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Year 6

Semi-colons: first function

I can use a semi-colon to join two closely-related main clauses.

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Year 6

Semi-colons: first function

I can use a semi-colon to join two closely-related main clauses.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A semi-colon is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
  2. A semi-colon can be used to join two closely-related main clauses.
  3. A semi-colon can help to improve text cohesion.

Keywords

  • Semi-colon - a piece of punctuation that can join two closely-related main clauses

  • Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense

  • Text cohesion - how a text flows to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve text purpose

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle with the concept of ideas being 'closely related'.

Semi-colons don't need to show cause and effect or contrast; they are versatile and we should interpret 'closely-related' broadly.


To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Semi-colons: first function, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Emphasise the importance of the idea that the words on either side of the semi-colon could be a complete sentence on their own. You may wish to support some pupils in Task B by providing main clauses for them to match together and punctuate.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What piece of punctuation can be used to introduce a list, a question or an explanation?
a comma
a full stop
Correct answer: a colon
a question mark
Q2.
Which sentence uses a colon to introduce a list correctly?
Correct answer: We had several lessons this morning: maths, English, spelling and handwriting.
The lessons we had this morning were: maths, English, spelling and handwriting.
We had many lessons this morning, including: maths, English and spelling.
Q3.
Which sentence uses a colon correctly to introduce a question?
We crept deeper into the cave: shivering with fear, would we make it out alive?
We crept deeper into the cave, shivering with fear, would we make it out alive?
Correct answer: We crept deeper into the cave, shivering with fear: would we make it out alive?
Q4.
Which of these sentences contain an explanation following the colon?
Mr Martinez was furious: his face was bright red.
Correct answer: Mr Martinez was furious: someone had drunk his coffee.
The man smiled: he rarely did.
Correct answer: The man smiled: he had seen an old friend.
Q5.
Which of these explanation sentences is correctly punctuated?
Correct answer: If you must go into town, take this shopping list: I need a few things.
If you must go into town: take this shopping list, I need a few things.
If you must go into town, take this shopping list, I need: a few things.
Q6.
Which of the following could complete this sentence as an explanation? 'The cat pounced:'
Correct answer: it had seen a mouse on the floor.
it had sharp claws.
it leapt from the chair.
Correct answer: it wanted to catch its prey.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What must be on either side of a semi-colon?
a gap
Correct answer: words that could make a complete sentence
an adjective
a noun or noun phrase
Q2.
Which version below joins these two sentences correctly using a semi-colon? 'The competition was ferocious. Many players got injured.'
The competition was ferocious; Many players got injured.
Correct answer: The competition was ferocious; many players got injured.
The competition was ferocious, many players got injured.
Q3.
Match each main clause to a closely-related one to create a sentence that could be joined with a semi-colon.
Correct Answer:The children were excited; ,a special visitor was arriving soon.
tick

a special visitor was arriving soon.

Correct Answer:The school trip was cancelled;,not enough adults volunteered to come.
tick

not enough adults volunteered to come.

Correct Answer:Sofia was furious;,she had been looking forward to it for days.
tick

she had been looking forward to it for days.

Q4.
Which of the following sentences has the semi-colon in the correct position?
Laura stopped smiling; as she entered the room she could see them doing a test.
Correct answer: Laura stopped smiling as she entered the room; she could see them doing a test.
Laura stopped smiling as she entered the room she could see; them doing a test.
Q5.
Tick all the sentences with a semi-colon in the correct position.
Correct answer: When we reached the mountaintop, I smiled; the view was incredible.
As the door creaked open; we froze, the house was completely dark.
Correct answer: Pausing mid-explanation, Mr Martinez glared at Andeep; he had been talking.
Aisha tiptoed down the stairs; which creaked loudly.
Q6.
Which of the following sentences uses a semi-colon correctly to join two closely-related ideas?
Correct answer: Miss O'Neill hurried into the classroom; she had heard that I was injured.
Alex was appalled; he is my next-door neighbour.
Correct answer: Lucas loves Spanish food; his brother hates it.
Correct answer: Aisha is very rarely late; she lives close to school.