Tag: punctuation

Questions Related to punctuation

Shakespeare wrote - "To thine own self be true."

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

colon punctuation english

  1. wrote:

  2. wrote;

  3. wrote ...

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The given sentence consists of two independent clauses. Quotation marks can be either preceded by a comma or a colon. However, in the case of independent clause, a colon must be opted for. Thus, the correct answer will be Option A.
The other options are not valid to be used before a quotation mark.
An ellipsis can be used to represent a trailing of thought.


Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part of the sentence:
Delayed trains flooded roads and traffic jams, these made Lucy late to work on Monday morning.

colon punctuation english

  1. Delayed trains; flooded roads; and traffic jams; these

  2. Delayed trains, flooded roads, and traffic jams; these

  3. Delayed trains, flooded roads, and traffic jams: these

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
The given sentence provides a list of reasons that made Lucy late for work. According to general rule, a colon is used to introduce a list of items in a sentence. Also, in order to separate different items in a list, a comma should be used.  
Thus, the correct answer will be Option C.
A semi colon is used to separate the list items when the list items themselves contain commas.

Those going on the picnic were, Martin, his wife and child, his brother-in-law and his grandparents.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

colon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. were

  3. were;

  4. were ...

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The given sentence talk about the people going for a picnic. Usually such sentences that introduce a list require a colon between them. However, using a colon should be avoided before a list if it directly follows a verb or preposition. Such sentences ordinarily need no punctuation. Thus, according to the rules, the correct answer is Option B.
Option A - A comma is used to separate different items in a list.
Option C - A semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
Option D - An ellipsis is used to represent a trailing off thought.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

Early dawn, clear mornings and cool weather; these were the things Eric enjoyed on his early morning runs.

colon punctuation english

  1. weather,

  2. weather:

  3. weather ...

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The given sentence gives a list of items that Eric enjoyed on his early morning runs. A colon is used to introduce an item or list of items in a sentence. Thus, a colon should be used in the sentence in place of the semi colon. 
Option A - A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses.
Option C - An ellipsis is used to represent a trailing off thought.
Option D - The use of semi colon is incorrect. A semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

Several companies and not-for-profit organizations are offering the new virtual race and while the details vary, the concept is the same; pay money, run a set distance whenever and wherever you like and receive a medal in the post.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

colon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. offering the new virtual race and, while the details vary, the concept is the same: pay money, run a set distance whenever and wherever you like,

  3. offering the new virtual race, and while the details vary, the concept is the same: pay money, run a set distance whenever and wherever you like

  4. offering the new virtual race, and while the details vary, the concept is the same; pay money, run a set distance whenever and wherever you like,

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The sentence describes a list of concepts that several companies run by. In a sentence, a colon is used to introduce a list of items. A comma is used between the different items in a list and before conjunctions that separate them. Thus, according to the rules, the correct answer must be Option B. 
Option A  and D are incorrect. A semi colon is used to connect two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
Option C uses a colon to introduce the list of items, however, the commas required before the conjunctions in a list are not used. Thus, this answer is incorrect.

These days, one of the things that meteorologists most fear is the onset of a tropical cyclone: a rapidly rotating storm system with a low pressure center.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

colon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. cyclone;

  3. cyclone,

  4. cyclone ...

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The sentence consists of an independent clause followed by a closely related item. A colon is used to introduce an item or list of items in a sentence. Thus, the use of colon in the given sentence is correct.
Option B - A semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
Option C - A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses.
Option D - An ellipsis is used to represent a trailing off thought.
Thus, the correct answer is Option A, no change.

The following sentence is correctly punctuated:
O! God! What do we do now?

exclamation mark punctuation english

  1. True

  2. False

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The statement is false because the sentence has not been punctuated correctly. When using the interjection "O", the exclamation mark is placed after the nominative of address. In the given sentence, the nominative of address is "God." Therefore, the correctly punctuated sentence would be:
O God! What do we do now?

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

What a beautiful morning?

exclamation mark punctuation english

  1. morning!

  2. morning.

  3. morning,

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Exclamation mark is used to express surprise, excitement or any other strong emotion. Given sentence describes excitement. Thus, option A is correct. Hence, sentence would become: What a beautiful morning !

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

What a beautiful blue diamond!

exclamation mark punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. diamond,

  3. diamond.

  4. diamond?

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Exclamation mark is used to express surprise, excitement or any other strong emotion. Given sentence describes excitement. It is grammatically correct. Thus, option A is correct. 

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

How beautiful that fabric is!

exclamation mark punctuation english

  1. is.

  2. is,

  3. is?

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Exclamation mark is used to express surprise, excitement or any other strong emotion. Given sentence describes excitement which is grammatically correct. No change is required in this. Thus, option D is correct.