Punctuation Review

Punctuation Review

Comma Rules

• Use a comma after certain words that introduce a sentence, such as well, yes, why, hello, hey, etc

• When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it

• Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items

• Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the order of the adjectives is interchangeable.

• In sentences where two independent clauses are joined by connectors such as and, or, but, etc., put a comma at the end of the first clause

• Use commas to set off nonessential words, clauses, and phrases

Multiple Choice

Which sentence contains correct comma placement?

• The Suez Canal which was completed in 1869 is 107 miles long.
• The Suez Canal, which was completed in 1869 is 107 miles long.
• The Suez Canal which was completed in 1869, is 107 miles long.
• The Suez Canal, which was completed in 1869, is 107 miles long.

Multiple Choice

Ares likes to cause trouble. He is always starting wars.

• Ares likes to cause trouble; He is always starting wars.
• Ares likes to cause trouble, as a result, he is always starting wars.
• Ares likes to cause trouble, so he is always starting wars.
• You can't combine these into a compound sentence.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is correctly punctuated?

• The trail ahead was steep but that wasn't why I was dragging my feet.
• The trail ahead was steep but, that wasn't why I was dragging my feet.
• The trail ahead was steep, but that wasn't why I was dragging my feet.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• Our apartment walls, are very thin so we can hear our neighbors talking. 
• Our apartment walls are, very thin, so we can hear our neighbors talking.
• Our apartment walls are very thin, so we can hear our neighbors talking. 
• Our apartment walls are very, thin so we can hear our neighbors talking. 

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• Jim is very bold and smart but he doesn't always say nice things to people. 
• Jim is very bold and smart, but he doesn't always say nice things to people. 
• Jim is very bold, and smart but he doesn't, always say nice things, to people.
• Jim is very bold, and smart, but he doesn't always say nice things to people. 

Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

• They were anxious to move into the new brick house.

• They were anxious to move into the new, brick house.

Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

• The brown fuzzy caterpillar crawled along the branch.

• The brown, fuzzy caterpillar crawled along the branch.

Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

• The quiet respectful audience listened to the speaker.

• The quiet, respectful audience listened to the speaker.

Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

• She rode her bike over the long dirt road.

• She rode her bike over the long, dirt road

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that DOES NOT correctly uses a comma as an introductory element.

• When we were little, we used to have playdates all the time.

• If we bump into each other on the street, they're still nice to me, though.

• Mom's regular doctor wasn't on duty that night, so she got stuck with a cranky kid doctor.

• When I came out of mom's stomach, she said the whole room got very quiet.

Multiple Choice

Where does the comma belong in the following sentence.

Before Auggie started at Beecher Prep he received a tour of the school.

• between Auggie and started

• between started and at

• between Prep and he

• between tour and of

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a comma with introductory elements.

• Auggie's three good friends were Christopher, Zack, and Alex.

• The farting nurse asked, "What kind of doctor are you?"

• When Christopher moved away three years ago, I was really bummed.

• Next week I start fifth grade.

Multiple Choice

Where does the common belong in the following sentence:

Due to his numerous surgeries Auggie was home-schooled.

• between surgeries and Auggie

• between Auggie and was

• between was and home-schooled

• no comma needed

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• Well, there are lots of reasons I don't like hot dogs.

• Well there are lots of reasons I don't like hot dogs.

• Well there are lots of reasons, I don't like hot dogs.

• Well there, are lots of reasons I don't like hot dogs.

Multiple Choice

In the following sentence, where does the comma belong?

Carol let's go to the mall after dinner.

• Carol,

• go,

• mall,

• As it is

Multiple Choice

In the following sentence, where does the comma belong?

Oh that is very interesting!

• before very

• after that

• after is

• after Oh

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the correct punctuation?

• Yes; I have visited our nation's capital.
• Yes, I have visited our nation's capital.
• Yes I have visited our nation's capital.
• Yes. I have visited our nation's capital.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the correct punctuation?

• Linda do you know who invented the first computer?
• Linda; do you know who invented the first computer?
• Linda, do you know who invented the first computer?
• Linda. Do you know who invented the first computer?

Multiple Choice

Soccer reading, and running are her favorite hobbies. What change needs to be made to this sentence?

• Add a comma after Soccer
• Add a comma after and
• Add a comma after running
• No change needed

Multiple Choice

Mr. Shore would like a skateboard, or a lasso for Christmas.
What change needs to be made to this sentence?

• Remove a comma after skateboard
• Add a comma after or
• Add a comma after lasso
• No change needed

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• Sally is sweet, pretty, and nice.
• Sally is sweet, pretty, and, nice,.
• Sally is sweet pretty and nice.

Semicolon

• You can use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses.

