Exam 1

Choose the best answer. (Agreement Rules) A.) The media are necessary if anyone is to get the news he or she needs. B.) The media are necessary if anyone is to get the news they need. C.) The media is necessary if anyone is to get the news he or she needs. 9.) The media is necessary if anyone is to get the news they need.

A.) The media are necessary if anyone is to get the news he or she needs. A. Excellent! First, you correctly discerned that "media" is plural (the singular is "medium"), so the word requires the plural verb "are." Second, you correctly noted that "anyone" is singular, which means the pronoun that refers to it must be singular (he or she needs) rather than plural (they need).

What is a Subjunctive Mood for Verbs?

A verb is in the subjunctive mood when it expresses a condition which is doubtful or not factual. It is most often found in a clause beginning with the word if. It is also found in clauses following a verb that expresses a doubt, a wish, regret, request, demand, or proposal.

Choose the best answer. (Serial Comma) A.) Americans are loyal to the red, white and blue. b.) Americans are loyal to the red, white, and blue.

A. Correct - if you are in a journalism-sequence class. No comma is used before the last item in a series, with three exceptions. If you have forgotten those three exceptions, review the lesson again. However, if you are not in a journalism sequence, you should have chosen B and inserted a comma before "and." B. Correct - if you are not in a journalism sequence. For you, a comma is always used before the last item in a series. However, if you are in a journalism sequence, you should have chosen A, without a final serial comma.

Choose the best answer. (Recognizing Subjects) A.) All of our votes, including yours, are being tabulated. B.) All of our votes, including yours, is being tabulated.

A.) All of our votes, including yours, are being tabulated. A. Excellent! You were not fooled by the words that came between the subject and the verb. The phrase inside commas, "including yours," can be ignored, and "votes" cannot be the subject because it is being used as the object of the preposition "of." The subject is "all," which is plural, and thus takes the plural verb "are."

Choose the best answer. (Verb Abuse) A.) Bill could have sworn that Cheri used Windex on the table. B.) Bill could have sworn that Cheri Windexed the table. C.) Bill could of sworn that Cheri used Windex on the table. D.) Bill could of sworn that Cheri Windexed the table.

A.) Bill could have sworn that Cheri used Windex on the table. A. Excellent! First, you used the correct verb "could have" rather than the colloquial "could of" used in everyday speech. Second, you avoided turning Windex, a brand name for a window cleaner and thus a noun, into a verb.

Choose the best answer. (Descriptives) A.) Freelancers often rely on a writers guide. B.) Freelancers often rely on a writer's guide. C.) Freelancers often rely on a writers' guide.

A.) Freelancers often rely on a writers guide. A. Excellent! The word "writers" is used here to describe the kind of guide and thus does not have an apostrophe; it is not possessive.

Choose the best answer. (Subject vs. Object) A.) If Jim loves Pam, then he loves her. B.) If Jim loves Pam, then he loves she. C.) If Jim loves Pam, then him loves her. D.) If Jim loves Pam, then him loves she.

A.) If Jim loves Pam, then he loves her. A. Excellent! Perhaps you knew that the he/him choice involves a pronoun used as a subject and thus must be "he," and that the her/she choice involves a pronoun used as an object and thus must be "her." Or more easily, isolate the pronoun and trust your ear to get it right: "He loves Pam" and "Jim loves her."

Choose the best answer. (Compound Subjects and Objects) A.) Kevin and he will get pizza for Lisa and her. B.) Kevin and he will get pizza for Lisa and she. C.) Kevin and him will get pizza for Lisa and her. D.) Kevin and him will get pizza for Lisa and she.

A.) Kevin and he will get pizza for Lisa and her. A. Excellent! You probably knew that you had two ways to solve this puzzle. You can determine whether the pronouns are used as a subject (as is the case with the he/him choice) or as objects (the her/she choice is an object for the preposition "for"). Or, you can get rid of the other person, isolate the pronoun and trust your ear: "he/him will get pizza" (he) or "pizza for her/she" (her).

Choose the best answer. (Singular Words that Sound Plural) A.) Krispy Kreme said it would give a donut to anyone with a ticket stub if the Tampa Bay Storm win. B.) Krispy Kreme said it would give a donut to anyone with a ticket stub if the Tampa Bay Storm wins. C.) Krispy Kreme said they would give a donut to anyone with a ticket stub if the Tampa Bay Storm win. D.) Krispy Kreme said they would give a donut to anyone with a ticket stub if the Tampa Bay Storm wins.

A.) Krispy Kreme said it would give a donut to anyone with a ticket stub if the Tampa Bay Storm win. A. Excellent! First, "Krispy Kreme" is a business name and thus singular, so it takes the singular pronoun, "it." Second, "Storm" is a team name and thus plural, so the word takes the plural verb "win." (Remember that you can determine whether to use "win" or "wins" by determining that the subject (Storm) is plural, and then substitute a familiar plural subject (they) to determine which verb to use. Would you say "they wins"? No, you'd say "they win." Thus, the plural verb is "win.")

Choose the best answer. (Colon) A.) Martha gave Felicia the grocery list: one gallon of milk, two dozen eggs and three loaves of bread. B.) Martha gave Felicia the grocery list: One gallon of milk, two dozen eggs and three loaves of bread. C.) Martha gave Felicia the grocery list, one gallon of milk, two dozen eggs and three loaves of bread. D.) Martha gave Felicia the grocery list. One gallon of milk, two dozen eggs and three loaves of bread.

