PunctuationGrammarUsage

◦62 Questions

Final Exam Review

Punctuation

After Jeremy finished eating his breakfast he finally pulled the cat off his face.

After Jeremy finished eating his breakfast, he finally pulled the cat off his face.

32b – Comma after introductory clause or phrase.

After Jeremy finished eating his breakfast he finally pulled the cat off his face.

Lucy just bought herself a new prosthetic limb which cost her an arm and a leg.

Lucy just bought herself a new prosthetic limb, which cost her an arm and a leg.

32e – Use comma(s) to set off nonrestrictive phrases.

Lucy just bought herself a new prosthetic limb which cost her an arm and a leg.

Scuba diving from what I’ve heard is a glorious experience.

Scuba diving, from what I’ve heard, is a glorious experience.

32f – Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.

Scuba diving from what I’ve heard is a glorious experience.

Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake will be performed in a large bowl of soup on Tuesday.

Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake will be performed in a large bowl of soup on Tuesday.

32e – No comma(s) to set off restrictive appositives.

Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake will be performed in a large bowl of soup on Tuesday.

Adelaide started a fire in the mailbox and she danced gleefully in the glow of the growing flames.

Adelaide started a fire in the mailbox, and she danced gleefully in the glow of the growing flames.

32a –Comma before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses.

Adelaide started a fire in the mailbox and she danced gleefully in the glow of the growing flames.

Most people pursue material not spiritual improvement.

Most people pursue material, not spiritual, improvement.

32f – Use commas to set off contrasting elements.

Most people pursue material not spiritual improvement.

The latest Batman film The Dark Knight earned over $27 at the box office.

The latest Batman film, The Dark Knight, earned over $27 at the box office.

32e - Use comma(s) to set off nonrestrictive appositives.

The latest Batman film The Dark Knight earned over $27 at the box office.

A happy hamburger includes a slice of fresh tomato and a really crunchy pickle.

A happy hamburger includes a slice of fresh tomato and a really crunchy pickle.

32a – No comma, as second clause has no subject.

A happy hamburger includes a slice of fresh tomato and a really crunchy pickle.

George Carlin asked “What does it mean to pre-board? Do you get on before you get on?”

George Carlin asked, “What does it mean to pre-board? Do you get on before you get on?”

32h – Use commas to set off or introduce direct quotations.

George Carlin asked “What does it mean to pre-board? Do you get on before you get on?”

The White House located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington D.C. 20500 will be sold at public auction next Thursday.

The White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20500, will be sold at public auction next Thursday.

32f – Use commas to set off parenthetical information.

32i – Set off all elements of an address except for the zip code with commas.

The White House located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington D.C. 20500 will be sold at public auction next Thursday.

Sydney named her two cats after famous criminals: Bonnie and Clyde.

Sydney named her two cats after famous criminals: Bonnie and Clyde.

35a – Use colon after independent clause to introduce list, appositive, or direct quotation.

Sydney named her two cats for famous criminals: Bonnie and Clyde.

Other famous criminal include: Al Capone, Ma Barker, Richard Nixon, and Charles Manson.

Other famous criminal include Al Capone, Ma Barker, Richard Nixon, and Charles Manson.

35a – Use colon after independent clause to introduce list, appositive, or direct quotation.

Other famous criminal include: Al Capone, Ma Barker, Richard Nixon, and Charles Manson.

Farley collected three IOUs on his rounds yesterday.

Farley collected three IOUs on his rounds yesterday.

36d – Do not use apostrophe to pluralize abbreviations.

Farley collected three IOU’s on his rounds yesterday.

Carlyle was born back in the 70’s.

Carlyle was born back in the ‘70s.

36 – Use apostrophe to indicate ellipsing but not to indicate plurals in numbers.

Carlyle was born back in the 70’s.

My puppy Edmonds, (who is only six years old), is already potty trained.(Parentheses okay)

My puppy Edmonds (who is only six years old) is already potty trained.

33h – Never use a comma before a parenthesis.

Could also set off Edmonds with commas if it is a nonrestrictive appositive.

My puppy Edmonds, (who is only six years old), is already potty trained.(Parentheses okay)

The Normandy invasion on June 6 was the start of Operation Overlord.

The Normandy invasion on June 6 was the start of Operation Overlord.

32i – Use commas to set off only the year when using dates.

The Normandy invasion on June 6 was the start of Operation Overlord.

Living a healthy life means eating lots of vegetables that are rich in vitamins.

Living a healthy life means eating lots of vegetables that are rich in vitamins.

32e – No comma(s) to set off restrictive phrases.

Living a healthy life means eating lots of vegetables that are rich in vitamins.

Cell phones have become very common nowadays however most people have never eaten one.

Cell phones have become very common nowadays; however, most people have never eaten one.

32f – Use semicolon and comma to set off most transitional expressions.

Cell phones have become very common nowadays however most people have never eaten one.

The brazen criminal’s escapades however eventually landed him in jail.

The brazen criminal’s escapades, however, eventually landed him in jail.

