Grammar for media professionals

Choose the correctly punctuated and capitalized sentence from among the following sentences:

* "Do you have a reservation?" the hostess asked. "Do you have a reservation," the hostess asked? "Do you have a reservation"? the hostess asked.

Choose the correctly punctuated and capitalized sentence from among the following sentences:

* "Make sure to proofread your final drafts," said the teacher. "Make sure to proofread your final drafts" said the teacher. "Make sure to proofread your final drafts," Said the teacher. "Make sure to proofread your final drafts", said the teacher.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* Angel was thrilled that he had fewer cavities than last year. Angel was thrilled that he had less cavities than last year.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

* Before they moved to California, they took one last trip to the Hill Country to enjoy the wildflowers. Before they moved to California they took one last trip to the Hill Country to enjoy the wildflowers. Before they moved to California they took one, last trip to the Hill Country to enjoy the wildflowers.

Choose the correctly punctuated and capitalized sentence from among the following sentences:

* Do you believe that "actions speak louder than words"? Do you believe that "actions speak louder than words?" Do you believe that 'actions speak louder than words'? Do you believe that, "Actions speak louder than words"?

Choose the correctly punctuated and capitalized sentence from among the following sentences:

* Do you believe that "you can't judge a book by its cover"? Do you believe that "you can't judge a book by its cover?" Do you believe that, "you can't judge a book by its cover?"

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* Do you know whose dog this is? Do you know who's dog this is? Do you know who'se dog this is? Do you know whos dog this is?

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

* From the home's balcony, the Smiths had the perfect view: the beach, the mountains and the downtown skyline. From the home's balcony, the Smiths had the perfect view; the beach, the mountains and the downtown skyline. From the home's balcony, the Smiths had the perfect view the beach, the mountains and the downtown skyline.

Choose rather sentence with correct punctuation

* He set the alarm for 6 a.m.; his schedule was full of meetings. He set the alarm for 6 a.m.: his schedule was full of meetings. He set the alarm for 6 a.m., his schedule was full of meetings.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly

* He was considered one of the top chefs in the Southwest; however, he had never been nominated for the James Beard Award. He was considered one of the top chefs in the Southwest; however he had never been nominated for the James Beard Award. He was considered one of the top chefs in the Southwest however, he had never been nominated for the James Beard Award.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

* Her dad, a rancher, still works every day at age 88. Her dad a rancher still works every day at age 88. Her dad a rancher still works every day, at age 88.

Choose the correct sentence that avoids faulty parallelism.

* Her favorite summer activities were swimming, skiing and biking. Her favorite summer activities were swimming, skiing and sometimes she liked to go for a long bike ride at the state park. Her favorite summer activities were swimming, biking and sometime she even liked skiing.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* I don't know who made this lasagna, but it's delicious! I don't know who made this lasagna, but its delicious!

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* I hope the police catch the kid who stole my bike. I hope the police catch the kid whom stole my bike.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* I really hope we don't lose the soccer match tomorrow. I really hope we don't loose the soccer match tomorrow.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

* On August 12, 2001, she was born in Bay City, Texas. On August 12, 2001 she was born in Bay City, Texas On August 12, 2001 she was born in Bay City Texas.

Choose the sentence that uses punctuation correctly.

* The antique roses were in full bloom in a rainbow of colors: red, pink, yellow, coral and lavender. The antique roses were in full bloom in a rainbow of colors; red, pink, yellow, coral and lavender. The antique roses were in full bloom in a rainbow of colors: red, pink, yellow, coral, and lavender.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* The company marked its 10th anniversary last week then celebrated with a party the following weekend. The company marked its 10th anniversary last week than celebrated with a party the following weekend. The company marked it's 10th anniversary last week then celebrated with a party the following weekend. The company marked it's 10th anniversary last week than celebrated with a party the following weekend.

Choose the correct sentence that avoids faulty parallelism.

* The county fair included rides, exhibits and performances. The county fair included rides, exhibits and several bands marched in the parade. The county fair included musical performers, animals competed in the ag barn and pig races.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

* The dark gray clouds rolled in from the west. The dark, gray, clouds rolled in from the west. The dark, gray clouds rolled in from the west.

Choose the sentence that uses dashes or hyphens correctly.

* The dearly beloved grandmother spent the week with the 7-year-old twins. The dearly beloved grandmother spent the week with the 7 year old twins. The dearly-beloved grandmother spent the week with the 7 year old twins.

Choose the correct sentence that avoids faulty parallelism.

* The doctor recommended a diet containing fresh vegetables, healthy proteins, whole grains and lots of water. The doctor recommended a diet containing fresh vegetables, healthy proteins and whole grains, and she said to drink lots of water. The doctor said to drink lots of water and recommended a diet containing fresh vegetables, healthy proteins and to eat plenty of whole grains.

