Quiz

BuzzFeed Staff

BuzzFeed

Semicolons and colons and commas, oh my! A quiz from the <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/emmyf/buzzfeed-style-guide?utm_term=.reB8QWZVZ#.lag43Q5r5">BuzzFeed copydesk</a>.

Semicolons and colons and commas, oh my! A quiz from the BuzzFeed copydesk.

This Semicolon Quiz Will Test Your Punctuation Knowledge

What should replace the emoji in this sentence?

This should be a semicolon, since it links two closely related independent clauses — each clause could stand alone as its own sentence. Using a comma would result in a comma splice (yikes).

Semicolon!

It's a comma here — the first clause can't stand alone as its own sentence.

Comma!

What should replace the emojis in this sentence?

Semicolons can separate list items that already contain commas (like the description of our nachos with alllll the toppings).

Semicolons!

A clear case of a colon being correct. A colon rather than a semicolon is used to introduce a list.

Colon!

We don't need semicolons in this simple list — commas will do!

Commas!

Once again, semicolons are used to separate items in a list that have commas in them — this makes it super clear who's who at this important state dinner.

Another example of a semicolon doing its job of joining two closely related clauses that could stand alone.

Since the second clause has a coordinating conjunction ("even though"), it isn't independent — so we need a comma instead of a semicolon.

You probably only use semicolons to make the winking-face emoji.

You know that semicolons can be used for a lot more than just making the winking-face emoji, but occasionally the semicolons you meet feel like you don't quite ~understand~ them.

You're a semicolon expert. Your prose is always punctuated with grace, finesse, and a certain je ne sais quoi as a result of your perfectly placed semicolons.

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This Semicolon Quiz Will Test Your Punctuation Knowledge

Decide what should replace the emojis in these sentences, and prove you know how to use the most elusive punctuation mark of them all: the semicolon of course.

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This Semicolon Quiz Will Test Your Punctuation Knowledge

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