Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. Put in the necessary punctuation.
1. Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals the drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving.
2. Mr. Leyland played the viola professionally for many years and he now conducts a community orchestra.
3. The crab grass was flourishing but the rest of the lawn, unfortunately, was dying.
4. The hill was covered with wildflowers it was a beautiful sight.
5. As I turned around, I heard a loud thump for the cat had upset the goldfish bowl.
6. The artist preferred to paint in oils he did not like watercolors.
7. The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on everything was ready for the guests' arrival.
8. He looked carefully in the underbrush but he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at him.
9. The foundations of the house had been poured but, to his disappointment, nothing else had been done because of the carpenters' strike.
10. The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second however, it could not think spontaneously.
11. I thought registration day would be tiring but I didn't know I'd have to stand in so many lines.
12. The dog, growling and snarling, snapped at me I was so frightened that I ran.
13. The snowstorm dumped twelve inches of snow on the interstate subsequently, the state police closed the road.
14. Professors are supposed to be absent-minded and I've seen plenty of evidence to support that claim since I've been in college.
15. The suspect said that he had never met the victim however, the detective knew that he was lying.
For each of the following exercises, use a dash where one is needed by rewriting each sentence. All exercises focus on the use of the dash. Replace any other punctuation as needed to use the dash correctly.
- Marcus Christina’s obsessive and controlling boyfriend purchased concert tickets for all of us.
- Are you paying attention this is very important!
- All three of her sons Anthony, who is 24; Francis, who is 27; and Marco, who is 28, studied abroad their junior year.
- Cormack took Widget his border collie with the bad attitude to the dog park.
- I would love to go away for the weekend with you as long as I can choose our destination.
- (Its/It’s) virtually impossible to please my parents; no matter what I do, they are unhappy with me.
- Mr. Campbell advised the class that the first group of students the ones whose last names begin with A through L would present their projects on Monday.
- Please start dinner if it is not too much trouble I must pick up Cassie from dance class.
- The roof was leaking, the living room windows were broken and the yard is overflowing with debris all thanks to the major storm we had last night.
- Everyday Americans not the big banking institutions feel the crunch of a bad economy the most.
Insert colons and dashes as needed in the following sentences. Do not change or add any other punctuation marks. All sentences will require at least one or the other to be added.
1. No one and I mean no one should be permitted to smoke in a restaurant.
2. Here's what I need at the store milk, bananas, grapefruit, and ice cream.
3. Folk, blues, and Celtic these are all types of music I really enjoy.
4. I can work with anyone in this department except Sally.
5. Being a success in this class is easy all it takes is the ability to think!