Choose the sentence that uses dashes or hyphens correctly.

* The flame-broiled steak was cooked to perfection. The flame broiled steak was cooked to perfection. The flame-broiled-steak was cooked to perfection.

Choose the sentence that avoids faulty parallelism.

* The gardener with the green thumb had a bounty of tomatoes, squash and green beans. The gardener with the green thumb had a bounty of tomatoes and grew a lot of squash and green beans. The gardener with the green thumb had a bounty of tomatoes, more squash than the family could eat and green beans.

Choose the sentence that uses dashes or hyphens correctly.

* The jacked-up truck made a lot of noise as it roared through the intersection. The jacked up truck made a lot of noise as it roared through the intersection. The jacked up truck made a lot of noise as it roared-through the intersection.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* The little girl who lives next door is selling girl scout cookies. The little girl that lives next door is selling girl scout cookies. The little girl which lives next door is selling girl scout cookies.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* Too much sugar affects one's health. Too much sugar effects one's health.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* Violet is the girl I was telling you about—the one who broke her ankle during practice. Violet is the girl I was telling you about—the one whom broke her ankle during practice.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* We're going to park our car where we parked it yesterday. Were going to park our car were we parked it yesterday. Where going to park our car where we parked it yesterday.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence. student on the rest of the class.

* What concerned the professor the most was the effect of the disruptive student on the rest of the class. What concerned the professor the most was the affect of the disruptive student on the rest of the class.

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* Whom was the letter addressed to? Who was the letter addressed to?

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

* Yesterday, Jane led her first meeting as the new CEO. Yesterday, Jane lead her first meeting as the new CEO.

Choose the sentence that uses correct punctuation

*Because of her new job, Jenna is moving from Dallas, Texas, to Miami, Florida. Because of her new job Jenna is moving from Dallas, Texas to Miami, Florida. Because of her new job Jenna is moving from Dallas Texas to Miami Florida.

Choose the sentence with correct punctuation.

*They had everything they wanted at the farmhouse: a view, room to roam and a great location. They had everything they wanted at the farm house, a view, room to roam and a great location. They had everything they wanted at the farmhouse; a view, room to roam and a great location.

Choose the sentence with correct pronoun agreement

A student should always bring his/her books to class.

Choose the correct sentence, avoiding dangling participles and misplaced modifiers.

After crossing the finish line, the sprinter showed off his new lightning bolt tattoo on his chest.

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

After driving 15 hours to get to their granddaughters birthday party, they knew it was worth the trip.

Choose the correct sentence that avoids faulty parallelism.

After dropping kids off at school, she went to the grocery store and hauled donations to Goodwill, then Marcy needed another cup of coffee. After dropping kids off at school, a trip to the grocery store and hauling donations to Goodwill, Marcy needed another cup of coffee. * After dropping kids off at school, running to the grocery store and hauling donations to Goodwill, Marcy needed another cup of coffee.

Choose the sentence that uses correct punctuation.

After two years of looking, they found the perfect house, on a bluff overlooking the river. After two years of looking they found the perfect house on a bluff overlooking the river. * After two years of looking, they found the perfect house on a bluff overlooking the river.

Choose the sentence that does not contain faulty prediction

An idea is a thought or belief that a person has

Choose the correctly punctuated and capitalized sentence from among the following sentences:

As we began work on our summaries, the teacher reminded us, "Einstein once said, 'If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough'." As we began work on our summaries, the teacher reminded us, "Einstein once said, 'If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough'. * As we began work on our summaries, the teacher reminded us, "Einstein once said, 'If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.'"

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

Before we go to lunch Thursday lets's meet at the stallion sculpture on the Quad. Before we go to lunch Thursday lets's meet at the stallion sculpture, on the Quad. * Before we go to lunch Thursday, lets's meet at the stallion sculpture on the Quad.

Choose the sentence that does not contain faulty prediction

Bulimia is an eating disorder

Choose the correct sentence that avoids faulty parallelism.

Charlotte's summer travel plans included hiking in the mountains of Colorado, a trip to snorkel in the U.S. Virgin Islands and walking on the Appalachian Trail. Charlotte's summer travel plans included hiking in the mountains of Colorado, going to the U.S. Virgin Islands and she wanted to see parts of Tennessee. *Charlotte's summer travel plans included hiking in the mountains of Colorado, snorkeling in the U.S. Virgin Islands and walking on the Appalachian Trail.

Choosing the correct sentence, avoiding dangling participle and misplaced modifiers.

Cheering on their favorite pro football team, the fans were excited to watch the Dallas Cowboys make three touchdowns to win the division title

Choose the sentence that uses semicolons or colons correctly.

