Tag: punctuation

Questions Related to punctuation

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Who left the milk outside the refrigerator,

question mark punctuation english

  1. refrigerator.

  2. refrigerator!

  3. refrigerator?

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Option C is the correct answer because the given sentence starts with the question word 'who' and the tone of the sentence pertains to that of a question. Hence it is only grammatically correct that the question ends with a question mark. 

Option A is incorrect because the given sentence is not a simple statement and hence using a full stop at the end is not grammatically correct. 
An exclamation mark is used when the given sentence has the tone of surprise or excitement. Hence option B is grammatically incorrect.  
Option D is incorrect because no change in the given sentence pattern with a comma at the end would mean that the sentence is incomplete and that more is to follow. 

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

She asked me if she could accompany me to the circus?

question mark punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. circus.

  3. circus,

  4. circus;

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
According to general rule, a period is used to mark the end of a complete sentence. Thus, the correct answer will be Option B, in place of the question mark. 
The remaining options are incorrect, as a comma is used to indicate a pause whereas, a semi colon is used to separate major sentence elements. A question mark is used after an interrogatory clause.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Did the cat have all the milk?

question mark punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. milk.

  3. milk,

  4. milk -

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end whereas, a period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. The given sentence is in the form of a direct question. Thus, the correct answer is Option A, no change.
Option B is incorrect - A period is used to mark an end to a indirect sentence.
Option C is incorrect as, a comma can not used to mark an end to a sentence.
Option D is incorrect. Dashes are used to indicate a strong pause or change of thought.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Can you read this book out loud to me.

question mark punctuation english

  1. me?

  2. me,

  3. me;

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end whereas, a period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. The given sentence is in the form of a direct question. Thus, the correct answer is Option A. 
Option B and C are incorrect as, comma and semi colon cannot be used to mark an end to a sentence.
Option D is incorrect - A period is used to mark an end to a indirect sentence.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Is the pink scarf yours?

question mark punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. yours,

  3. yours.

  4. yours!

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The given sentence is in the form of a question. According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end. Thus, the correct answer is Option A, no change.
Option B is incorrect as, a comma is not used to mark an end to a sentence.
Option C is incorrect - A period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. 
Option D is incorrect - An exclamation mark is used to indicate strong feelings or high volume.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Would you help me with my homework.

question mark punctuation english

  1. homework?

  2. homework,

  3. homework;

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end whereas, a period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. The given sentence is in the form of a direct question. Thus, the correct answer is Option A.
Option B and C are incorrect as, comma and semi colon cannot be used to mark an end to a sentence.
Option D is incorrect - A period is used to mark an end to a indirect sentence.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Can you read the label on the bottle?

question mark punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. bottle.

  3. bottle,

  4. bottle!

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end whereas, a period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. The given sentence is in the form of a direct question. Thus, the correct answer is Option A, no change. 
Option B is incorrect - A period is used to mark an end to a indirect sentence.
Option C is incorrect as, comma cannot be used to mark an end to a sentence.
Option D is incorrect - An exclamation mark is used to indicate strong feelings or high volume in a sentence.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence at the underlined point.

Do my new jeans need washing?

question mark punctuation english

  1. washing,

  2. washing.

  3. washing!

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
The given sentence is in the form of a question. According to general rule, a direct question takes a question mark at the end. Thus, the correct answer is Option D, no change.
Option A is incorrect as, a comma is not used to mark an end to a sentence.
Option B is incorrect - A period is used at the end of an indirect sentence. 
Option C is incorrect - An exclamation mark is used to indicate strong feelings or high volume.

The question is not whether Serena Williams will win a twenty-third Grand Slam title, but when.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

question mark punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. but when,

  3. but when?

  4. but when!

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, a question mark is used at the end of a direct sentence whereas, indirect sentences are ended with a period.
The given sentence is an indirect sentence, thus a period should be used to end the sentence.
Thus, the correct answer will be Option A, no change.
Option B and D are incorrect, because a comma is never used at the end of a sentence and an exclamation mark is used to  express strong feelings, high volume or for emphasis.

The big question is whether the West Indies can beat Australia in the final of the T20 cricket tournament?

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

question mark punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. cricket tournament!

  3. cricket tournament.

  4. cricket tournament,

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
In the given sentence, although the word 'question' is used, it is still a declaratory sentence. 
Declaratory sentences always end with a period. Thus, the correct answer will be Option C.
Exclamation marks are used to indicate strong feelings, high volume or emphasis. Neither of which is required in the given sentence.
A comma is used to indicate a pause in between  sentence. it is to used at the end o a sentence.