PUNCTUATION

1. For each of the following, choose the correct sentence.

•  A) I am asking if you would like to rollerblade together tomorrow? 

•  B) I am asking “if you would like to rollerblade together tomorrow”? 

• C) I am asking if you would like to rollerblade together tomorrow.

• D) I am asking “if you would like to rollerblade together tomorrow.”

Answer explanation

Explanation: this is not a direct quote, nor is it a direct question.

2. For each of the following, choose the correct sentence.

• A) Yes, Jean, you were right about that answer. 

• B) Yes Jean, you were right about that answer. 

• C) Yes Jean you were right about that answer. 

• D) Yes, Jean, you were right, about that answer.

Answer explanation

Explanation: when you address someone directly by name or title within a sentence, surround the name or title with commas

3. For each of the following, choose the correct sentence.

• A) I saw our town's ex-Mayor in the mall. 

• B) I saw our town's ex-mayor in the mall. 

•  C) I saw our town's ex Mayor in the mall. 

• D) I saw our town's exMayor in the mall.

Answer explanation

Explanation: hyphenate words beginning with the prefix ex; do not capitalize titles unless they directly precede a name.

4. For each of the following, choose the correct sentence.

• A) My favorite musician, who is also my cousin, plays a mean fuzz bass.

•  B) My favorite musician who is also my cousin plays a mean fuzz bass. 

• C) My favorite musician who is also my cousin, plays a mean fuzz bass. 

•  D) My favorite musician, who is also my cousin plays a mean fuzz bass.

Answer explanation

Explanation: the nonessential clause “who is also my cousin” should be set off by commas.

5.

• A) It may not be the correct part, but I bet that it works. 

• B) It may not be the correct part but, I bet that it works. 

• C) It may not be the correct part but: I bet that it works. 

•  D) It may not be the correct part but, I bet, that it works.

Answer explanation

the comma after “part” is not strictly necessary, but it puts a brief, appropriate pause between the two clauses.

         

6.

• A) Paul Simon sang, “I am a rock, I am. An island.” 

•  B) Paul Simon sang, “I am a rock; I am an island.” 

•  C) Paul Simon sang I am a rock; I am an island. 

•  D) Paul Simon sang I am a rock, I am an island.

Answer explanation

Use quotation marks when writing a direct quote.

7.

• A) I asked Ella, “Did he ask for his ring back”? 

•  B) I asked Ella did he ask for his ring back.

• C) I asked Ella, “Did he ask for his ring back?” 

• D) I asked Ella, “did he ask for his ring back?”

Answer explanation

the question mark belongs inside the quotation marks because the quotation is a question.

8.

• A) Julio, my friend from Ames, Ohio will join us. 

•  B) Julio, my friend from Ames, Ohio, will join us. 

• C) Julio, my friend, from Ames, Ohio will join us. 

• D) Julio my friend from Ames Ohio will join us.

Answer explanation

when both city and state are mentioned before the end of a sentence, put a comma after the city and another after the state.

9.

• A) The elections will be held on: the first Tuesday of November, 2018. 

•  B) The elections will be held, on the first Tuesday of November 2018. 

• C) The elections will be held on the first Tuesday, of November 2018. 

•  D) The elections will be held on the first Tuesday of November 2018.

Answer explanation

no commas are needed here because no complete dates are given.

10.

• A) The elections will be held on Tuesday November 6, 2018, and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m. 

•  B) The elections will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m. 

•  C) The elections will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m. 

•  D) The elections will be held on: Tuesday, November 6, 2018, and the polls will be kept open until 8:00 p.m.

Answer explanation

When month, day, and year are mentioned before the end of a sentence, put a comma after the day and another after the year. When, as in this sentence, the day of the week is mentioned first, follow it with a comma also.