A.) Martha gave Felicia the grocery list: one gallon of milk, two dozen eggs and three loaves of bread. A. Excellent! The colon is used to announce. And unless the first word following the colon is a proper noun, it is capitalized only if it begins an independent clause, and this one cannot stand on its own.

Choose the best answer. (None: Singular or Plural) A.) None of the staffers was attending to his or her duties. B.) None of the staffers was attending to their duties. C.) None of the staffers were attending to his or her duties. D.) None of the staffers were attending to their duties.

A.) None of the staffers was attending to his or her duties. A. Excellent! "None" is used here to mean "no single one" and is singular. Therefore, it requires the singular verb "was" and the singular pronouns "his or her."

Choose the best answer. (Introductory Clause) A.) Referring to the textbook, the professor listed the chapters covered on the exam. B.) Speaking rapidly, the listener cannot understand what is being said. C.) Driving through the countryside, patience can be rewarded with beautiful scenery. D.) Listening carefully, the speaker's intent can be discerned by what was unsaid.

A.) Referring to the textbook, the professor listed the chapters covered on the exam. A. Excellent! The professor is referring to the textbook, so the introductory clause is placed next to the correct modifier.

Choose the best answer. (Conjunctions and Compound Sentences) A.) Tonya told her sons to leave their shoes outside and come to dinner. B.) Tonya told her sons to leave their shoes outside, and come to dinner. C.) Tonya told her sons to leave their shoes outside; and come to dinner. D.) Tonya told her sons to leave their shoes outside ... and come to dinner.

A.) Tonya told her sons to leave their shoes outside and come to dinner. A. Excellent! You correctly discerned that no comma is used in this compound sentence because what follows the conjunction "and" is not an independent clause - it cannot stand on its own.

What is Active Voice

Active voice is a grammatical voice common in many of the world's languages. It is the unmarked voice for clauses featuring a transitive verb in nominative-accusative languages, including English and most other Indo-European languages. Active voice is used in a clause whose subject expresses the agent of the main verb.

Module 11 Practice Questions .

Affect/Effect

Module 8 Practice Questions .

Agreement

Module 4 Practice Questions .

Apostrophe

Choose the best answer. (Semicolon) A.) Sylvia invited her maternal grandmother, Sophia, her parents, Luke and Leia, her twin sister, Delores, and her husband, William. B.) Sylvia invited her maternal grandmother, Sophia; her parents, Luke and Leia, her twin sister, Delores, and her husband, William. C.) Sylvia invited her maternal grandmother, Sophia; her parents, Luke and Leia; her twin sister, Delores, and her husband, William. D.) Sylvia invited her maternal grandmother, Sophia; her parents, Luke and Leia; her twin sister, Delores; and her husband, William.

Apostrophe D. Excellent! You've sensed that semicolons are needed to group words together to avoid a mistaken impression that, for example, her maternal grandmother and Sophie are two different people. And you have correctly discerned that once semicolons are used to group words together, they must be used throughout the rest of the sentence.

Choose the best answer. (Q5) A.) The saying about lying a baby on their stomach turns out to make little difference in its health. B.) The saying about laying a baby on his or her stomach turns out to make little difference in its health. C.) The saying about lying a baby on his or her stomach turns out to make little difference in its health. D.) The saying about laying a baby on their stomach turns out to make little difference in its health.

B.) The saying about laying a baby on his or her stomach turns out to make little difference in its health.

Choose the best answer. (Quotations) A.) The toddler declared that he "wanted his Cheerios" and added emphatically "Now!" B.) The toddler declared that he "wanted his Cheerios" and added emphatically, "Now!" C.) The toddler declared that he, "wanted his Cheerios," and added emphatically "Now!" D.) The toddler declared that he, "wanted his Cheerios," and added emphatically, "Now!"

B.) The toddler declared that he "wanted his Cheerios" and added emphatically, "Now!" B. Excellent! You have correctly discerned that no commas appear around the first quotation because the sentence does not shift markedly from the speaker to the quotation. Likewise, you discerned that such a shift does occur at the end of the sentence, which is why a comma is needed before "Now!" (Also note that the exclamation point is within the quotation marks because it belongs to the words within those marks.)

Choose the best answer. (Modifier Placement) A.) The wading pool was so cold that the lifeguards decided that only swimmers could be in the pool for 10 minutes at a time. B.) The wading pool was so cold that the lifeguards decided that swimmers could be in the pool for only 10 minutes at a time.

B.) The wading pool was so cold that the lifeguards decided that swimmers could be in the pool for only 10 minutes at a time. B. Excellent! The word "only" modifies what immediately follows, which in this case is "10 minutes." That interpretation fits the context of a sentence involving a wading pool.

Choose the best answer. (Putting It All Together & Practice) A.) The Kroc family is searching for a hotel that has a five-star rating near a forest that has several hiking trails. B.) The Kroc family is searching for a hotel that has a five-star rating near a forest, which has several hiking trails. C.) The Kroc family is searching for a hotel, which has a five-star rating, near a forest that has several hiking trails. D.) The Kroc family is searching for a hotel, which has a five-star rating, near a forest, which has several hiking trails.

A.) The Kroc family is searching for a hotel that has a five-star rating near a forest that has several hiking trails. A. Excellent! First, you correctly discerned that the phrase about a five-star rating is essential for understanding the kind of hotel the Krocs (note plural, not possessive) are seeking. Second, you applied the same reasoning to the phrase about the hiking trails, which not all forests have.

Module 9 Practice Questions .

