Commas vs Semi Colons

Choose the best way to revise

each sentence

1. Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving.

A) Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by A) Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving. calories per serving.

B) Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by B) Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals, the drinks usually contain only one or two synthetic chemicals, the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving. calories per serving.

C) Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by C) Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals; the drinks usually contain only one or two synthetic chemicals; the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving. calories per serving.

D) Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by D) Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals. the drinks usually contain only one or two synthetic chemicals. the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving.calories per serving.

Answer: CAnswer: C

2. Mr. Leyland played the viola professionally for many years and he now conducts a community orchestra.

A) Mr. Leyland played the viola professionally for many years; and he now conducts a community orchestra.

B) Mr. Leyland played the viola professionally for many years, and he now conducts a community orchestra.

C) Mr. Leyland played the viola professionally for many years and, he now conducts a community orchestra.

Answer: B

3. The crab grass was flourishing but the rest of the lawn, unfortunately, was dying.

A) The crab grass was flourishing, but the rest of the lawn, unfortunately was dying.

B) The crab grass was flourishing; but the rest of the lawn, unfortunately, was dying.

C) The crab grass was flourishing, but the rest of the lawn; unfortunately, was dying.

D) The crab grass was flourishing, but the rest of the lawn, unfortunately, was dying.

Answer: D

4. The hill was covered with wildflowers it was a beautiful sight.

A) The hill was covered with wildflowers, it was a beautiful sight.

B) The hill was covered with wildflowers and it was a beautiful sight.

C) The hill was covered with wildflowers; it was a beautiful sight.

D) The hill was covered with wildflowers. it was a beautiful sight.

Answer: C

5. As I turned around, I heard a loud thump for the cat had upset the goldfish bowl.

A) As I turned around, I heard a loud thump, for the cat had upset the goldfish bowl.

B) As I turned around, I heard a loud thump. for the cat had upset the goldfish bowl.

C) As I turned around, I heard a loud thump for; the cat had upset the goldfish bowl.

Answer: A

6. The artist preferred to paint in oils he did not like watercolors.

A) The artist preferred to paint in oils. he did not like watercolors.

B) The artist preferred to paint in oils and he did not like watercolors.

C) The artist preferred to paint in oils; he did not like watercolors.

D) The artist preferred to paint in oils, he did not like watercolors.

Answer: C

7. The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on everything was ready for the guests' arrival.

A) The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on, everything was ready for the guests' arrival.

B) The house was clean the table set, and the porch light on everything was ready for the guests' arrival.

C) The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on. everything was ready for the guests' arrival.

D) The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on; everything was ready for the guests' arrival.

Answer: D

8. He looked carefully in the underbrush but he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at him.

A) He looked carefully in the underbrush; but he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at him.

B) He looked carefully in the underbrush, but he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at him.

C) He looked carefully in the underbrush. but he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at him.

D) He looked carefully in the underbrush but, he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at him.

Answer: B

9. The foundations of the house had been poured but, to his disappointment, nothing else had been done because of the carpenters' strike.

A) The foundations of the house had been poured but, to his disappointment, nothing else had been done because of the carpenters' strike.

B) The foundations of the house had been poured, but to his disappointment, nothing else had been done because of the carpenters' strike.

C) The foundations of the house had been poured; but, to his disappointment, nothing else had been done because of the carpenters' strike.

D) B and C could both be correct

Answer: D

10. The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second however, it could not think spontaneously.

A) The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second however, it could not think spontaneously.

B) The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second, however, it could not think spontaneously.

C) The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second; however, it could not think spontaneously.

Answer: C

11. I thought registration day would be tiring but I didn't know I'd have to stand in so many lines.

A) I thought registration day would be tiring, but I didn't know I'd have to stand in so many lines.

B) I thought registration day would be tiring but; I didn't know I'd have to stand in so many lines.

C) I thought registration day would be tiring; but I didn't know I'd have to stand in so many lines.

D) I thought registration day would be tiring but, I didn't know I'd have to stand in so many lines.

