Colons and Semicolons in Lists

English · Grammar & Punctuation · ages 10-11

Name ______________________ Date ____________

A semicolon can open a list after a complete sentence, just like a colon.
Circle one: True False
Which group of words is a complete sentence, so a colon could come right after it to introduce a list?
- You will need three things
- When you pack your bag
- Under the kitchen table
In the sentence 'Bring these things: a coat, a hat, and gloves,' what is the colon's job?
- It introduces the list that comes next
- It separates the items in the list
- It shows the sentence is over
Which mark separates list items that already have commas inside them, like city and country names?
- ;
- :
- ,
Which list stays consistent all the way through?
- We stopped at Leeds, in England; Cardiff, in Wales, and Perth, in Scotland.
- We stopped at Leeds, in England, Cardiff, in Wales, and Perth, in Scotland.
- We stopped at Leeds, in England; Cardiff, in Wales; and Perth, in Scotland.
Where does the colon belong in this sentence? 'You need three things a pencil a notebook and a ruler.'
- After 'pencil'
- After 'need'
- After 'things'
Which list uses semicolons correctly?
- We visited Madrid; Spain; Athens; Greece; and Cairo; Egypt.
- We visited Madrid, Spain, Athens, Greece, and Cairo, Egypt.
- We visited Madrid, Spain; Athens, Greece; and Cairo, Egypt.
What mark completes this sentence? 'For breakfast Mia had ___ toast, eggs, and fruit.'
- no mark
- :
- ;
Zara wrote: 'The winners were Ana, from class 5; Theo, from class 6, and Ravi, from class 7.' What should Zara fix?
- Change every semicolon to a comma
- Change the comma before 'and Ravi' to a semicolon
- Add a colon after 'were'
Which sentence is punctuated correctly from start to finish?
- Mia listed three clubs: chess club, on Monday; art club, on Tuesday; and drama club, on Friday.
- Mia listed three clubs, chess club, on Monday, art club, on Tuesday, and drama club, on Friday.
- Mia listed: three clubs, chess club, art club, and drama club.

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Colons and Semicolons in Lists W1-mt_uycuqPaiJ1-s1

False · Only a colon opens a list. A semicolon's job is separating items inside a list, not starting one.
You will need three things · Only a complete sentence can take a colon before a list. The other two leave you waiting for more.
It introduces the list that comes next · A colon after a complete sentence points forward and introduces the list. Separating items is the semicolon's job.
; · Semicolons act like strong commas when the items themselves already contain commas.
We stopped at Leeds, in England; Cardiff, in Wales; and Perth, in Scotland. · Once a list starts with semicolons, every break needs one. "We stopped at Leeds, in England; Cardiff, in Wales, and Perth, in Scotland" slips a comma in, and the third never uses semicolons at all.
After 'things' · 'You need three things' is a complete sentence, so the colon goes right after it, where the list begins.
We visited Madrid, Spain; Athens, Greece; and Cairo, Egypt. · Each city-and-country pair already has a comma inside, so semicolons keep the pairs apart. Splitting a city from its own country, or using commas everywhere, both confuse the reader.
no mark · 'For breakfast Mia had' is not a complete sentence, so no colon or semicolon fits. The words run straight into the list with no mark.
Change the comma before 'and Ravi' to a semicolon · Once a list starts using semicolons, every break needs one. 'The winners were' is not a complete sentence, so no colon belongs after it.
Mia listed three clubs: chess club, on Monday; art club, on Tuesday; and drama club, on Friday. · The first sentence opens with a colon after a complete sentence and uses semicolons between items that carry their own commas. The others break one or both rules.