Parentheses and Dashes

Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?

• Jane had a favorite chimp David Greybeard.

• Jane had a favorite chimp (David Greybeard).

• Jane had a favorite chimp (David Greybeard.)

• Jane had a (favorite chimp) David Greybeard.

What are the correct reasons for using parentheses? Choose all that apply

• To set apart nonessential elements from the rest of the sentence.

• To suggest the information is even less important than information set off by commas.

• To take the place of quotation marks when a character is speaking.

Which alternative WOULD NOT be acceptable?

• The United Nations (which meets in New York City) is now in session.

• The United Nations--which meets in New York City--is now in session.

• Meeting in New York City, the United Nations is now in session.

• Now in session, The United Nations--is meeting, in New York City.

Choose the best punctuation for this sentence:

Dr. Jonas Salk 1914-1995 discovered a cure for polio.

• Salk 1914-1995, discovered

• Salk, (1914-1995), discovered

• Salk (1914-1995) discovered

• Salk - 1914-1995 - discovered

What is used to show a sudden break in a sentence, to emphasize a word or clause, and to show that someone's speech is being interrupted?

• hyphen

• dash

• quotation mark

• a breath

Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

• Sara (who started playing tennis last year) won the championship.

• Sara... who started playing tennis last year... won the championship.

• Sara; who started playing tennis last year; on the championship.

• Sara—who started playing tennis last year—won the championship.

Which type of punctuation should go in the blanks?

My great grandfather _ born in 1917_ is turning 100 this year.

• commas

• dashes

• parentheses

Which type of punctuation should go in the blanks?

The picture of the clown _ at the bottom of the page _ gives me the creeps.

• commas

• dashes

• parentheses

Which type of punctuation should go in the blanks?

• commas

• dashes

• parentheses

Which sentences are NOT punctuated correctly? Check all that apply.

• (On April 17) Joe completed his assignment.

• The dogs two, golden retrievers, played catch with my brother.

• Alison - the smartest girl in my class - won the spelling bee.

• My grandmother (walked to the store) on warm afternoons.