Answer: A

12. The dog, growling and snarling, snapped at me I was so frightened that I ran.

A) The dog, growling and snarling, snapped at me I was so frightened that I ran.

B) The dog growling and snarling, snapped at me I was so frightened that I ran.

C) The dog, growling and snarling, snapped at me; I was so frightened that I ran.

D) The dog, growling and snarling, snapped at me, I was so frightened, that I ran.

Answer: C

13. The snowstorm dumped twelve inches of snow on the interstate subsequently, the state police closed the road.

A) The snowstorm dumped twelve inches of snow on the interstate, subsequently, the state police closed the road.

B) The snowstorm dumped twelve inches of snow on the interstate; subsequently, the state police closed the road.

C) The snowstorm dumped twelve inches of snow on the interstate. subsequently, the state police closed the road.

D) The snowstorm dumped twelve inches of snow on the interstate subsequently, the state police closed the road.

Answer: B

14. Professors are supposed to be absent-minded and I've seen plenty of evidence to support that claim since I've been in college.

A) Professors are supposed to be absent-minded; and I've seen plenty of evidence to support that claim since I've been in college.

B) Professors are supposed to be absent-minded and I've seen plenty of evidence to support that claim since I've been in college.

C) Professors are supposed to be absent-minded, and I've seen plenty of evidence to support that claim since I've been in college.

Answer: C

15. The suspect said that he had never met the victim however, the detective knew that he was lying.

A) The suspect said ,that he had never met the victim, however, the detective knew that he was lying.

B) The suspect said that he had never met the victim; however, the detective knew that he was lying.

C) The suspect said that he had never met the victim, however, the detective knew, that he was lying.

D) The suspect said that he had never met the victim, however, the detective knew that he was lying.

Answer: B

16. In the first place, it was snowing too hard to see the road in the second place, we had no chains.

A) In the first place, it was snowing too hard to see the road. in the second place, we had no chains.

B) In the first place, it was snowing too hard to see the road in the second place, we had no chains.

C) In the first place, it was snowing too hard to see the road in the second place we had no chains.

D) In the first place, it was snowing too hard to see the road; in the second place, we had no chains.

Answer: D

17. I have read Soul on Ice but I have not read The Invisible Man.

A) I have read Soul on Ice, but I have not read The Invisible Man.

B) I have read Soul on Ice; but I have not read The Invisible Man.

C) I have read Soul on Ice but, I have not read The Invisible Man.

Answer: A

San Francisco is my favorite city in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.

18. San Francisco is my favorite city in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.

A) San Francisco is my favorite city in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.

B) San Francisco is my favorite city, in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.

C) San Francisco is my favorite city; in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.

D) San Francisco is my favorite city. in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.

Answer: C

19. The quarterback made a brilliant pass and the end crossed the goal line for the winning touchdown.

A) The quarterback made a brilliant pass. and the end crossed the goal line for the winning touchdown.

B) The quarterback made a brilliant pass and, the end crossed the goal line for the winning touchdown.

C) The quarterback made a brilliant pass; and the end crossed the goal line for the winning touchdown.

D) The quarterback made a brilliant pass, and the end crossed the goal line for the winning touchdown.

Answer: D

20. Large supermarkets fascinate me I can find everything from frozen chow mein to soybean flour in one place.

A) Large supermarkets fascinate me. I can find, everything from frozen chow mein to soybean flour in one place.

B) Large supermarkets fascinate me, I can find everything from frozen chow mein to soybean flour in one place.

C) Large supermarkets fascinate me; I can find everything from frozen chow mein to soybean flour in one place.

D) Large supermarkets fascinate me I, can find everything from frozen chow mein to soybean flour in one place.

Answer: C

21. Ron and Mike were both in English class this morning they gave an interesting presentation on their research.

A) Ron and Mike were both in English class this morning, they gave an interesting presentation on their research.

B) Ron and Mike were both in English class; this morning, they gave an interesting presentation on their research.

C) Ron and Mike were both in English class . this morning , they gave an interesting presentation on their research.

D) Ron and Mike were both in English class this morning. they gave an interesting presentation on their research.

Answer: B