I put my answers in bold to differentiate between the given sentence and my correction

Spotting Colon Errors

In each of the upcoming sentences spot the error, write a fixed version, and detail the issue in parentheses. When you're done, compare them to the instructor's answers on the "Proofreading Resources – Answers" file.

Use the methods I taught you in the last lesson. Good luck!

___________

Q.1

My favorite weekend activities include: sleeping in, pigging out, and cheering for the home team.

My favorite weekend activities include sleeping in, pigging out, and cheering for the home team.

The colon in this case is unnecessary and interrupts the thought. I would either leave it out entirely, or use a dash.

Q.2

He voted for the films:
(1) Jaws
(2) The Princess Bride
(3) Shawshank Redemption.

He voted for the films:

Jaws
The Princess Bride
Shawshank Redemption

Q.3

He said: "Not yet."

I would use either a hyphen or comma here. The colon is too dramatic for this sentence.

He said-“Not yet.”

Q.4

I have never forgotten my grandfather's advice, "My son, once you tell one lie, you often have to tell more lies to cover up: the first one."

I have never forgotten my grandfather's advice: "My son, once you tell one lie, you often have to tell more lies to cover up the first one."

Colon introduces the quote. The colon after, “cover up” is unnecessary.

Q.5

This was the underworld: the place where the gods hid all the suffering they had caused: way deep underground so no one could see them.

This was the underworld: the place where the gods hid all the suffering they had caused, way deep underground so no one could see them.

Independent clause is explained by the dependent clause and independent clause should end with a colon, however, the second colon is unnecessary.

Q.6

I like living in Seattle because of its:

Culture
Natural beauty
Work opportunities
Moderate climate
Liberal politics
Social openness

Benefits of living in Seattle:

culture
natural beauty
work opportunities
moderate climate
liberal politics
social openness

Capitalizing items in a bulleted list is unnecessary.

Q.7

He never catches anything: he's a worse fisherman than you.

He never catches anything, he's a worse fisherman than you.

Two independent clauses suffice with a comma.

Q.8

It's a ratio of 3-1.

It's a ratio of 3:1.

Ratios require a colon.

Identifying Semicolon Errors

In each of the upcoming sentences spot the error, write a fixed version, and detail the issue in parentheses. When you're done, compare them to the instructor's answers on the "Proofreading Resources – Answers" file.

Use the methods I taught you in the last lesson. Good luck!

___________

Q.1

Vacation used to be a luxury, however, in today's world, it's become a necessity.

Vacation used to be a luxury; however, in today's world, it's become a necessity.

Use a semi colon to link two independent clauses connected by a conjunctive adverb

Q.2

That dog will chase sheep; if it's given a chance; better put him on a leash.

That dog will chase sheep if it's given a chance; better put him on a leash.

First semi colon is unnecessary as it pretends to separate a dependent and independent clause

Q.3

Shakespeare, a great dramatist; he wrote many plays and several sonnets too.

Shakespeare, a great dramatist; wrote many plays and several sonnets too.

OR

Shakespeare, who was a great dramatist, wrote many plays and several sonnets too.

The first example; semi colon separates dependent and independent clause. The second example begins with incomplete sentence.

Q.4

I had spaghetti for dinner last night; tacos tonight.

Last night, I had spaghetti for dinner; tonight, I’ll have tacos.

Semi colon separates independent clause from sentence fragment.

Q.5

This year for Halloween, I bought a loud, screaming sound machine, scary, evil ghosts, and a green, spooky witch.

This year for Halloween, I bought a loud, screaming sound machine; scary, evil ghosts; and a green, spooky witch.

Too many commas: the semi colon separates individual items while the commas separate adjectives and noun.

Q.6

He lost his money at the slot machines; every single penny.

He lost his money at the slot machines: every single penny.

Colon is used because the second phrase describes the first.

Q.7

Don't use your full name when signing up on an unfamiliar website, instead, use only your forename.

Don't use your full name when signing up on an unfamiliar website; instead, use only your forename.

Use a semi colon to link two independent clauses connected by a conjunctive adverb

Q.8

The professor is currently on sabbatical, she is in Italy researching for her book on Renaissance ivory carvings.

The professor is currently on sabbatical; she is in Italy researching for her book on Renaissance ivory carvings.

Link two independent clauses with a semi colon, not a comma.

Recognizing Full Stop Errors

Q.1

It was only shown on ITV and not B.B.C.

It was only shown on ITV and not BBC.

Both abbreviations either have periods or don’t

Q.2

Mihawk loves cheese-and-onion pies and eats at least three a day (four at weekends.)

Mihawk loves cheese-and-onion pies and eats at least three a day (four at weekends).

Period goes after the parenthesis to show full stop for the sentence.

A.3

A.3

The answers to life's problems aren't at the bottom of a bottle, they're on TV.

The answers to life's problems aren't at the bottom of a bottle; they're on TV.

OR

The answers to life's problems aren't at the bottom of a bottle. They're on TV.

Link with either a full stop or semi colon.

Q.4

For next month (Aug.), I need you to buy the basic products: milk, bread, cheese, etc..

For next month (Aug.), I need you to buy the basic products: milk, bread, cheese, etc.

Full stop for abbreviation also serves as full stop for sentence.

A.5

She was as "busy as a bee," as the saying goes. So much so that each time you ask her if she is free, her answer would be: "What do you think."

As the saying goes, she was as "busy as a bee". So much so that each time you ask her if she is free, her answer would be: "What do you think?".

Q.6

Dear Mr Jonatan,

To apply for the job, you must have a PhD or other type of doctorate.

Dear Mr. Jonatan,

To apply for the job, you must have a Ph.D or other type of doctorate.

Correcting Comma Errors – Part 1

Q.1

Hi Michael,
Thanks for paying for dinner last night.

Hi, Michael,
Thanks for paying for dinner last night.

OR

Dear Michael,

Thanks for paying for dinner last night.

Q.2

On May 10 2021, I visited Taxco, Mexico on my last vacation.

On May 10, 2021, I visited Taxco, Mexico on my last vacation. Separate month and day from year with a comma.

Q.3

I want you to join both the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy documents together by lunch time.

I want you to join both the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy documents together by lunch time.

OR

I want you to join both the Terms & Conditions and the Privacy Policy documents together by lunch time.

Q.4

Fortunately, the unsuccessful unknown company hit a turning point thanks to selling 99,000,00 copies of her game.

Fortunately, the unsuccessful, unknown company hit a turning point thanks to selling 9,900,000 copies of her game.

Comma before each adjective also after 3 digits.

Q.5

This surgical device is used for cutting and inserting parts, making incisions and to fix components.

This surgical device is used for cutting and inserting parts, making incisions, and fixing components.

Q.6

We examined the many, colorful garments presented through the glass. The bright, yellow jacket looked amazing.

We examined the many colorful garments presented through the glass. The bright yellow jacket looked amazing.

Paulette Palladini

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