Fix It!
Add commas where needed:
During the exam however students were expected to remain silent.
During the exam, however, students were expected to remain silent
True or False: A semicolon can be used with a FANBOYS like “and.”
False
Add punctuation:
We packed pencils notebooks snacks water and calculators.
We packed pencils, notebooks, snacks, water, and calculators.
How many dashes are needed to set off extra information?
Two — one to open, one to close
I separate two complete sentences without a FANBOYS. What am I?
Semicolon
Add a semicolon where needed:
She reviewed her notes the night before the test she still felt nervous.
She reviewed her notes the night before the test; she still felt nervous.
Find the incorrect punctuation:
He enjoys hobbies such as: reading, writing, and volunteering.
Incorrect — “such as” already introduces the list, no colon needed.
Which sentence uses a colon correctly to introduce a list?
A. I need: pencils, notebooks, and snacks.
B. I need the following: pencils, notebooks, and snacks.
B
Fix the sentence with dashes:
The principal a former teacher greeted students warmly.
The principal — a former teacher — greeted students warmly.
I come in pairs and set off extra information or add emphasis. What am I?
Dash
Add a colon correctly:
He had one goal improve his timing on the reading section.
He had one goal: improve his timing on the reading section.
Which is correct?
A. I was tired; but I kept studying.
B. I was tired, but I kept studying.
B
Fix this sentence:
The team prepared for everything weather delays long sessions and strict time limits.
The team prepared for everything: weather delays, long sessions, and strict time limits.
True or False: Commas can be replaced with dashes for nonessential info.
True — but dashes add emphasis
I introduce a list or an explanation. What am I?
Colon
Add dashes correctly:
The tutor known for her patience and clear explanations helped all the students.
The tutor — known for her patience and clear explanations — helped all the students.
Why is this sentence wrong?
The classroom — noisy during lunch, was silent during the exam.
Mixed punctuation — opening dash with a comma inside is incorrect. Should be:
The classroom — noisy during lunch — was silent during the exam.
When items in a list already contain commas, which punctuation separates the main items?
Semicolons
Correct this sentence:
The reading passage long and detailed with unfamiliar vocabulary required careful analysis.
The reading passage — long and detailed with unfamiliar vocabulary — required careful analysis.
I separate items in a list, or join two sentences with a FANBOYS. What am I?
Comma
Fix the punctuation in this sentence, which includes both a list and an explanation:
The teacher explained three things pacing carefully reading questions twice and staying calm timing is the most important.
The teacher explained three things: pacing carefully, reading questions twice, and staying calm; timing is the most important.
Explain why the punctuation is incorrect in this sentence:
The student answered the question correctly; and earned full points.
A semicolon cannot be used with a FANBOYS like “and.”
Correct: The student answered the question correctly, and earned full points.
Correct the punctuation in this sentence, which contains complex list items with commas inside:
For the ACT students should pack pencils, pens, and erasers, notebooks, snacks, and water, and calculators.
For the ACT, students should pack pencils, pens, and erasers; notebooks; snacks and water; and calculators.
(Use semicolons to separate main items because some items contain commas.)
Fix this sentence with dashes and commas:
The ACT English section, which many students underestimate, requires careful attention to grammar rules and, timing and pacing.
The ACT English section — which many students underestimate — requires careful attention to grammar rules, timing, and pacing.
I can join two complete sentences, separate items in a list that already have commas, and appear in tricky ACT questions. I am often confused with commas. What am I?
Semicolon