Year 6 - English
Semi-colons: second function
Punctuation
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils review a range of previously taught punctuation, including speech punctuation for three different types of speech sentence and apostrophes for contraction and singular and plural possession. They are also introduced to hyphens, colons, semi-colons and bullet points.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use the semi-colon in a detailed list in which each item includes commas.
Key Notes
- A semi-colon is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
- A semi-colon can be used to separate items in a detailed list in which each item includes commas.
- A semi-colon can help to avoid ambiguity in a detailed list.
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may use commas instead of semi-colons to separate detailed list items.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A semi-colon is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose. A semi-colon can be used to separate items in a detailed list in which each item includes commas.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'semi-colon'
a piece of punctuation that can separate items in a detailed list in which each item includes commas.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may use commas instead of semi-colons to separate detailed list items. Correction: Reinforce the idea that it would be confusing to separate items containing commas using commas.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 6 English guide library.