ACT English Test Practice: Punctuation

Front

What is the purpose of dashes in a sentence?

Back

Dashes are used to create emphasis, indicate a break in thought, or set off additional information.

Front

How do you correctly use dashes in a sentence?

Back

Dashes should be placed before and after the information they set off, and they can replace commas or parentheses.

Front

What is the difference between a dash and a hyphen?

Back

A dash (—) is longer than a hyphen (-) and is used to create a pause or break in a sentence, while a hyphen is used to connect words or parts of words.

Front

When should you use a colon in a sentence?

Back

A colon is used to introduce a list, a quote, or an explanation that follows.

Front

What is the correct punctuation for a list in a sentence?

Back

Use a colon before the list and commas to separate the items in the list.

Front

What is the function of a semicolon?

Back

A semicolon is used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.

Front

How do you punctuate a compound sentence?

Back

Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that connects the two independent clauses.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and depends on an independent clause to provide meaning.

Front

When should you use a question mark?

Back

A question mark is used at the end of a direct question.