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.

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

1/9

Q2.What is a subordinate clause?

a clause that makes sense on its own a 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!"

Yes No

4/9

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

Yes No

5/9

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

Yes No

6/9

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

true false

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).

true false

8/9

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

true false

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.

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

1/9

Q2.What is a subordinate clause?

a clause that makes sense on its own a 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!"

Yes No

4/9

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

Yes No

5/9

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

Yes No

6/9

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

true false

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).

true false

8/9

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

true false

9/9

Video

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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.

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

2/5

Q3.The four key uses of a colon are:

to introduce a list to end a sentence to show possession to add emphasis to a word or phrase to introduce a longer quotation to 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.

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

2/5

Q3.The four key uses of a colon are:

to introduce a list to end a sentence to show possession to add emphasis to a word or phrase to introduce a longer quotation to 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

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Embedding skills to use a range of grammatical structures

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Grammar for writing: the colon

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Grammar for writing: the colon (Quiz)

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