Punctuatiion
The war officially began on April 12 1861 when Confederate troops fired upon Fort Sumter,
South Carolina.
What is the war officially began on April 12, 1861, when Confederate troops fired upon Fort Sumter, South Carolina. (Commas in a date, the month and year)
Its sometimes hard to complete my homework because of football practice after school.
What is - It's sometimes hard to complete my homework because of football practice after school. (Contraction for it is)
Maria's sister-in-laws car was stolen last night.
What is - Maria's sister-in-law's car was stolen last night. Place the possessive ending after the last word.
My dad and his brother in law often go golfing together.
What is - My dad and his brother-in-law often go golfing together. (Used to divide words and in compound words.)
And upcycling doesn't just reduce the amount of trash that goes into our landfills it also protects natural resources, such as oil and gas.
What is - Add a semicolon after landfills because it is a run-on sentence. Also notice that the sentence begins with And. This was an actual question on the STAAR.
Whales may look like fish and swim like fish, but did you know that whales are really mammals
What is a question mark at the end of interrogatory sentence? It asked a question.
Ferrets need toys to keep them busy-old socks for instance.
What is - Ferrets need toys to keep them busy-old socks, for instance. (a comma is used to set off interruptions that interrupts the main thought of a sentence.
Many people lost several hours work on their computers.
What is - Many people lost several hours' work on their computers. (Use an apostrophe with an adjective that is part of an expression indicating time(month,day,hour) or amount.
Twenty five people bought the new Spurs' jersey at the game.
What is - Twenty-five people bought the new Spurs' jersey at the game.
The huge dog spun in continuous circles and barked loudly."
What is - Add quotation marks before "The because it is a quotation.
Hockey players have a lot of gear but their most important pieces of equipment are their skates.
What is a comma after gear because it is a compound sentence.
Hey do you want to go see a movie with us?
What is - Hey, do you want to go see a movie with us? Use a comma to set off dialogue or an interjection.
What is a comma after Hey?
Peoples attention turned to skies usually bright with stars.
What is - People's attention turned to skies usually bright with stars.
Grandpa likes to have a soft boiled egg for breakfast.
What is - Grandpa likes to have a soft-boiled egg for breakfast.
The teacher asked, "What is your name"?
What is - The end quotation mark should be after the question mark. (?")
Their childrens voices could be heard through the open window.
What is - Their children's voices could be heard through the open window.
Computer-generated animation is now fairly common it can make animation look very real.
What is a semicolon after common? The sentence is a run-on.
The small puppy wagged it's tail when he saw his master walk into the room.
What is - The small puppy wagged its tail when he saw his master walk into the room. (possessive)
I am going to use a stain covering paint in my bedroom.
What is - I am going to use a stain-covering paint in my bedroom. (compound adjective made up of a participle (ing or ed form).
The childrens' toys were all destroyed in the massive fire at the school.
What is - The children's toys were all destroyed in the massive fire at the school. (Plural possessive)
Ferrets are known for their active and curious nature which sometimes gets them into trouble.
What is - Ferrets are know for their active and curious nature, which sometimes gets them into trouble. (non-restrictive phrases and clauses are set off by a comma or commas) A nonrestrictive phrase or clause is not necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence.
Ferrets which are like cats in some ways can be trained to use a litter box.
What is - Ferrets, which are like cats in some ways, can be trained to use a litter box. (punctuation of a nonrestrictive clause which is not necessary for the basic meaning of the sentence).
It was anyones guess as to when the pizza would arrive.
What is - It was anyone's guess as to when the pizza would arrive. (The possessive of an indefinite pronoun is formed by adding an apostrophe and s.)
Once we completed our essays, the teacher handed out some forms for self assessment.
What is - Once we completed our essays, the teacher handed out forms for self-assessment.
Animated movies used to be made for children today, they are just as likely to be aimed at the parents, too.
What is - Add a semicolon after children because there are two sentences. It is a run-on sentence.