Punctuation MCQs
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
He has three goals to pass the exam, to get a scholarship and to study abroad.
He has three goals; to pass the exam, to get a scholarship, and to study abroad.
He has three goals, to pass the exam, to get a scholarship, and to study abroad.
He has three goals: to pass the exam, to get a scholarship, and to study abroad.
Explanation:A colon is used to introduce a list that is preceded by a complete independent clause.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
The package contained three items clothes, books, and shoes.
The package contained three items; clothes, books, and shoes.
The package contained three items, clothes, books, and shoes.
The package contained three items: clothes, books, and shoes.
Explanation:A colon is the correct punctuation to introduce a list following a complete independent clause.
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
I love reading; especially historical fiction.
I went to the store; and bought some milk.
She is a talented musician; a pianist.
He was tired; however, he continued to work.
Explanation:A semicolon is correctly used to join two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb ("however"). Option A and D are fragments, and B incorrectly uses a semicolon before a simple conjunction.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
My sister who lives in Lahore is a doctor.
My sister, who lives in Lahore is a doctor.
My sister who lives in Lahore, is a doctor.
My sister, who lives in Lahore, is a doctor.
Explanation:The clause "who lives in Lahore" is a non-restrictive (non-essential) clause providing extra information and must be set off by commas.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
I wanted to go swimming but, the pool was closed.
I wanted to go swimming, but, the pool was closed.
I wanted to go swimming but the pool was closed.
I wanted to go swimming, but the pool was closed.
Explanation:A comma should be placed before a coordinating conjunction (like "but") that joins two independent clauses.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
Its a shame that the team lost its final game.
It's a shame that the team lost it's final game.
Its a shame that the team lost it's final game.
It's a shame that the team lost its final game.
Explanation:"It's" is the contraction for "it is". "Its" is the possessive pronoun. Both are used correctly in this option.
The children's toys were scattered all over the floor. In this sentence, "children's" is:
A plural noun
A singular possessive noun
A contraction
A plural possessive noun
Explanation:To show possession for a plural noun that does not end in 's' (like children), we add an apostrophe and an 's'.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
Its a beautiful day outside.
Its' a beautiful day outside.
Its a beautiful day, outside.
It's a beautiful day outside.
Explanation:"It's" is the contraction for "it is". "Its" is the possessive pronoun.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
"Stop" he shouted "or I'll call the police!"
"Stop" he shouted, "or I'll call the police!"
"Stop," he shouted "or I'll call the police"!
"Stop," he shouted, "or I'll call the police!"
Explanation:Dialogue tags ("he shouted") that interrupt a sentence are set off by commas.
The three boys' bicycles were leaning against the wall. The punctuation indicates:
One boy owns three bicycles.
Three boys share one bicycle.
The bicycles belong to a boy named Boys.
The bicycles belong to three boys.
Explanation:For a plural possessive ending in 's' (boys), the apostrophe is placed after the 's' (`boys'`).
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
My favorite foods are: pizza, pasta, and ice cream.
My favorite foods; pizza, pasta, and ice cream.
My favorite foods, pizza, pasta, and ice cream.
My favorite foods are pizza, pasta, and ice cream.
Explanation:No punctuation (like a colon) is needed after the verb "are" when it is directly followed by a list that completes the sentence.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
The CEOs decision—to merge with the rival company—was controversial.
The CEO's decision, to merge with the rival company, was controversial.
The CEOs decision: to merge with the rival company was controversial.
The CEO's decision—to merge with the rival company—was controversial.
Explanation:Both em dashes and commas can set off an appositive phrase, but em dashes provide stronger emphasis. The possessive `CEO's` is also correct.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
Who's book is this on the table?
Whose' book is this on the table?
Whos' book is this on the table?
Whose book is this on the table?
Explanation:`Whose` is the possessive pronoun. `Who's` is the contraction for "who is".
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
"I cant believe it," she whispered, "we actually won."
"I can't believe it" she whispered, "we actually won."
"I can't believe it," she whispered "we actually won."
"I can't believe it," she whispered, "we actually won."
Explanation:An apostrophe is needed for the contraction "can't", and a comma is needed to set off the dialogue tag "she whispered".
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
I like to read novels, however I dont have much time.
I like to read novels, however, I dont have much time.
I like to read novels; however I don't have much time.
I like to read novels; however, I don't have much time.
Explanation:A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses, especially when a conjunctive adverb like "however" is used. The adverb is followed by a comma.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
To be honest I don't think that's a good idea.
To be honest; I don't think that's a good idea.
To be honest: I don't think that's a good idea.
To be honest, I don't think that's a good idea.
Explanation:An introductory phrase ("To be honest") should be followed by a comma.
Which sentence is a comma splice?
The sun set, and the stars appeared.
The sun set; the stars appeared.
As the sun set, the stars appeared.
The sun set, the stars appeared.
Explanation:A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma, which is grammatically incorrect.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
He asked, "Did you finish your homework?".
He asked "Did you finish your homework?"
He asked, "Did you finish your homework."?
He asked, "Did you finish your homework?"
Explanation:The question mark goes inside the quotation marks because the quoted material is a question. A comma introduces the quote.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
The students books were left on the desk.
The student's books were left on the desk.
The students books' were left on the desk.
The students' books were left on the desk.
Explanation:To show plural possession (the books belonging to multiple students), the apostrophe comes after the 's'.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
The man's, car was stolen.
The mans' car was stolen.
The mans car was stolen.
The man's car was stolen.
Explanation:To show singular possession, "'s" is used.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
She asked "Are you coming with us"?
She asked, "Are you coming with us"?..
She asked "Are you coming with us?".
She asked, "Are you coming with us?"
Explanation:The question mark goes inside the quotation marks because the quoted part is a question. A comma introduces the quote.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
The city of Multan, known for its shrines is a historical hub.
The city of Multan known for its shrines, is a historical hub.
The city of Multan known for its shrines is a historical hub.
The city of Multan, known for its shrines, is a historical hub.
Explanation:The phrase "known for its shrines" is a non-restrictive appositive and must be enclosed in commas.
Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?
The dog wagged it's tail.
The 1990's were a great decade.
Lets go to the park.
The car's tires are new.
Explanation:"Car's" correctly shows possession. "It's" in A should be "its". No apostrophe is needed for "1990s". "Lets" in D should be "Let's" (Let us).
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
After the long, exhausting hike we were all ready for a good meal.
After the long exhausting hike, we were all ready for a good meal.
After the long, exhausting, hike, we were all ready for a good meal.
After the long, exhausting hike, we were all ready for a good meal.
Explanation:A comma is needed after an introductory phrase ("After the long, exhausting hike"). Commas are also used to separate coordinate adjectives ("long" and "exhausting").
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
We need to buy: milk, bread, and eggs.
We need to buy milk bread and eggs.
We need to buy milk bread, and, eggs.
We need to buy milk, bread, and eggs.
Explanation:Commas are used to separate items in a list. The comma before "and" is the Oxford comma, standard in formal writing.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
She said "I will be there soon."
She said, I will be there soon.
She said; "I will be there soon."
She said, "I will be there soon."
Explanation:A comma is used to introduce a direct quotation.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
The guests arrived, the music started, the party began.
The guests arrived the music started the party began.
The guests arrived, the music started; the party began.
The guests arrived; the music started; the party began.
Explanation:This is a list of three closely related independent clauses. Using semicolons is the most effective way to separate them. A is a comma splice error.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
We have two options, leave now or wait for the rain to stop.
We have two options; leave now or wait for the rain to stop.
We have two options leave now, or wait for the rain to stop.
We have two options: leave now or wait for the rain to stop.
Explanation:A colon is used to introduce a list, explanation, or example that is preceded by a complete sentence.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
Ahmeds brothers car was found abandoned.
Ahmeds' brother's car was found abandoned.
Ahmed's brothers' car was found abandoned.
Ahmed's brother's car was found abandoned.
Explanation:This shows double possession: the car belongs to the brother, and the brother belongs to Ahmed. Both require a possessive apostrophe 's.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
My friend who is a doctor advised me to rest.
My friend, who is a doctor advised me to rest.
My friend who is a doctor, advised me to rest.
My friend, who is a doctor, advised me to rest.
Explanation:The clause "who is a doctor" is non-essential (non-restrictive) information and must be set off by a pair of commas.
Other Grammar Topics MCQs
Want to look through some MCQs for your Upcoming tests, take a look at the following Grammar tests: