Punctuations

Mastering the Mark:
Punctuations

Multiple Choice

What is missing in this sentence?

He went to the library and then he went out for lunch.

• question mark

• period

• comma

• apostrophe

Comma (,)

Commas are used to insert a pause into a sentence. The purpose of the pause can be for different reasons, such as to separate ideas, phrases, or even alter the structure of a sentence(Writers of UoPeople, 2021).

Commas have a few different uses. Commas are used for a direct address, such as:

• Joe, it was nice to see you again.

They’re also used to separate two complete sentences:

• He went to the library, and then he went out for lunch.

Commas can also be used to list items in a sentence:

• She went shopping and bought shoes, a dress, two shirts, and a pair of pants.

Comma (,)

Oxford commas are often debated within academics and the English language, and using one often comes down to preference (Writers of UoPeople, 2021). An Oxford comma is when a final comma is placed on the last item of a list. For example:

• He likes to eat fruits, cake, vegetables, and pasta.

Multiple Choice

What is missing in this sentence?

How do you like your eggs

• period

• question mark

• quotation marks

• semi-colon

Question Marks (?)

A question mark also ends a sentence, however it ends a sentence that is a direct question (Writers of UoPeople, 2021). Typically, sentences that are questions begin with what, how, when, where, why, or who.

Here’s how to use a question mark in a sentence:

• How do you like your eggs?

• Why didn’t you like the movie last night?

Generally, a question mark also denotes a shift in tone in a sentence if it’s being read out loud, so this is something to note.

Multiple Choice

What is missing in this sentence?

She took four classes last semester history, biology, arts, and economics.

• semi-colon

• question mark

• comma

• colon

Colon (:)

A colon has three primary uses. One way to use it is when introducing something, such as a quote, an example, a series, or an explanation (Writers of UoPeople, 2021).

• She took four classes last semester: history, biology, arts, and economics.

A colon can also be used to link two independent clauses if the second clause clarifies or completes the first one. For example:

• They didn’t have time to waste: it was already late.

• Finally, a colon can also emphasize a subject in a sentence:

• I only hate one vegetable: brussel sprouts.

Multiple Choice

What is missing in this sentence?

Last summer we traveled to London, England_ Paris, France_ Rome, Italy_ and Athens, Greece

• colon

• comma

• semi-colon

• slash

Semi-colon (;)

Similar to a colon, a semicolon links two independent clauses. However, in this case, the clauses are more closely related than when you would use a colon (Writers of UoPeople, 2021). For example:

• I have a meeting tomorrow morning; I can’t go out tonight.

Both clauses are independent enough to be their own sentences, but instead of using a period, it’s possible to use a semicolon to show both clauses are connected.

Another less common use for semicolons is within a list that uses commas. Have a look:

• Last summer we traveled to London, England; Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Athens, Greece.

Multiple Choice

What is missing in this phrase?

step by step

• hyphen

• dash

• question mark

• comma

Hyphen (-)

Not to be confused with a dash, a hyphen is used in compound words when two or more words are connected (Writers of UoPeople, 2021). Here are some examples of hyphenated words:

• Step-by-step

• Mother-in-law

• Ex-boyfriend

Multiple Choice

What is missing in this sentence?

Dr Smith read his patient’s chart.

• comma

• period

• hyphen

• colon

Period (.)

Also referred to as a full stop, the period denotes the end of a sentence. A full sentence is considered as one that is complete and declarative (Writers of UoPeople, 2021).

Here’s an example of a period at the end of a sentence:

• The dog ran under the fence.

Periods are also used in abbreviations, such as in names or titles.

Here are examples of how to use a period in abbreviations:

• Dr. Smith read his patient’s chart.

• Mr. H. Potter opened his front door.

Multiple Choice

What is missing in this sentence?

I’ve been working from home for 6 months and its great.

• colon

• comma

• apostrophe

• quotation marks

Apostrophe (')

Apostrophes are meant to show that a letter or letters have been omitted and also to indicate the possessive or contractions. It can also be used to pluralize lowercase letters (Writers of UoPeople, 2021).

Here are some examples:

• I’ve been working from home for 6 months and it’s great.

• Rebecca’s dog had surgery yesterday.

• All that’s left to do is dot the i’s and cross the t’s.

Multiple Choice

What is missing in this sentence?

Her answer was clear Yes!

• em dash

• en dash

• hyphen

• colon

Em dash (—)

This dash is longer and is sometimes used instead of other punctuation marks, like commas, colons, or parentheses (Writers of UoPeople, 2021). Here’s an example:

• Her answer was clear — Yes!

Multiple Choice

What is missing in this sentence?

The company was operational from 1990 2000.

• em dash

• en dash

• hyphen

• colon

En dash (-)

Typically shorter in length, the en dash is used to denote a range, such as between numbers or dates (Writers of UoPeople, 2021).

For example:

• The company was operational from 1990-2000.

• He took the Chicago-New York train last night.