Tag: punctuation

Questions Related to punctuation

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

comma punctuation english

  1. Sarah's uncle's car was found without its wheels in that old derelict warehouse.

  2. Sarah's uncle's car was found without its wheels in that old, derelict warehouse.

  3. Sarahs uncles car was found without its wheels in that old, derelict warehouse.

  4. Sarah's uncle's car was found without it's wheels in that old, derelict warehouse.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Comma indicates a smaller pause. It is used to separate two adjectives when the order of the adjectives is interchangeable. In the given sentence, 'old' and 'derelict' are the two adjectives used for warehouse. Thus, comma is used to separate them. We can also use 'derelict, old warehouse' as the adjectives are interchangeable. Apostrophe is correctly used as 'Sarah's and Uncle's in option B since it is used here to show possession. Hence, option B is correct. 

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

comma punctuation english

  1. We decided to visit: Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy's mountains.

  2. We decided to visit Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italys mountains.

  3. We decided to visit Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Italy's mountains.

  4. We decided to visit Spain Greece Portugal and Italy's mountains.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Apostrophe is correctly used as Italy's in option C since it is used here to show possession. Comma indicates a smaller pause. It is used to separate words or word groups in a simple series. In the given sentence, four different subjects 'Spain', 'Greece', 'Portugal' and 'Italy' are correctly separated by comma in option C. Hence, the correct option is C.


Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

comma punctuation english

  1. She always enjoyed sweets, chocolate, marshmallows and toffee apples.

  2. She always enjoyed: sweets, chocolate, marshmallows and toffee apples.

  3. She always enjoyed sweets chocolate marshmallows and toffee apples.

  4. She always enjoyed sweet's, chocolate, marshmallow's and toffee apple's.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Comma indicates a smaller pause. It is used to separate words or word groups in a simple series. In the given sentence, four different subjects 'sweets', 'chocolate', 'marshmallows' and 'toffee apples' are separated by comma. Hence, A is the correct option. 

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

comma punctuation english

  1. Paul's neighbours were terrible; so his brother's friends went round to have a word.

  2. Paul's neighbours were terrible: so his brother's friends went round to have a word.

  3. Paul's neighbours were terrible, so his brother's friends went round to have a word.

  4. Paul's neighbours were terrible so his brother's friends went round to have a word.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
The given sentence has two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction (here, 'so') to join two independent clauses whereas, a semi colon (;) is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
A colon (:) is used to separate two clauses when the second explains or illustrates the first. 
According to the given reason, Options A,B and D can be termed incorrect and the correct answer is Option C.


Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

comma punctuation english

  1. Tims gran, a formidable woman, always bought him chocolate, cakes, sweets and a nice fresh apple.

  2. Tim's gran a formidable woman always bought him chocolate, cakes, sweets, and a nice fresh apple.

  3. Tim's gran, a formidable woman, always bought him chocolate cakes sweets and a nice fresh apple.

  4. Tim's gran, a formidable woman, always bought him chocolate, cakes, sweets, and a nice fresh apple.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Apostrophe is correctly used as Tim's in option D since it is used here to show possession. Comma is used to separate words or word groups in a simple series. In the given sentence, four different subjects 'chocolate', 'cakes', 'sweets' and 'fresh apple' are separated by comma correctly in option D. Comma is also used to set off name, nick name, term of endearment or title of a person directly addressed. 'A formidable woman' term is used as endearment or to describe Tim's gran thus option D is correct. Hence, correct option is D.   


Finally after much trial and error, the scientists succeeded in their experiments.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined phrase.

comma punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Finally after, much trial and error,

  3. Finally, after much trial and error,

  4. Finally, after much trial and error

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
According to general rule, an introductory adverbial element must be followed by a comma. Thus, in the given sentence, the word 'finally' is an adverb and must be followed by a comma.
A comma is also required when the dependent clause comes before the independent clause. Thus, placing a comma after the dependent clause in the given sentence is necessary. 
The correct answer is Option C.

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part.

comma punctuation english

  1. Our Father in Heaven

  2. Our Father, in Heaven

  3. Our Father, in Heaven,

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
In the given sentence, 'Our Father in Heaven' is used as one name. According to general rule, when several words in their common order are used as one compound name, a comma is not inserted. However, a compound name is followed by a comma.
Thus, the correct answer will be Option D, no change.

"That will be all," the teacher told her students.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part.

comma punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. all"

  3. ,all,"

  4. ,all"

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, commas and punctuations that are part of the overall sentence go inside the quotation marks, even though they aren't part of the original quotation. Therefore, according to the rule, the correct answer will be Option A.

 

 


Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part.

She was always happy and energetic positive and creative.

comma punctuation english

  1. happy, energetic, positive, creative.

  2. happy and energetic, positive and creative.

  3. happy, energetic, positive, and creative ...

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
In the given sentence, adjectives in succession describe the qualities of the person. 
According to general rule, when successive words are joined in pairs by conjunctions, they should be separated in pairs by the comma. Therefore, the correct answer will be Option B.
Option C - An ellipsis is used to indicate that words have been left out so, the usage of ellipsis in the given sentence is not appropriate.

To be a great judge is to show mercy not harshness.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part in the above-mentioned sentence.

comma punctuation english

  1. show, mercy not

  2. show, mercy, not

  3. show mercy, not

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
According to general rule, if the dependent clause is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, it should be set off with a comma. 
In the given sentence it says, 'To be a great judge is to show mercy', even if we omit the remaining part the sentence will still hold its meaning. 
Therefore, according to the rule, the correct answer will be Option C.