32f - Use semicolon and comma to set off most transitional expressions, except when the expression blends smoothly, causing little or no pause or if it does not significantly shift the sentence’s direction. In the latter instance, use only commas to set off the phrase or expression.

The brazen criminal’s escapades however eventually landed him in jail.

The morning of June 24 1957 began with little fanfare.

The morning of June 24, 1957, began with little fanfare.

32i – Use commas to set off the year when using dates.

The morning of June 24 1957 began with little fanfare.

Occasionally Melba has toast with her eggs but, this morning she had salmon.

Occasionally Melba has toast with her eggs, but this morning she had salmon.

33h – (Almost) never put a comma after a coordinating conjunction.

Optional comma after Occasionally.

Occasionally Melba has toast with her eggs but, this morning she had salmon.

Steven Wright said that “I planted some bird seed. A bird came up. Now I don't know what to feed it.”

Steven Wright said that “I planted some bird seed. A bird came up. Now I don't know what to feed it.”

32h – Use commas to set off or introduce direct quotations except when using that as a conjunction.

Steven Wright said that “I planted some bird seed. A bird came up. Now I don't know what to feed it.”

Dominiques car wouldnt start this morning.

Dominique’s car wouldn’t start this morning.

36 – Use apostrophe to show possession or contraction.

Dominiques car wouldnt start this morning.

An invitation for M. David McSquiggle PhD will be mailed in the morning.

An invitation for M. David McSquiggle, Ph.D., will be mailed in the morning.

32i – If a title follows a name, set title off with commas. This particular title also needs periods.

An invitation for M. David McSquiggle PhD will be mailed in the morning.

Who’s underwear is this?

Whose underwear is this?36e – Who’s/whose.

Who’s underwear is this?

Cindy got sick on Wednesday by Saturday she was dead.

Cindy got sick on Wednesday; by Saturday she was dead.

34a – Use semicolon between independent clauses not joined with a coordinating conjunction.

Can also add comma and conjunction, use a dash, or create two sentences. Another option is a comma after Saturday.

Cindy got sick on Wednesday by Saturday she was dead.

Lunch will be comprised of eggs with ham cheese and bacon salad with Romaine lettuce croutons and boll weevils and potatoes with a burgundy reduction.

Lunch will comprise eggs with ham, cheese, and bacon; salad with Romaine lettuce, croutons, and boll weevils; and potatoes with a burgundy reduction.

34c – Use semicolon between items in a series containing internal punctuation.

Usage – Comprise.

Lunch will be comprised of eggs with ham cheese and bacon salad with Romaine lettuce croutons and boll weevils and potatoes with a burgundy reduction.

Emulsified spider’s can be made into fancy earrings.

Emulsified spiders can be made into fancy earrings.

36 – Do not use commas to indicate plurals.

Emulsified spider’s can be made into fancy earrings.

For Christmas Enrique got all sorts of presents, a food basket and a glass eye.

For Christmas Enrique got all sorts of presents, a food basket, and a glass eye.

32c – Comma between all items in a series. Might also consider that the food basket and the

glass eye are examples of the presents, so: For Christmas Enrique got all sorts of presents: a

food basket and a glass eye. Optional comma after Christmas.

For Christmas Enrique got all sorts of presents, a food basket and a glass eye.

Shakespeare wrote, “To be or not to be”.

Shakespeare writes, “To be or not to be.” 37f – End punctuation inside quotation

marks (unless a parenthetical citation follows).

27f – Use present tense when quoting or paraphrasing literary works.

Shakespeare wrote, “To be or not to be”.

Grammar

Eating 127 eggs in an hour hurts a lot.

Eating 127 eggs in an hour hurts a lot.

21b – Make verbs agree in number with the subject.

Eating 127 eggs in an hour hurts a lot.

I locked myself out of the house this morning. Chasing after the cat.

I locked myself out of the house this morning chasing after the cat.

19 – Sentence fragments.

I locked myself out of the house this morning. Chasing after the cat.

Congress takes recess in January.

Congress takes recess in January.

21f – Treat collective nouns as singular unless the meaning is clearly plural.

Congress takes recess in January.

In the dictionary, it defines truculent as aggressively hostile or belligerent.

The dictionary defines truculent as aggressively hostile or belligerent.

23d – We all know this one by now.

In the dictionary, it defines truculent as aggressively hostile or belligerent.

Jimmy, along with the entire cheerleading squad, were caught in the locker room.

Jimmy, along with the entire cheerleading squad, was caught in the locker room.

21b – Phrases like as well as, in addition to, accompanied by, together with, and along with do not make a singular subject plural.

Jimmy, along with the entire cheerleading squad, were caught in the locker room.

In New York is found the Statue of Liberty and the U.N.

In New York are found the Statue of Liberty and the U.N.

21g – Make verb agree with subject even when subject follows the verb.

In New York is found the Statue of Liberty and the U.N.

Prunella ran away crying because her mother and her argued again.