Pronoun Case

Choose the best answer. (Nonessential Phrases) A.) Samuel's wife Rebecca and her twin sister Amelia are going on a cruise. B.) Samuel's wife Rebecca and her twin sister, Amelia, are going on a cruise. C.) Samuel's wife, Rebecca, and her twin sister Amelia are going on a cruise. D.) Samuel's wife, Rebecca, and her twin sister, Amelia, are going on a cruise.

D.) Samuel's wife, Rebecca, and her twin sister, Amelia, are going on a cruise. D. Excellent! Commas are needed around both of these nonessential words because Samuel has only one wife and Rebecca has only one twin sister. (You'll learn about essential phrases in in Module 6.)

Module 10 Quiz .

Quiz Lay/Lie

What is a Clear Antecedents?

Usage - Pronoun Reference. A pronoun is a word used to stand for (or take the place of) a noun. A pronoun should refer clearly to one, clear, unmistakable noun coming before the pronoun. This noun is called the pronoun's antecedent.

Colon

Use a colon [ : ] before a list or an explanation that is preceded by a clause that can stand by itself. Think of the colon as a gate, inviting one to go on:

What is Verb Abuse?

Verbal abuse (also known as reviling or " verbal bullying") is described as a negative defining statement told to the victim or about the victim, or by withholding any response, thereby defining the target as non-existent.

What is a linking verb?

A Linking verbs are usually followed by a subject complement--a noun, pronoun, or adjective that refers to and describes, or means the same as, the subject. 5) EXAMPLES OF COMMON LINKING VERBS (SC=subject complement): SC John is President.

What is a Dash?

A mark of punctuation (—), technically known as an em dash, used to set off a word or phrase after an independent clause or to set off a parenthetical remark (i.e., words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence). See Examples and Observations, below. Don't confuse the dash (—) with the hyphen (-).

What is a Modifier Placement?

A modifier is a word or phrase that adds detail or description to a sentence. In the example sentences below, the modifiers are underlined. I walked in and out of dozens of stores yesterday, searching for the perfect purse. Shopping with Lisa today, I found a great purse.

What is a Period?

A period is a full stop. It marks the end of a sentence. It marks the end of an idea or a thought. It marks the end of an action. After a period, something entirely new begins. It's final: nothing is up for debate.

What is a run-on sentence

A run-on is a sentence in which two or more independent clauses (i.e., complete sentences) are joined without an appropriate punctuation or conjunction.

What is an Action Verb?

An action verb is a verb that expresses physical or mental action. The action verb tells us what the subject of our clause or sentence is doing-physically or mentally. Examples of Action Verbs: To find an action verb: 1) Find the word in the sentence that is something someone or something can do.

What is an Ellipsis

An ellipsis (plural: ellipses) is a punctuation mark consisting of three dots. Use an ellipsis when omitting a word, phrase, line, paragraph, or more from a quoted passage. Ellipses save space or remove material that is less relevant.

Choose the best answer. (Affect and Effect Practice) A.) Because alcohol can affect cognitive processing, use caution when evaluating the full affect of a well-lubricated dinner. B.) Because alcohol can affect cognitive processing, use caution when evaluating the full effect of a well-lubricated dinner. C.) Because alcohol can effect cognitive processing, use caution when evaluating the full affect of a well-lubricated dinner. D.) Because alcohol can effect cognitive processing, use caution when evaluating the full effect of a well-lubricated dinner.

B.) Because alcohol can affect cognitive processing, use caution when evaluating the full effect of a well-lubricated dinner. B. Excellent! You correctly discerned the first use of the word in this sentence to be "affect" because it is used as a verb (for a clue, note the helper verb "can") and its meaning is to influence. And you correctly noted the second use of the word in the sentence is as a noun (note the article "a" right before it) and thus has to be "effect."

Choose the best answer. (Clauses Without That, Which or Who) A.) Carlos and his neighbor Enrique are going to visit Talia's husband Jeremy. B.) Carlos and his neighbor Enrique are going to visit Talia's husband, Jeremy. C.) Carlos and his neighbor, Enrique, are going to visit Talia's husband Jeremy. D.) Carlos and his neighbor, Enrique, are going to visit Talia's husband, Jeremy.

B.) Carlos and his neighbor Enrique are going to visit Talia's husband, Jeremy. B. Excellent! First, you correctly discerned that "Enrique" is essential here (and thus has no commas) because Carlos would have more than one neighbor. Second, you correctly determined that "Jeremy" is nonessential (and thus requires a comma, which acts like a knife) because we could remove his name from the sentence and not change its meaning.

Choose the best answer. (Active Voice) A.) After customers complained, the policy was revised to allow users more control over how city government kept voting records. B.) Changes were made by Google in its search algorithms that satisfied the Chinese government.

B.) Changes were made by Google in its search algorithms that satisfied the Chinese government. B. Excellent! Although the sentence would read better if the change agent were placed at the beginning of the sentence ("Google made changes in its ..."), the actor (Google) is specified.

Choose the best answer. ("Dead" Construction) A.) There is much hope that the cookies will not be burned; Emily's mother is making the cookies. B.) Emily's mother hopes that the cookies she is making will not be burned. C.) Because Emily's mother is making cookies, there is hope they will not be burned. D.) Emily's mother is making cookies; it is hoped they will not be burned.

B.) Emily's mother hopes that the cookies she is making will not be burned. B. Excellent! The sentence does not contain any "there" or "it" phrases that lack antecedents.

Choose the best answer. (Comparisons) A.) Erica is a better soccer player than her. B.) Erica is a better soccer player than she

B.) Erica is a better soccer player than she B. Excellent! You knew that you had to finish the comparison. In this case, we need to add the implicit "is" to the end of the sentence: "Erica is a better soccer player than her/she is." When we do, our ear tells the answer is "she."

