Show:
Apostrophes
Commas
Semicolons
Colons
Dashes
100
Use apostrophes for these words, which combine two words.
What are contractions?
100
Commas usually connect these clauses together.
What are dependent and independent clauses.
100
Semicolons typically connect these types of clauses together.
What are independent clauses?
100
I like cheese: it tastes good. Is the colon used correctly?
yes
100
Dashes are always used with these types of clauses.
What are dependent clauses?
200
Use apostrophes to show ownership, also known as this.
What is possession?
200
After school I have a meeting. Where should the comma go? Why?
after "school"--because "after school" is a dependent clause
200
I like cheese; it tastes good. Is the semicolon used correctly?
yes
200
When can you use a colon in a compound sentence?
when the second clause explains the first one
200
The book was finally delivered--nearly three months after it was ordered. Is the dash used correctly? Why or why not?
yes--it connects a dependent clause at the end of the sentence
300
The kids' book was on the desk. How many kids are there?
more than one
300
Commas can be confusing, there are so many rules. Is this comma used correctly? Why or why not?
no--you can't use commas alone to connect two independent clauses
300
I like cheese; chocolate milk tastes good. Why should you remove the semicolon?
the two clauses are unrelated
300
My favorite colors are: orange, brown, and green. Is the colon used correctly? Why or why not?
no--when introducing a list, the clause before the colon needs to be independent
300
Nearly three months after it was ordered--the book was finally delivered. Is the dash used correctly? Why or why not?
no--it can not be used for an introductory dependent clause
400
My sister and I can finish each others sentences. Where does the apostrophe go?
before the "s"
400
My brother, David, has two kids. The dependent clause "David" is also know as this.
What is an appositive?
400
DAILY DOUBLE: Avoid placing semicolons before these.
What are coordinating conjunctions?
400
I like English: It's my favorite subject. Is the colon used correctly? Why or why not?
no--the second clause doesn't explain the first one
400
After all, my sister, the oldest sibling, is very responsible. Which commas could you replace with dashes and why?
the ones around "the oldest sibling" because you can remove it from the sentence without causing confusion
500
What's the difference between its and it's?
"its" indications possession and "it's" is a contraction
500
DAILY DOUBLE: You should use a comma between two adjectives if...
you can switch the order of the adjectives AND use "and" instead of the comma
500
Semicolons can only be used in these sentence structures.
What are compound and compound-complex sentences?
500
Colons can only be used in these sentence structures.
What are compound, complex, and compound complex sentences.
500
Dashes can only be used in these sentence structures.
What are complex and compound-complex?