The following exercises help you improve your knowledge of and power over English grammar, mechanics, and usage. Turn to the Handbook of Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage at the end of this book and review all of Sections 2.4 (Semicolons) and 2.5 (Colons).

Then look at the following 10 items. Indicate the preferred choice in the following groups of sentences. 

i.

a. This letter looks good; that one doesn’t.

b. This letter looks good: that one doesn’t.

ii.

a. I want to make one thing clear: None of you will be promoted without teamwork.

b. I want to make one thing clear; none of you will be promoted without teamwork.

c. I want to make one thing clear: None of you will be promoted; without teamwork.

iii.

a. The Zurich airport has been snowed in, therefore I can’t attend the meeting.

b. The Zurich airport has been snowed in, therefore, I can’t attend the meeting.

c. The Zurich airport has been snowed in; therefore, I can’t attend the meeting.

iv.

a. His motivation was obvious: to get Meg fired.

b. His motivation was obvious; to get Meg fired.

v.

a. Only two firms have responded to our survey; J. J.

Perkins and Tucker & Tucker.

b. Only two firms have responded to our survey: J. J. Perkins and Tucker & Tucker.

vi.

a. Send a copy to: Nan Kent, CEO, Bob Bache, president, and Dan Brown, CFO.

b. Send a copy to Nan Kent, CEO; Bob Bache, president; and Dan Brown, CFO.

c. Send a copy to Nan Kent CEO; Bob Bache president; and Dan Brown CFO.

vii.

a. You shipped three items on June 7; however, we received only one of them.

b. You shipped three items on June 7, however; we received only one of them.

c. You shipped three items on June 7; however we received only one of them.

viii.

a. Workers wanted an immediate wage increase: they hadn’t had a raise in 10 years.

b. Workers wanted an immediate wage increase; because they hadn’t had a raise in 10 years.

c. Workers wanted an immediate wage increase; they hadn’t had a raise in 10 years.

ix.

a. His writing skills are excellent however; he needs to polish his management style.

b. His writing skills are excellent; however, he needs to polish his management style.

c. His writing skills are excellent: however he needs to polish his management style.

x.

a. We want to address three issues; efficiency; profitability;

and market penetration.

b. We want to address three issues; efficiency, profitability, and market penetration.

c. We want to address three issues: efficiency, profitability, and market penetration.