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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Punctuation Marks Quiz: Check Your Grammar in Real Sentences

Quick, free grammar and punctuation quiz with instant feedback and answers.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Luca LogoUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cut letters punctuation marks and quiz icons on sky blue background inviting grammar punctuation challenge

This punctuation quiz helps you spot errors and choose the right marks in real sentences. You will get instant feedback and clear explanations as you practice commas, apostrophes, and more. For focused drills, try choose the correctly punctuated sentence, explore colon and semicolon practice, or review proper punctuation for dialogue.

Identify the error in the sentence: Its going to be a long day.
day
be
Its
going
This sentence uses the contraction of 'it is,' which requires an apostrophe. The correct form is "It's going to be a long day." Without the apostrophe, "Its" is a possessive pronoun. .
Which sentence uses commas correctly?
After dinner we went for a walk.
After dinner, we went for a walk.
After, dinner we went for a walk.
After dinner we, went for a walk.
A comma should separate an introductory phrase from the main clause. In this case, After dinner is introductory. Placing a comma after the phrase clarifies the sentence. .
Identify the error in the sentence: She don't like chocolate.
like
don't
She
chocolate
For third-person singular subjects, the correct auxiliary is "doesn't" rather than "don't." The sentence should read, She doesn't like chocolate. This is a subjectverb agreement rule. .
Which sentence is punctuated correctly regarding quotation marks?
"Don't worry," he said.
He said, "Lets go, she said.
"Dont worry," he said.
He said, "Don't worry" he said.
Commas go inside the closing quotation marks, and contractions need apostrophes. The correct sentence is "Don't worry," he said. This follows standard American punctuation rules. .
Identify the capitalization error in the sentence: we visited the eiffel tower in Paris.
eiffel
tower
visited
we
Proper nouns must be capitalized. Eiffel refers to the proper name of the tower. The sentence should read, We visited the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Capitalizing proper nouns distinguishes them from common nouns. .
Which sentence correctly uses their/there/they're?
Their going to love this.
Theyre going to love this.
There going to love this.
They're going to love this.
They're is the contraction of they are, which fits this context. Their is possessive, and there indicates a place. Contractions must include an apostrophe. .
Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
The list of items are on the table.
The items of list is on the table.
The list of items is on the table.
The lists of items is on the table.
The subject of the sentence is list, which is singular, so it pairs with the singular verb is. Even though items is plural, its part of a prepositional phrase. .
What punctuation is missing in the sentence: I need milk bread and eggs for breakfast.
Semicolon
Colon
Hyphen
Commas
Lists require commas between each item. The sentence should read, I need milk, bread, and eggs for breakfast. Omitting commas in a list can confuse readers. .
Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?
I wanted to stay home; however I went to the meeting.
I wanted to stay home, however; I went to the meeting.
I wanted to stay home; however, I went to the meeting.
I wanted to stay home; however; I went to the meeting.
When joining two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb like however, use a semicolon before and a comma after the adverb. .
Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
She bought three items milk, bread, and eggs.
She bought: milk, bread, and eggs.
She bought three items: milk bread and eggs.
She bought three items: milk, bread, and eggs.
A colon introduces a list when the preceding clause is independent and complete. You dont place a colon immediately after a verb unless its part of an independent clause. .
Choose the correct usage of who vs. whom.
Whom shall I say this belongs to?
Whom shall I say is calling?
Who shall I say this belongs to?
Who shall I say is calling?
Whom functions as the object of the verb say. If you can replace the pronoun with him or her, use whom. In formal registers, this distinction matters. .
Identify the sentence with correct parallel structure.
She likes reading, jogging, and to cook.
She likes reading, to jog, and cooking.
She likes reading, jogging, and cooking.
She likes to read, jogging, and cooking.
Parallel structure requires each list item to follow the same grammatical form. All gerunds (-ing forms) are used consistently in the correct answer. .
Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
After finishing the cake, the dishes were washed.
After finishing the cake, we washed the dishes.
The dishes were washed after finishing the cake.
After we finished the cake, we washed the dishes.
A dangling modifier appears when the introductory phrase does not clearly refer to the subject. In this sentence, it sounds like the dishes finished the cake. .
Which sentence correctly uses commas for a nonrestrictive clause?
My brother who lives in London, is visiting.
My brother, who lives in London, is visiting.
My brother, who lives in London is visiting.
My brother who lives in London is visiting.
Nonrestrictive clauses add extra information and must be set off by commas. Removing the clause does not change the meaning of the main sentence. .
Which sentence uses hyphens correctly?
She is a well known author.
She is a well-known author.
She is a well, known author.
She is a well known-author.
Compound modifiers placed before a noun are hyphenated. Well-known describes author, forming a single idea. .
Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly for a plural possessive?
The cats' toys was missing.
The cats toy was missing.
The cat's toys were missing.
The cats' toys were missing.
For plural nouns ending in s, add the apostrophe after the s to show possession. The correct form is cats' toys. This distinguishes plural possessives from singular. .
Which sentence uses the em dash correctly?
She gave him her answer-no.
She gave him her answer -- no.
She gave him her answer; no.
She gave him her answerno.
An em dash sets off a word or phrase for emphasis without spaces around it. Option A uses a single em dash correctly. .
Choose the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb.
I wanted to stay home; however; I went to the meeting.
I wanted to stay home, however; I went to the meeting.
I wanted to stay home; however, I went to the meeting.
I wanted to stay home; however I went to the meeting.
A semicolon precedes the conjunctive adverb, and a comma follows it. This separates two independent clauses correctly. .
Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?
The results (which were unexpected) surprised, everyone.
The results, (which were unexpected) surprised everyone.
The results (which were unexpected) surprised everyone.
The results (which were unexpected, surprised everyone.
Parentheses enclose supplemental information without additional punctuation inside. The sentence remains grammatically correct if the parenthetical phrase is removed. .
Which sentence correctly uses an ellipsis?
She said... "I will be late."
She said, "I will be late..."
She said ..., "I will be late."
She said, "I will be late"...
Ellipses show omitted text or a trailing thought inside quotation marks. They appear before the closing quotation mark without extra spaces. .
Which sentence correctly punctuates the abbreviation for United States of America?
The USA is a large country.
The U. S. A. is a large country.
The U.S.A is a large country.
The U.S.A. is a large country.
When abbreviating with periods, include a period after each letter, including the final one. Chicago style uses U.S.A. with no spaces. .
Choose the sentence with correct pronounantecedent agreement.
Each student must bring their pencils.
Each student must bring their pencil.
Each student must bring his pencil.
Each student must bring his or her pencil.
Each student is singular, so the pronoun must also be singular. Modern formal usage prefers his or her or the singular they, but his or her is traditionally correct. .
Identify the punctuation error in the sentence: The research paper, which was published last year was widely cited.
Change 'which' to 'that'
Missing comma after 'last year'
No error
Remove comma after 'paper'
In a nonrestrictive clause, commas must enclose the extra information. A comma after last year is needed. This makes the clause fully parenthetical. .
Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive mood?
If I be you, I'd apologize.
If I was you, I'd apologize.
If I am you, I'd apologize.
If I were you, I'd apologize.
The subjunctive mood uses were for hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions. If I were you is the standard form. .
Identify the punctuation error in the sentence: The committee, after weighing all the evidence; decided quite unanimously that the proposal was sound.
There is no error.
The semicolon should be a comma.
The comma after 'committee' is unnecessary.
The em dashes should be commas.
A semicolon separates independent clauses, but here the introductory phrase and main clause should be joined by a comma. Em dashes are used correctly for emphasis. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Common Punctuation Errors -

