English Conventions Using Punctuation Including Commas Set Off Words Clauses and Sentences

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• You asked for forgiveness, he granted it to you.
• You asked for forgiveness; he granted it to you.
• You asked for: forgiveness. He granted it to you.
• You asked for forgiveness he granted it to you.

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• We ask; therefore, that you keep this matter confidential.
• We ask, therefore; that you keep this matter confidential.
• We ask, therefore, that you keep this matter confidential.
• We ask: therefore, that you keep this matter confidential.

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• The order was requested six weeks ago; therefore, I expected the shipment to arrive by now.
• The order was requested six weeks ago, therefore. I expected the shipment to arrive by now.
• The order was requested: six weeks ago, therefore, I expected the shipment to arrive by now.
• The order was requested six weeks ago: therefore, I expected the shipment, to arrive by now.

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• The American flag has three colors; red, white, and blue.
• The American flag has three colors: Red, white, and blue.
• The American flag has: three colors. Red, white, and blue.
• The American flag has three colors: red, white, and blue.

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• She said she loved the book; so, I gave it to her.
• She said she loved the book, so I gave it to her.
• She said: she loved the book, so I gave it to her.
• She said she loved the book: so I gave it to her.

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• The orchestra, excluding the violin section, was not up to par.
• The orchestra, excluding the violin section; was not up to par.
• The orchestra; excluding the violin section, was not up to par.
• The orchestra, excluding the violin section, was: not up to par.

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• I have been to San Francisco, California, Reno, Nevada, and Seattle, Washington.
• I have been to San Francisco California; Reno Nevada; and Seattle Washington.
• I have been to San Francisco California, Reno Nevada, and Seattle Washington.
• I have been to San Francisco, California; Reno, Nevada; and Seattle, Washington.

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• The reporter interviewed the following people: the department heads, the members of the faculty council, and a representative group of students.
• The reporter interviewed the following people; the department heads, the members of the faculty council, and a representative group of students.
• The reporter interviewed the following people. The department heads, the members of the faculty council, and a representative group of students.
• The reporter interviewed the following people, the department heads, the members of the faculty council, and a representative group of students.

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• This is what Plato had to say about mathematicians. "I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning."
• This is what Plato had to say about mathematicians "I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning."
• This is what Plato had to say about mathematicians: "I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning."
• This is what Plato had to say about mathematicians; "I have hardly ever known a mathematician who was capable of reasoning."

Select the correctly punctuated salutation.

• Dear Senator Harkin
• Dear Senator Harkin;
• Dear Senator Harkin,
• Dear Senator Harkin: