Mastering Punctuation: Commas, Dashes, Parentheses

Which sentence uses commas correctly to set off a non-restrictive element?

• My brother who is a great cook made dinner last night.

• My brother, who is a great cook, made dinner last night.

• My brother who is a great cook, made dinner last night.

• My brother, who is a great cook made dinner last night.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses parentheses to add extra information.

• The Eiffel Tower (which is in Paris) is a famous landmark.

• The Eiffel Tower which is in Paris is a famous landmark.

• The Eiffel Tower, which is in Paris, is a famous landmark.

• The Eiffel Tower - which is in Paris - is a famous landmark.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses dashes to emphasize additional information.

• My sister—who just graduated—got a job.

• My sister, who just graduated, got a job.

• My sister (who just graduated) got a job.

• My sister who just graduated—got a job.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• The car, that is parked outside, is mine.

• The car that is parked outside is mine.

• The car (that is parked outside) is mine.

• The car—that is parked outside—is mine.

Select the sentence that uses commas correctly in a complex sentence.

• Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

• Although, it was raining we went for a walk.

• Although it was raining we went, for a walk.

• Although it was raining we went for a walk.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses parentheses for additional information.

• My dog (a golden retriever) loves to play fetch.

• My dog, a golden retriever, loves to play fetch.

• My dog—a golden retriever—loves to play fetch.

• My dog a golden retriever loves to play fetch.

Identify the sentence that uses dashes correctly to add emphasis.

• The teacher—who is very strict—gave us extra homework.

• The teacher, who is very strict, gave us extra homework.

• The teacher (who is very strict) gave us extra homework.

• The teacher who is very strict—gave us extra homework.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly with commas?

• The book, that I borrowed from the library, is due tomorrow.

• The book that I borrowed from the library is due tomorrow.

• The book (that I borrowed from the library) is due tomorrow.

• The book—that I borrowed from the library—is due tomorrow.

Select the sentence that uses parentheses correctly.

• The movie (which was really long) was interesting.

• The movie, which was really long, was interesting.

• The movie—which was really long—was interesting.

• The movie which was really long was interesting.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses dashes for emphasis.

• The concert—featuring my favorite band—was amazing.

• The concert, featuring my favorite band, was amazing.

• The concert (featuring my favorite band) was amazing.

• The concert featuring my favorite band—was amazing.