Colons, Semicolons, And Dashes

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| By Eric Burnquist
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Eric Burnquist
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 7 | Total Attempts: 78,073
| Attempts: 12,785 | Questions: 10
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1. The NFC East has four of the NFL's most storied and popular franchises___ the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins, the New York Giants, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Explanation

We are listing the teams of this conference. Any time that we list information in a sentence, we use a COLON

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About This Quiz
Colons, Semicolons, And Dashes - Quiz

Choose either a colon, semicolon, or dash in the following sentences

2. I am continually astonished by the variety of peppers in the natural world___ bell, jalapeno, habanero, cayenne, poblano...  The list goes on!

Explanation

We are listing multiple types of peppers in this sentence. Every time that we list information within a sentence, we use a COLON.

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3. Phil ___ dressed in furs and strutting ostentatiously ___ was never one for a quiet entrance.

Explanation

We separate descriptive phrases by using DASHES.

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4. We have to be more careful about what we say___ it's hard to know who to trust in this day and age.

Explanation

This sentence has two independent clauses - to parts that could stand as their own independent sentences. Any time two independent clauses are in one sentence, they must be separated with a SEMI-COLON.

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5. The Omega J800 ___ a masticating juicer ___ provides top of the line juices at a price designed for consumers.

Explanation

"A masticating juicer" is an appositive. We separate appositives by using DASHES.

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6. I think it might be time to upgrade my cellphone___ the new Android might fit the bill.

Explanation

The two phrases in this sentence are independent clauses, meaning that they could stand on their own as two individual sentences. We separate independent clauses by using SEMI-COLONS.

Submit
7. Sometimes, I really resent my lactose intolerance___ soy milk is so much more expensive.

Explanation

Again, we have two related independent clauses in one sentence. We separate independent clauses by using a SEMI-COLON

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8. The process behind establishing a viable residential community is truly complex___ maintaining order and safety, establishing affordable housing, creating relationships of trust, and attracting profitable local businesses.

Explanation

We are listing the steps in a process. Because we are listing items within a sentence, we use a COLON

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9. After months of false starts and dead ends, the detective was finally able to finger the culprit ____ the butler!

Explanation

We are including an interjection in this sentence. Separate this interjection from the whole of the sentence by using a DASH

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10. A political statesman, a visionary scientist, and a coiner of aphorisms__ Benjamin Franklin was a renaissance man in an Enlightenment era.

Explanation

We are listing the many roles Benjamin Franklin embodied. Because this is a list, we use a COLON.

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The NFC East has four of the NFL's most storied and popular...
I am continually astonished by the variety of peppers in the natural...
Phil ___ dressed in furs and strutting ostentatiously ___ was never...
We have to be more careful about what we say___ it's hard to know...
The Omega J800 ___ a masticating juicer ___ provides top of the line...
I think it might be time to upgrade my cellphone___ the new Android...
Sometimes, I really resent my lactose intolerance___ soy milk is so...
The process behind establishing a viable residential community is...
After months of false starts and dead ends, the detective was finally...
A political statesman, a visionary scientist, and a coiner of...
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