Punch that Punctuation
Rule 1: Comma After Introductory Phrases: When a sentence begins with an introductory word, phrase, or clause, a comma must follow it to separate the introductory element from the main clause.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. Before the concert we cheered loudly.
B. Before the concert, we cheered loudly.
C. Before, the concert we cheered loudly.
D. Before the concert we, cheered loudly.
Rule 1: Comma After Introductory Phrases: When a sentence begins with an introductory word, phrase, or clause, a comma must follow it to separate the introductory element from the main clause.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
B. Before the concert, we cheered loudly.
Rule 3: Subject–Verb Agreement in Independent Clauses: Verbs must agree in number with their subjects. When the subject is plural, the verb must be plural; when the subject is singular, the verb is singular.
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject–verb agreement?
A. The list of items are on the table.
B. The list of items is on the table.
C. The lists of items is on the table.
D. The list of items were on the table.
Rule 3: Subject–Verb Agreement in Independent Clauses: Verbs must agree in number with their subjects. When the subject is plural, the verb must be plural; when the subject is singular, the verb is singular.
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject–verb agreement?
B. The list of items is on the table.
Rule 10: Dialogue Punctuation – Comma Inside Quotation Marks: When a dialogue tag follows a quotation, place a comma inside the closing quotation marks to separate the quoted material from the tag.
Which sentence demonstrates correct dialogue punctuation?
A. “I can’t wait to leave” she whispered.
B. “I can’t wait to leave”, she whispered.
C. “I can’t wait to leave,” she whispered.
D. “I can’t wait to leave.” she whispered.
Rule 10: Dialogue Punctuation – Comma Inside Quotation Marks: When a dialogue tag follows a quotation, place a comma inside the closing quotation marks to separate the quoted material from the tag.
Which sentence demonstrates correct dialogue punctuation?
C. “I can’t wait to leave,” she whispered.
Rule 15: Using "Who" for People (Subject Position): Use “who” to introduce a relative clause when referring to people as the subject of that clause.
Identify the sentence that correctly uses “who”:
A. The singer who performed last night received a standing ovation.
B. The singer whom performed last night received a standing ovation.
C. The singer that performed last night received a standing ovation.
D. The singer whose performed last night received a standing ovation.
Rule 15: Using "Who" for People (Subject Position): Use “who” to introduce a relative clause when referring to people as the subject of that clause.
Identify the sentence that correctly uses “who”:
Rule 15: Using "Who" for People (Subject Position): Use “who” to introduce a relative clause when referring to people as the subject of that clause.
Identify the sentence that correctly uses “who”:
A. The singer who performed last night received a standing ovation.
Rule 3: Subject–Verb Agreement in Independent Clauses
Which sentence has the correct subject-verb agreement?
A. Each of the dogs are barking loudly.
B. Each of the dogs is barking loudly.
C. Each of the dogs were barking loudly.
D. Each of the dogs have been barking loudly.
Rule 3: Subject–Verb Agreement in Independent Clauses
Which sentence has the correct subject-verb agreement?
A. Each of the dogs are barking loudly.
B. Each of the dogs is barking loudly.
C. Each of the dogs were barking loudly.
D. Each of the dogs have been barking loudly.
Rule 2: Possessive Forms for Nouns: To show ownership, use an apostrophe + s for singular nouns and, for plural nouns that already end in “s,” place the apostrophe after the
Choose the sentence with the correct possessive punctuation:
A. The manager's office is on the second floor.
B. The managers office is on the second floor.
C. The managers' office is on the second floor.
D. The manager s' office is on the second floor.
Rule 2: Possessive Forms for Nouns: To show ownership, use an apostrophe + s for singular nouns and, for plural nouns that already end in “s,” place the apostrophe after the
Choose the sentence with the correct possessive punctuation:
A. The manager's office is on the second floor.
Rule 4: Correct Use of Demonstrative Pronouns: Use the proper demonstrative adjective (“these” or “those”) when referring to items; avoid informal or dialectal forms like “them” in standard writing.
Identify the correctly written sentence:
A. Them cookies look delicious.
B. Those cookies look delicious.
C. This cookies look delicious.
D. That cookies look delicious.
Rule 4: Correct Use of Demonstrative Pronouns: Use the proper demonstrative adjective (“these” or “those”) when referring to items; avoid informal or dialectal forms like “them” in standard writing.
Identify the correctly written sentence:
A. Them cookies look delicious.
B. Those cookies look delicious.
C. This cookies look delicious.
D. That cookies look delicious.
Rule 11: Comma with Conjunctive Adverbs: Conjunctive adverbs (e.g., however, therefore) are set off by commas when they occur in the middle of a sentence, indicating a pause or shift in thought.
Choose the sentence that correctly punctuates the conjunctive adverb:
A. The project was challenging however we completed it on time.
B. The project was challenging, however we completed it on time.
C. The project was challenging, however, we completed it on time.
D. The project was challenging however, we completed it on time.
Rule 11: Comma with Conjunctive Adverbs: Conjunctive adverbs (e.g., however, therefore) are set off by commas when they occur in the middle of a sentence, indicating a pause or shift in thought.