• You can use semicolons to divide the items of a list if the items are long or contain internal punctuation.

• When you have a conjunctive adverb linking two independent clauses, you should use a semicolon.

Multiple Choice

Select the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• Sam went skiing, Terry, however, went snowboarding.

• Sam went skiing; Terry, however, went snowboarding.

• Sam went skiing; Terry however, went snowboarding.

• Sam went skiing; Terry; however; went snowboarding.

Multiple Choice

Select the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• He's taking algebra, which he's good at, biology, his least favorite subject, and drama, for fun.

• He's taking algebra, which he's good at; biology, his least favorite subject; and drama, for fun.

• He's taking algebra; which he's good at; biology; his least favorite subject; and drama; for fun.

• He's taking algebra; which he's good at, biology; his least favorite subject, and drama; for fun.

Multiple Choice

Select the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• On the table were three piles: meat, chicken, and fish; rice, bread, and pasta; and spinach, broccoli, and kale.

• On the table were three piles; meat, chicken and fish; rice, bread, and pasta; and spinach, broccoli, and kale.

• On the table were three piles: meat, chicken and fish, rice, bread, and pasta, and spinach, broccoli, and kale.

• On the table were three piles: meat; chicken; and fish; rice; bread; and pasta; and spinach; broccoli; and kale.

Multiple Choice

Select the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• The rent is expensive, moreover, the house is pretty small.

• The rent is expensive, moreover; the house is pretty small.

• The rent is expensive; moreover, the house is pretty small.

• The rent is expensive; moreover; the house is pretty small.

Multiple Choice

Select the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly.

• We baked six dozen cookies, knowing that; they always sell out fast.

• Knowing that they always sell out fast we baked six dozen cookies.

• We baked six dozen cookies; knowing that they always sell out fast.

• We baked six dozen cookies, knowing that they always sell out fast.

Multiple Choice

_{Where does the semicolon go?}
We had too many fumbles we lost the game

• lost;
• fumbles;
• had;
• lost;

Multiple Choice

_{Where does the semicolon go?}
I had a huge meal however, I am already hungry again.

• meal;
• am;
• however;
• hungry;

Multiple Choice

_{Where does the semicolon go?} 
You need new brakes otherwise you may not be able to stop in time.

• you;
• otherwise;
• brakes;
• able;

Multiple Choice

_{Where does the semicolon go?}
Dad is going bald his hair is getting thinner and thinner.

• hair;
• bald;
• Dad;
• getting;

Colon

•  Use a colon to introduce an item or list

• Use colons between two sentences 

• Use a colon to introduce a bulleted or numbered list

• Use a colon to introduce extended quotations

• Use a colon following a greeting

Multiple Choice

John went to the party for one reason only to get revenge.

• only,
• only;
• only:
• only

Multiple Choice

Please take these items with you your Chromebook, a pen, and some paper.

• you,
• you;
• you:
• you

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct placement of the colon?

• You need new brakes:otherwise you may not be able to stop.
• I need the following for the cake: eggs, milk, water and oil.
• I had a huge meal: however, I am already hungry again.
• We had too many fumbles: we lost the game.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

• Last summer Keshia read these works by Mark Twain: Life on the Mississippi, Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper, and Tom Sawyer.
• Last summer Keshia read these works by Mark Twain Life on the Mississippi, Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper, and Tom Sawyer.

WHICH ONE?

Comma, Semicolon, or Colon!

Multiple Choice

He was very tired ___ but he decided to go to class rather than take a nap.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

The book was written by ___ Peter Jay Montreville.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

Zack came to class breathless and tired ___ he had just come from baseball practice.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

There are two kinds of fruit on the table ___ oranges and apples.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

Daniel moved to Florida ___ and he really likes it there.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

The artist preferred to paint in oils ___ he did not like water colors.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

Even when the house looks clean ___ there is usually dirt swept under the rugs.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

I'm going to leave early ___ unless the boss comes back from the meeting.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

I know the perfect job for her ___ a politician.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

Computers do many calculations at once ___ however, they cannot think.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

If he misses this appointment ___ he'll have to wait another six months.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

The challenges are not impossible ___ but they are very hard to overcome.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

The following students are to be dismissed ___ Jane Lane, Tina Fey, and Patrick Stewart.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

I do my homework every night ___ because that's how you get a good grade.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

There is only one thing to do while my parents are on vacation ___ have a party!

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

It was the first of June ___ all the buds on the trees were starting to open.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

The play was excellent! All of the actors were lively ___ and the set was beautifully decorated.

• no punctuation needed

Multiple Choice

The tables at the party had wonderful decorations ___ flowers, ribbons, balloons, and crystal birds.

• no punctuation needed