Homophones
[Apart/A part] of this plan involves getting started at dawn.
A part of this plan involves getting started at dawn.
Where does the comma go?
It was raining so I took an umbrella with me when I left the house.
It was raining, so I took an umbrella with me when I left the house.
Is it active voice or passive voice where the subject receives the action.
Passive
Where does the comma go?
I lost my cellphone while I was at the dance.
Trick Question: there is no comma
He sanded the wood with [coarse/course] sandpaper, but he'd probably be better if he took a [coarse/course] in it.
Coarse, course
Where does the comma go?
Becky is studying for her test so she can get a good grade.
Trick Question: There is no comma needed.
Becky is studying for her test so she can get a good grade.
The lamp was knocked over by Jerry. Active or passive?
Passive
Where does the comma go?
My estate goes to my husband son daughter-in-law and nephew.
My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew.
The [affect/effect] of the changes was unexpected.
effect
What punctuation does this sentence need?
I don't often go swimming I prefer to play tennis.
Semicolon or a period: I don't often go swimming; I prefer to play tennis.
I don't often go swimming. I prefer to play tennis.
“The woman was sentenced to five years in jail.”
Passive Voice
Where does the comma go?
Galloping quickly the horse reached the other side of the pasture in less than a minute.
Galloping quickly, the horse reached the other side of the pasture in less than a minute.
An ideal Indian wife can [accept/except] everything in her life [accept/except] her husband having an extra marital affair.
An ideal Indian wife can ACCEPT everything in her life EXCEPT her husband having an extra marital affair.
What kind of punctuation does this sentence need?
The bookstore specializes in three subjects art architecture, and graphic design.
A colon and a comma
The bookstore specializes in three subjects: art, architecture, and graphic design.
Rewrite this sentence in the active voice: Two trees have been planted.
Where does the comma go?
John Lucy’s boyfriend brought Sally to the veterinarian after an unfortunate chocolate-eating incident.
John, Lucy’s boyfriend, brought Sally to the veterinarian after an unfortunate chocolate-eating incident.
The boyfriend made an [illusion/allusion] to not getting married early.
The boyfriend made an allusion to not getting married early.
Where do the apostrophes go?
The roommates house needed repairs, so they all agreed to use some of the extra months rent money they’d saved to go furniture shopping
The roommates’ house needed repairs, so they all agreed to use some of the extra months’ rent money they’d saved to go furniture shopping
Rewrite this sentence in the active voice: In this comparison of recycling standards in Australia and the U.S., it is demonstrated that a country’s recycling performance can change significantly depending on which standard is applied.
This comparison of recycling standards in Australia and the U.S. demonstrates that a country’s recycling performance can change significantly depending on which standard is applied.
Where to put the comma/commas?
When I was writing my novel my brother interrupted me and he was being so annoying.
When I was writing my novel, my brother interrupted me, and he was being so annoying.