Note: Corrections are highlighted in yellow (in PDF downloads) based on corrections that use semicolons. You can use the text, Word, or PDF versions of this exercise.

1.     Maria had always dreamed of going to China; when she got a chance to study abroad there for a year, she jumped at it. 

Explanation: The two complete thoughts were joined by just a comma, which made the sentence a comma splice. With the correction, the semicolon joins two complete thoughts (sentences that can stand on their own), making the sentence structure correct. Usually semicolons are reserved for two statements that are closely related, and they’re used sparingly. 

2.     Lily played video games and ate Cheetos all day; the next day she had a stomach ache as a result of her unhealthy choices.

Explanation: The two complete thoughts were joined by just a comma, which made the sentence a comma splice. With the correction, the semicolon joins two complete thoughts (sentences that can stand on their own), making the sentence structure correct. Usually semicolons are reserved for two statements that are closely related, and they’re used sparingly. 

3.     The choices of food and beverage at the conference included pizza, spaghetti, or sandwiches; salad, apples, or carrots; and tea, water, or coffee. 

Explanation: If items in a list contain commas within a single item, then you would separate each overall item with a semicolon and use commas within the item. 

4.     If you like going to the fair, we can go on Thursday; it will be fun to walk through the haunted house and ride the Ferris wheel. 

Explanation: The two complete thoughts were joined by just a comma, which made the sentence a comma splice. With the correction, the semicolon joins two complete thoughts (sentences that can stand on their own), making the sentence structure correct. Usually semicolons are reserved for two statements that are closely related, and they’re used sparingly. 

5.     Isaac often travels for his job to Montreal, Canada; Athens, Greece; New Delhi, India; and Beijing, China.

Explanation: If items in a list contain commas within a single item, then you would separate each overall item with a semicolon and use commas within the item.