Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes

Back to: ACT English

The ACT English exam will also test your knowledge of semicolons, colons, and dashes. The table below includes the most common uses of each of these forms of punctuation with examples.

Punctuation	Examples
Semicolons	Join two independent clauses. I decided to plant sunflowers, milkweed, and asters in the garden; wildflowers are easy to maintain and attract pollinators. A semicolon can be followed by a transition word (aka conjunctive adverb) like therefore, however, or although. They should never be used with coordinating conjunctions. My garden is full of pollinator-friendly plants; however, I have not seen any birds or butterflies yet. Make sure the transition word is followed by a comma. Separate items in complex lists If any items in a list include commas or other punctuation, then semicolons should be used to separate the list items. She traveled to Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Portland, Oregon. Separate lengthy or parallel independent clauses The professor gave students several weeks to gather resources, develop their outlines, and draft their essays; while students appreciated the time, they indicated later that workshops would also have been helpful. (lengthy) The first group of students decided to study at the library; the second group of students decided to study at the dorm. (parallel)
Colons	Colons are used to separate independent clauses when the second independent clause contains a definition, an example, an illustration, a paraphrase, or an expansion of the first clause. In the last 20 years there has been a rise in the number of fantasy books being written: the Harry Potter series directly impacted this trend. Colons can also be used to introduce a list or a quotation. There are three finalists to host the World Cup in 2030: the United States, Nigeria, and Argentina. As he surveyed the broken lamp, his mother’s words echoed in his head: “Don’t play fetch in the house with the dog!”
Dashes	Dashes are used in place of commas, parentheses, or colons. Replacing Commas The governor, impatient and arrogant on the best of days, quickly dismissed reporters’ questions about tax increases. ⬇ The governor—impatient and arrogant on the best of days—quickly dismissed reporters’ questions about tax increases. Replacing Parentheses After counting each individual piece of Halloween candy (203 in total), the siblings started trading with each other. ⬇ After counting each individual piece of Halloween candy—203 in total—the siblings started trading with each other. Replacing Colons The bystander pulled out his phone and filmed the customer’s angry rant: the ensuing video went viral in less than two hours. ⬇ The bystander pulled out his phone and filmed the customer’s angry rant—the ensuing video went viral in less than two hours.

How Will the Test Try to Trick You?
The test will present answer options that include incorrect uses of punctuation
Example	Incorrect 🚫	Correct ✅
Using a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses	I can’t go out tonight; because I have to study for the exam.	I can’t go out tonight because I have to study for the exam. OR I can’t go out tonight; I have to study for the exam.
Using a colon after a dependent clause or an incomplete sentence	My garden has several root vegetables, such as: radishes, carrots, and potatoes. During the summer break, I plan to: travel, read several books, and practice painting.	My garden has several root vegetables: radishes, carrots, and potatoes. During the summer break, I plan to travel, read several books, and practice painting.
Using a dash instead of a colon to introduce a list	They wanted the mission statement to focus on their most important values—honesty, respect, and empathy.	They wanted the mission statement to focus on their most important values: honesty, respect, and empathy.
Using dashes with commas to separate nonessential clauses	When I saw Dr. Wan—my former professor, I was pleasantly surprised.	When I saw Dr. Wan—my former professor—I was pleasantly surprised. OR When I saw Dr. Wan, my former professor, I was pleasantly surprised.

Tips and Strategies

To decide whether a semicolon should be used, try replacing it with a period. Is there a complete sentence on either side? If not, a semicolon is incorrect.
Semicolons and periods are interchangeable and the test will never require you to choose between them; therefore, if two answer options include a period and semicolon in the same spot, both of them are incorrect and you can rule them out.
Remember that a colon must always come after an independent clause. It can be followed by another independent clause or a list.
Dashes cannot be paired with other punctuation to set off clauses.

Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply