Free Punctuation MCQs with Answers
308 Punctuation MCQs from English, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Punctuation marks show structure, pauses, relationships and emphasis in written sentences. Questions cover commas in lists, clauses and nonessential phrases, semicolons between independent clauses, colons, apostrophes, quotation marks and hyphens, as well as the errors that create fragments, run-on sentences or comma splices.
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308 questions · page 5 of 16
- A. My friend, said "I'll be late."
- B. My friend said "I'll be late."
- C. My friend said, "I'll be late."
- D. My friend said, I'll be late.
Explanation: Use a comma before quotation marks introducing direct speech.
Correct answer: My friend said, "I'll be late."- A. No I cannot help you today.
- B. No, I cannot help you today.
- C. No I, cannot help you today.
- D. No I cannot, help you today.
Explanation: A comma is used after "No" because it is an introductory word expressing emotion or response.
Correct answer: No, I cannot help you today.- A. The teacher said honesty, is the best policy.
- B. The teacher said, "Honesty is the best policy."
- C. The teacher said "Honesty is the best policy".
- D. The teacher said, "Honesty, is the best policy."
Explanation: A comma separates the reporting clause from direct speech, and the quotation ends with a period inside the quotation marks.
Correct answer: The teacher said, "Honesty is the best policy."- A. His first inning's consisted of four 6 and three 4.
- B. His first innings consisted of four 6s and three 4s.
- C. His first inning consisted of four 6's and three 4's.
- D. His first ining's consisted of four 6's and three 4's.
Explanation: "Innings" is the correct cricket term (same in singular and plural). Plurals of numbers take s without an apostrophe (6s, 4s).
Correct answer: His first innings consisted of four 6s and three 4s.- A. Job. One that
- B. Job. The kind that
- C. Job, one that
- D. Job, so that it
Explanation: Since both the sentences are related to each other, a comma could be added.
Correct answer: Job, one that- A. Knocked sideways, the statue looked as if it would fall.
- B. The statue was knocked sideways looked as if it would fall.
- C. The statue looked, knocked sideways, as if it would fall.
- D. The statue, looking knocked sideways, appeared as if it would fall.
Explanation: This sentence is correctly punctuated. The introductory phrase 'Knocked sideways' is separated by a comma, making the sentence clear.
Correct answer: Knocked sideways, the statue looked as if it would fall.- A. To walk, biking, and driving
- B. Walking, biking, and driving
- C. To walk, biking, and to drive
- D. Walking, biking, and to drive
Explanation: This option uses the same grammatical form for all items in the list: "walking" (gerund), "biking" (gerund), and "driving" (gerund).
Correct answer: Walking, biking, and driving- A. She finished her work, and then took a long lunch.
- B. She finished her work, and then, took a long lunch.
- C. She finished her work and then took a long lunch.
- D. She finished her work and then, took a long lunch.
Explanation: The correct sentence is: 'She finished her work, and then took a long lunch.' This is because the sentence consists of two independent…
Correct answer: She finished her work, and then took a long lunch.- A. I wish I have been a millionaire.
- B. I wish I am being a millionaire.
- C. I wish I were a millionaire.
- D. I wish I was a millionaire.
Explanation: The correct sentence is:I wish I were a millionaire.The sentence is used by the speaker to express an unfulfilled desire (to be a…
Correct answer: I wish I were a millionaire.- A. Nite
- B. Nigt
- C. Nighte
- D. Night
Explanation: This question tests basic vocabulary. The correct spelling is displayed in Option D which is Night.
Correct answer: Night- A. Who isn't here yet asked Parveen.
- B. "Who isn't here yet?" Asked Parveen.
- C. Who isnt here yet? asked Parveen.
- D. "Who isnt here yet?" asked Parveen.
Explanation: B is the correct answer. Since only option b displays proper use of punctuations and interrogation mark (question mark)."isnt" should be…
Correct answer: "Who isn't here yet?" Asked Parveen.- A. Apples, which are my favourite fruit grow in my parent's orchard.
- B. Apples which are my favourite fruit grow in my parents' orchard.
- C. Apples which are my favourite fruit, grow in my parents' orchard.
- D. Apples, which are my favourite fruit, grow in my parents' orchard.
Explanation: The correct sentence is "Apples, which are my favourite fruit, grow in my parents' orchard." In this sentence, "which are my favourite…
Correct answer: Apples, which are my favourite fruit, grow in my parents' orchard.- A. Ariel is trying hard in school this semester, her father said.
- B. "Ariel is trying hard in school this semester," her father said.
- C. "Ariel is trying hard in school this semester?" her father said.
- D. "Ariel is trying hard School this semester," her father said.
Explanation: Using accurate punctuation in quoting dialogues, as well as the understanding type of sentences (declarative), is imperative.
Correct answer: "Ariel is trying hard in school this semester," her father said.- A. You will I am sure do something about it.
- B. You will I am sure, do something about it.
- C. You will, I am sure do something about it.
- D. You will, I am sure, do something about it.
Explanation: The phrase "I am sure" is correctly treated as an interrupter and is enclosed with commas on both sides.The main clause "You will do…
Correct answer: You will, I am sure, do something about it.- A. Speak up! I cant hear you because your dog is making much noise.
- B. Speak up! I cant hear you because your dog is making much too noise.
- C. Speak up! I can't hear you because your dog is making too much noise.
- D. Speak up! I cant hear you because your dog is making much enough noise.
Explanation: Speak up! I can't hear you because your dog is making too much noise.We need to ensure the apostrophe is used in the scenario of a…
Correct answer: Speak up! I can't hear you because your dog is making too much noise.- A. Last year, Matt earned twice as much as his brother, who has a better position.
- B. Last year, Matt earn twice more than his brother, who has a better position.
- C. Last year, Matt earned twice as many as his brother, who had a better position.
- D. Last year, Matt earned twice as more as his brother, which has a better position.
Explanation: Since the sentence is in the past tense, hence the verb used will be earned.As much is the better option relative to as many as this…
Correct answer: Last year, Matt earned twice as much as his brother, who has a better position.- A. What a fall was there, my countrymen! Long live the king!
- B. What a fall was there! My countrymen. Long live the king!
- C. What a fall was there, my countrymen. Long live the king.
- D. What a fall was there, my countrymen, long live the King.
Explanation: There are no conjunctions in the entire statement. Hence, any independent clauses must be separated into different sentences.
Correct answer: What a fall was there, my countrymen! Long live the king!- A. These, are old, those are new.
- B. These are old; those are new.
- C. These are old: those are new.
- D. These are new- those are new.
Explanation: A semicolon is most commonly used to link (in a single sentence) two independent clauses that are closely related in thought.
Correct answer: These are old; those are new.- A. He and I was playing.
- B. He and I were playing.
- C. He and I were being playing.
- D. He and I was being playing.
Explanation: "He and I" indicates plurality so the helping verb should be "were".Hence, Option B is correct.
Correct answer: He and I were playing.- A. May I come with you?.
- B. May I come with you?
- C. May I come with you.
- D. All are correct
Explanation: In the sentence, "May" indicates the question so the question mark at the end is correct.
Correct answer: May I come with you?