Chuck's man cave had everything he wanted a pool table, big-screen TV and enough recliners for everyone to enjoy movie night. Chuck's man cave had everything he wanted; a pool table, big-screen TV and enough recliners for everyone to enjoy movie night. * Chuck's man cave had everything he wanted: a pool table, big-screen TV and enough recliners for everyone to enjoy movie night.

Choose the sentence that uses dashes or hyphens correctly.

Delilah went out in the harddriving rain to pick up the puppy that seemed to be lost. Delilah went out in the hard driving rain to pick up the puppy that seemed to be lost. * Delilah went out in the hard-driving rain to pick up the puppy that seemed to be lost.

Choose the correct sentence, avoiding dangling participles and misplaced modifiers.

Driving past the city limits sign, the trucker started looking for the sign for the Dew Drop Inn and its all-night buffet.

Choose the sentence with correct pronoun agreement

Each of the candidates impressed me with his/her qualifications. Several even had more experience than I.

Choose the sentence with correct pronoun agreement

Everyone in the state of Texas should register his/her car.

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

Flying in the vintage WWII planes, the stunt pilots entertained the air show crowd with their acrobatics.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly

George Strait, who had already played one encore came back out on stage again. George Strait who had already played one encore, came back out on stage again. * George Strait, who had already played one encore, came back out on stage again.

Choose the sentence that does not contain faulty prediction

Hard water stains happen when poorly designed sponges don't eliminate lime deposits

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

He passed the test with flying colors, thankful that he had studied for a few hours.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly

He took his chair and fishing gear out on the dock, cast a line, and relaxed while he waited for a bite. * He took his chair and fishing gear out on the dock, cast a line and relaxed while he waited for a bite. He took his chair, and fishing gear, out on the dock, cast a line and relaxed while he waited for a bite.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

Henry Luce, an American magazine magnate, said "I became a journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world." * Henry Luce, an American magazine magnate, said, "I became a journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world." Henry Luce, an American magazine magnate, said, "I became a journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world.

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

Her dancing dog won the blue ribbon for his performance; Barber is a very talented mutt

Choose the sentence that uses correct punctuation

Her shopping list included school supplies, a backpack, and a new bike. * Her shopping list included school supplies, a backpack and a new bike. Her shopping list included school supplies a backpack and a new bike.

Choosing the correct sentence, avoiding dangling participle and misplaced modifiers.

Hitting a homer, the first baseman ran across home plate to the crowd's loud approval.

Choose the sentence that does not contain faulty prediction

I would rather live in Texas because I do not like cold weather

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

If it's good Texas barbecue you want I know just the place. If, it's good Texas barbecue you want, I know just the place. * If it's good Texas barbecue you want, I know just the place.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly

If you want to watch the sun set over the beach be at the point by 7:45. If, you want to watch the sun set over the beach, be at the point by 7:45. * If you want to watch the sun set over the beach, be at the point by 7:45.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

In an effort to boost her grade she scheduled, a tutoring session at the Writing Center. * In an effort to boost her grade, she scheduled a tutoring session at the Writing Center. In an effort, to boost her grade she scheduled a tutoring session at the Writing Center.

Choose the sentence that does not contain faulty prediction

Medicine was invented to stop diseases

Choose the sentence that uses dashes or hyphens correctly.

Megan introduced her best friends, Jennifer, Teri and May, to her new baby boyfriend. * Megan introduced her best friends - Jennifer, Teri and May - to her new boyfriend. Megan introduced her best friends - Jennifer, Teri and May to her new boyfriend

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence from among the following sentences:

My mom always said that, "There's no use crying over spilled milk"; unfortunately, I spilled my milk all over her new rug. My mom always said, "There's no use crying over spilled milk;" unfortunately, I spilled my milk all over her new rug. My mom always said "There's no use crying over spilled milk"; unfortunately, I spilled my milk all over her new rug. * My mom always said, "There's no use crying over spilled milk"; unfortunately, I spilled my milk all over her new rug.

Choose the sentence with correct pronoun agreement

Nobody knows when his/her exam is scheduled

Choose the sentence that does not contain faulty prediction

People walk across a stage and receive their diplomas at a graduation ceremony

Choose the sentence with correct pronoun agreement

She feels bad to Leanne her sister who is younger than she

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

She had never been to the Gulf Coast of Texas.

Choose the sentence that does not contain faulty prediction

She is absent because she is in the hospital.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

She packed, the tent sleeping bags and flashlights, for the campout. She packed the tent, sleeping bags, and flashlights for the campout. * She packed the tent, sleeping bags and flashlights for the campout.

Choose the correctly punctuated and capitalized sentence from among the following sentences:

Simone asked, "Can I borrow your chemistry book"? * Simone asked, "Can I borrow your chemistry book?" Simone asked ",Can I borrow your chemistry book?" Simone asked, "can I borrow your chemistry book?"

Choosing the correct sentence, avoiding dangling participle and misplaced modifiers.

