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Year 6

Semi-colons: second function

I can use the semi-colon in a detailed list in which each item includes commas.

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Year 6

Semi-colons: second function

I can use the semi-colon in a detailed list in which each item includes commas.

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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 separate items in a detailed list in which each item includes commas.
  3. A semi-colon can help to avoid ambiguity in a detailed list.

Keywords

  • Semi-colon - a piece of punctuation that can separate items in a detailed list in which each item includes commas

  • Ambiguity - when the meaning of a sentence or text is unclear to the reader

  • Colon - a piece of punctuation placed after a main clause that can introduce a list or question

  • Comma - a piece of punctuation used to separate nouns in a list and to demarcate a non-finite clause or a relative clause

Common misconception

Pupils may use commas instead of semi-colons to separate detailed list items.

Reinforce the idea that it would be confusing to separate items containing commas using commas.

In the second Learning Cycle, ensure that the children note down their ideas when you feel appropriate, building towards the final task.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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 can a semi-colon join together?
two words
two adjectives
Correct answer: two groups of words that could each make a complete sentence
two verbs
Q2.
Which version below joins these two sentences correctly using a semi-colon? 'We really enjoyed ourselves. My mum was less impressed.'
We really enjoyed ourselves my mum; was less impressed.
We really enjoyed ourselves; My mum was less impressed.
Correct answer: We really enjoyed ourselves; my mum was less impressed.
Q3.
Match each main clause to a closely-related one to create a sentence that could be joined with a semi-colon.
Correct Answer:We were all furious; ,the match was cancelled at the last minute.
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the match was cancelled at the last minute.

Correct Answer:Lucas loves art; ,his sister prefers sports.
tick

his sister prefers sports.

Correct Answer:It was nearly Christmas; ,we were all very excited.
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we were all very excited.

Q4.
Which of the following sentences has the semi-colon in the correct position?
Pausing at the door; the headteacher smiled he was so impressed.
Correct answer: Pausing at the door, the headteacher smiled; he was so impressed.
Pausing at the door the headteacher smiled he was; so impressed.
Q5.
Select all of the sentences with a semi-colon in the correct position.
Correct answer: Before I could finish my lunch, the bell rang; it was time to go back.
Wincing in pain; Jacob lay on the floor, it had been a hard tackle.
Mr Martinez smiled; as Jun answered it was a very impressive response.
Correct answer: Aisha sang beautifully, filling the whole church; it was a beautiful moment.
Q6.
Which of the following sentences uses a semi-colon correctly to join two closely-related ideas?
Correct answer: Mr Martinez waved at me in the shop; he had recognised me.
Alex passed the ball to me first; he lives in the next village over.
Correct answer: Izzy loves to draw; her brother prefers to paint.
Miss O'Neill drives to school by car; her house is very small.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following pieces of punctuation might we need to punctuate a detailed list?
Correct answer: a colon
Correct answer: commas
Correct answer: semi-colons
inverted commas
Q2.
Why does the following list not need semi-colons? 'I bought several items: eggs, milk, cheese and cream.'
because the items are common nouns
Correct answer: because none of the items contains a comma
because the items already contain commas
because the list is introduce by a colon
Q3.
Why does this list need semi-colons? 'The landscape was filled with exciting noises: the loud, shrill squawk of a bird; the harsh, low growl of a puma; and the chirp of a rodent, scurrying away.'
the items in the list are very long
the items in the list contain colons
Correct answer: the items in the list contain commas
Q4.
For what reasons are there commas in this list? 'She saw incredible things: bright jewels, shimmering in the darkness; mummies, whose bandages were pure white; and beautiful, golden treasures.'
Correct answer: to demarcate a non-finite (-ing) clause
Correct answer: to demarcate a relative clause
Correct answer: between two adjectives in an expanded noun phrase
to introduce the list
Q5.
Using semi-colons in lists helps reduce ambiguity. What does this mean?
Correct answer: it is less confusing
Correct answer: it is easier to see what the list items are
there are fewer words in the list
Correct answer: punctuation always helps the reader
Q6.
Which language features are used in the following list item? 'a vast, ice-covered mountain, towering above her head'
Correct answer: an expanded noun phrase with two adjectives
a relative clause
Correct answer: a non-finite (-ing) clause
an adverbial clause