Commas
Redundancy & Wordiness
Common Errors
Other Punctuation
Agreement
100
I can't decide what to order but I know that I am hungry.
I can't decide what to order, but I know that I am hungry.
100
What does it mean to be redundant?
To write wordy sentences that are repetitive. Redundant words or phrases can be deleted without losing the meaning of the sentence.
100
Then or Than? The lights flashed off. ______ there was a scream.
Then
100
It's/Its The tiger licked ____ paw.
The tiger licked its paw.
100
Was/Were Two-thirds of the students _____ commuters.
Were
200
Frustrated by the delay drivers started honking their horns.
Frustrated by the delay, drivers started honking their horns.
200
True or False Very is an empty word that carries little meaning, so it should be deleted from your writing.
True. Instead of writing "very happy," use a single, more specific word, such as "ecstatic."
200
Fix this sentence: When I decided to work part time.
It is a fragment. When I decided to work part time, I took a pay cut.
200
Fix this sentence: My car broke down I need a new one.
My car broke down; I need a new one. My car broke down, so I need a new one. My car broke down. I need a new one.
200
Chooses/Choose Each boy and girl ______one gift to take home.
Chooses
300
On January 5th 2014 our office will move across the street.
On January 5th, 2014, our office will move across the street.
300
Which of the following phrases cannot be replaced with a single word? At the present time Due to the fact that If the facts were true At all times
If the facts were true At the present time (Today) Due to the fact that (Because) At all times (Always)
300
Fix this sentence: The passengers on the plane were not terribly alarmed by the loss of altitude, the pilot and the crew kept them calm.
The passengers on the plane were not terribly alarmed by the loss of altitude. The pilot and the crew kept them calm.
300
Fix this sentence: The debate between Joe and Sam made him feel uncomfortable.
The debate between Joe and Sam made Sam feel uncomfortable.
300
He/Him When ______ and Susan were first married, they lived in the city.
he
400
Darwin's most important book On the Origin of Species was the result of many years of research.
Darwin's most important book, On the Origin of Species, was the result of many years of research.
400
Which of the following phrases is redundant?
Red in color Warm blanket Wet, shedding dog
400
Fix this sentence: In poetry additional power may come from devices such as: simile, metaphor, and alliteration.
In poetry, additional power may come from devices such as simile, metaphor, and alliteration.
400
The tour includes the following museums the Prado, the Louvre, and the Van Gogh.
The tour includes the following museums: the Prado, the Louvre, and the Van Gogh.
400
I/Me Come to the park with Melinda and ____.
Me
500
At the sound of the starting pistol the horses surged forward toward the first obstacle a sharp incline that was three feet high.
At the sound of the starting pistol, the horses surged forward toward the first obstacle, a sharp incline that was three feet high.
500
How can you make the following sentence more concise? Edward is responsible for monitoring and balancing the budget for travel.
Edward monitors and balances the travel budget.
500
Fix these sentences: There is no way I could fight the current. Just as I was losing hope a stranger jumps off a passing boat and swims toward me.
There is no way I could fight the current. Just as I lost hope, a stranger jumped off a passing boat and swam toward me.
500
Fix this sentence: Though only sixteen years old, UCLA accepted Martha's application.
Though Martha was only sixteen years old, UCLA accepted her application.
500
We/Us ____ fans never gave up hope.
We
M
e
n
u