    Spot misplaced commas, missing periods, and other punctuation mistakes to sharpen your eye for correct sentence structure.

  2. Analyze Sentence Structure -

    Break down complex sentences to detect fragments, run-ons, and ensure each clause functions properly.

  3. Apply Grammar Rules -

    Use essential grammar guidelines for subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, and verb tense consistency.

  4. Detect Dangling Modifiers -

    Recognize and correct misplaced modifiers to make sure each descriptive phrase clearly relates to the intended word.

  5. Evaluate Common Grammar Mistakes -

    Assess sentences for errors like homophone confusion and parallelism issues, strengthening your proofreading abilities.

  6. Enhance Proofreading Skills -

    Develop systematic strategies for reviewing your writing and confidently catch errors before publishing.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Comma Use After Introductory Elements -

    Always place a comma after introductory words or phrases to clarify the sentence, a tip backed by Purdue OWL. For example, in a grammar quiz question you'd punctuate "Before sunrise, the birds chirped" to avoid confusion. Try the mnemonic "If it leads, it needs a bead" to master this rule for any online grammar test.

  2. Identifying and Correcting Dangling Modifiers -

    A dangling modifier occurs when the sentence's subject doesn't match the introductory clause, as noted by the UNC Writing Center. In a punctuation errors quiz, you'd correct "Walking down the street, the mailbox loomed large" to "Walking down the street, I noticed the mailbox loomed large." Spotting these in your grammar and punctuation quiz boosts both clarity and style.

  3. Semicolon Usage with Conjunctive Adverbs -

    Use semicolons to link independent clauses or before conjunctive adverbs like however and therefore, as outlined in The Chicago Manual of Style. For instance, "I studied hard; therefore, I aced the test" demonstrates correct usage. Recognizing this in a punctuation errors quiz helps you identify grammar mistakes and sharpen writing flow.

  4. Its vs. It's: Possessive vs. Contraction -

    Remember that "its" is the possessive form and "it's" is a contraction for "it is" or "it has," a distinction clarified by Merriam-Webster. Use the trick: if you can replace it with "it is," include the apostrophe. Mastering this will earn you points on any grammar quiz or online grammar test segment.

  5. Subject-Verb Agreement with Compound and Collective Subjects -

    Ensure verbs agree with their subjects, whether they're compound (Bread and butter are on the table) or collective (The team is winning), following guidance from the Harvard Writing Center. In punctuation errors quizzes, you'll often choose between singular or plural verbs based on the subject's structure. Practicing this rule helps you confidently identify grammar mistakes in every test.

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