Tag: colon

Questions Related to colon

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.