Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly? Before we go to softball practice; we have to finish our homework.

Question

Before we go to softball practice; we have to finish our homework.

I need to bring the following things; my gym bag, my backpack, and your helmet.
I need to bring the following things; my gym bag, my backpack, and your helmet.

We moved practice to the gym; after it started raining.
We moved practice to the gym; after it started raining.

The stadium is located next to the school; it does not take long to walk there.
The stadium is located next to the school; it does not take long to walk there.

Answer 1

None of the sentences you provided use a semicolon correctly. Here’s a brief explanation for each:

1. Before we go to softball practice; we have to finish our homework.

   • This sentence should use a comma instead of a semicolon because it is a dependent clause followed by an independent clause.

2. I need to bring the following things; my gym bag, my backpack, and your helmet.

   • A colon should be used here instead of a semicolon because the phrase before the colon introduces a list.

3. We moved practice to the gym; after it started raining.

   • This sentence should use a comma instead of a semicolon because “after it started raining” is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone.

4. The stadium is located next to the school; it does not take long to walk there.

   • This sentence uses the semicolon correctly. It connects two independent clauses.

So, only the last sentence (The stadium is located next to the school; it does not take long to walk there.) uses a semicolon correctly.