Prunella ran away crying because her mother and she argued again.

24a – Strip-away test.

Prunella ran away crying because her mother and her argued again.

Management is usually unconcerned about we peons.

Management is usually unconcerned about us peons.

24d – Strip-away test.

Management is usually unconcerned about we peons.

2008 was a very wet year, it set records for rainfall.

2008 was a very wet year; it set records for rainfall.

20 – Comma splice.

2008 was a very wet year, it set records for rainfall.

Which of these two dresses looks best on me?

Which of these two dresses looks better on me?

26c – Use comparative to compare two things, the superlative for three or more.

Which of these two dresses looks best on me?

Clarice and Hannibal had went out to dinner last week.

Clarice and Hannibal (went/had gone) out to dinner last week.

27 – Simple past (went) or past perfect (had gone), but not both.

Clarice and Hannibal had went out to dinner last week.

The two best students, Bettina and me, each got to skip the final.

The two best students, Bettina and I, each got to skip the final.

24b – Strip-away test.

The two best students, Bettina and me, each got to skip the final.

College is very demanding, but we accept this as a necessary evil.

College is very demanding, but we accept this insert noun here as a necessary evil.

23b – Never leave a vague pronoun standing alone. Ever.

College is very demanding, but we accept this as a necessary evil.

When someone is drunk, they can do some crazy things.

When someone is drunk, he or she can do some crazy things.

22a – Pronoun-antecedent agreement.

When someone is drunk, they can do some crazy things.

Toby looks real slim now that he’s lost 142 pounds.

Toby looks really slim now that he’s lost 142 pounds.

26a – Use adverbs, not adjectives, to modify verbs.

Toby looks real slim now that he’s lost 142 pounds.

The man with three noses was more unique than anything else we saw at the carnival.

The man with three noses was more unique (need to change this phrase) than anything else we saw at the carnival.

26d – Do not use modifiers for absolute concepts.

The man with three noses was more unique than anything else we saw at the carnival.

Rules of the Road states that you should always yield to the car arriving at a four-way stop first.

Rules of the Road states that drivers should always yield to the car arriving at a four-way stop first.

23d – Generally, avoid using “you.”

Rules of the Road states that you should always yield to the car arriving at a four-way stop first.

The car ran perfect after we spent all week tuning the motor.

The car ran perfectly after we spent all week tuning the motor.

26a – Use adverbs, not adjectives, to modify verbs.

The car ran perfect after we spent all week tuning the motor.

If I was rich, I’d buy all of you a gold-plated pizza.

If I were rich, I’d buy all of you a gold-plated pizza.

27g – Use the subjunctive with contrary-to-fact clauses beginning with if.

If I was rich, I’d buy all of you a gold-plated pizza.

Usage

Benjie bought Rogaine because he was starting to (loose, lose) his hair.

Benjie bought Rogaine because he was starting to lose his hair.

Ralph threw up on (Principle, Principal) Skinner.

Ralph threw up on Principal Skinner.

Conrad has been taking disco dancing lessons to (assure, ensure, insure) he would meet babes at the homecoming dance.

Conrad has been taking disco dancing lessons to ensure he would meet babes at the homecoming dance.

Eating the broccoli had an (adverse, averse) (affect, effect) on Sylvia later that night.

Eating the broccoli had an adverse effect on Sylvia later that night.

In the broad jump, Janet jumped (further, farther) (then, than) she had ever jumped before.

In the broad jump, Janet jumped farther than she had ever jumped before.

All the potatoes went on strike, so the Irish (preceded, proceeded) to (emigrate, immigrate) to America.

All the potatoes went on strike, so the Irish proceeded to immigrate to America.

Constance runs background checks on all her (prospective, perspective) dates to determine (whether, weather) they make enough money to suit her desires.

Constance runs background checks on all her prospective dates to determine whether they make enough money to suit her desires.

Philip was suppose to (discreetly, discretely) find out (whose, who’s) pants were left behind at the governor’s inauguration ball.

Philip was supposed to discreetly find out whose pants were left behind at the governor’s inauguration ball.

Stanley hoped to (elicit, illicit) a large (number, amount) of (compliments, complements) at the party, being that he was trying the old sock-in-the-pants trick.

Stanley hoped to elicit a large number of compliments at the party, since he was trying the old sock-in-the-pants trick.

SWOOSH!

After it’s climatic crash to Earth, the meteorite was to hot to handle.

After its climactic crash to Earth, the meteorite was too hot to handle.

Several civil rights groups expressed there indignation when they spotted the angle hanging from the capitol building.

Several civil rights groups expressed their indignation when they spotted the angel hanging from the capitol (ok) building.

Lucinda moved foreward with her plans to increase company moral by taking an active roll in the annual company egg toss.

Lucinda moved forward with her plans to increase company morale by taking an active role in the annual company egg toss.

Excepting the allusion that you’re existence has significance is the first step towards a life of blissful ignorance.

Accepting the illusion that your existence has significance is the first step toward a life of blissful ignorance.

Finis