Singing "Born in the USA," the contestant featured his cover of the Bruce Springsteen hit for the judges of "The Voice" for his song choice.

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

Tammy likes to stop to get ice cream after school every Friday; chocolate is her favorite flavor.

Choose the sentence that uses punctuation correctly.

The 50 mile run was a challenge for the four-member relay team. * The 50-mile run was a challenge for the four-member relay team. The 50 mile run was a challenge for the four member relay team. The 50-mile run was a challenge for the four member relay team.

Choose the correct sentence that avoids faulty parallelism.

The Rogers Ranch has nine cows, eight goats, one dog and one cat, plus seven chickens roam the property. * The Rogers Ranch had nine cows, eight goats, seven chickens, one dog and one cat. The Rogers Ranch has some cows and goats, plus seven chickens and one dog and one cat.

Choose the sentence that does not contain faulty prediction

The author states that the human brain weighs about 3 pounds

Choose the sentence that uses punctuation correctly.

The back yard was big, they brought in the baby goat, floppy-eared rabbit and chickens to start their menagerie. The back yard was big they brought in the baby goat, floppy-eared rabbit, and chickens to start their menagerie. * The back yard was big; they brought in the baby goat, floppy-eared rabbit and chickens to start their menagerie.

Choose the sentence with correct pronoun agreement

The flock will go to lengths to protect its young.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

The football team which had a perfect record for the season, also took the division championship. The football team which had a perfect record for the season also took home the division championship. * The football team, which had a perfect record for the season, also took the division championship.

Choose the sentence with correct punctuation.

The girl that knocked on our door, was looking for her lost dog. The girl, that knocked on our door, was looking for her lost dog. * The girl that knocked on our door was looking for her lost dog.

Choose the correct sentence that avoids faulty parallelism.

The most calming colors for home decorating are soft lavender, pale blue and many people favor light green. The most calming colors for home decorating are soft lavender, and pale blue or light green/seafoam green. *The most calming colors for home decorating are soft lavender, pale blue and light green.

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

The new Ford F-150 with the leather seats went to the raffle winner.

Choose the correctly punctuated and capitalized sentence from among the following sentences:

The police chief said "we do not have any suspects at this time." * The police chief said, "We do not have any suspects at this time." The police chief said that "We do not have any suspects at this time." The police chief said that, "we do not have any suspects at this time."

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

The power company asked customers to reduce electricity use between 3 and 6 p.m. due to high demand on the power grid in the summer.

Choose the sentence with correct pronoun agreement

The puppy and kitten both love to chase the puppy's tail.

Choose the sentence that does not contain faulty prediction

The research reveals that young odor are profoundly impacted by social media.

Choose the sentence that uses dashes or hyphens correctly.

The second rate speaker system just couldn't do the job for the outdoor graduation ceremony. The second-rate speaker system just couldn't do the job for the outdoor-graduation ceremony. * The second-rate speaker system just couldn't do the job for the outdoor graduation ceremony.

Choose the sentence that uses dashes or hyphens correctly.

The slow moving train blocked traffic in downtown San Marcos for 15 minutes. * The slow-moving train blocked traffic in downtown San Marcos for 15 minutes. The slowly-moving train blocked traffic in downtown San Marcos for 15-minutes.

Choose the sentence that uses punctuation correctly.

Their dog and cat got along well, they had grown up together. Their dog and cat got along well: they had grown up together. * Their dog and cat got along well; they had grown up together.

Choose the sentence that uses punctuation correctly.

They decided they wanted to move to a new house: they had outgrown their small cottage. They decided they wanted to move to a new house, they had outgrown their small cottage. * They decided they wanted to move to a new house; they had outgrown their small cottage.

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

They left early in the morning to go to the park to avoid the heat because the dog and the couple needed exercise.

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

To get to the country cabin drive 11 miles past the loop and turn on Lakeshore Drive. * To get to the country cabin, drive 11 miles past the loop and turn on Lakeshore Drive. To get to the country cabin, drive 11 miles past the loop, and turn on Lakeshore Drive.

Choose the sentence that does not contain faulty prediction

Water freezes at 32° F

Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.

We drove to the Gulf Coast, and we found beautiful, seashells on the beach. We drove to the Gulf Coast and we found beautiful seashells on the beach. * We drove to the Gulf Coast, and we found beautiful seashells on the beach.

Choose the sentence with the clearest pronoun reference.

When Sam and Erik prepared to go hiking, Sam didn't realize Erik had a great fear of snakes.

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct, avoiding dangling participles and misplaced modifiers.

When she went swimming in the San Marcos River, Angelina found a gold senior ring from Texas State that apparently had belonged to a woman who graduated from the university.

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

Where I sign up fort a potluck dinner, I like to take my mother's banana pudding recipe.