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.

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Elementary Rule of Usage: Do not break sentences in two.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Strunk contended that: "Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences..."

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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."

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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.)

Correct

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.