Tag: english

Questions Related to english

Martin, having worked for thirty years - retired to his countryside villa.

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

comma punctuation english

  1. Martin having worked for thirty years, retired

  2. Martin, having worked for thirty years, retired

  3. Martin having worked for thirty years retired

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The phrase 'having worked for thirty years' is used to modify or illustrate the noun, Martin. So, it is known as the participle phrase. 
According to the rule, a comma must be used to separate the participle clause from the main clause. Thus, the correct answer is Option B.
The usage of a dash in the sentence do not bring out the intended meaning.

The sea being choppy the ship sailed to a closer port.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. choppy, the ship

  2. choppy; the ship

  3. choppy - the ship

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
In the given sentence, the words 'the sea being choppy' act as the nominative absolute. It is a free-standing part of the sentence, that describes the subject and the verb. It always takes a comma after it when it begins the sentence.
Therefore, the sentence requires a comma after the word 'choppy'.
Thus, the correct answer must be Option A.

Then, when the dust settled, they began to calculate their profits and losses.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

comma punctuation english

  1. Then when the dust settled, they

  2. Then, when the dust settled they

  3. Then, when the dust settled - they

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
When non restrictive or nonessential information comes in between the sentence, rather than at the end of, it should be set off using a pair of commas. In the given sentence, the nonessential or nonrestrictive information, 'when the dust settled' should be set off with a pair of commas.
The en dash is used to represent conflict and connection between sentences.
Thus, the correct answer is Option D, no change.

William Shakespeare, the great English playwright was born in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part.

comma punctuation english

  1. Shakespeare, the great English playwright,

  2. Shakespeare the great English playwright,

  3. Shakespeare, the great, English playwright

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
In the given sentence, Shakespeare has been described as the great English playwright. In such sentence, when a degree or certification is shown after a person's name, it should be set off with commas.
Therefore, in this sentence, a pair of commas should be used around 'the great English playwright'.
The correct answer will be Option A.

Sports players, who usually follow strict nutritional guidelines try to avoid sugar as often as they can.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. players, who usually follow strict nutritional guidelines,

  2. players, who usually follow strict nutritional guidelines -

  3. players who usually follow strict nutritional guidelines,

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, when the nonrestrictive or nonessential information is found within the sentence, rather than at the end of it, it should be set off using a pair of commas. In the given sentence, the words 'who usually follow strict nutritional guidelines' should be set off using commas on either side, as it can be termed as non-restrictive information.
Thus, the correct answer will be Option A.
A dash is used to denote an unexpected or emphatic pause.

When I was in the early stages of my career - I worked in a town far from home.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. career I

  2. career, I

  3. career; I

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The given sentence can be identified as a complex sentence. In such sentences, if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, a comma is used to separate it. Thus, in the given sentence, a comma should be used in place of a dash.
A dash is used to create an emphasis or to produce an informal tone.
A semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinate conjunction is omitted.
The correct answer is Option B.

All that we have from time immemorial considered righteous and holy has now been desecrated.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. righteous, and holy, has

  2. righteous and holy, has

  3. righteous, and holy has

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
According to general rule, a comma must be used to separate a long compound subject from the verb. In the given sentence, a comma must be placed before the verb and the adjoining verb to enhance the meaning of the sentence.
Thus, the correct answer will be Option B.
A comma must be used before 'and' only when it joins two independent clauses.

The Prime Minister visited the people - whose homes had been devastated by the typhoon.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. people, whose

  2. people whose

  3. people; whose

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
If the clause following a word (here, 'whose') cannot stand without it, a comma or any punctuation is not required. The usage of a punctuation depends upon the clauses and not single words.
Therefore, the given sentence does not require the use of any punctuation.

Rich and poor, parents and children, families and individuals, were all affected by the floods.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part.

comma punctuation english

  1. Rich, poor, parents, children, families, individuals were

  2. Rich and poor, parents and children, families and individuals were

  3. Rich and poor; parents and children; families and individuals; were

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
According to general rule, when successive words are joined in pairs by conjunctions, they should be separated in pairs by the comma. In the given sentence, different groups of people have been described using adjectives in pairs. 
Thus, according to the rule, the answer will be Option D, no change.

Francis lived in California; Barry in Michigan.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. Barry, in Michigan.

  2. Barry in, Michigan.

  3. Barry - in Michigan.

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The given sentence consists of two parallel sentences with no conjunction between them. In such a case, a semi colon is used to join them. 
The second half of the sentence consists of two dependent elements but the conjunction is left out. So, a comma must be used between the elements to separate them.
Thus, the correct will be Option A.
An em dash is used when the sentence calls for a more emphatic tone, which is not the case in the given sentence.