Choose the sentence that correctly punctuates the conjunctive adverb:
C. The project was challenging, however, we completed it on time.
Rule 16: Using "When" for Time: Use “when” to introduce a clause that describes time.
Which sentence uses the relative adverb correctly to indicate time?
A. I remember a moment that changed everything suddenly.
B. I remember a moment when everything changed suddenly.
C. I remember a moment whose everything changed suddenly.
D. I remember a moment why everything changed suddenly.
Rule 16: Using "When" for Time: Use “when” to introduce a clause that describes time.
Which sentence uses the relative adverb correctly to indicate time?
B. I remember a moment when everything changed suddenly.
Rule 4: Correct Use of Demonstrative Pronouns
Which sentence correctly uses a demonstrative pronoun?
A. Them books are hard to read.
B. Those books are hard to read.
C. These books is hard to read.
D. That books are hard to read.
Rule 4: Correct Use of Demonstrative Pronouns
Which sentence correctly uses a demonstrative pronoun?
B. Those books are hard to read.
Rule 5: Oxford Comma in Lists: In a list of three or more items, a comma is placed before the final coordinating conjunction (the Oxford comma) to ensure clarity.
Which sentence uses the Oxford comma correctly?
A. For breakfast, I had eggs, toast and coffee.
B. For breakfast, I had eggs, toast, and coffee.
C. For breakfast I had eggs, toast and coffee.
D. For breakfast, I had eggs toast, and coffee.
Rule 5: Oxford Comma in Lists: In a list of three or more items, a comma is placed before the final coordinating conjunction (the Oxford comma) to ensure clarity.
Which sentence uses the Oxford comma correctly?
B. For breakfast, I had eggs, toast, and coffee.
Rule 6: Hyphenation in Compound Adjectives and Compound Numbers: Compound adjectives (two or more words used together before a noun) should be hyphenated. Also, compound numbers (commonly between 21 and 99 used as adjectives) need hyphens.
Which sentence is correctly hyphenated?
A. She has a forty five-minute workout routine.
B. She has a forty-five minute workout routine.
C. She has a forty-five-minute workout routine.
D. She has a forty five-minute workout routine.
Rule 6: Hyphenation in Compound Adjectives and Compound Numbers: Compound adjectives (two or more words used together before a noun) should be hyphenated. Also, compound numbers (commonly between 21 and 99 used as adjectives) need hyphens.
Which sentence is correctly hyphenated?
C. She has a forty-five-minute workout routine.
Rule 12: Relative Pronoun "Whose" for Possession: When showing possession in a relative clause (for people or things), “whose” is the correct choice.
Which sentence correctly uses a relative pronoun to indicate possession?
A. The student who bag was stolen is upset.
B. The student whose bag was stolen is upset.
C. The student whom bag was stolen is upset.
D. The student that bag was stolen is upset.
Rule 12: Relative Pronoun "Whose" for Possession: When showing possession in a relative clause (for people or things), “whose” is the correct choice.
Which sentence correctly uses a relative pronoun to indicate possession?
B. The student whose bag was stolen is upset.
Rule 17: Using "Why" for Reasons: Use “why” to introduce a clause that explains the reason behind something.
Select the sentence that uses the correct relative adverb for reason:
A. We discussed the reason that he was late.
B. We discussed the reason why he was late.
C. We discussed the reason whom he was late.
D. We discussed the reason which he was late.
Rule 17: Using "Why" for Reasons: Use “why” to introduce a clause that explains the reason behind something.
Select the sentence that uses the correct relative adverb for reason:
A. We discussed the reason that he was late.
B. We discussed the reason why he was late.
C. We discussed the reason whom he was late.
D. We discussed the reason which he was late.
Rule 5: Oxford Comma in Lists
Which sentence correctly uses the Oxford comma?
A. I packed socks, shoes and gloves.
B. I packed socks, shoes, and gloves.
C. I packed socks shoes, and gloves.
D. I packed socks shoes and gloves.
Rule 5: Oxford Comma in Lists
Which sentence correctly uses the Oxford comma?
B. I packed socks, shoes, and gloves.
Rule 7: Comma Usage in Geographic Names: When a geographic location includes a city and a state (or similar), the city and state should be separated by commas—and if the phrase is mid-sentence, a second comma follows the state.
Select the sentence with proper comma usage for geographic names:
A. We traveled to Paris France last spring.
B. We traveled to Paris, France, last spring.
C. We traveled to Paris, France last spring.
D. We traveled to Paris France, last spring.
Rule 7: Comma Usage in Geographic Names: When a geographic location includes a city and a state (or similar), the city and state should be separated by commas—and if the phrase is mid-sentence, a second comma follows the state.
Select the sentence with proper comma usage for geographic names:
Rule 7: Comma Usage in Geographic Names: When a geographic location includes a city and a state (or similar), the city and state should be separated by commas—and if the phrase is mid-sentence, a second comma follows the state.
