Grammar for writing: the colon

In this lesson, we will refine our work by considering how we could use colons to emphasise key ideas, expand on our points and add clarity to our writing.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is a main clause?

a clause that makes sense on its owna clause that doesn't make sense on its own

1/9

Q2.What is a subordinate clause?

a clause that makes sense on its owna clause that doesn't make sense on its own

2/9

Q3.Which of the statements below is true?

You always need a capital letter after a semicolon.You need a capital letter after a semicolon if it is the start of a new clause.You need a capital letter after a semicolon if the first word is a proper noun.You should never use a capital letter after a semicolon.

3/9

Q4.Does the following sentence use semicolons correctly? "Summer is my favourite time of year; The weather is (mostly) glorious!"

YesNo

4/9

Q5.Does the following sentence use semicolons correctly? "Hard work has many benefits; one of which is success."

YesNo

5/9

Q6.Does the following sentence use semicolons correctly? "Tears of joy ran down her face; she was free."

YesNo

6/9

Q7.True or false? A semicolon joins two main clauses; they have to be linked or related to each other.

truefalse

7/9

Q8.True or false? You do not need a capital letter after a semicolon unless the first word is a proper noun (the name of a person or place).

truefalse

8/9

Q9.True or false? You should use a semicolon to separate a subordinate clause from a main clause.

truefalse

9/9

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is a main clause?

a clause that makes sense on its owna clause that doesn't make sense on its own

1/9

Q2.What is a subordinate clause?

a clause that makes sense on its owna clause that doesn't make sense on its own

2/9

Q3.Which of the statements below is true?

3/9

Q4.Does the following sentence use semicolons correctly? "Summer is my favourite time of year; The weather is (mostly) glorious!"

YesNo

4/9

Q5.Does the following sentence use semicolons correctly? "Hard work has many benefits; one of which is success."

YesNo

5/9

Q6.Does the following sentence use semicolons correctly? "Tears of joy ran down her face; she was free."

YesNo

6/9

Q7.True or false? A semicolon joins two main clauses; they have to be linked or related to each other.

truefalse

7/9

Q8.True or false? You do not need a capital letter after a semicolon unless the first word is a proper noun (the name of a person or place).

truefalse

8/9

Q9.True or false? You should use a semicolon to separate a subordinate clause from a main clause.

truefalse

9/9

Video

Play video

Click on the play button to start the video. If your teacher asks you to pause the video and look at the worksheet you should:

Click "Close Video"
Click "Next" to view the activity

Your video will re-appear on the next page, and will stay paused in the right place.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Grammar for writing: the colon (Quiz)

Complete the questions below to check your understanding.

Q1.Which of these punctuation marks is a colon?

;:-...

1/5

Q2.What is the correct definition of a main clause?

a clause that makes sense on its owna clause that doesn't make sense on its owna clause that is about one thing

2/5

Q3.The four key uses of a colon are:

to introduce a listto end a sentenceto show possessionto add emphasis to a word or phraseto introduce a longer quotationto introduce an explanation

3/5

Q4.Which statement is true?

A colon separates two subordinate clauses.You can use a colon to introduce a list.

4/5

Q5.Which statements are true?

You do not need a capital letter after a colon unless it is a proper noun or quotation.Often, a colon is used to add emphasis to a particular word or phrase.A colon has the same job as a semicolon.

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Grammar for writing: the colon (Quiz)

Complete the questions below to check your understanding.

Q1.Which of these punctuation marks is a colon?

;:-...

1/5

Q2.What is the correct definition of a main clause?

a clause that makes sense on its owna clause that doesn't make sense on its owna clause that is about one thing

2/5

Q3.The four key uses of a colon are:

to introduce a listto end a sentenceto show possessionto add emphasis to a word or phraseto introduce a longer quotationto introduce an explanation

3/5

Q4.Which statement is true?

A colon separates two subordinate clauses.You can use a colon to introduce a list.

4/5

Q5.Which statements are true?

You do not need a capital letter after a colon unless it is a proper noun or quotation.Often, a colon is used to add emphasis to a particular word or phrase.A colon has the same job as a semicolon.

5/5

Lesson summary: Grammar for writing: the colon

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

To share your results with your teacher please complete one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

Did you know that exercise helps your concentration and ability to learn?

For 5 mins...

Move around:
Climb stairs

On the spot:
Chair yoga

The next lesson in:
Grammar for Writing
is:
Embedding skills to use a range of grammatical structures

Browse Oak's lessons:

Subjects Schedule

Grammar for writing: the colon

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Grammar for writing: the colon (Quiz)

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Grammar for writing: the colon (Quiz)

Lesson summary: Grammar for writing: the colon

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: Grammar for Writing is: Embedding skills to use a range of grammatical structures

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
Grammar for Writing
is:
Embedding skills to use a range of grammatical structures