Does the word have more than one meaning?
Can you use the word in a sentence?
Do you know the meaning of the word?
Do you know how to spell it?
Can you relate the word to any of your subjects?
Can you define the word to a friend?
If you can use the word of the week in any of your lessons then you will be rewarded!
Semi-colons
A semi-colon marks a fairly long pause; it’s longer than a comma but shorter than a full stop. It’s
used to link two sentences which are connected in meaning and equally important. The semi-colon
helps to show that the two points are linked:
My mum loves playing tennis; my dad prefers badminton.
He peered inside the house; the stranger was inside.
Semi-colons are sometimes useful for dividing up entries in long lists, especially when the items in
the lists are long and complicated:
To make your kite you will need: one metre of thick, strong string; two long, wooden poles; one large
sheet of sturdy paper; and finally, markers, paint or crayons to decorate it.
All the semi-colons above could be commas, but it would be harder to read.
Remember that you don’t put a capital letter after a semi-colon.
Top Tip
Don’t over use the colon and semi colon!
Colons
A colon is used to introduce something that follows. It can be a list, like this:
You will need: vinegar, olive oil and salt.
Or it can be when the second half of a sentence explains or expands on the first half of the
sentence:
Finally he told us the secret: he had stolen the painting and hidden it.
Colons can also be used to add emphasis.
There was only one word to describe this day: disastrous.
Top Tip
Don’t over use the colon and semi colon!
Year 7 Task
Add a colon or a semi colon to the following sentences:
1. We arrived late at the party even so, we had a great time.
2. Please bring the following a warm coat, walking boots, a packed lunch
and a compass.
3. Then, at last, I discovered the truth my friend was a spy!
4. He opened the box the gleam of gold was visible inside.
Year 7 Answers
Answers
1. We arrived late at the party; even so, we had a great time.
2. Please bring the following: a warm coat, walking boots, a packed
lunch and a compass.
3. Then, at last, I discovered the truth: my friend was a spy!
4. He opened the box; the gleam of gold was visible inside.
Year 8 Task
Put the colon and the semi-colon into the sentences below:
1. Jane likes Shakespeare Caroline prefers modern drama.
2. He’d lost everything his friends, his happiness and his pride.
3. Mrs Flower’s briefcase contained a letter to her MP an empty box of
Thornton’s chocolates three poems about her holiday and a study of Macbeth.
4. Plenty of girls had signed up for the team Miss Jukes wanted to be one of
them.
Year 8 Answers
Answers
1. Jane likes Shakespeare; Caroline prefers modern drama.
2. He’d lost everything: his friends, his happiness and his pride.
3. Mrs Flower’s briefcase contained a letter to her MP; an empty box of
Thornton’s chocolates; three poems about her holiday and a study of
Macbeth.
4. Plenty of girls had signed up for the team; Miss Jukes wanted to be one of
them.
Year 9 Task
Rewrite the following sentences using a colon or semi-colon
1. Frank had several admirable qualities. He was handsome, intelligent, kind and
caring.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. Steve and Kate went to Florida for three reasons. They wanted to have fun
they wanted to lay on the beach they wanted to get away from their parents.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Year 9 Answers
Answers
1. Frank had several admirable qualities: he was handsome, intelligent, kind and
caring.
2. Steve and Kate went to Florida for three reasons: they wanted to have fun;
they wanted to lay on the beach; they wanted to get away from their parents.
Year 10 Task
Decide whether or not you need a colon/semi-colon in the following sentences:
1. Everyone is wary of the cliff; the face of which has weathered alarmingly.
2. The couple scarcely knew anyone, and were slow to form friendships; having
little enthusiasm for new faces.
3. It should be stressed that Stephanie’s behaviour is unacceptable, it should be
brought to her notice immediately.
4. There was one person that Tom was terrified of seeing: his mum.
5. Keith Lemon’s favourite saying is: “Potatoes.”
Year 10 Answers
Answers
1. A comma is all that is required as the cliff and its face are so closely related.
2. You could also use a comma for this one.
3. You can use a semi-colon in this sentence as it requires a pause that is slightly
longer than a comma.
It should be stressed that Stephanie’s behaviour is unacceptable; it should be
brought to her notice immediately.
4. There was one person that Tom was terrified of seeing: his mum. The colon
adds emphasis here.
5. Keith Lemon’s favourite saying is: “Potatoes.” Here the colon introduces a
quotation.
Year 11 Task
Look closely at this piece of descriptive writing and
decide where you could use a colon or semi-colon
The ground was covered with litter. Crisp packets floated just
above the grass shards of glass spread unevenly bread cakes had
been trodden into the muddy ground and colourful banners
sculpted the lumps and bumps of the ground. Silence had now
taken over the music could no longer be heard. It was a distant
memory from the day before. There was only one word that
could describe the way that the field now looked and that was
ghastly.
Year 11 Answers
Answers
The ground was covered with litter. Crisp packets floated just above
the grass; shards of glass spread unevenly; bread cakes had been
trodden into the muddy ground and colourful banners sculpted the
lumps and bumps of the earth. Silence had now taken over ; the
music could no longer be heard. It was a distant memory from the
day before. There was only one word that could describe the way
the field now looked: ghastly.