Tag: punctuation

Questions Related to punctuation

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.

"Please, Sir," said Oliver "I want some more."

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. "Please Sir," said Oliver, "I want some more."

  2. "Please, Sir," said Oliver, "I want some more."

  3. "Please Sir," said Oliver; "I want some more."

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
According to general rule, a quotation, observation, or description, when it is introduced in close dependence on a verb is generally separated from the rest of the sentence by the comma. 
Using a comma after the word 'Please' in the given sentence is required for a pause.
Thus, the correct form of writing the sentence will be as in, Option B.
The usage of a semi colon is not correct in the given sentence.

He was not however able to find a new teacher.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part.

comma punctuation english

  1. not however, able

  2. not, however able

  3. not, however, able

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
The word 'however' in the given sentence is an adverb. According to general rule, when adverbs break the connection of a simple sentence or when they do not have a close dependence on some particular words in a context, they should be set off with commas. 
Since, in the given sentence, the adverb appears in between, it should be set off using a pair of commas on either side. Thus, the correct answer is Option C.

Cactus spines are produced from specialized structures called areoles, which are a kind of highly specialized branch.

comma punctuation english

  1. areoles;

  2. areoles -

  3. areoles

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
The given sentence consists of two parts, the main clause and the non restrictive phrase that adds extra information about the noun phrase. As a general rule, a comma is used before 'which' when it introduces a non restrictive phrase. Thus, the correct answer must be Option D.
Option A - A semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
Option B - The en dash issued to represent a span or range of numbers, dates or time.

 

The cathedrals we considered the most glorious examples of architecture; now lie crumbling.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. architecture now

  2. architecture, now

  3. architecture - now

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
When a sentence comprises of a long subject followed by a verb, a comma should be placed immediately before the verb. Like in the given sentence, the subject is rather long followed by the verb. Therefore, a comma must be used in place of the semi colon. Thus, the correct answer will be Option B.
A semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
The hyphen is used to form certain compound terms.

The decorators painted the room; and the upholsterers refurbished the furniture.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

comma punctuation english

  1. room, and

  2. room - and

  3. room and

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
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 A. 
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.