Commas
Semicolons
Pronouns
Commonly Confused
Tricky
100
The main thing that people do not think about, is that the woman already made her decision.
The main thing that people do not think about is that the woman already made her decision.
100
Moving on; one should never drive while drowsy.
Moving on, one should never drive while drowsy.
100
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.
100
The dog attempted to scratch it’s back.
The dog attempted to scratch its back.
100
Is this plagiarism? Original source: Without adequate discipline, the Web can be a tremendous time sink. -Fred Lane, p. 142 Your paper: Fred Lane points out that if people do not have adequate discipline, the Web can be a tremendous time sink.
Yes.
200
I tried to tell them that the coffee was cold but they didn’t listen.
I tried to tell them that the coffee was cold, but they didn’t listen
200
On June 29, 2005; in Queens, New York, a young man’s life was changed forever.
On June 29, 2005, in Queens, New York, a young man’s life was changed forever.
200
When someone is tired in class, they tend to lower their head, fold their arms, and stop moving.
When someone is tired in class, he or she tends to lower his or her head, fold his or her arms, and stop moving. or When people are tired in class, they tend to lower their heads, fold their arms, and stop moving.
200
Their may not be enough time to go to Starbucks this morning.
There may not be enough time to go to Starbucks this morning.
200
While driving late one night, a deer ran into my car.
While driving late one night, I hit a deer with my car. or A deer ran into my car while I was driving late one night.
300
I think that, we should be on time for this exam.
I think that we should be on time for this exam.
300
Writing is a challenge, however, it’s one for which you are well equipped.
Writing is a challenge; however, it’s one for which you are well equipped.
300
When a person cuts someone off in traffic, they have to swerve to get out of the way.
When a person cuts someone off in traffic, the driver who is cut off has to swerve to get out of the way.
300
Don't let you're friends know that you love, love, love this class.
Don't let your friends know that you love, love, love this class.
300
The cost was high not only for processing their separations, but to train their new replacements.
The cost was high not only to process their separations, but to train their new replacements. or The cost was high not only for processing their separations, but for training their new replacements.
400
He left his jacket here accidentally, I should try to get it back to him.
He left his jacket here accidentally. I should try to get it back to him. or He left his jacket here accidentally, and I should try to get it back to him. or He left his jacket here accidentally; I should try to get it back to him.
400
Classic science fiction sagas are Star Trek, with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears, Battlestar Galactica, with its Cylon Raiders, and Star Wars, with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader.
Classic science fiction sagas are Star Trek, with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears; Battlestar Galactica, with its Cylon Raiders; and Star Wars, with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader.
400
The government usually reaches their decision in 4-6 weeks.
The government usually reaches its decision in 4-6 weeks.
400
The side affects include dizziness, headache, and nausea.
The side effects include dizziness, headache, and nausea.
400
What’s a warrant (the kind related to writing an argument)?
A warrant is the connection between a reason and a thesis statement. or A warrant explains why a reason supports a thesis.
500
Newspaper reporters have visited pharmacies, and observed pharmacists selling steroids illegally.
Newspaper reporters have visited pharmacies and observed pharmacists selling steroids illegally.
500
A semicolon can be used to join two independent clauses; has it been used correctly in this sentence?
Yes!
500
Tell us what an antecedent is, and then tell us the problem with the one in this sentence: After braiding Ann's hair, Sue decorated them with brightly colored ribbons.
The word a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent. In the above sentence, the pronoun "them" refers to braids, but the word "braids" does not appear in the sentence.
500
She is not use to rising early in the morning.
She is not used to rising early in the morning.
500
Smith, an esteemed cell biologist, accepts that her theory is "a little bit nuts".
Smith, an esteemed cell biologist, accepts that her theory is "a little bit nuts."
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