Choose the best answer. (Sentence Fragments) A.) Dude! B.) Go, Gators! C.) For these are the times that try men's souls. D.) When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them.

B.) Go, Gators! B. Excellent! This sentence has a verb, "go," and an implied subject, "you," as in: "You go, Gators!"

Choose the best answer.(Run-on Sentences) A.) The restaurant seated the guests next to the kitchen, the view was great. B.) The restaurant seated the guests next to the kitchen; the view was great.

B.) The restaurant seated the guests next to the kitchen; the view was great. B. Excellent! A semicolon acts like a period to separate these two independent clauses.

Choose the best answer. (Essential vs. Nonessential Clauses) A.) Greg's friend John is an avid fan of rugby a sport popular in Australia. B.) Greg's friend John is an avid fan of rugby, a sport popular in Australia. C.) Greg's friend, John, is an avid fan of ruby a sport popular in Australia. D.) Greg's friend, John, is an avid fan of rugby, a sport popular in Australia.

B.) Greg's friend John is an avid fan of rugby, a sport popular in Australia. B. Excellent! First, you correctly discerned that no commas should appear around "John" because the word is nonessential; without it, we wouldn't know which friend is being discussed. Second, you correctly identified that a comma should appear before the final phrase because it is nonessential to our understanding of rugby.

Choose the best answer. (Compound Subjects) A.) f Superman and Batman are seen together, the Avengers or Spiderman are likely to complain. B.) If Superman and Batman are seen together, the Avengers or Spiderman is likely to complain. C.) If Superman and Batman is seen together, the Avengers or Spiderman are likely to complain. D.) If Superman and Batman is seen together, the Avengers or Spiderman is likely to complain.

B.) If Superman and Batman are seen together, the Avengers or Spiderman is likely to complain. B. Excellent! The first two subjects, Superman and Batman, require the plural verb "are" because they are joined by "and" (think 1 + 1 = 2). Also, the next two subjects are joined by "or," which means the second subject determines agreement, and "Spiderman" is singular.

Choose the best answer. (Quotation Meaning) A.) In dedicating the monument to the heroes of the Korean War, the mayor declared, the forgotten war is forgotten no more! B.) In dedicating the monument to the heroes of the Korean War, the mayor declared, "The forgotten war is forgotten no more!" C.) In dedicating the monument to the "heroes" of the Korean War, the mayor declared, the forgotten war is forgotten no more! D.) In dedicating the monument to the "heroes" of the Korean War, the mayor declared, "The forgotten war is forgotten no more!"

B.) In dedicating the monument to the heroes of the Korean War, the mayor declared, "The forgotten war is forgotten no more!" B. Excellent! First, you correctly discerned that placing quotation marks around "heroes" would convey a mocking tone that is inconsistent with the context of the sentence. Second, you knew that the words following "declared" are a direct quotation and thus require quote marks.

Choose the best answer. (Key Parts of Sentences) A.) In the 1960s, a group of U.S. scientists was enlisted to ensure America was the first to land a human being on the moon. Because of the Cold War. B.) In the 1960s, a group of U.S. scientists was enlisted to ensure America was the first to land a human being on the moon because of the Cold War. C.) In the 1960s, a group of U.S. scientists were enlisted to ensure America was the first to land a human being on the moon. Because of the Cold War. D.) In the 1960s, a group of U.S. scientists were enlisted to ensure America was the first to land a human being on the moon because of the Cold War.

B.) In the 1960s, a group of U.S. scientists was enlisted to ensure America was the first to land a human being on the moon because of the Cold War. B. Excellent! You correctly discerned the was/were choice involved matching that verb to the subject, which in this sentence is "group" (singular) and not "scientists," which is the object of a preposition. And you know that "because of the Cold War" is not a complete sentence; it cannot stand on its own.

Choose the best answer. (Key Parts of Speech) A.) Kim Kardashian is a daughter of parents who behaved wreckless. B.) Kim Kardashian is a daughter of parents who behaved wrecklessly. C.) Kim Kardashian is the daughter of parents who behaved wreckless. D.) Kim Kardashian is the daughter of parents who behaved wrecklessly.

B.) Kim Kardashian is a daughter of parents who behaved wrecklessly. B. Correct! You correctly chose "a" daughter rather than "the" daughter because she has sisters. You also discerned that "behaved" is an action verb, so the modifier that follows it must be an adverb, "wrecklessly."

Choose the best answer. Which of the following word pairs has NOT been discussed in this course? A.) Lay/lie B.) Lose/loose C.) That/which D.)Who/whom

B.) Lose/loose B. Excellent! We have not discussed this word pair because it is rarely confused. Most people know that "lose" usually means the opposite of win (lose the game) or to get rid of (lose his shirt) while "loose" usually means unconfined (loose-fit slacks) or unattached (a loose button).

Choose the best answer. (Parentheses) A.) Morris fasted for Yom Kippur (an observance to atone for sins.) B.) Morris fasted for Yom Kippur (an observance to atone for sins). C.) Morris fasted for Yom Kippur (An observance to atone for sins.) D.) Morris fasted for Yom Kippur (An observance to atone for sins).

B.) Morris fasted for Yom Kippur (an observance to atone for sins). B. Excellent! You have correctly identified that "an" should not be capitalized because it does not start a complete sentence. And you have correctly placed the period outside the ending parentheses because the material within parentheses is not a separate sentence.

Choose the best answer. (Period) A.) Long sentences such as this one, with dependent clauses and a series of detailed phrases offering erudite expressions befitting a learned vocabulary, are ideal for writers because they demand concentration from readers and affirm the author's prowess in communicating messages. B.) Shorter sentences foster comprehension.

B.) Shorter sentences foster comprehension. B. Excellent! In writing, short is sweet.

Choose the best answer. (Equal Adjectives) A.) The family wants to live in a red brick house with a quiet private yard. B.) The family wants to live in a red brick house with a quiet, private yard. C.) The family wants to live in a red, brick house with a quiet private yard. D.) The family wants to live in a red, brick house with a quiet, private yard.

B.) The family wants to live in a red brick house with a quiet, private yard. B. Excellent! You correctly discerned that "red" and "brick" are not equal adjectives because you would not say a "brick and red" house. (Also, the adjectives are not of the same rank; one is a color and one is a material.) Further, you correctly noted that a comma is needed between "quiet" and "private" because you could describe it as a

Choose the best answer. (Clear Antecedents) A.) Although the neighbor's dog noticed the skunk in the back yard, it did not seem to care. B.) The neighbor's dog did not seem to care when it noticed the skunk in the back yard.

B.) The neighbor's dog did not seem to care when it noticed the skunk in the back yard. B. Excellent! This construction leaves no ambiguity about whether the dog or the skunk is ambivalent about the other.

Choose the best answer. A.) With fewer than 10 days remaining in the semester, Sophia devoted literally all of her waking hours to finishing projects she had put off all term. B.) With fewer than 10 days remaining in the semester, Sophia devoted all of her waking hours to finishing projects she had put off all term. C.) With less than 10 days remaining in the semester, Sophia devoted literally all of her waking hours to finishing projects she had put off all term. D.) With less than 10 days remaining in the semester, Sophia devoted all of her waking hours to finishing projects she had put off all term.

B.) With fewer than 10 days remaining in the semester, Sophia devoted all of her waking hours to finishing projects she had put off all term. B. Excellent! You correctly chose "fewer" because 10 is countable (fingers = fewer). And you avoided the common misuse of literal as a superlative. "Literally" has only one meaning: to the letter, as in "a literal interpretation of Genesis."

Choose the best answer. (Ellipsis) A.) Adapting Julius Caesar's famous phrase, Maria said she came, she saw . . . and then she conquered her fear of reciting the Gettysburg Address line about "four score and seven years ago...that all men are created equal." B.) Adapting Julius Caesar's famous phrase, Maria said she came, she saw...and then she conquered her fear of reciting the Gettysburg Address line about "four score and seven years ago -- that all men are created equal." C.) Adapting Julius Caesar's famous phrase, Maria said she came, she saw -- and then she conquered her fear of reciting the Gettysburg Address line about "four score and seven years ago...that all men are created equal." D.) Adapting Julius Caesar's famous phrase, Maria said she came, she saw -- and then she conquered her fear of reciting the Gettysburg Address line about "four score and seven years ago -- that all men are created equal."

C.) Adapting Julius Caesar's famous phrase, Maria said she came, she saw -- and then she conquered her fear of reciting the Gettysburg Address line about "four score and seven years ago...that all men are created equal." C. Excellent! You have correctly used the dash in the first part of the sentence to indicate a pause. And you have correctly used an ellipsis in the second half of the sentence to indicate an omission.

Choose the best answer. (Compound Modifiers) A.) As the boaters floated through the wake free zone, they saw a badly hurt manatee. B.) As the boaters floated through the wake free zone, they saw a badly-hurt manatee. C.) As the boaters floated through the wake-free zone, they saw a badly hurt manatee. D.) As the boaters floated through the wake-free zone, they saw a badly-hurt manatee.

C.) As the boaters floated through the wake-free zone, they saw a badly hurt manatee. C. Excellent! You correctly remembered that deciding whether two or more words form a compound modifier, the rule is whether one of the words could not stand on its own. That's true for two pairs of words here: "wake free" and "badly hurt." Then, a hyphen is used if the words appear before a noun or after a linking verb (in both of these cases, the words appear before the nouns they modify) and if each word is an adjective or is not an "ly" adverb or "very." Thus, "wake-free" has a hyphen while "badly hurt" does not, because "badly" is an "ly" adverb.

Choose the best answer. (Linking Verbs) A.) Brenda Starr acted courageous even when she looked fearful. B.) Brenda Starr acted courageous even when she looked fearfully. C.) Brenda Starr acted courageously even when she looked fearful. D.) Brenda Starr acted courageously even when she looked fearfully.

C.) Brenda Starr acted courageously even when she looked fearful. C. Excellent! You paired "acted," an action verb, with the adverb "courageously" while discerning that "looked" is used here as a linking verb to convey a state of being and thus requires an adjective, "fearful."

Choose the best answer. (Words that can be Singular or Plural) A.) Half of the battle are determining if part of the answers are correct. B.) Half of the battle are determining if part of the answers is correct. C.) Half of the battle is determining if part of the answers are correct. D.) Half of the battle is determining if part of the answers is correct.

C.) Half of the battle is determining if part of the answers are correct. C. Excellent! Both "half" and "part" are portion words, which means (in a rare exception to the "quart of strawberries" rule) that the object (not the subject) determines agreement. For "half," the object is "battle," which is singular, and takes the singular verb "is." However, for "part" the object is "answers," which is plural and takes the plural verb "are."

