Parenthetical Punctuation Quiz with Answers: Test Your Knowledge

📚 Quick Study Guide

💡 Parentheses ( ): Used to add extra information or clarification that isn't essential to the sentence. Example: My dog (a golden retriever) loves to play fetch. ✏️ Brackets [ ]: Used to add editorial comments or corrections within a quote. Example: "He said he was [not] going to the party." ➖ Dashes — : Used to indicate a sudden break or interruption in thought, or to set off a nonessential element. Example: I was about to leave—but then the phone rang. ➕ Combining Punctuation: You can use multiple types of parenthetical punctuation in one sentence, but make sure it remains clear and easy to read. Example: The author (known for his wit [see chapter 3]) often used dashes.

✍️ Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following sentences uses parentheses correctly?
   1. My sister (who is a doctor is very busy).
   2. My sister, (who is a doctor), is very busy.
   3. My sister (who is a doctor) is very busy.
   4. My sister who is a doctor is very busy().
2. In which sentence are brackets used correctly?
   1. He stated, "I [am] happy to be here".
   2. He stated, "I am happy [to be here]".
   3. He stated, "I am happy to be here."[sic]
   4. He stated, "I am happy to be here" [sic].
3. Which sentence uses a dash correctly?
   1. The car—which was red—sped away.
   2. The car, which was red—sped away.
   3. The car—which was red, sped away.
   4. The car which was red—sped away.
4. Which sentence uses parenthetical punctuation to add non-essential information?
   1. The meeting (will start promptly) at 9 AM.
   2. The meeting will (start promptly) at 9 AM.
   3. The meeting will start promptly at (9 AM).
   4. The meeting will start promptly at 9 AM().
5. Which sentence correctly uses brackets to indicate an error in the original quote?
   1. The witness said, "He was [quite] tall".
   2. The witness said, "He was quite [tall]".
   3. The witness said, "He was quite tall" [sic].
   4. The witness said, "He was quite tall[sic]".
6. Which sentence uses dashes to create a dramatic pause?
   1. I thought I saw—a ghost.
   2. I thought—I saw a ghost.
   3. I—thought I saw a ghost.
   4. I thought I saw a ghost—.
7. Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of multiple types of parenthetical punctuation?
   1. The movie (a classic [from 1980]) is still popular.
   2. The movie a classic (from 1980) [is still popular].
   3. The movie [a classic (from 1980)] is still popular.
   4. The movie (a classic from 1980) is still popular[].