Writing for Thinking
Elementary Rule of Usage 4: Place a comma before a conjunction introducing an independent clause.
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Elementary Rule of Usage 7: Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list of particulars, an appositive, an amplification, or an illustrative quotation.
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A colon may be used to separate the hour from minutes in a notation of time.
Correct
A colon tells the reader that what follows is closely related to the preceding clase.
Correct
A name or title in a direct address is parenthetic.
Correct
A nonrestrictive clause does not limit or define; it merely adds something.
Correct
A singular subject remains singular even if other nouns are connected to it by "with, as well as, in addition to, except, together with, and no less than."
Correct
Avoid "understood" verbs by supplying them.
Correct
Carefully proof your written work: find and fix any mistakes.
Correct
Circle clustering provides a two-step strategy for identifying connections among sub-ideas and their relationship to the main (major) ideas and to each other.
Correct
Correctly punctuated: The bittersweet flavor of youth- its trials, its joys, its adventures, its challenges- is not soon forgotten.
Correct
Elementary Rule of Usage 10: Use the proper case of a pronoun.
Correct
Elementary Rule of Usage 2: In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last.
Correct
Elementary Rule of Usage 5: Do not join independent clauses with a comma.
Correct
Elementary Rule of Usage 9: The number of the subject determines the number of the verb.
Correct
Elementary Rule of Usage: Do not break sentences in two.
Correct
Everybody thinks he has a unique sense of humor.
Correct
Grammatically speaking the term "subordinate clause" may be defined as follows: a clause dependent on the main clause in a sentence.
Correct
Grammatically speaking, the term "antecedent" may be defined as follows: the noun to which a pronoun refers.
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Grammatically speaking, the term "subordinate clause" refers to a clause dependent on the main clause of the sentence.
Correct
I think Bob admires Joan more than I do.
Correct
If the interruption of a single word or brief phrase to the flow of the sentence is slight, the comma may be omitted.
Correct
In the hierarchy of formal outlines, the abbreviated outline stands between the preliminary outline and the comprehensive outline.
Correct
In writing an essay, the thesis statement introduces the reader to the purpose of the essay.
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Join two independent clauses with a colon if the second amplifies or interprets the first.
Correct
Nonrestrictive relative clause is one that does not serves to identify or define the antecedent noun.
Correct
Nonrestrictive relative clauses are parenthetic and need to be set off by commas.
Correct
Participial phrases preceded by a conjunction or by a preposition, nouns in the apposition, adjectives, and adjective phrases come under rule number 11 if they begin the sentence.
Correct
Revising, rewriting, and editing represent critical aspects in the writing process.
Correct
Strunk contended that: "Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences..."
Correct
Strunk tried to "cut the vast tangle of English rhetoric down to size and write its rules and principles on the head of a pen."
Correct
The comprehensive outline is carried out to more levels of detail than the abbreviated outline.
Correct
The following statement is correctly punctuated: The squalor of the streets reminded her of a line from Oscar Wilde: "We are in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."
Correct
The four paragraph essay consists of an introductory paragraph, two body paragraphs presenting major points and supporting details, and a concluding paragraph.
Correct
The personal pronouns, as well as the pronoun "who", change form as they function as subjects or objects.
Correct
The preliminary outline is a sentence outline which provides the framework for constructing written work.
Correct
The semicolon is the proper mark of punctuation for joining two or more clauses grammatically complete that are not joined by a conjunction
Correct
The term "blue-sky" refers to brainstorming ideas for a piece of writing through open-minded spontaneous thinking. (i.e. as wide and clear as the blue sky)
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The term junior (abbreviation Jr.) following a person's name is restrictive and not in need of a comma (ex. James Wright Jr.)
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Use two independent clauses within a colon if the second interprets or amplifies the first.
Correct
Walking slowly down the road, he saw a woman accompanied by two children.
Correct
When "who" introduces a subordinate clause, its case depends on its function in that clause.
Correct
White believes that The Elements of Style text contains: "Rich deposits of gold."
Correct
A colon may not introduce a quotation that supports or contributes to the preceding clause.
Incorrect
A dash is a mark of separation weaker than a comma.
Incorrect
A linking verb doesn't agree with the number of its subject.
Incorrect
A restrictive clause should be set off by commas
Incorrect
According to Roger Angell, writing is easy, especially for authors who do it all the time.
Incorrect
Elementary Rule of Usage 11: A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence doesn't need to refer to the grammatical subject.
Incorrect
Elementary Rule of Usage 1: Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding an apostrophe. (ex. Charles' friend will be here soon.)
Incorrect
Elementary Rule of Usage 3: Enclose parenthetic expressions between quotation marks. (The term parenthetic is defined as "to set off within.")
Incorrect
Indefinite pronouns never use the apostrophe to show possession. (ex. one's rights)
Incorrect
Majorie's husband, Colonel Nelson paid us a visit.
Incorrect
Mary Shelly's works are entertaining, they are full of engaging ideas.
Incorrect
People, who live in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones.
Incorrect
Rule of Usage 7: Use a semicolon after an independent clause to introduce a list of particulars, an appositive, amplification or quotation.
Incorrect
Subject and verb agree in the following sentence: "The guitarist and drummer was walking to Lee Hall."
Incorrect
The best way to see a country, unless you are pressed for time is to travel on foot.
Incorrect
The following sentence presents an appropriate example of how a restrictive clause should be punctuated: People, sitting in the rear, couldn't hear.
Incorrect
The following sentence represents an appropriate example of how a nonrestrictive clause should be punctuated: The audience which at first been indifferent became more and more interested.
Incorrect
The pronoun is grammatically correct in the following sentence: The culprit, it turned out, was him.
Incorrect
The subject and verb agree in the following sentence: His speech as well as his manner are objective.
Incorrect
Use a plural verb after "each, either, everyone, everybody, neither, nobody and someone."
Incorrect
When the main clause of a sentence is preceded by a phrase or subordinate clause, do not use a comma to set off these elements.
Incorrect
Strunk's original work contained 8 rules of usage, 11 principles of composition, a few matters of form, and a list of words and expressions commonly misused.
Incorrect- 7 rules of usage not 8
A compound subject formed of two or more nouns joined by "and" almost always requires a singular verb.
Incorrect.
Give this work to whomever looks idle.
Incorrect.
In a preliminary outline, state your major points as word fragments.
Incorrect.
The pronominal nouns (ex. hers its theirs yours and ours) require an apostrophe.
Incorrect.