NoRedInk Punctuation Usage 3

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen?

Accepted Answer

She is a well-known author.

Answer

Compound modifiers before a noun are hyphenated, so 'well-known' is correct when it precedes 'author'.

Question 2

Which sentence has correct apostrophe usage?

Accepted Answer

The dog's bone was buried.

Answer

A singular possessive is formed by adding apostrophe + s to the noun ('dog's').

Question 3

How should you punctuate the end of a direct question within a sentence?

Accepted Answer

She asked, 'Did you finish the homework?'

Answer

A question mark is required at the end of a direct question, even when embedded in a larger sentence.

Question 4

Which sentence correctly avoids a comma splice?

Accepted Answer

I was tired, so I went to bed early.

Answer

Adding the coordinating conjunction 'so' after the comma correctly joins the two clauses.

Question 5

Where does the period go in a sentence ending with a parenthetical remark?

Accepted Answer

She left early (for the airport).

Answer

When a parenthetical remark is part of a larger sentence, the period goes outside the closing parenthesis.

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