Tag: punctuation

Questions Related to punctuation

She should have paid at the very least, a small sum of money in compensation.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part.

comma punctuation english

  1. paid at the very least

  2. paid, at the very least,

  3. paid, at the very least

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The given sentence is an example of complex-compound sentences. In such sentences, when a dependent clause (here, 'at the very least') occurs between two independent clauses and applies only to the second, the dependent clause should be set off with commas.
Thus, according to the rule, the correct answer will be Option B.

That he could win the championship trophy, no one ever questioned.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part.

comma punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. trophy no one

  3. trophy no one,

  4. trophy no, one

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
In case of complex sentences, when the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, it should be separated using a comma. Therefore, according to the rule, the given sentence is correctly punctuated.
Thus, the correct answer is Option A.
The remaining options are not accurate according to the rule.

He visited and brought me flowers.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. visited; and

  2. visited, and

  3. visited - and

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The given sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, 'and'. According to general rule, a comma must be used before the coordinate conjunction, that joins two independent clauses. Thus, the correct answer will be Option B. 
An em dash is always more emphatic than commas, which is not required in the sentence.
A semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinate conjunction is omitted. 

Your Majesty - please accept this book as a gift from our country.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. Your Majesty, please

  2. Your Majesty please

  3. Your Majesty; please

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to general rule, when directly addressing someone,  the person's name or title should be set off with commas.
Therefore, in the given sentence, the use of the dash will be incorrect. The title must be followed by a comma.
Thus, the correct answer is Option A.

Replace the underlined words with a suitable option:
When I was a student - I carried a packed lunch to school everyday.

comma punctuation english

  1. student; I

  2. student I

  3. student, I

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
The given sentence can be divided into adverbial clause and the main clause. The adverbial clause begins with a subordinating conjunction. In this case, a comma must be placed in order to separate the adverbial clause from the main clause.
The en dash can be used between words to represent conflict, relation or direction. However, its use is not required in the given sentence.
A semi colon can only be used with independent clauses.
Thus, the correct answer must be Option C.

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.