Tag: punctuation

Questions Related to punctuation

(Line 1) He was not only the editor in chief, but also one of the first jour
(Line 2) nalists who wrote for the newspaper.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. No Change

  2. He was not only the editor-in-chief, but also one of the first jour

    nalists who wrote for the newspaper.

  3. He was not only the editor-in-chief, but also one of the first jour-

    nalists who wrote for the newspaper.

  4. He was not only the editor in chief, but also one of the first jour-

    nalists who wrote for the newspaper.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
When flowing text, it is sometimes preferable to break a word in half so that it continues on another line rather than moving the entire word to the next line. 
The word may be divided at the nearest break point between syllables, and a hyphen inserted to indicate that the letters form a word fragment, rather than a full word.
Compound adjectives are connected using en dash.
According to the following rules, the correct form of writing the sentence is, as given in Option C.

(Line 1) The South American continent is home to the world's highest uninterrupt
(Line 2) ed waterfall, Angel Falls.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. No Change

  2. The South-American continent is home to the world's highest uninterrupt-
    ed water-fall, Angel Falls.

  3. The South-American continent is home to the world's highest uninterrupt
    ed waterfall, Angel Falls.

  4. The South American continent is home to the world's highest uninterrupt-
    ed waterfall, Angel Falls.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
When flowing text, it is sometimes preferable to break a word in half so that it continues on another line rather than moving the entire word to the next line. 
The word may be divided at the nearest break point between syllables, and a hyphen inserted to indicate that the letters form a word fragment, rather than a full word.
Words, like waterfall are closed compound words, so they do not require a hyphen.
Thus, the correct answer is Option D. The other remaining options are incorrect.
Choose the option that best corrects the sentence:
Hannah changed her diet and became a non-vegetarian.
dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. Hannah changed her diet and become a non-vegetarian.

  2. Hannah changed her diet and became a non-vegetarian.

  3. Hannah change her diet and became a non vegetarian.

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
According to general rule, certain compound words require hyphens between every word. These are known as hyphenated compound words.
In the given sentence, 'non-vegetarian' is an example o such a word.
Thus, the correct form of writing the sentence is Option D. The remaining options are incorrect.

Though well intentioned, the plan was doomed to failure from the beginning.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Though well intentioned the plan was doomed to failure from the beginning.

  3. Though well-intentioned the plan was doomed to failure from the beginning.

  4. Though well-intentioned, the plan was doomed to failure from the beginning.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
According to general rule, a hyphen is used to connect two words to make it clear to readers that the words work together as a unit of meaning. In the given sentence, 'on-site' is one such word.
A comma is used if the sentence begins with a dependent clause, like in the given sentence.
Thus, the correct answer is Option D. The other remaining options are incorrect.

(Line1) Research shows that same sex siblings are more likely to form a bond than sib
(Line2) lings of different sexes.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Research shows that same-sex siblings are more likely to form a bond than sib-
    lings of different sexes.

  3. Research shows that same-sex siblings are more likely to form a bond than sib
    lings of different sexes.

  4. Research shows that same sex siblings are more likely to form a bond than sib-
    lings of different sexes.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The correct option is B because it has the hyphen in the two required places: between the pairs 'same sex' and 'sib lings'. While the first pair requires the hyphen to connect two words that act as a single unit to modify a noun (siblings), the other hyphen for 'sib lings' is used to show that the word continues onto the next line. 

These shoes are factory made but I like them because they are sturdy, water
proof and have a good fit.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. These shoes are factory made but I like them because they are sturdy, water-
    proof and have a good fit.

  2. These shoes are factory-made but I like them because they are sturdy, water-
    proof and have a good fit.

  3. These shoes are factory-made but I like them because they are sturdy, water
    proof and have a good fit.

  4. No Change

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
When flowing text, it is sometimes preferable to break a word in half so that it continues on another line rather than moving the entire word to the next line. 
The word may be divided at the nearest break point between syllables, and a hyphen inserted to indicate that the letters form a word fragment, rather than a full word.
Compound adjectives are connected using en dash.
According to the following rules, the correct form of writing the sentence is, as given in Option B.

(Line 1) Besides being the most successful architect in the city, that man is ad
(Line 2) mired and well respected for his work on eco friendly houses.

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. Besides being the most successful architect in the city, that man is ad-
    mired and well-respected for his work on eco-friendly houses.

  3. Besides being the most successful architect in the city, that man is ad-
    mired and well respected for his work on eco-friendly houses.

  4. Besides being the most successful architect in the city, that man is ad
    mired and well-respected for his work on eco-friendly houses.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
When flowing text, it is sometimes preferable to break a word in half so that it continues on another line rather than moving the entire word to the next line. 
The word may be divided at the nearest break point between syllables, and a hyphen inserted to indicate that the letters form a word fragment, rather than a full word.
A hyphen is also used to connect two words to make it clear to readers that the words work together as a unit of meaning.
Thus, according to the rules, the correct answer is Option C.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word:
Ladies, gentlemen, children; give me your attention.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. children -

  2. children,

  3. children:

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
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 A.
Option B is incorrect. A comma is used to indicate a pause in a sentence.
Option C is incorrect. A colon is used to introduce a list of items in a sentence.
Option D is incorrect. A semi colon is used to connect two independent clauses in a sentence.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

The old man - the one with the walking stick - crossed the road slowly.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. man - the one with the walking stick;

  3. man - the one with the walking stick:

  4. man, the one with the walking stick;

Show answer
Correct Option: A
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 A, will be correct.
Option B and C 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 and semi colons in a sentence.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part of the sentence:
She brought her umbrella: the red and black one: to the party with her.

dash and hyphen punctuation english

  1. umbrella, the red and black one:

  2. umbrella - the red and black one -

  3. umbrella; the red and black one;

  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 C, will be correct.
The remaining options are incorrect.