Choose the best answer. (Subjunctive Mood for Verbs) A.) If a student was in charge of UF, and if the head football coach was not paid more than $1 million, student tickets to games would be free. B.) If a student was in charge of UF, and if the head football coach were not paid more than $1 million, student tickets to games would be free. C.) If a student were in charge of UF, and if the head football coach was not paid more than $1 million, student tickets to games would be free. D.) If a student were in charge of UF, and if the head football coach were not paid more than $1 million, student tickets to games would be free.

C.) If a student were in charge of UF, and if the head football coach was not paid more than $1 million, student tickets to games would be free. C. Excellent! The first statement is contrary to fact and requires the verb to be in the subjunctive mood while the second statement is not contrary to fact and thus uses the regular verb "was."

Choose the best answer. (Q4) A.) Joy spoke firmly: lie down the chocolate and nobody gets hurt. B.) Joy spoke firmly: Lie down the chocolate and nobody gets hurt. C.) Joy spoke firmly: lay down the chocolate and nobody gets hurt. D.) Joy spoke firmly: Lay down the chocolate and nobody gets hurt.

D.) Joy spoke firmly: Lay down the chocolate and nobody gets hurt.

Choose the best answer. (Who and Whom) A.) Karen, who her boss recommends for the job, wonders who will interview her first. B.) Karen, who her boss recommends for the job, wonders whom will interview her first. C.) Karen, whom her boss recommends for the job, wonders who will interview her first. D.) Karen, whom her boss recommends for the job, wonders whom will interview her first.

C.) Karen, whom her boss recommends for the job, wonders who will interview her first. C. Excellent! When it comes to who or whom, the most reliable method is to determine if the word is used as a subject or an object. In this sentence, the first who/whom is the object of the verb "recommends" while the second is the subject of the verb "will interview." But if that method is difficult, you can use the he/him trick. For the first part, you'd say "her boss recommends him (whom)" while for the second part you'd say "he (who) will interview her."

Choose the best answer. (Hyphens by Rule) A.) Leonardo da Vinci was well known for his efficient water inventions. B.) Leonardo da Vinci was well known for his efficient-water inventions. C.) Leonardo da Vinci was well-known for his efficient water inventions. D.) Leonardo da Vinci was well-known for his efficient-water inventions.

C.) Leonardo da Vinci was well-known for his efficient water inventions. C. Excellent! First, you correctly observed that "well known" is a compound modifier that follows a linking verb and thus has a hyphen. Second, you correctly saw that "efficient water" is not a compound modifier (each word could stand alone: "efficient inventions" and "water inventions") and thus no hyphen would be considered.

Choose the best answer. (Hyphens for Clarity) A.) Mutilated currency examiners in the U.S. Treasury Department evaluated the $100 bills reassembled after a dog chewed them while traveling in a low Earth orbit. B.) Mutilated currency examiners in the U.S. Treasury Department evaluated the $100 bills reassembled after a dog chewed them while traveling in a low-Earth orbit. C.) Mutilated-currency examiners in the U.S. Treasury Department evaluated the $100 bills reassembled after a dog chewed them while traveling in a low Earth orbit. D.) Mutilated-currency examiners in the U.S. Treasury Department evaluated the $100 bills reassembled after a dog chewed them while traveling in a low-Earth orbit.

C.) Mutilated-currency examiners in the U.S. Treasury Department evaluated the $100 bills reassembled after a dog chewed them while traveling in a low Earth orbit. C. Excellent! First, you correctly discerned that a "mutilated currency examiner" would be an unfortunate soul perhaps lacking a foot or limb. A hyphen is needed to make clear that the currency, not the examiner, is mutilated. Second, you correctly noted that no hyphen should appear at the end of the sentence because the orbit is low, not the Earth; the two words do not form a compound modifier.

Choose the best answer. (That/Which vs. Who) A.) Parents that read newspapers like photos that stir emotion. B.) Parents that read newspapers like photos which stir emotion. C.) Parents who read newspapers like photos that stir emotion. D.) Parents who read newspapers like photos which stir emotion.

C.) Parents who read newspapers like photos that stir emotion. C. Excellent! First, you correctly observed that "parent" is a word that truly stands for a person, so the correct word is "who." Second, you correctly identified that the phrase about stirring emotions is an essential phrase describing the kinds of photos and thus requires a "that." (Also note that no comma is used with "that" but is with "which.")

Choose the best answer. A.) Rebecca could care less that her dress is not different from her friend's. B.) Rebecca could care less that her dress is not different than her friend's. C.) Rebecca could not care less that her dress is not different from her friend's. D.) Rebecca could not care less that her dress is not different than her friend's.

C.) Rebecca could not care less that her dress is not different from her friend's. C. Excellent! First, "could not care less" means she cares nothing, which is clearly the meaning here. Second, "different than" is never correct - only "different from" is right.

Choose the best answer. (Appositions) A.) Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama in February 1913. B.) Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama in February, 1913. C.) Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, in February 1913. D.) Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, in February, 1913.

C.) Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, in February 1913. C. Excellent! You correctly discerned that commas must appear around both sides of an apposition and that no comma is used between a month and a year unless the exact day (such as Feb. 4, 1913), is also used.

Choose the best answer. (Apostrophe Rules) A.) Sasha and Maria's closets look very different; one's is always tidy and the other looks like a month of Mondays. B.) Sasha and Maria's closets look very different; one's is always tidy and the other looks like a month of Monday's. C.) Sasha's and Maria's closets look very different; one's is always tidy and the other looks like a month of Mondays. D.) Sasha's and Maria's closets look very different; one's is always tidy and the other looks like a month of Monday's.

