Punctuation to Indicate a Pause

Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated. 

• She was, as a matter of fact, mainly interested in showing off her vocabulary. 
• She was, as a matter of fact mainly interested in showing off her vocabulary. 
• She was as a matter of fact, mainly interested in showing off her vocabulary. 
• She was as a matter of fact mainly interested in showing off her vocabulary. 

Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated. 

• Before reaching the summit, the climbers were forced by a storm to turn back. 
• Before reaching the summit the climbers were forced by a storm to turn back. 
• Before reaching the summit, the climbers were, forced by a storm, to turn back. 
• Before reaching the summit the climbers were, forced by a storm, to turn back. 

Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated. 

• Tomorrow, I believe, is the last day to register to vote in the November general election. 
• Tomorrow I believe, is the last day to register to vote in the November general election. 
• Tomorrow I believe is the last day to register to vote in the November general election. 
• Tomorrow, I believe, is the last day to register to vote in the November, general election. 

Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated. 

• Philip, understanding history increases your understanding of today's world. 
• Philip understanding history increases your understanding of today's world. 
• Philip, understanding history, increases your understanding of today's world. 
• Philip, understanding, history increases your understanding, of today's world. 

Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

• "When," Jamie asked, "will you return my book?"
• "When," Jamie asked "will you return my book?"
• "When" Jamie asked, "will you return my book?"
• "When" Jamie asked "will you return my book?"

Which sentence uses an ellipsis to show a speaker trailing off?

• "Now where did I put my car keys? I had . . . them just a moment ago."
• ". . . now where did I put my car keys? I had them just a moment ago."
• "Now where did I put my car keys? I had them just a moment ago . . ."
• "Now where . . . did I put my car keys? I had them just a moment ago."

Which sentence uses an ellipsis to show a speaker trailing off?

• Alexa said, "I wonder why the sky . . ."
• Alexa said, ". . . I wonder why the sky."
• Alexa said, "I wonder why the . . . sky."
• Alexa said, "I wonder why the . . . why the sky."

Which sentence uses an ellipsis to show a speaker trailing off?

• Alexa said, "I wonder why the sky . . ."
• Alexa said, ". . . I wonder why the sky."
• Alexa said, "I wonder why the . . . sky."
• Alexa said, "I wonder why the . . . why the sky."

Which sentence uses an ellipsis to show awkward silence? (2 correct answers)

• ". . . uh, hello? Is anyone there?" the manager asked.

• "Uh . . . hello? Is anyone there?" the manager asked.

• "Uh, hello? Is anyone . . . there?" the manager asked.

• "Uh, hello? Is anyone there . . . ?" the manager asked.

Choose the sentence that is punctuated correctly.

• Getting to work at eight o'clock every morning--I don't have to remind you how much I hate getting up early--seemed almost more than I cared to undertake.
• Getting to work at eight o'clock every morning I don't have to remind you how much I hate getting up early seemed almost-more-than I cared to undertake.
• Getting to work at eight o'clock every morning I don't have to remind you how much I hate getting up early seemed almost more than I cared to undertake.
• None are correct.