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Colons, semicolons, brackets and dashes, and punctuating direct speech.
Question 1 of 12
Which punctuation belongs where the gap is? The castle ___ built in 1320 ___ stands above the harbour.
The gap takes a pair of brackets. They hold information the sentence could do without entirely. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. If you can replace the mark with a full stop and nothing breaks, a semicolon will usually work too.
The answer is D. The gap takes a pair of brackets. They hold information the sentence could do without entirely. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. If you can replace the mark with a full stop and nothing breaks, a semicolon will usually work too.
Which sentence punctuates the speech correctly?
The correct version is "Not again," muttered Seb, "and not in this weather." The speech is split around the reporting clause, so commas mark both joins and the second half stays lower case. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Start the spoken words with a capital, even in the middle of a sentence — unless the speech is continuing from before.
The answer is C. The correct version is "Not again," muttered Seb, "and not in this weather." The speech is split around the reporting clause, so commas mark both joins and the second half stays lower case. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Start the spoken words with a capital, even in the middle of a sentence — unless the speech is continuing from before.
Which punctuation belongs where the gap is? She had one rule ___ never walk on the mudflats alone.
The gap takes a colon. What follows the colon explains the statement before it. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. If you can replace the mark with a full stop and nothing breaks, a semicolon will usually work too.
The answer is B. The gap takes a colon. What follows the colon explains the statement before it. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. If you can replace the mark with a full stop and nothing breaks, a semicolon will usually work too.
The correct version is "Everyone outside!" bellowed the caretaker. The exclamation mark is part of the speech, so it goes inside, and the reporting clause stays lower case. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Start the spoken words with a capital, even in the middle of a sentence — unless the speech is continuing from before.
The answer is B. The correct version is "Everyone outside!" bellowed the caretaker. The exclamation mark is part of the speech, so it goes inside, and the reporting clause stays lower case. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Start the spoken words with a capital, even in the middle of a sentence — unless the speech is continuing from before.
Which punctuation belongs where the gap is? Look out ___ yelled Finlay from the top of the bank.
The gap takes an exclamation mark. A shouted warning takes an exclamation mark. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. If you can replace the mark with a full stop and nothing breaks, a semicolon will usually work too.
The answer is D. The gap takes an exclamation mark. A shouted warning takes an exclamation mark. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. If you can replace the mark with a full stop and nothing breaks, a semicolon will usually work too.
The correct version is "Come in," said the head teacher, "and shut the door." Commas mark both joins, and the continuation of the sentence does not start again with a capital. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Punctuation that belongs to the speech goes inside the inverted commas. Almost every mistake here is a mark left outside.
The answer is B. The correct version is "Come in," said the head teacher, "and shut the door." Commas mark both joins, and the continuation of the sentence does not start again with a capital. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Punctuation that belongs to the speech goes inside the inverted commas. Almost every mistake here is a mark left outside.
Which punctuation belongs where the gap is? Our hall ___ which floods most winters ___ is being rebuilt.
The gap takes a pair of brackets. The clause is information the sentence could manage without, which is what brackets are for. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. Brackets and dashes both hold an aside. Brackets are quieter; dashes are more abrupt.
The answer is C. The gap takes a pair of brackets. The clause is information the sentence could manage without, which is what brackets are for. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. Brackets and dashes both hold an aside. Brackets are quieter; dashes are more abrupt.
The correct version is "We are nearly there," promised Dad. A comma ends the speech before the reporting clause, and "promised" stays lower case. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Punctuation that belongs to the speech goes inside the inverted commas. Almost every mistake here is a mark left outside.
The answer is B. The correct version is "We are nearly there," promised Dad. A comma ends the speech before the reporting clause, and "promised" stays lower case. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Punctuation that belongs to the speech goes inside the inverted commas. Almost every mistake here is a mark left outside.
The gap takes a pair of brackets. The clause is information the sentence could manage without, which is what brackets are for. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. Semicolon: a whole sentence on both sides. Colon: a whole sentence on the left, and what follows explains or lists.
The answer is B. The gap takes a pair of brackets. The clause is information the sentence could manage without, which is what brackets are for. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. Semicolon: a whole sentence on both sides. Colon: a whole sentence on the left, and what follows explains or lists.
The correct version is The guide said, "We turn back at four o'clock." A comma introduces the speech, the first word takes a capital, and the full stop goes inside. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Punctuation that belongs to the speech goes inside the inverted commas. Almost every mistake here is a mark left outside.
The answer is B. The correct version is The guide said, "We turn back at four o'clock." A comma introduces the speech, the first word takes a capital, and the full stop goes inside. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Punctuation that belongs to the speech goes inside the inverted commas. Almost every mistake here is a mark left outside.
The correct version is "Where have you been?" asked Mum. The question mark belongs inside the inverted commas because it is part of what was said, and "asked" stays lower case because the sentence has not finished. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Punctuation that belongs to the speech goes inside the inverted commas. Almost every mistake here is a mark left outside.
The answer is D. The correct version is "Where have you been?" asked Mum. The question mark belongs inside the inverted commas because it is part of what was said, and "asked" stays lower case because the sentence has not finished. The rule underneath all of these is that every mark belonging to the spoken words goes inside the inverted commas, and the reporting clause — said, asked, whispered — is part of the same sentence, so it does not start with a capital letter. Punctuation that belongs to the speech goes inside the inverted commas. Almost every mistake here is a mark left outside.
Which punctuation belongs where the gap is? My cousin ___ who has never been camping ___ brought a suitcase.
The gap takes a pair of dashes. They fence off an interruption, more abruptly than commas would. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. A comma cannot join two complete sentences on its own. That is the most common punctuation error there is.
The answer is C. The gap takes a pair of dashes. They fence off an interruption, more abruptly than commas would. The quickest test for a colon or semicolon is to look at what stands on each side: a semicolon needs a complete sentence on both sides, while a colon needs one only on its left. A comma cannot join two complete sentences on its own. That is the most common punctuation error there is.
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