Punctuation Practice

Using Punctuation Within Sentences

By Tasha Gehrke

Multiple Choice

The following sentence is correctly puncuated:

The author was well-known.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which quotation uses an ellipsis correctly to indicate Olive's incomplete thought?  

• “I can't stand . . . Olive."
• “I can’t stand that . . . girl." 
• “I can’t stand      that girl . . ."

• “I can’t stand that girl,” Olive said. “She’s so . . . I hate her.”

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?

• The house (which was built) in 1690 was made out of stone.

• The house (which was built in 1690 was made out of stone).

• The house which was (built in 1690) was made out of stone.

• The house (which was built in 1690) was made out of stone.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses colons correctly?

• This is what you should do: apologize and give her flowers.

• This is what you should: do apologize and give her flowers.

• This is what you should do apologize: and give her flowers.

• This is what: you should do apologize and give her flowers.

Open Ended

Read the following lines of dialogue taken from The Diary of Anne Frank.

Describe what the purpose or function of the dash (-).

MR. FRANK: Edith, you know how upset you've been these past—

MRS. FRANK: That has nothing to do with it.

Open Ended

Read the following lines of dialogue taken from The Diary of Anne Frank.

Describe what the purpose or function of the dash (-).

MIEP: British, Americans … everyone! More than four thousand ships! Look—I brought a map.

Open Ended

Read the following lines of dialogue taken from The Diary of Anne Frank.

Describe what the purpose or function of the ellipsis (...).

MIEP: British, Americans … everyone! More than four thousand ships! Look—I brought a map.

Punctuating Pauses

A long sentence without internal punctuation—that is, punctuation that appears inside the sentence—runs the risk of being confusing to readers. Internal punctuation marks can clarify ideas in a sentence. They can also be used to create pauses that make dialogue sound more realistic.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• Since I was absent on Tuesday, I have a lot of make-up work to do. 
• Since, I was absent on Tuesday I have a lot of make-up work to do. 
• Since I was absent, on Tuesday, I have a lot of make-up work to do. 
• Since I was absent on Tuesday, I have a lot, of make-up work to do. 

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• Amanda can you please bring me the pencil sharpener, and a piece of paper?
• Amanda, can you please bring me the pencil sharpener and a piece of paper?
• Amanda, can you please bring me the pencil sharpener, and a piece of paper?
• Amanda can you please bring me the, pencil, sharpener and a piece of paper?

Multiple Choice

Where does the comma go: I did not know that Lady Gaga's real name was Stephani did you?

• I did not know that Lady Gaga's, real name was Stephani did you?

• I did not know that Lady Gaga's real name was Stephani, did you?

• I did not know, that Lady Gaga's real name was Stephani did you?

• I did not know that Lady Gaga's real name was, Stephani did you?

Open Ended

Revise each of these sentences, using the punctuation mark indicated after the sentence.

And then she opened up my book / Hey! / Did you just see that?

Dash (—)

Open Ended

Revise each of these sentences, using the punctuation mark indicated after the sentence.

The rocket wasn't tested / so I wonder if it will even succeed.

Comma (,)

Open Ended

Revise each of these sentences, using the punctuation mark indicated after the sentence.

There's a way this plan can work / If we put our heads together / Yeah, we'll have some ideas.

Ellipsis (…)

Multiple Choice

Ghosts gathered______ goblins arrived_____ witches descended.

• Comma

• Ellipsis

• Dash

Multiple Choice

Please grab your lacrosse stick______your jersey and your cleats_____ and meet me on the field in ten minutes.

• Ellipsis

• Comma

• Dash

Multiple Choice

"It looks like a real __________ oh no!"

• Comma

• Dash

• Ellipsis

Open Ended

Rewrite the following lines of dialogue to include appropriate internal punctuation, based on context.

I'm just not sure. It's not coming to me. Maybe if I sleep on that idea for tonight.

Open Ended

Rewrite the following lines of dialogue to include appropriate internal punctuation, based on context.

The way the performers are staging the action is incredible. Whoa! Did you see that?