Victory for the ACT Exam 16e TG Sample

126 • E NGLISH

SEMICOLONS

Use a semicolon to separate two related independent clauses. Examples: The setting sun caused the �ields to take on a special glow. All was bathed in a pale light.  The setting sun caused the �ields to take on a special glow; all was bathed in a pale light.  Anne is working at the front desk on Monday. Ernie will take over on Tuesday.  Anne is working at the front desk on Monday; Ernie will take over on Tuesday.  Use a semicolon to separate a series of phrases or clauses, each of which contains commas. Example: TWhi el l ioalmd gFerna mt l eem, caonm’ s phaeni ri os nwteor he iMs laartgeacroe ut sWi nh Ri t ol obcekr, t hBi so nh ea ;l fa- snids the irs; fJ aa vmoer si t eB ac ghlaeryi,t tyh, tehbeu t l e r ; Salvation Army.  Ac osnej mu ni cc ot ilvoen ai ds voef rt eb ns . uNsoe tde bt he tawt ae ecno mt wmo aomr mu sot rfeo li lnodwe pt he ne da ednv te rc bl a. uEsxeasmt hp al et sa or ef cc oo nn jnuencct tei dv eb y a“ ndevveerrbtshienlcelsusd,”e“ s“tciol ln,”s“eyqeut e,”n“tmlyo,”r“etohveerre,”foarned,” ““oatlhs oe,r”w“ fius er t.”h e r m o re ,” “ fo r exa m p l e ,” “ h o weve r,”  Saphpeewaareitde.d for her check to arrive in the mail for two weeks. However, the check never  She waited for her check to arrive in the mail for two weeks; however, the check never appeared.  DO NOT use a semicolon between an independent clause and a phrase or subordinate clause. Example: She worked extra hours every night; yet, was not able to �inish the project on time.  She worked extra hours every night yet was not able to �inish the project on time.  To summarize, there are three different ways to separate two independent clauses: (1) use a comma followed by a conjunction; (2) use a semicolon; or (3) use end-stop punctuation. Example:  O( t nh at th he aAvCeTa Ec nl ogsl ies hr eTl aetsi to, nt hs he i ep q) upi rvoavl ei dnec sy ao fp tohwe es er f tuhl rteees tw- t aayksi nt og ss terpaat er ag tye. Ii fn tdheep teens dt epnr te sc el anut ss e s ac ht ol ei ca es ts )t —w oa ac no smwme ra cf oh lol oi cwe se dwbi tyh aocnoenoj uf nt hc et isoeno, pa tsi eo mn si c(oa lnodn ,noor oetnhde -rs dt oi fpf epr ue nn cc et us ai tni ot hn e—asnt suwd ee nr t s cmaunsatubteomwraotincga,llsyinecliemthineaytecatnh’otsaellcbheoircigehs.tT. he equivalency of the options means each choice Examples: He waited at the station for well over an hour. However, no one appeared.  He waited at the station for well over an hour; however, no one appeared. Autumn had come, and the trees were almost bare.  Autumn had come; the trees were almost bare.  Autumn had come. The trees were almost bare.