CLT Grammar & Punctuation for Legal Transcription 2

Question 1

In verbatim legal transcription, how should a speaker's interrupted or unfinished sentence be indicated?

Accepted Answer

Use an em dash (—) at the point of interruption

Answer

An em dash marks an abrupt interruption or break-off mid-sentence in verbatim transcription, indicating the speech was cut short.

Question 2

Which sentence shows the correct use of an apostrophe for a joint possessive in a legal document?

Accepted Answer

The plaintiff and defendant's agreement

Answer

When two parties jointly possess something, only the last noun takes the apostrophe-s (e.g., 'the plaintiff and defendant's agreement').

Question 3

In U.S. legal transcription, how are dates most commonly formatted in formal documents?

Accepted Answer

June 24, 2026

Answer

U.S. legal transcription standard practice writes dates as Month Day, Year (e.g., June 24, 2026), with a comma after the day.

Question 4

Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen in a legal transcript?

Accepted Answer

The court-appointed guardian filed the motion.

Answer

'Court-appointed' is a compound modifier preceding a noun and requires a hyphen per standard hyphenation rules.

Question 5

When should parentheses be used in a legal transcript?

Accepted Answer

To enclose interpolated notes, clarifications, or stage directions (e.g., (Pause))

Answer

Parentheses enclose editorial insertions, notations, or stage directions such as '(Pause),' '(Witness nods),' or clarifying information added by the transcriptionist.

(CLT) Certified Legal Transcriptionist Practice Test

(CLT) Certified Legal Transcriptionist Practice Test

CLT Grammar & Punctuation for Legal Transcription 2