Punctuation

Which sentence has correct punctuation?

• AThe meeting is at 2pm, however, we might start early.
• BThe meeting is at 2pm; however we might start early.
• CThe meeting is at 2pm; however, we might start early.✓
• DThe meeting is at 2pm however, we might start early.

Answer: Use a semicolon before 'however' and a comma after it when joining independent clauses.

Choose the sentence with correct punctuation.

• AThe company's profits rose significantly.✓
• BThe companys profits rose significantly.
• CThe companies profits rose significantly.
• DThe companies' profits rose significantly.

Answer: Use apostrophe 's' for singular possessive. 'The company's profits' is correct.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• AThe report covers sales, marketing, and customer service.✓
• BThe report covers sales, marketing and customer service.
• CThe report covers sales marketing and customer service.
• DThe report covers, sales, marketing, and customer service.

Answer: Use the Oxford comma before 'and' in a list. 'Sales, marketing, and customer service' is correct.

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• AShe asked 'Are you ready'?
• BShe asked, "Are you ready?"✓
• CShe asked "Are you ready?"
• DShe asked, 'Are you ready?'

Answer: Use double quotes for direct speech in American English (or single in British). Place the question mark inside the quotes.

Which sentence has correct punctuation?

• AThe meeting has been postponed, therefore we'll reschedule.
• BThe meeting has been postponed; therefore, we'll reschedule.✓
• CThe meeting has been postponed, therefore we will reschedule.
• DThe meeting has been postponed therefore we'll reschedule.

Answer: Use a semicolon before 'therefore' and a comma after it. Both are needed for correct punctuation.

Choose the sentence with correct punctuation.

• AIts important that we finish on time.
• BIt's important that we finish on time.✓
• CIts' important that we finish on time.
• DIt's important that we finishes on time.

Answer: 'It's' is the contraction of 'it is'. 'It's important' is correct.

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• AThe project includes: research, planning, and implementation.
• BThe project includes: research planning and implementation.
• CThe project includes research, planning, and implementation.✓
• DThe project includes: research, planning and implementation.

Answer: Don't use a colon after a verb like 'includes'. Use a colon before an example or list when introducing with such words as 'the following'.

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• AThe team members were: Sarah, John, and Mike.
• BThe team members were Sarah, John, and Mike.✓
• CThe team members were Sarah John and Mike.
• DThe team members were; Sarah, John, and Mike.

Answer: Don't use a colon after 'were'. Use a colon when the phrase before it is complete and introduces a list.

Which sentence has correct punctuation?

• AShe said that the deadline was tomorrow however we could ask for an extension.
• BShe said that the deadline was tomorrow; however, we could ask for an extension.✓
• CShe said that the deadline was tomorrow, however we could ask for an extension.
• DShe said that the deadline was tomorrow, however, we could ask for an extension.

Answer: Use a semicolon before 'however' and a comma after it when joining independent clauses.

Choose the sentence with correct punctuation.

• AThe report which was completed yesterday is ready for review.
• BThe report, which was completed yesterday, is ready for review.✓
• CThe report which was completed yesterday, is ready for review.
• DThe report, which was completed yesterday is ready for review.

Answer: Non-restrictive clauses (extra information) need commas before and after. The information 'which was completed yesterday' is extra detail.

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• AThe managers' concerns were addressed in the meeting.✓
• BThe manager's concerns were addressed in the meeting.
• CThe managers concerns were addressed in the meeting.
• DThe managers' concerns were addressed in the meetings.

Answer: Use apostrophe before 's' for plural possessive of regular nouns: 'managers''.

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• AAfter the presentation we discussed the proposal.
• BAfter the presentation, we discussed the proposal.✓
• CAfter the presentation; we discussed the proposal.
• DAfter the presentation. We discussed the proposal.

Answer: Use a comma after an introductory phrase before the main clause.