C.) Sasha's and Maria's closets look very different; one's is always tidy and the other looks like a month of Mondays. C. Excellent! You correctly discerned that "Sasha" needs to be possessive because she and Maria have distinct closets. And you correctly discerned that Mondays is plural, not possessive, and thus lacks an apostrophe.

Choose the best answer. (Parallel Construction) A.) The Chinese visitors went to the mall, bought several items on sale, and were eating at the food court. B.) The Chinese visitors concluded the merchandising techniques used at the mall were stimulating customers and affected sales. C.) The Chinese visitors will talk to the mall manager, interview three store clerks and recommend ways to improve the customer experience. D.) The Chinese visitors went to the food court, are finding everything to their liking, and returned some of the items they bought on sale.

C.) The Chinese visitors will talk to the mall manager, interview three store clerks and recommend ways to improve the customer experience. C. Excellent! The words "talk," "interview" and "recommend" are parallel.

Choose the best answer. (Q3) A.) No one knows better than she that trouble is laying around the bend. B.) No one knows better than her that trouble is laying around the bend. C.) No one knows better than her that trouble is lying around the bend. D.) No one knows better than she that trouble is lying around the bend.

D.) No one knows better than she that trouble is lying around the bend.

Choose the best answer. (Suspensive Hyphenation) A.) The Fiji cruise will be a three-to-four week trip with 150 to 200 passengers. B.) The Fiji cruise will be a three-to-four week trip with 150-to-200 passengers. C.) The Fiji cruise will be a three- to four-week trip with 150 to 200 passengers. D.) The Fiji cruise will be a three- to four-week trip with 150-to-200 passengers.

C.) The Fiji cruise will be a three- to four-week trip with 150 to 200 passengers. C. Excellent! First, you correctly noted the use of suspensive hyphenation because the word "week" after "three" is implied, and it forms a compound modifier. Second, you correctly observed that no hyphens should appear between 150 and 200 because those numbers are not modifying anything. Thus, "a 200-passenger boat" would have a hyphen because those two words modify "boat" while "a boat with 200 passengers" would not have a hyphen because no compound modifier exists.

Choose the best answer. (Q2) A.) The Miami Heat won't take this loss lying down - it will regroup and come back stronger next time. B.) The Miami Heat won't take this loss laying down - they will regroup and come back stronger next time. C.) The Miami Heat won't take this loss lying down - they will regroup and come back stronger next time. D.) The Miami Heat won't take this loss laying down - it will regroup and come back stronger next time.

C.) The Miami Heat won't take this loss lying down - they will regroup and come back stronger next time.

Choose the best answer. (Dash) A.) The answer is obvious-Peter committed the crime. B.) The answer is obvious--Peter committed the crime. C.) The answer is obvious - Peter committed the crime. D.) The answer is obvious, Peter committed the crime.

C.) The answer is obvious - Peter committed the crime. C. Excellent! You have chosen a dash, which is used to separate, surrounded by spaces.

Choose the best answer. (Action Verbs) A.) Tom talked rude and sounded crude. B.) Tom talked rude and sounded crudely. C.) Tom talked rudely and sounded crude. D.) Tom talked rudely and sounded crudely.

C.) Tom talked rudely and sounded crude. C. Excellent! "Talked" is an action verb and thus requires an adverb, "rudely." And as we'll learn more in the next chapter, "sounded" is not an action verb here; it is a linking verb and requires the adjective "crude."

Choose the best answer. (Plural Possessive) A.) When Janet Lewis and her siblings gather, the Lewis can be loud. B.) When Janet Lewis and her siblings gather, the Lewis' can be loud. C.) When Janet Lewis and her siblings gather, the Lewises can be loud. D.) When Janet Lewis and her siblings gather, the Lewises' can be loud.

C.) When Janet Lewis and her siblings gather, the Lewises can be loud. C. Excellent! The plural for Lewis is Lewises. No apostrophe is needed because the word is not used to possess anything. (An apostrophe would be needed if the sentence referred to, for example, the Lewises' party.)

Choose the best answer. ("Free" Modifiers) A.) In addition smart people make mistakes too. B.) In addition smart people make mistakes, too. C.) In addition, smart people make mistakes too. D.) In addition, smart people make mistakes, too.

D.) In addition, smart people make mistakes, too. D. Excellent! A comma is needed after "addition" to set off the introductory phrase and before "too" because the latter is a free modifier that would have commas around it no matter where it appeared in the sentence.

Module 5 Practice Questions .

Comma

Choose the best answer. (Affect and Effect Rules) A.) After Nelson Mandela helped affect an end to South African apartheid, his leadership in reconciliation had a powerful affect on the new nation. B.) After Nelson Mandela helped affect an end to South African apartheid, his leadership in reconciliation had a powerful effect on the new nation. C.) After Nelson Mandela helped effect an end to South African apartheid, his leadership in reconciliation had a powerful affect on the new nation. D.) After Nelson Mandela helped effect an end to South African apartheid, his leadership in reconciliation had a powerful effect on the new nation.

D.) After Nelson Mandela helped effect an end to South African apartheid, his leadership in reconciliation had a powerful effect on the new nation. D. Excellent! The first step in resolving affect/effect choices is to determine if the word is used as a noun or a verb. In the first instance, the presence of the helper verb "helped" lets us know the word is used as a verb. Because it is a verb, we have to decide if its meaning is to influence (affect) or to cause or produce (effect). Here it means to cause or produce, so the correct word is "effect." In the second instance, the article "a" signals that the word is used as a noun, which means we have no choice but to use "effect."

Choose the best answer. (Introductory Clauses) A.) After warming the oven place the cookie sheets on the middle tray, however be sure to protector your hands with oven mitts. B.) After warming the oven, place the cookie sheets on the middle tray, however be sure to protector your hands with oven mitts. C.) After warming the oven, place the cookie sheets on the middle tray, however, be sure to protector your hands with oven mitts. D.) After warming the oven, place the cookie sheets on the middle tray; however, be sure to protector your hands with oven mitts.

D.) After warming the oven, place the cookie sheets on the middle tray; however, be sure to protector your hands with oven mitts. D. Excellent! You correctly placed a comma after "oven" because what precedes it is an introductory clause, as is the word "however." More important, you knew that a semicolon was needed before "however" because what follows is an independent clause that can stand on its own.

Choose the best answer. (Q1) A.) Chef Jehnee Rains's advice is to lay the curry chicken on a bed of rice. B.) Chef Jehnee Rains's advice is to lie the curry chicken on a bed of rice. C.) Chef Jehnee Rains' advice is to lie the curry chicken on a bed of rice. D.) Chef Jehnee Rains' advice is to lay the curry chicken on a bed of rice.

D.) Chef Jehnee Rains' advice is to lay the curry chicken on a bed of rice.

Choose the best answer. (Comma Abuse) A.) Confederate Army General, Robert E. Lee, lost the war because the South was not as well equipped as the North. B.) Confederate Army General, Robert E. Lee, lost the war, because the South was not as well equipped as the North. C.) Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee lost the war, because the South was not as well equipped as the North. D.) Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee lost the war because the South was not as well equipped as the North.

D.) Confederate Army General Robert E. Lee lost the war because the South was not as well equipped as the North. D. Excellent! You correctly discerned that no commas should appear between a title and a name. And you also knew that no comma is used after war because what follows is not an independent clause - it cannot stand on its own.

Choose the best answer. (Lay and Lie) A.) If you want to lay out by the pool, you can lay on my beach towel. B.) If you want to lay out by the pool, you can lie on my beach towel. C.) If you want to lie out by the pool, you can lay on my beach towel. D.) If you want to lie out by the pool, you can lie on my beach towel.

D.) If you want to lie out by the pool, you can lie on my beach towel. D. Excellent! The key to using "lay" and "lie" correctly is to remember their meanings: "lay" means "place" (and is always placing something, or a direct object) and "lie" means "recline." Then, substitute those words in the sentence: "place" and "recline." Would you say "if you want to place out by the pool" or "if you want to recline out by the pool"? Likewise, would you say "you can place on my beach towel" or "you can recline on my beach towel"? In both cases, you would use the word "recline," so both words should be "lie."

Choose the best answer. (Quotation Marks & Punctuation) A.) Tom has seen the movie "The Dark Knight;" has he seen "The Dark Knight Rises?" B.) Tom has seen the movie "The Dark Knight;" has he seen "The Dark Knight Rises"? C.) Tom has seen the movie "The Dark Knight"; has he seen "The Dark Knight Rises?" D.) Tom has seen the movie "The Dark Knight"; has he seen "The Dark Knight Rises"?

D.) Tom has seen the movie "The Dark Knight"; has he seen "The Dark Knight Rises"? D. Excellent! You correctly discerned that a semicolon (along with a colon and a dash) always appears outside of quotation marks. And you correctly placed the question mark outside quotation marks because the movie title does not include a question.

Choose the best answer. (Comparisons) A.) The new football coach makes more money. B.) Pepsi introduced a new diet cola that tastes sweeter. C.) Some European nations have weathered the recession better. D.) UF undergraduate tuition is the lowest among research universities in the SEC.

D.) UF undergraduate tuition is the lowest among research universities in the SEC. D. Excellent! The comparison is clear: other research universities in the SEC.

Choose the best answer. (Lay and Lie Practice) A.) While laying on the sofa, Mark picked up the remote control and let it lay gently on the table. B.) While laying on the sofa, Mark picked up the remote control and let it lie gently on the table. C.) While lying on the sofa, Mark picked up the remote control and let it lay gently on the table. D.) While lying on the sofa, Mark picked up the remote control and let it lie gently on the table.

D.) While lying on the sofa, Mark picked up the remote control and let it lie gently on the table. D. Excellent! In both cases, you would substitute a form of the word "recline" (lie) rather than "place" (lay).

What is Dead Constructions?

Dead constructions are difficult to find. They have a few characteristics: 1) passive sentences, 2) may begin with "there is" or "there are" and 3) no specific subject.

What are Sentence Fragments?

Fragments are incomplete sentences. Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause. One of the easiest ways to correct them is to remove the period between the fragment and the main clause. Other kinds of punctuation may be needed for the newly combined sentence.

Module 7 Practice Questions .

Hyphen

Parallel Construction

In grammar, parallelism, also known as parallel structure or parallel construction, is a balance within one or more sentences of similar phrases or clauses that have the same grammatical structure.

What is an Introductory Clause?

Introductory clauses are dependent clauses that provide background information or "set the stage" for the main part of the sentence, the independent clause. For example: If they want to win, athletes must exercise every day.

Module 10 Practice Questions .

Lay/Lie

Module 3: Practice Questions .

Minor Punctuation

Module 2: Practice Questions .

The Sentence

Module 12 Practice Questions .

Other Commonly Misused Words

Module 1: Practice Questions .

Parts of Speech

Module 6 Practice Questions .

That, Which and Who

What is a Comparisons?

The modification or inflection of an adjective or adverb to denote the positive, comparative, and superlative degrees