Tag: english

Questions Related to english

If only I had chosen a different city to live in ... but why regret the past?

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. If only I had chosen a different city to live in - but why regret the past?

  2. If only I had chosen a different city to live in: but why regret the past?

  3. If only I had chosen a different city to live in (but why regret the past)?

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The given sentence consists of two independent clauses that are related. However, the use of an ellipsis is incorrect, an ellipsis is used to indicate trailing off thought.
An em dash is used to connect two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. Thus, the correct answer is Option A. 
A colon is used to separate two independent clauses when the second illustrates or explains the first whereas, a parentheses is used to add information in a sentence.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence:
Yes, I'd like to have a painting done; as long as I can choose which artist does it.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. Yes, I'd like to have a painting done - as long as I can choose which artist does it.

  2. Yes, I'd like to have a painting done: as long as I can choose which artist does it.

  3. Yes, I'd like to have a painting done ... as long as I can choose which artist does it.

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, the em dash can be used in place of a colon or semi colon, when we want to emphasize at the conclusion of a sentence. In the given sentence, the speaker clearly wants to emphasize on the conclusion of the sentence, that explains his/her condition. 
Thus, the correct answer is Option A.
Option D is also incorrect, as an ellipsis is used to indicate omission or trailing off thought.

Give me the keys to the house ... can you do that ... I've left some things behind.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. Give me the keys to the house; can you do that; I've left some things behind.

  2. Give me the keys to the house - can you do that? I've left some things behind.

  3. Give me the keys to the house - can you do that? - I've left some things behind.

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
Parentheses is used to add additional information to a sentence. However, a pair of em dashes can replace a pair of parentheses, if the content is less formal.
In the given sentence, a pair of em dashes should be used for the parenthetical element, in place of ellipsis. A pair o ellipsis is used to indicate omission or trailing off thought.
Thus, the correct answer is Option C. The remaining options are incorrect.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence:
I like to have a bowl of cornflakes in the morning: except that these days there are only eggs in the house.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. I like to have a bowl of cornflakes in the morning - except that these days there are only eggs in the house.

  3. I like to have a bowl of cornflakes in the morning; except that these days there are only eggs in the house.

  4. I like to have a bowl of cornflakes in the morning ... except that these days there are only eggs in the house.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
According to general rule, the em dash can be used in place of a colon or semi colon, when we want to emphasize at the conclusion of a sentence. In the given sentence, the speaker clearly wants to emphasize on the conclusion of the sentence, that explains his/her condition. 
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.
Option D is also incorrect, as an ellipsis is used to indicate omission or trailing off thought.

I wish the trains ran on time - but why complain about things that can't change?

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. I wish the trains ran on time; but why complain about things that can't change?

  3. I wish the trains ran on time ... but why complain about things that can't change!

  4. I wish the trains ran on time: but why complain about things that can't change?

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, the em dash can be used in place of a colon or semi colon, when we want to emphasize at the conclusion of a sentence. In the given sentence, the speaker clearly wants to emphasize on the conclusion of the sentence, that explains his/her views. 
Thus, the correct answer is Option A, no change.
Option B is also incorrect, as an ellipsis is used to indicate omission or trailing off thought.

A book, some food and water, and a cell phone are things, the only things, you will need if you were stranded on an island.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. A book, some food and water, and a cell phone are things, the only things - you will need if you were stranded on an island.

  2. A book, some food and water, and a cell phone are things - the only things you will need if you were stranded on an island.

  3. A book, some food and water, and a cell phone are things - the only things - you will need if you were stranded on an island.

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
According to general rule, em dashes are used to set off parenthetical information, as using em dashes, on both sides, puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. 
Thus, in the given sentence, the use of em dash, Option C, will be correct.
Option A and B are incorrect - As a rule, a pair of em dashes should be used to set off parenthetical elements.
Option D is incorrect, as em dashes serve as harder versions of commas, they can be used to replace commas in the given sentence.

Friend, father, counselor; he was all these things to me.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Friend, father, counselor ... he was all these things to me.

  3. Friend, father, counselor (he was all these things to me).

  4. Friend, father, counselor - he was all these things to me.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
According to general rule, the em dash is often used to resume a scattered subject in a sentence. Thus, the correct answer in the given sentence must be Option D.
Option A is incorrect. A semi colon is used to connect two independent clauses in a sentence.
Option B is incorrect. A ellipsis is used to indicate omission or trailing off thought.
Option C is incorrect. A pair of parentheses is used to add additional information in a sentence.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence:
Reading, especially a good book - can be a very absorbing activity.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. Reading, especially a good book; can be a very absorbing activity.

  2. Reading - especially a good book - can be a very absorbing activity.

  3. Reading - especially a good book, can be a very absorbing activity.

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
According to general rule, em dashes are used to set off parenthetical information, as using em dashes, on both sides, puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. 
Thus, in the given sentence, the use of em dash, Option B, will be correct.
Option C and D are incorrect - As a rule, a pair of em dashes should be used to set off parenthetical elements.
Option A is incorrect, as em dashes serve as harder versions of commas and semi colons, they can be used to replace commas in the given sentence.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

He was planning to paint the house, or was he, when the roof caved in.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. He was planning to paint the house; or was he? when the roof caved in.

  3. He was planning to paint the house - or was he? - when the roof caved in.

  4. He was planning to paint the house, or was he - when the roof caved in.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
According to general rule, em dashes are used to set off parenthetical information, as using em dashes, on both sides, puts the focus on the information between the em dashes. 
Thus, in the given sentence, the use of em dash, Option C, will be correct.
Option A and B are incorrect, as em dashes serve as harder versions of commas an semi colons, they can be used to replace commas in the given sentence.
Option D is incorrect - As a rule, a pair of em dashes should be used to set off parenthetical elements.

Surgeons, doctors and nurses; all went on strike to protest low wages.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Surgeons, doctors and nurses: all went on strike to protest low wages.

  3. Surgeons, doctors and nurses (all went on strike to protest low wages).

  4. Surgeons, doctors and nurses - all went on strike to protest low wages.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
According to general rule, the em dash is often used to resume a scattered subject in a sentence. Thus, the correct answer in the given sentence must be Option D.
Option A is incorrect. A semi colon is used to connect two independent clauses in a sentence.
Option B is incorrect. A colon is used to introduce a list of items in a sentence.
Option C is incorrect. A pair of parentheses is used to add additional information in a sentence.