Tag: punctuation

Questions Related to punctuation

Communication is one of the most important soft skills - it is key to any work project.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. skills, it is

  2. skills; it is

  3. skills: it is

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The semi colon represents a longer pause than comma. It is used to separate clauses which are loosely connected in thought. As, the given sentence consists of clauses that are not strongly connected., a semi colon must be used to link them.
A colon is used between sentences grammatically correct but closely related.
The usage of an em dash will also be incorrect, it is used to set apart parenthetical phrases and clauses in a sentence.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part of the sentence:
The house had balconies, a well-equipped kitchen and a pretty garden at the back, it was everything Hannah and Ralph were looking for.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. balconies, a well-equipped kitchen and a pretty garden at the back;

  3. balconies and a well-equipped kitchen, and a pretty garden at the back:

  4. balconies, a well-equipped kitchen and a pretty garden at the back -

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The semi colon represents a longer pause than comma. It is used to separate clauses which are loosely connected in thought. As, the given sentence consists of clauses that are not strongly connected., a semi colon must be used to link them.
A comma is used before coordinate conjunctions that joins two independent clauses whereas, a colon is used between sentences grammatically correct but closely related.
An em dash is used to set apart parenthetical phrases or clauses in a sentence. 
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.
Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.
The trees were tall, leafy and abounding with spring flowers, it seemed the ideal location for Michael's outdoor play.
semicolon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. tall, leafy and abounding with spring flowers ...

  3. tall, leafy, abounding with spring flowers; it

  4. tall, leafy and abounding with spring flowers; it

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Compound sentences are those which contain more than one subject or predicate. Semicolon is used to show bigger separation when there is already comma within a sentence for smaller separations. 'Tall', 'leafy' and 'flowers' are more than one predicate in the sentence and comma is used within sentence thus semi colon should be used after them to show bigger separation. Thus, option D is correct. 

Elise loved baking elaborate confections; she wanted to be a professional chef.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

semicolon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. confections:

  3. confections,

  4. confections ...

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
A semi colon is used to separate clauses which are loosely connected in thought. The given sentence consists of clauses that are not strongly connected, so a semi colon must be used to link them. Thus, the correct answer is Option A.
Option B - A colon is used between sentences grammatically correct but closely related.
Option C - A comma is used before a conjunction that connects two independent clauses
Option D - An ellipsis can be used to represent a trailing of thought.

Choose the correct sentence of the given, in terms of the usage of 'colon'.

colon punctuation english

  1. In the rainy night, his eyes could focus only one thing the light house.

  2. In the rainy night, his eyes could focus only one thing: the light house.

  3. In the rainy night, his eyes: could focus only one thing the light house.

  4. None of these.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
According to general rule, a colon can be used to connect two independent clauses that are closely related or, when one illustrates or explains the other.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.
The remaining options are incorrect.
Option A does not include a colon which is necessary for a pause between the clauses.
Option C does not distinct the clauses in the sentence.

Choose the sentence(s) with the correct usage of 'colon':

colon punctuation english

  1. The cause of pollution is only one: mankind.

  2. The cause of pollution is mankind:

  3. The cause of pollution: is one, mankind.

  4. :Mankind the only cause for pollution.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, a colon can be used to connect two independent clauses that are closely related or, when one illustrates or explains the other.
Thus, the correct answer is Option A.
The remaining options are incorrect as, the punctuation colon is not placed so as to separate clauses.

Choose the sentence with the correct usage of 'colon' in it.

colon punctuation english

  1. A balanced diet: should contain vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates.

  2. A balanced diet should contain the following: vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates.

  3. A balanced diet should contain vitamins: minerals: and carbohydrates.

  4. A balanced diet should: contain the following vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates.

Show answer
Correct Option: B

Which of the given sentence is wrong in terms of the usage of 'colon' in it:

colon punctuation english

  1. Bizarre things were happening in his life: mentally and physically.

  2. The mixture contained: milk, raisins and fruits.

  3. Abdul summed up: all the three; physics, chemistry and maths.

  4. He was proud of his son: a doctor.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

We need to choose the option that does NOT use the colon correctly. So, the options with the CORRECT sentences are WRONG.
The colon ':' has various functions. It is used for introducing a list, like in option B, where it introduces a list of things in the mixture: milk, raisins and fruits.
Since B has the correct sentence, option B is wrong.
The colon is also used to introduce appositives. Appositives are nouns, pronouns or noun phrases that modify or explain other nouns, pronouns and noun phrases.
This can be seen in options A and D. In A, 'mentally and physically' describes the bizarre things that were happening in his life.
In D, 'doctor' describes the profession of his son, by saying that his son was a doctor.
Since these sentences are correct, options A and D are wrong.
This leaves option C. A colon cannot be used when it appears to break the flow of the sentence, as it does in C. The colon follows directly after the verb 'summed up'.
(One should avoid using a colon after a verb or preposition.)
Since option C has the incorrect usage, it is the right answer.

Out of the given sentences, select the one which places 'colon' in its most suitable position:

colon punctuation english

  1. Jahangir knew: three languages; Hindi, Urdu and Sinhalese.

  2. Jahangir knew three: languages; Hindi, Urdu and Sinhalese.

  3. Jahangir knew three languages: Hindi, Urdu and Sinhalese.

  4. Jahangir: knew three languages; Hindi, Urdu and Sinhalese.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
A colon is used to introduce a list of items in a sentence. The sentence gives a list of languages known by Jahangir. Thus, the correct option will be Option C.
The remaining options are incorrect. 
A semi colon is used between two independent clause when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.

The circus hosted a variety of new artistes; three tightrope walkers, four unicyclists, and a juggler.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

colon punctuation english

  1. new artistes,

  2. new artistes:

  3. new artistes ...

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

A colon is used between two independent clauses in which the second clause illustrates, explains, extends or paraphrases the first clause. Hence, the correct option is B) New artistes: