CPW Advanced Grammar and Punctuation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the em dash correctly?
- She submitted the report - on time - without errors.
- She submitted the report—on time—without errors. (Correct answer)
- She submitted the report – on time – without errors.
- She submitted the report…on time…without errors.
Correct answer: She submitted the report—on time—without errors.
Em dashes (—) set off parenthetical information with no spaces on either side in US style.
Question 2: Which of the following sentences contains a comma splice?
- The deadline passed; the team requested an extension.
- Although the deadline passed, the team requested an extension.
- The deadline passed, the team requested an extension. (Correct answer)
- The team requested an extension because the deadline passed.
Correct answer: The deadline passed, the team requested an extension.
A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma, which is a punctuation error.
Question 3: Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?
- The writer enjoys researching, to draft, and editing manuscripts.
- The writer enjoys researching, drafting, and editing manuscripts. (Correct answer)
- The writer enjoys to research, drafting, and to edit manuscripts.
- The writer enjoys research, to draft, and editing manuscripts.
Correct answer: The writer enjoys researching, drafting, and editing manuscripts.
Parallel structure requires all items in a series to use the same grammatical form — here, three gerunds.
Question 4: Which word correctly completes this sentence: 'The editor was unsure ___ to include the sidebar'?
- weather
- wether
- whether (Correct answer)
- whither
Correct answer: whether
'Whether' introduces alternatives or indirect questions; 'weather' is meteorological; 'whither' means 'to what place.'
Question 5: Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?
- If she was the editor, she would revise the draft.
- If she were the editor, she would revise the draft. (Correct answer)
- If she is the editor, she would revise the draft.
- If she will be the editor, she would revise the draft.
Correct answer: If she were the editor, she would revise the draft.
The subjunctive mood uses 'were' (not 'was') for hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions.
Question 6: Which sentence avoids a fused (run-on) sentence?
- The manuscript was ready the editor approved it immediately.
- The manuscript was ready, the editor approved it immediately.
- The manuscript was ready; the editor approved it immediately. (Correct answer)
- The manuscript was ready the editor, however, approved it.
Correct answer: The manuscript was ready; the editor approved it immediately.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 7: Which correctly punctuates a nonrestrictive appositive?
- My colleague, Sarah edited the final draft.
- My colleague Sarah, edited the final draft.
- My colleague, Sarah, edited the final draft. (Correct answer)
- My colleague Sarah edited, the final draft.
Correct answer: My colleague, Sarah, edited the final draft.
A nonrestrictive appositive that renames or describes a specific noun must be enclosed in commas on both sides.
CPW Advanced Grammar and Punctuation 3
Which sentence uses the em dash correctly?