Commas
In which sentence should a comma precede the word “but”?
a. No one but a born politician could stand such long meetings.
b. Many people would prefer to work at home but the unions object to that arrangement.
c. The teacher knew the answer but refused to tell.
b. Many people would prefer to work at home but the unions object to that arrangement.
Is this sentence correct? Why or why not?
While we were walking home.
No.
This sentence is a sentence fragment.
Insert apostrophes where needed:
The childrens toys were scattered on the floor.
The children's toys were scattered on the floor.
Insert hyphens where needed:
She is a well known artist.
She is a well-known artist.
In which series are all the possessive words used CORRECTLY?
a. someone else’s fault, fifty dollars worth, the Smiths’ house
b. women’s rights, two weeks’ pay, my brother-in-law’s car
c. Jesse James’ horse, several boy’s jackets, my families cabin
b. women’s rights, two weeks’ pay, my brother-in-law’s car
Which of the following needs a comma to show coordinate adjectives?
a. brown leather jacket
b. tiny halogen lights
c. pale dim reflections
c. pale dim reflections
Is this sentence correct? Why or why not?
He is funny he makes everyone laugh.
No.
This sentence is a run-on sentence.
Is the following sentence correct? If not, what needs to be corrected?
She studied hard therefore she earned an A.
No.
She studied hard; therefore, she earned an A.
Does this sentence use dashes correctly? If not, how can you correct this sentence?
The answer—is obvious—it’s Michael.
No.
The answer is obvious—it’s Michael.
Is the following sentence correct? If not, what needs to be corrected?
“The Wizard of Oz” is a famous novel and a famous movie.
No.
The Wizard of Oz is a famous novel and a famous movie.
In which sentence should the italicized words (which are non-restrictive clauses/interrupters) be set off by commas?
a. Diane’s new electric guitar which had just lost a string was standing in a corner.
b. The astronauts who went into orbit before the election voted by absentee ballot.
c. The boat that leaves here at five o’clock arrives in St. Louis at eight.
a. Diane’s new electric guitar which had just lost a string was standing in a corner.
Is this sentence correct? Why or why not?
We wanted to leave early, we missed the bus.
No.
This sentence is a comma splice.
Is the following sentence correct? If not, what needs to be corrected?
Although I was tired, I kept studying.
Correct
Which sentence uses the dash INCORRECTLY?
a. Use a crescent wrench – an adjustable hand tool – to loosen the bolt.
b. Carrots, peas, beans – these are healthy foods.
c. Shaquille’s shoe size is – 22.
c. Shaquille’s shoe size is – 22.
Which sentence quotes CORRECTLY?
a. The officer told her to get out of the car and put her hands up.
b. The officer said, “Get out of the car and put your hands up”!
c. The officer said, “To get out of the car and put her hands up!”
a. The officer told her to get out of the car and put her hands up.
Which sentence uses commas INCORRECTLY?
a. Before you turn off the computer, be sure to shut down all programs.
b. His family being so prominent, no one dared to block his nomination.
c. Bob Dylan wrote many protest songs, but got rich by buying stocks in chemical companies, during the Vietnam War.
c. Bob Dylan wrote many protest songs, but got rich by buying stocks in chemical companies, during the Vietnam War.
Which sentence uses the semicolon CORRECTLY?
a. Ruth has always given me good advice; she treats me as if I were her favorite sister.
b. Among her collection of musical instruments were; bongo drums, recorders, guitars, flutes, and gongs.
c. He continued to ride his motorcycle; even though his license had expired.
a. Ruth has always given me good advice; she treats me as if I were her favorite sister.
Is the following sentence correctly punctuated? If not, what needs to be corrected?
John admitted that he enjoyed the short story; it was entitled (Barn Burning).
No.
John admitted that he enjoyed the short story; it was entitled Barn Burning.
Which uses the hyphen CORRECTLY?
a. eight-teen flower pots
b. ninety-seven exam papers
c. one-hundred television sets
b. ninety-seven exam papers
Single quotation marks should enclose which of the following?
a. a quotation inside a quotation
b. title of a television series
c. title of a play
a. a quotation inside a quotation
Which sentence contains UNNECESSARY commas?
a. Everyone, who had met the new president, raved about her ability to think on her feet.
b. Bill had an extensive collection of antique teapots, china coffeepots, and unusual demitasse cups and saucers.
c. He used his newest, smallest pair of scissors to remove the stitches in Rover’s paw.
a. Everyone, who had met the new president, raved about her ability to think on her feet.
How many UNNECESSARY or MISPLACED commas occur in this sentence?
Everyone, who owns an automobile, needs to have collision insurance, but, collision insurance is not required, by Alabama law.
a. one
b. three
c. four
c. four
Corrected Sentence:
Everyone who owns an automobile needs to have collision insurance, but collision insurance is not required by Alabama law.
Is the following sentence correct? If not, what needs to be corrected?
We stayed home, because it was raining.
No.
We stayed home because it was raining.
Which sentence uses the colon CORRECTLY?
a. For her birthday, Jane received three gifts: a dozen roses, a bottle of champagne, and a ten-speed bicycle.
b. Are you familiar with Leviticus: 21, 26?
c. Please stop by the store and get: milk and bread.
a. For her birthday, Jane received three gifts: a dozen roses, a bottle of champagne, and a ten-speed bicycle.
Double quotation marks should enclose which of the following?
a. dialogue or conversation
b. titles of newspapers
c. titles of books
a. dialogue or conversation