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Punctuation
Easily Confused Words
Sentence Structure
Word Choice
Mystery!
100
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.
100
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)
100
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.
100
Select the appropriate word for each sentence: Did that steak taste like it was made good/well? Oh wow, you smell good/well!
well good
100
Identify the error in this sentence and propose a way to fix it: After he joined the union, Thomas appears at a rally and makes a speech.
Tense shifts from past to present tense. Thomas appeared at the rally and made a speech.
200
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.
200
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)
200
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!
200
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 disgusting. The amount/number of trees on this road has decreased.
fewer less amount number
200
Write a sentence that uses incorrect parallel structure with the verbs "swim," "read," and "write". Then rewrite the same sentence using correct parallel structure.
Incorrect: He likes swimming, to read, and writing. Correct: He likes swimming, reading, and writing. OR He likes to swim, to read, and to write.
300
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.
300
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
300
Identify the subject and correct verb choice for each of the following: Jim, along with Sam and Kevin, is/are going to the festival. The kids or the mother is/are excited about the new swimming pool. The man, woman, and child talk/talks very loud. You or the kids is/are too fast for me.
Jim, along with Sam and Kevin, is going to the festival. The kids or the mother is excited about the new swimming pool. The man, woman, and child talks very loud. You or the kids are too fast for me.
300
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
300
Identify the error in this sentence and propose a way to fix it: The tribe emphasized collective survival, mutual aid, and being responsible for one another.
Faulty parallelism. Correction: The tribe emphasized collective survival, mutual aid, and responsibility for one another.
400
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.
400
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
400
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...
400
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
400
Identify the name of the error in this sentence and propose a way to fix it. She is a good friend. A person whom I trust and admire.
This is a fragment. She is a good friend and a person whom I trust and admire.
500
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 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.
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.
500
Select the appropriate word: Who/whom wrote the letter? Who/whom did you take to prom? Who/whom is the person you dislike? To who/whom does the cat belong? Sam gave his used pants to who/whom?
Who (think he/she) Whom (think him/her) Who whom whom
500
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.
500
Select the appropriate word for each sentence: Cats that/which are black are 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
500
The same problem is happening in these sentences. What is it, and how can you fix them? Many voters who are uneducated citizens who have never attended school continue to vote for better schools. It is my opinion that "The Hunger Games," to me, is a highly overrated movie. People may drink in order to distract themselves from the negative aspects or problems within their lives and another motive to drink is to celebrate.
All of these sentences are overly wordy/repetitive. Corrections: Many uneducated citizens continue to vote for better schools. The Hunger Games is overrated. People may drink for distraction or for celebration.