Grammar and Punctuation Jeopardy

This punctuation mark separates items in a list of three or more things, as in apples, oranges, and pears.

What is a comma?

This is the term for the writing error made when a comma alone joins two complete sentences that need a stronger connector.

What is a comma splice?

This is the term for a comma placed before the word and in a list, as in red, white, and blue.

What is the Oxford comma?

This is the term for a comma-set-off phrase that renames or explains the noun right before it, as in my dog, a beagle, loves to run.

What is an appositive?

This is the number of commas needed to correctly punctuate the sentence Well Sam we should get going now, which has an introductory word and a name of direct address.

What is 2?

This end mark is used at the close of a statement, such as The sun is shining.

What is a period?

This end mark is used at the close of a question.

What is a question mark?

This end mark is used to show strong emotion or emphasis, such as after Watch out.

What is an exclamation point?

This punctuation mark is used to introduce a list or explanation, as in She packed three items: a hat, gloves, and a scarf.

What is a colon?

This is the grammatical term for a complete sentence that can stand alone, the kind of unit a semicolon is used to join.

What is an independent clause?

This punctuation mark shows that a noun owns something, as in Maria's book.

What is an apostrophe?

This is the contraction formed by combining the words do and not.

What is don't?

This is the contraction formed by combining the words they and are.

What is they're?

This is the correctly punctuated possessive form of the plural noun dogs when several dogs share one bone.

What is dogs'?

This is the correctly punctuated possessive form of the singular noun class, used when referring to the schedule belonging to one class.

What is class's?

This is the correctly capitalized form of the pronoun used to refer to yourself, no matter where it falls in a sentence.

What is I?

This is the type of word, including names like Sarah or Chicago, that must always be capitalized no matter where it appears in a sentence.

What is a proper noun?

This is the correctly capitalized form of the name of the day that comes right after Sunday on the calendar.

What is Monday?

This is the correctly capitalized title before a name, as used on Doctor Smith's office sign, abbreviated to two letters with a period.

What is Dr.?

This is the informal term for writing an entire word in capital letters for emphasis, a practice most style guides discourage in formal writing.

What is all caps?

This is the correct verb to complete the sentence: She blank to school every day, since the subject she is singular.

What is walks?

This is the correct form of the verb to be to complete the sentence: They blank happy about the news, since the subject they is plural.

What is are?

This is the correct form of the verb to be to complete the sentence: Each of the students blank ready for the test, since the subject each is singular.

What is was?

This is the correct form of the verb to have to complete the sentence: Everybody in the class blank finished the assignment, since indefinite pronouns like everybody are singular.

What is has?

This is the correct negative form of the verb to do to complete the sentence: The list of chores blank include laundry, since the subject list is singular despite the plural word chores nearby.

What is doesn't?

This single corrected word fixes the subject-verb agreement error in: The dogs runs fast.

What is run?

This single corrected word fixes the pronoun error in: Give the book to he.

What is him?

This single corrected word fixes the apostrophe error in: The dogs bone was buried in the yard, where one dog owns the bone.

What is dog's?

This single corrected word fixes the subject-verb agreement error in: The cat chase the mouse every night.

What is chases?

This single corrected word fixes the double negative error in: I don't have no time for this.

What is any?