Commas
True or False: You need a comma before 'and' when writing a list.
False: The comma is optional.
What does a period mean?
It indicates that a sentence is finished.
Fill in the blanks with the correct articles:
I always enjoy driving over ____ Golden Gate Bridge. It has lovely views of ____ San Francisco and ____ Pacific Ocean.
1) "the" for bridges
2) no article for cities
3) "the" for oceans
When do you use question marks?
At the end of direct questions
True or false: A coordinating conjunction can start a sentence.
False: Coordinating conjunction 'and', 'but', 'so', 'or' do not traditionally start sentences.
What is the comma rule for dependent clauses?
A comma is only needed if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause.
Give examples of sentences that need periods.
Ss should provide a statement sentence.
Fill in the blanks with the correct articles:
Do you have ____ bigger room in ____ hotel? In fact, I'd like ____ biggest room you have available.
1) "a" for general nouns
2) "the" for specific nouns
3) "the" for superlatives
Is a question mark needed at the end of this indirect question? (Yes/No)
Could you please tell me if the meeting time has been changed?
Yes, because the indirect question is not a statement.
Correct the punctuation: I would very much like to come. But, unfortunately I have another engagement.
I would very much like to come, but unfortunately I have another engagement.
Which of the following two adjective clauses needs commas?
a) The woman who lives next door has a beautiful garden.
b) My mother who lives in Victoria has a beautiful garden.
b) My mother, who lives in Victoria, has a beautiful garden. (the adjective clause is giving extra information about "my mother". It is non-defining.)
Correct the punctuation: Because I had left late this morning I missed the bus my teacher was angry so I felt bad.
Because I had left late this morning, I missed the bus. My teacher was angry, so I felt bad.
Fill in the blanks with the correct articles:
Our cruise makes stops in ____ Netherlands, ____ Belgium, ____ United Kingdom, and ____ France.
1) The Netherlands
2) Belgium
3) The United Kingdom
4) France
Correct the punctuation: I'd like to know when you are available.
No correction needed.
Join these two sentences together: It is raining outside. I will bring my umbrella.
It is raining outside, so I will bring my umbrella.
Correct the punctuation: She said 'I was born on August 14th 1984'
She said, 'I was born on August 14th, 1984.'
True or False: You can use a comma instead of a period at the end of a sentence.
False: Periods and commas have different uses.
Complete the sentence with the correct articles:
I wanted to study ____ Engineering at ____ UVic, but I decided to go to ____ University of British Columbia instead.
1) no article for subjects
2) no article for most school names
3) "the" for names including "of"
Correction the punctuation: She asked “Where are you going”
She asked, “Where are you going?”
True or False: Coordinating conjunctions always need commas.
False. You only need commas before coordinating conjunctions when they join two independent clauses. (i.e.: I want to go to sleep, but I don't feel tired.)
Give three transitions that require a comma.
However, / Therefore, / Consequently, / In addition, / etc.
When do you know to stop a sentence and put a period?
Typically, sentences in English do not contain more than two or three clauses.
Complete the sentence with the correct articles:
I'd like to take ____ vacation next month. Maybe I'll take ____ BC Ferries to ____ Vancouver Island and ____ Gulf Islands.
1) "a" for general nouns
2) "the" for specific nouns
3) no article for single islands
4) "the" for groups of islands
Is it common to use question marks in academic writing?
No, academic writing usually contains indirect speech and does not contain question marks.
What is the difference in punctuation between coordinating conjunctions such as “but” and transitions such as “however”?
Connectors need a comma beforehand (i.e.: I want to leave early, but I can't now.). Transitions start a sentence and are followed by a comma (i.e.: I want to leave. However, I can't leave now.)