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ACT English Section Practice: Semicolons, Dashes, and Commas Already Passed

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ACT English Section Practice: Semicolons, Dashes, and Commas Already Passed Semicolons Between Sentences ;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ✔✔Semicolons connect 2 independent clauses. A semicolon is ONLY correct if it can be replaced with a period. Remember that semicolons are interchangeable with periods—this means that you will never be asked to choose between them. If the only difference between two answers is that one has a period and the other semicolon in the same spot, both answers must be wrong. Semicolon Example ✔✔Incorrect: After seeing that the amusement park had four roller coasters; Maria was determined to ride them all. Correct: The amusement park has four roller coasters; Maria was determined to ride them all. Semicolons for Lists ✔✔There is one other, much less common, use of semicolons: to separate items in a list, especially if they include commas. Semicolons for Lists Example ✔✔My whole family was at the reunion, including my cousins, Kirsten and Jeremy; my aunts, Tracy and Megan; and my grandparents, Carl and Jen. Colons :::::::::::: ✔✔Colons can, in fact, connect two independent clauses, but they are usually used to introduce lists or explanations. The key rule for colons is that they must come after a complete sentence. You should be able to put a period at the end of the clause before the colon and have it make sense. Otherwise, it doesn't matter if you're introducing a list or explanation, it's still wrong. Colon Examples ✔✔Incorrect: Liz went to the costume shop for the supplies she needed for Halloween, including: fake blood, plastic spiders, and a witch's hat. Correct: Liz went to the costume shop for the supplies she needed for Halloween: fake blood, plastic spiders, and a witch's hat. Correct: Liz went to the costume shop for the supplies she needed for Halloween: a holiday when people dress up in scary costumes and eat a lot of candy. Correct: Liz went to the costume shop for the supplies she needed for Halloween: she was planning to dress up as a zombie witch. Last Thoughts on Semicolons, Periods, and Colons ✔✔You may have noticed that semicolons, colons, and periods can all be used between independent clauses. However, as I mentioned in regard to semicolons, you will never be asked to choose between the three—the distinctions are purely stylistic. Dashes With Non Essential Clauses and Phrases ✔✔Non-essential clauses and phrases provide extra information that can be removed without altering the meaning of the sentence. When dashes are used with non-essential clauses or phrases, the key is making sure that you don't mix them with commas. Both are equally correct, but you have to stick to one or the other. Dash Examples ✔✔Incorrect: Allie was minding her own business when her brother, a mischievous eight-year-old—snuck up and surprised

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