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Punctuation
Numbers
Commonly Confused
Citation
Sounds The Same
100
Where does the question mark go? When asked about the situation, the mayor said, "Isn't it obvious what's going on here"
Inside the quotation marks. So... When asked about the situation, the mayor said, "Isn't it obvious what's going on here?" Note: no extra period at the end outside the quotes because the question mark ends the sentence.
100
True or false: you always use figures for people's ages?
What is true.
100
The man left the apartment at [12 a.m/ midnight].
What is midnight.
100
The [mayor/Mayor] will attend the event.
What is mayor. Not directly preceding a name.
100
Do you know [whose/who's] coming to the party?
Who's. Meaning who is.
200
She noted the case has lasted longer than the couple’s (72 day; 72-day) marriage.
What is 72-day marriage. [compound modifier, 72-day describes the kind of marriage.]
200
Did you start high school in [Mar. 2008 ; March 2008]?
What is March. Since we only have a month and a year, no specific day, we do not abbreviate the month. Plus, March never gets shortened.
200
[Fewer/Less] voters turned out this year.
Fewer. People will always be "fewer" Hint: people= fewer, things=less.
200
The story first appeared in the [Orlando Sentinel / "Orlando Sentinel"]
What is Orlando Sentinel.
200
Disney parades are so moving. They always [affect/effect] me.
What is affect. Effect- think fireworks / special effects Affect- think cause/ influence
300
Are you dying to read ["Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" or Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (italics)]?
What is "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"
300
Is your friend's birthday [Aug. 7, 1993 ; August 7, 1993]?
What is Aug. 7, 1993.
300
What's wrong with this headline? U.S. election season turns ugly
What is US No periods when used in a headline. Yes periods when in the body of a story.
300
Which is correct? a. I was shocked when she said, "Do you prefer men or women?" b. I was shocked when she said, "Do you prefer men or women."
What is a. I was shocked when she said, "Do you prefer men or women?"
300
My ex is a real jerk so I moved states to be [farther/further] away from him.
Farther. Look this up!
400
Which is correct? a. The Richmond, Virginia, company was founded in July, 2000. b. The Richmond, Virginia company was founded in July, 2000. c. The Richmond, Virginia, company was founded in July 2000.
C. The Richmond, Virginia, company was founded in July 2000. Note the comma after the state name. Always put that extra comma if your sentence continues. No comma between year and month.
400

Are [10/ten] juniors attending the event?

What is 10.

400
Her online shopping sure keeps the [mail man/ mail carrier] busy.
What is mail carrier Non-sexist language.
400
She will graduate with a [master's, Master's] degree in [Public Relations; public relations].
What is master's; public relations.
400
Her presence had a calming [affect/ effect] on the children.
Effect. Something we can see. Just like the glowing effect of fireworks, we can see her effect on the children- making them calm. effect= fireworks, special effects - things you can see affect= to cause or influence Also correct: Her presence affected the children, making them calm.
500
Which is correct? a. You will need a scantron, pencil, and calculator to take the test. b. You will need a scantron, pencil and calculator to take the test.
b. You will need a scantron, pencil and calculator to take the test. [simple series, no confusion results- so no comma needed before the and]
500
I collect toy cars from the [1950's/1950s].
What is 1950s.
500
A study published by University of Texas at Arlington scientists (inferred; implied) a link between water well contamination and hydraulic fracturing.
Implied. Writers or speakers imply in the words they use. A reader or listener infers (gathers) something from the words spoken/written, according to the "imply, infer" entry.
500
What's wrong?: “This hotel will be like no other” said Mike Jefris, President of Hyatt Hotels, Inc.
A missing comma inside the quote, lowercase president, no comma before Inc. Did you get all three?
500

I was [discrete/discreet] about my second helping of pie.

What is discreet.