan Fruit Growers.

• Use semicolons to separate items in a series when one or more of the items contain internal commas.
• Use commas to separate items in a series when one or more of the items contain internal commas.
• Use colons to separate items in a series when one or more of the items contain internal commas.

Identify which option in each of the following groups is punctuated correctly.

• The conferences were scheduled for October 1, November 1, and December 1.
• The conferences were scheduled for; October 1, November 1, and December 1.
• The conferences were scheduled for: October 1, November 1, and December 1.

• I need to know if you are able to perform the following tasks of the job, revising existing marketing materials, promoting the company at trade shows, and reaching potential customers through direct mail campaigns.
• I need to know if you are able to perform the following functions of the job: revising existing marketing materials, promoting the company at trade shows, and reaching potential customers through direct mail campaigns.
• I need to know if you are able to perform the following functions of the job; revising existing marketing materials, promoting the company at trade shows, and reaching potential customers through direct mail campaigns.

• Dear Madame President:
• Dear Madame President;
• Dear Madame President

• The company meeting is this afternoon; therefore, please take a shorter lunch break.
• The company meeting is this afternoon therefore, please take a shorter lunch break.
• The company meeting is this afternoon; therefore please take a shorter lunch break.