Select the sentence with proper comma usage for geographic names:
B. We traveled to Paris, France, last spring.
Rule 9: Comma Usage with Nonrestrictive Clauses/Appositives: Nonrestrictive clauses add extra information that isn’t essential to the meaning of a sentence and must be enclosed with commas.
Which sentence correctly punctuates a nonrestrictive clause?
A. My brother who lives in Chicago is coming to visit.
B. My brother, who lives in Chicago, is coming to visit.
C. My brother who lives in Chicago, is coming to visit.
D. My brother, who lives in Chicago is coming to visit.
Rule 9: Comma Usage with Nonrestrictive Clauses/Appositives: Nonrestrictive clauses add extra information that isn’t essential to the meaning of a sentence and must be enclosed with commas.
Which sentence correctly punctuates a nonrestrictive clause?
B. My brother, who lives in Chicago, is coming to visit.
Rule 13: Using "That" for Restrictive Clauses Referring to Things: Use “that” to introduce restrictive (essential) relative clauses referring to things or non-human entities.
Select the sentence with the correct relative clause using “that”:
A. The movie, that was released last year, broke all box office records.
B. The movie which was released last year broke all box office records.
C. The movie that was released last year broke all box office records.
D. The movie, whose was released last year, broke all box office records.
Rule 13: Using "That" for Restrictive Clauses Referring to Things: Use “that” to introduce restrictive (essential) relative clauses referring to things or non-human entities.
Select the sentence with the correct relative clause using “that”:
C. The movie that was released last year broke all box office records.
Rule 18: Using "Whom" for People (Object Position): Use “whom” in a relative clause when referring to people as the object of the verb or preposition.
Which sentence correctly uses “whom” in the object position?
A. The professor, whom I admire, won an award.
B. The professor who I admire won an award.
C. The professor, that I admire, won an award.
D. The professor, whose I admire, won an award.
Rule 18: Using "Whom" for People (Object Position): Use “whom” in a relative clause when referring to people as the object of the verb or preposition.
Which sentence correctly uses “whom” in the object position?
A. The professor, whom I admire, won an award.
B. The professor who I admire won an award.
C. The professor, that I admire, won an award.
D. The professor, whose I admire, won an award.
Rule 6: Hyphenation in Compound Adjectives and Compound Numbers
Which sentence correctly applies hyphenation?
A. We need a highly skilled mechanic for this job.
B. We need a highly-skilled mechanic for this job.
C. We need a highly, skilled mechanic for this job.
D. We need a highlyskilled mechanic for this job.
Rule 6: Hyphenation in Compound Adjectives and Compound Numbers
Which sentence correctly applies hyphenation?
A. We need a highly skilled mechanic for this job.
Rule 8: Comma Usage in Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions: When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as “so,” “but,” “or”), a comma should be placed before the conjunction.
Which sentence uses correct punctuation for the compound sentence?
A. It began to rain so we ran inside.
B. It began to rain, so we ran inside.
C. It began to rain so, we ran inside.
D. It began to rain, so, we ran inside.
Rule 8: Comma Usage in Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions: When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as “so,” “but,” “or”), a comma should be placed before the conjunction.
Which sentence uses correct punctuation for the compound sentence?
B. It began to rain, so we ran inside.
Rule 1: Comma After Introductory Phrases
Which sentence correctly uses a comma after an introductory phrase?
A. Once the movie started we were completely silent.
B. Once the movie started, we were completely silent.
C. Once, the movie started we were completely silent.
D. Once the movie started we, were completely silent.
Rule 1: Comma After Introductory Phrases
Which sentence correctly uses a comma after an introductory phrase?
B. Once the movie started, we were completely silent.
Rule 14: Using "Where" for Places: Use “where” to introduce clauses that provide information about a place or location.
Which sentence correctly employs “where” to indicate a place?
A. We visited a museum that has many ancient artifacts.
B. We visited a museum where many ancient artifacts are displayed.
C. We visited a museum which displayed many ancient artifacts.
D. We visited a museum who displayed many ancient artifacts.
Rule 14: Using "Where" for Places: Use “where” to introduce clauses that provide information about a place or location.
Which sentence correctly employs “where” to indicate a place?
B. We visited a museum where many ancient artifacts are displayed.
Rule 2: Possessive Forms for Nouns
Which sentence correctly shows possession?
A. The childrens playground was recently renovated.
B. The children's playground was recently renovated.
C. The childrens' playground was recently renovated.
D. The children’s playground was recently renovated.
Rule 2: Possessive Forms for Nouns
Which sentence correctly shows possession?
B. The children's playground was recently renovated.
Rule 7: Comma Usage in Geographic Names
Which sentence correctly uses commas for geographic names?
A. She was born in Austin Texas and now lives in Seattle Washington.
B. She was born in Austin, Texas and now lives in Seattle Washington.
C. She was born in Austin, Texas, and now lives in Seattle, Washington.
D. She was born in Austin, Texas, and now lives in Seattle Washington.
Rule 7: Comma Usage in Geographic Names
Which sentence correctly uses commas for geographic names?
C. She was born in Austin, Texas, and now lives in Seattle, Washington.