Commas & Lists
In the tweet-style line below, add commas where needed: "Last night we listened to Drake Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift."
"Last night, we listened to Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Taylor Swift."
Use parentheses or dashes to add this extra detail in the sentence: "The singer who is from Toronto released a new single today."
Two good options: Using parentheses: "The singer (who is from Toronto) released a new single today." Using dashes: "The singer — who is from Toronto — released a new single today."
Correct the contraction in this pop-lyric tweet: "I am gonna dance all night.
"I'm gonna dance all night." or better: "I'm going to dance all night." (Contraction correction.)
Punctuate this sentence that mentions a song title: Bad Guy
Punctuate this sentence that mentions a song title: She loves the song "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish
Choose the correct sentence: A) "She is creative, funny and kind." B) "She is creative, funny, and kind."
B) "She is creative, funny, and kind."
Which is correct for a parenthetical afterthought? A) "I told him — no way — I'd miss the concert." B) "I told him (no way) I'd miss the concert."
Both A and B can be correct; A uses dashes for emphasis, B uses parentheses for a quieter aside. (Accept either based on intended tone.)
Show possession correctly: "The band members instruments were stolen after the show."
"The band members' instruments were stolen after the show." (Plural possessive.)
Where should quotation marks go in this tweet-style quote: The producer said Meet me at midnight.
The producer said, "Meet me at midnight." (Comma before the quotation; quotation marks around spoken words.)
Fix comma placement in this lyric-style sentence with an introductory element: "After the chorus the crowd screamed for more."
After the chorus, the crowd screamed for more."
Add punctuation to set off the parenthetical: "The album released this summer a surprise to fans soared up the charts."
"The album released this summer (a surprise to fans) soared up the charts." or with dashes: "The album released this summer, a surprise to fans, soared up the charts."
Choose the correct form for multiple owners: "The lead singer's/lead singers' outfits were handmade."
"The lead singers' outfits were handmade." (If outfits belong to multiple lead singers.) If single lead singer: "
Correctly punctuate dialogue from a lyric: The singer asked Who's ready for the bridge?
The singer asked, "Who's ready for the bridge?" (Question mark inside quotes.)
Place commas correctly to set off a nonrestrictive appositive: "My neighbor Mr. Lopez who plays guitar in a band won an award."
"My neighbor, Mr. Lopez, who plays guitar in a band, won an award."
Choose where parentheses are best used in this sentence: "We met at the studio a.k.a. the old warehouse on 8th street last night."
Best: "We met at the studio (a.k.a. the old warehouse on 8th Street) last night."
Fix the misplaced apostrophe: "Its a hit single; everyones talking about it.
"It's a hit single; everyone's talking about it." (Its → it's; everyones → everyone's.)
Use quotation marks and commas correctly: The review read Amazing song it will be on repeat.
The review read, "Amazing song; it will be on repeat." or "The review read, 'Amazing song; it will be on repeat.'" (Comma before quote; punctuation inside quotes as required.)
Rewrite the run-on by adding commas to separate coordinate adjectives: "The song had catchy upbeat energetic hooks."
"The song had catchy, upbeat, energetic hooks." (Commas between coordinate adjectives; test: adjectives reversible or joined with "and".)
Rewrite this line using dashes to emphasize the parenthetical: "Her new verse which surprised everyone was the highlight."
"Her new verse — which surprised everyone — was the highlight."
Rewrite this headline to show joint possession: "Taylor and Selena fashion collaboration debuts."
"Taylor and Selena's fashion collaboration debuts." (Joint possession: single apostrophe before last name.)
Place quotation marks properly when quoting a line inside another quote: He said "Her line 'I won't back down' stuck with me."
He said, "Her line 'I won't back down' stuck with me." (Single quotes inside double quotes for a quote within a quote; punctuation stays inside the inner quotes as appropriate.)