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?
Umbrage
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
Read this passage and add the semi colon and the colon where they are needed.
The abandoned puppies were a sorrowful sight one was
whimpering softly another was too weak even for that a third
was lying limply against its brother all three were cold, wet and
tired.
Year 7 Answers
Answers
The abandoned puppies were a sorrowful sight: one was
whimpering softly; another was too weak even for that; a third
was lying limply against its brother; all three were cold, wet and
tired.
Year 8 Task
Put the colon and the semi-colon into the sentences below:
1. The children came home today they had been away for a week.
2. Our school is known for many things the quality of the teaching, especially in
English the healthy and appealing food the intelligence and helpfulness of the
students.
3. I’m not crazy I just see things my own way.
4. I am right you are wrong.
5. There’s only one way to describe this disastrous!
Year 8 Answers
Answers
1. The children came home today; they had been away for a week.
2. Our school is known for many things: the quality of the teaching, especially in
English; the healthy and appealing food; the intelligence and helpfulness of the
students.
3. I’m not crazy; I just see things my own way.
4. I am right; you are wrong.
5. There’s only one way to describe this: disastrous!
Year 9 Task
Correct these sentences by putting the colon or semi colon in the correct
place.
1.
2.
3.
4.
The train was really crowded today I have no idea why.
I remember her when she was a baby now she's a company director.
She had only one person to blame herself.
To be physically healthy we need three things ample rest, a good diet, and
plenty of exercise.
5. Occupations I have considered include nursing, teaching, singing, and writing.
Year 9 Answers
Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
The train was really crowded today; I have no idea why.
I remember her when she was a baby; now she's a company director.
She had only one person to blame: herself.
To be physically healthy we need three things: ample rest, a good diet, and
plenty of exercise.
5. Occupations I have considered include: nursing, teaching, singing, and writing.
Year 10 Task
Insert 2 colons and 2 semi colons
Harmony loved three things about being in Mr Bruff’s class friends, fun and a
fantastic teacher. She always looked forward to Monday. It was her favourite day of
the week. Preston was the same. Since moving to Mr Bruff’s class he had decided
that when he was older he wanted to be an English teacher. There were three
other students in the class who also wanted to be just like Mr Bruff when they
grew up Cameron, Chris and Abbey. Chris was already halfway there because he
had a beard.
Year 10 Answers
Answers
Harmony loved three things about being in Mr Bruff’s class: friends, fun and a
fantastic teacher. She always looked forward to Monday; It was her favourite day
of the week. Preston was the same. Since moving to Mr Bruff’s class he had
decided that when he was older he wanted to be an English teacher. There were
three other students in the class who also wanted to be just like Mr Bruff when
they grew up: Cameron, Chris and Abbey. Chris was already halfway there; he had
a beard.
Year 11 Task
Help this student to vary their punctuation. Identify where they can use a colon
and semi colon in this piece of writing.
It had been a ghastly day and all I wanted to do was get home. The
weather had been miserable and so had my mood. In English he did
it again he picked on me. I had no idea what I had done to deserve
this, but I was always turned into the joke. This could only mean
one thing war! In my head I knew what I was going to do I was going
to make him the joke. Tomorrow, everyone in class would be
laughing at him.
Year 11 Answers
Answers
It had been a ghastly day and all I wanted to do was get home. The
weather had been miserable and so had my mood. In English he did
it again; he picked on me. I had no idea what I had done to deserve
this, but I was always turned into the joke. This could only mean
one thing: war! In my head I knew what I was going to do; I was
going to make him the joke. Tomorrow, everyone in class would be
laughing at him.