Tag: english

Questions Related to english

Put ellipsis (...) in the correct place in the following sentence:-

You can defend the fort but you cannot . I'll take it away from you.

ellipses punctuation english

  1. NO change

  2. after "cannot"

  3. after "you can"

  4. before "cannot"

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

An ellipsis is a series of dots that usually indicates an intentional omission of a word, sentence, or whole section from a text without altering its original meaning.

In this case, it's clearly visible that after 'cannot' there will be an ellipsis as it's pretty clear that the speaker has something in his mind which he doesn't wish to say because he knows that the one who is listening to him has already understood what he actually wants to say. The speaker wants to say 'You can defend the fort but you cannot (win). I'll take it away from you.' So, Option B is correct and the other options cancel out.

Identify the underlined punctuation:


Ram said to his mother, "I have failed in the exam."
Mother said, "I... I am out of words. I... don't know what to say."

ellipses punctuation english

  1. ellipsis

  2. semi colon

  3. hyphen

  4. colon

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Option A is correct as ellipsis is three dots like (...)
Option B is incorrect as semi colon is a dot with a comma below it like ( ; )
Option C is incorrect because hyphen is a small dash like ( - )
Option D is incorrect because it looks like one dot on the top of another ( : )

How many dots make an ellipsis?

ellipses punctuation english

  1. two

  2. four

  3. three

  4. five

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
An ellipsis is made of three dots called ellipsis points. Ellipses are exactly three dots, not two or four or five. Hence, Option C is correct.

State whether the statement is true or false..

I was thinking... well... may be I could join you all tonight. 
The usage of ellipsis is correct.
ellipses punctuation english

  1. True

  2. False

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

There is a pause in the thought process and even after saying 'well', the speaker thinks. That is why the usage of the ellipses is correct.

What do the three dots in the sentence suggest?
She opened the door and saw . . . a cake!

ellipses punctuation english

  1. a trailing thought

  2. an omission

  3. repetition

  4. figure of speech

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

It obviously suggests a trailing thought. She opened the door with the expectation that someone must be at the door but she sees a cake to her surprise. Thus, Option A is correct and the other options cancel out.

Put ellipsis (...) in the correct place in the following sentence.

I thought but I couldn't speak.

ellipses punctuation english

  1. after 'thought'

  2. after 'speak'

  3. before 'I'

  4. NO change

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Option A is correct because the substance of the thought has been kept silent
Option B is incorrect because the action is firmly completed
Option C is incorrect because this is an independent sentence and not a part of a continuation
Option D is incorrect as the ellipsis is missing

Rahul broke his mother's favourite vase with a cricket ball. His mother said, 'You... You... Get out of the house."

What does the ellipsis indicate in the sentence above?

ellipses punctuation english

  1. trailing angry thought

  2. kind words

  3. no expression

  4. appreciation

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

It is pretty obvious from the context that Rahul's mother is dangerously angry with his because he has broken her favourite vase. Therefore, she won't be saying him anything kind or appreciate him for what he has done. She is so angry that she can't figure out with what fit words she should scold him. So, out of anger she tells him to get out of the house. Thus, the ellipsis suggest a trailing angry thought. Hence, Option A is correct.

Choose the best answer (in the affirmative) to the following question:
Did the man cross the road safely?

ellipses punctuation english

  1. No, he did not.

  2. Yes, he did.

  3. No, he could not.

  4. Yes, he could.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Affirmative answers have the following structure: Yes, subject+auxiliary verb in the same tense as the question. Hence Option C is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the rule, hence incorrect.

Select the best ellipsis/short answer in the negative in response to the following:

Are you going to write your grandfather a letter?

ellipses punctuation english

  1. Yes, I am.

  2. No, I am not.

  3. Yes, I will.

  4. No, I will not.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Negative answers have the following structure: No, subject+auxiliary verb in the same tense as the question. Hence Option B is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the rule, hence incorrect.

Select the best ellipsis/short answer in the negative in response to the following:

Will you type up the new document quickly?

ellipses punctuation english

  1. Yes, I will.

  2. No, I will not.

  3. Yes, I can.

  4. No, I cannot.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Affirmative answers have the following structure: No, subject+auxiliary verb in the same tense as the question. Hence Option B is correct. The rest of the options do not adhere to the rule, hence incorrect.