Grammar for writing: the colon

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. You will need a pen and paper.

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!

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Q1.What is a main clause?

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

1/5

Q2.What is a subordinate clause?

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

2/5

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.

3/5

Q4.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

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

true false

You should use a semicolon to separate a subordinate clause from a main clause.

true false

4/5

Q5.Do these sentences use semicolons correctly?

Summer is my favourite time of year; The weather is (mostly) glorious!

Yes No

Hard work has many benefits; one of which is success.

Yes No

Tears of joy ran down her face; she was free.

Yes No

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:

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!

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Q1.What is a main clause?

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

1/5

Q2.What is a subordinate clause?

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

2/5

Q3.Which of the statements below is true?

3/5

Q4.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

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

true false

You should use a semicolon to separate a subordinate clause from a main clause.

true false

4/5

Q5.Do these sentences use semicolons correctly?

Summer is my favourite time of year; The weather is (mostly) glorious!

Yes No

Hard work has many benefits; one of which is success.

Yes No

Tears of joy ran down her face; she was free.

Yes No

5/5

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.

Quiz:

Grammar for writing: the colon (Quiz)

Complete the questions below to check your understanding.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

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 show posession

true false

to introduce a longer quotation

true false

to add emphasis to a word or phrase

true false

to end a sentence

true false

to introduce an explanation

true false

to introduce a list

true false

3/5

Q4.True or false?

A colon separates two subordinate clauses.

true false

You can use a colon to introduce a list.

true false

4/5

Q5.True or false?

A colon has the same job as a semicolon.

true false

Often, a colon is used to add emphasis to a particular word or phrase.

true false

You do not need a capital letter after a colon unless it is a proper noun or quotation.

true false

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.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

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 show posession

true false

to introduce a longer quotation

true false

to add emphasis to a word or phrase

true false

to end a sentence

true false

to introduce an explanation

true false

to introduce a list

true false

3/5

Q4.True or false?

A colon separates two subordinate clauses.

true false

You can use a colon to introduce a list.

true false

4/5

Q5.True or false?

A colon has the same job as a semicolon.

true false

Often, a colon is used to add emphasis to a particular word or phrase.

true false

You do not need a capital letter after a colon unless it is a proper noun or quotation.

true false

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:
Jog

On the spot:
Dance

Take part in The Big Ask.

The Children's Commissioner for England wants to know what matters to young people.

Share your views and have your voice heard.

Take the survey

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

Browse Oak's lessons:

Subjects Schedule