Punctuation
Insert any missing commas from these sentences:
I went to the farmer’s market and there were too many vegetables to choose from.
We studied for the test and developed our confidence.
Whiskers’s toy was shredded to pieces and no longer looked like a toy.
Only correction: I went to the farmer’s market, and there were too many vegetables to choose from.
Select the appropriate word:
I ate dinner and than/then I ate dessert.
Tomorrow is going to be a better day than/then today.
Did you forget your/you’re going to the doctor tomorrow?
Why can’t Rob find your/you’re lucky rabbit foot?
Correct: then (means progression) Correct: than (means comparison) Correct: you’re (contraction: you+are) Correct: your (means: possession)
What is wrong with this sentence? Propose a way to fix it:
Every one of the puppies thrived in their new home.
What is "One" is singular and "their" is plural. Every one of the puppies thrived in its new home. -or- All of the puppies thrived in their new home.
Select the appropriate word for each sentence:
Did that steak taste like it was made good/well?
Oh wow, you smell good/well!
The new tool works good/well.
well good well
Add missing hyphens and dashes:
You may think she is a good for nothing liar she isn't.
She might run the 100 meter dash you never know.
I would like to recover my sofa it is run down.
You may think she is a good-for-nothing liar-- she isn't.
She might run the 100-meter dash-- you never know.
I would like to re-cover my sofa-- it is run down.
Identify any incorrectly used semicolons among these sentences:
Twelve workers started the project; only five remain. My car is a beautiful car; it is also old.
The child took a rose and a tulip to her mother; asking in turn what each flower was called.
Sentence 3 is incorrect.
Select the appropriate word:
I like to drink the milk before its/it's too old. Cold pizza doesn't lose its/it's flavor.
Look at there/they're/their long fingernails!
I love the dentist. Have you been there/they're/their?
Zombies: there/they're/their bloody good fun.
It's (it is) Its (possession) Their (possession) There (place) They're (they are)
The same modifier error occurs in both sentences. Identify the error and propose a way to fix it:
The swollen student’s thumb is turning black and blue.
Running through the meadow, the hail started to hit Jim hard!
These are misplaced modifiers. The student’s swollen thumb is turning black and blue. As Jim was running through the meadow, the hail started to hit him hard!
Select the appropriate word for each sentence:
There are less/fewer people here than there were before.
I have less/fewer energy than I used to have.
The amount/number of sand on the beach is mind-blowing.
The amount/number of trees on this road has decreased.
fewer less amount number
Add missing colons:
I would like new shoes, a swimming pool, and a trip to Brazil.
I have very little time to learn the language my new job starts in five weeks.
There are three types of muscle in the body cardiac, smooth, and skeletal.
none
I have very little time to learn the language: my new job starts in five weeks.
There are three types of muscle in the body: cardiac, smooth, and skeletal.
Identify the error in these sentences and propose a way to fix them.
Mary kissed Frank, then, for no apparent reason, she slapped him.
Heavy rain fell throughout the night, by morning every major road was flooded.
These are comma splices. Correction: Mary kissed Frank. Then, for no apparent reason, she slapped him. Heavy rain fell throughout the night; by morning every major road was flooded.
Select the appropriate word:
Why can’t you accept/except that I don’t love you?
I like all the skittles accept/except the yellow ones.
My teacher will not accept/except late work, accept/except for good reason.
Will the cat accept/except the new kitten?
accept (verb) except (think- exception) accept, except accept
Identify the subject and correct verb choice for each of the following:
Jim, along with Rob and Kevin, is/are going to the festival.
The kids or the mother is/are excited about the new swimming pool.
Each man, woman, and child talk/talks very loud. You or the kids is/are too fast for me.
Jim, along with Rob and Kevin, is going to the festival. The kids or the mother is excited about the new swimming pool. Each man, woman, and child talks very loud. You or the kids are too fast for me.
Select the appropriate word for each sentence:
Did he lay/lie down when he wasn’t feeling well?
How about you lay/lie your old hat on the bench?
My cat might lay/lie her head on your lap.
lie lay lay
Add commas and semicolons:
I have painted the entire house but she is still working on sanding the floors.
I ran to the store but forgot the grocery list.
You don't need to buy bananas I have 5 left.
We had a reunion with family from Salt Lake City Utah Los Angeles California and Albany New York.
I have painted the entire house, but she is still working on sanding the floors.
none
You don't need to buy bananas; I have 5 left.
We had a reunion with family from Salt Lake City, Utah; Los Angeles, California; and Albany, New York.
Add quotation marks to the following sentences: Sam turned to me and said, You are the smartest person I know!
I hate math, so going to math camp when I was 8 was really fun.
Rebecca loves going to ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT buffets. Writing in Third Person is the third chapter of Writing 101.
Sam turned to me and said, “You are the smartest person I know!” I hate math, so going to math camp when I was 8 was really “fun.” Rebecca loves going to ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT buffets. -none- “Writing in Third Person” is the third chapter of Writing 101.
Select the appropriate word:
The game did not effect/affect the outcome of the series.
We are waiting for the medicine to take effect/affect.
We are studying cause and effect/affect.
The material in this book will effect/affect your behavior.
affect (verb) effect (noun) effect affect
The same modifier error occurs in both sentences. Identify the error and propose a way to fix it:
As a young boy, his grandmother told stories of her years as a country schoolteacher.
A rabbit’s teeth are never used for defense even when cornered.
These are dangling modifiers. Corrections: When Ron was a young boy, his grandmother... A rabbit never uses its teeth...
Select the appropriate word for each sentence:
Since/Because Frank ran a mile, he might need to rest.
Since/Because Anna started running last year, she has become more healthy!
Randy might be late; he’s never on time since/because he broke his leg 2 years ago.
It’s easier to wake up early since/because you go to bed before 8pm.
Since/Because I was nine, I have been eating broccoli and liking it.
Because Since since because Since
Fix the following sentences (think apostrophes):
My boss wife is not very easy to talk to.
Apostrophes are confusing; dont you think?
The children hats are too small.
boss's
don't
children's
Punctuate the following sentences:
Do you agree with the saying Alls fair in love and war
Woman without her man is nothing
I decided not to take the job instead Im going to graduate school
My cats are Tiger the chubby orange lover Marshmallow the skittish calico and Bunny the one without a meow.
Do you agree with the saying, "All's fair in love and war?" Woman: without her, man is nothing. -or- Woman, without her man, is nothing. I decided not to take the job; instead, I’m going to graduate school. -or- I decided not to take the job. Instead, I’m going to graduate school. My cats are: Tiger, the chubby orange lover; Marshmallow, the skittish calico; and Bunny, the one without a meow.
Select the appropriate word:
Who/whom wrote the letter?
Who/whom did you take to prom?
Whoever/Whomever said that is silly!
To who/whom does the cat belong?
Sam gave his used pants to who/whom?
Who (think he/she) Whom (think him/her) Whoever whom whom
Which modifier error occurs in this sentence? Propose a way to fix it.
Rachel sat next to her friend who rides horses for hours.
These are squinting modifiers. Rachel sat next to her friend, who rides horses for hours. -or- Rachel sat next to her friend, who rides horses, for hours.
Select the appropriate word for each sentence:
Cats that/which are black love Halloween!
Smallpox, that/which is a disease, has been cured.
Hurricanes that/which are over category 4 are intense.
Diamond watches, that/which are expensive, are out of my price range.
that which that which
Which sentence has the comma splice?
My favorite bands are all really loud, playing loud music is good for stress relief.
After my family bakes together nearly every night, we get to enjoy everything we make together.
I didn’t like the movie, it was way too long.
1 & 3