Lesson 344 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter. 

 

Example: Dear Fred,

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these salutations.

1. Dear Aunt Vi

2. Dear Sir

3. Dear Mother

4. Gentlemen

5. My choicest friend

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Dear Aunt Vi,

2. Dear Sir: (a business letter)

3. Dear Mother,

4. Gentlemen: (a business letter)

5. My choicest friend,

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Lesson 343 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to set off the year in a date if three parts of date are given (month, day, year). Do not use commas if only two parts are given. 

 

Examples: 

I left May 23, 1958, at night. 

I know that July 1776 is an important date.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these sentences.

1. Did you know that Thomas Jefferson died on July 4 1826?

2. On December 25 1961 I was in Brazil.

3. Their wedding day was June 24 1954 in Salt Lake City.

4. Where were you in November 1989?

5. On Friday August 14 1997 the accident happened.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Did you know that Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826?

2. On December 25, 1961, I was in Brazil.

3. Their wedding day was June 24, 1954, in Salt Lake City.

4. no commas needed (only two parts)

5. On Friday, August 14, 1997, the accident happened.

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Lesson 342 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after the parts of an address. (The house number and street name form one part, and state and ZIP code number form one part.) 

 

Example: 

My new address is 1234 North Main, Salt Lake City, Utah 84007.

Place no comma after the last part if it ends the sentence.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these sentences.

1. John wrote to me from 462 Beacon Lane Cleveland Ohio 76504.

2. My sister lives at 635 Cherry Street Lexington Kentucky.

3. Ray Alber 876 Elm Drive Detroit Michigan 48300 is the person to contact.

4. Write them at 15 Oak Avenue Limorick Illinois 60614 today.

5. Jim's summer address will be Box 254 Grantsville Iowa 50689.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. John wrote to me from 462 Beacon Lane, Cleveland, Ohio 76504.

2. My sister lives at 635 Cherry Street, Lexington, Kentucky.

3. Ray Alber, 876 Elm Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48300, is the person to contact.

4. Write them at 15 Oak Avenue, Limorick, Illinois 60614, today.

5. Jim's summer address will be Box 254, Grantsville, Iowa 50689.

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Lesson 341 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to set off the abbreviations Jr., Sr., and Esq.  

 

Example: 

Carl Harris, Jr., is here now.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these sentences.

1. I met Count Dracula Sr. the famous ghoul.

2. The letter was sent to Sir Thomas Mason Esq.

3. Did you see Reed Fitzgerald Jr. starring in that television show?

4. Mr. Sam Adams Sr. and Michael Gold Jr. race cars for a living.

5. Andrew Paskett Esq. was featured in the latest magazine issue.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I met Count Dracula, Sr., the famous ghoul.

2. The letter was sent to Sir Thomas Mason, Esq. (There is no comma when Jr., Sr., or Esq. is used at the end of a sentence.)

3. Did you see Reed Fitzgerald, Jr., starring in that television show?

4. Mr. Sam Adams, Sr., and Michael Gold, Jr., race cars for a living.

5. Andrew Paskett, Esq., was featured in the latest magazine issue.

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Quiz for Lessons 336 - 340 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Periods

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Use a period after initials used in names. Examples: E. F. Smith, Helen R. Hunsaker, W. James Swift

Use a period after the abbreviations Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., and St. (Saint) before a name and Jr., Sr., and Esq., after a name. Do not use a period with Miss because it is not an abbreviation.

Special abbreviations or initials need a period. Example: C.O.D. (cash on delivery) (Many abbreviations and acronyms, especially government agencies, now do not use periods and the abbreviations may be found written in several forms. Example: miles per hour = mph, m.p.h., Mph, MPH) For our purposes we will use periods with abbreviations to be consistent.

Use a period with abbreviations used with figures showing time. Examples: A.M., P.M., B.C., and A.D.

Use a period to show decimals and dollars and cents. Examples: This costs $6.99. Two and one half is written 2.5.

Instructions: Put the correct punctuation where needed in the following sentences.

1. Mr and Mrs Rodney C Snow were honored at the dinner

2. Ten and three quarters is 1075 in decimals

3. Did you study the period from 100 B C to A D 200 in your history class

4. I have heard of St Francis of Assisi

5. Add together 825 and 175 in decimals which should equal ten.

6. Miss Claire S Queen and Dr A Z King, Jr , will be married at 10:00 A M

7. Dan P Morgan, Esq , and Ms Luella K Larson knew the famous P T Barnum.

8. The trip cost $33650 (three hundred thirty-six dollars and fifty cents) for gasoline alone.

9. I feel sorry for the B S A organization

10. It seems that they take so much from my check for F I C A

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Mr. and Mrs. Rodney C. Snow were honored at the dinner.

2. Ten and three quarters is 10.75 in decimals.

3. Did you study the period from 100 B.C. to A.D. 200 in your history class?

4. I have heard of St. Francis of Assisi. -or- !

5. Add together 8.25 and 1.75 in decimals which should equal ten.

6. Miss Claire S. Queen and Dr. A. Z. King, Jr., will be married at 10:00 A.M.

7. Dan P. Morgan, Esq. and Ms. Luella K. Larson knew the famous P.T. Barnum.

8. The trip cost $336.50 (three hundred thirty-six dollars and fifty cents) for gasoline alone.

9. I feel sorry for the B.S.A. organization! -or- .

10. It seems that they take so much from my check for F.I.C.A.

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Lesson 340 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Periods

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Use a period to show decimals, dollars, and cents. 

 

Examples: 

This costs $6.99. 

Two and one half is written 2.5.

Instructions: Put periods where needed in the following sentences.

1. In decimals, 225 would mean two and one fourth.

2. That new saddle will cost us $72933. (seven hundred twenty-nine dollars and thirty-three cents)

3. The little girl paid $025 (twenty-five cents) for the sucker, and the boy paid $059 (fifty-nine cents) for the candy bar.

4. In decimals, four and ninety-nine hundredths is written 499.

5. Seven and two thirds is written 767.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. In decimals, 2.25 would mean two and one fourth.

2. That new saddle will cost us $729.33 (seven hundred twenty-nine dollars and thirty-three cents).

3. The little girl paid $0.25 (twenty-five cents) for the sucker, and the boy paid $0.59 (fifty-nine cents) for the candy bar.

4. In decimals, four and ninety-nine hundredths is written 4.99.

5. Seven and two thirds is written 7.67.

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Lesson 339 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Periods

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Use a period with abbreviations used with figures showing time. 

 

Examples: A.M., P.M., B.C., and A.D.

Instructions: Put periods where needed in the following sentences.

1. I was born in A D 1940.

2. Be here at 4:30 A M , or you will not see me until 9:45 P M

3. What happened in A D 1776 that was of great importance?

4. People living in 2000 B C did not enjoy all that we have today.

5. Class starts promptly at 8:00 A M

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I was born in A.D. 1940.

2. Be here at 4:30 A.M., or you will not see me until 9:45 P.M.

3. What happened in A.D. 1776 that was of great importance?

4. People living in 2000 B.C. did not enjoy all that we have today.

5. Class starts promptly at 8:00 A.M.

Note: When a period is used for an abbreviation or some other reason at the end of the sentence, you do not need a second one to end the sentence. The one period does double duty.

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Lesson 338 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Periods

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Special abbreviations or initials need a period. Example: C.O.D. (cash on delivery) (Many abbreviations and acronyms, especially government agencies, now do not use periods and the abbreviations may be found written in several forms. Example: miles per hour = mph, m.p.h., Mph, MPH) For our purposes we will use periods with abbreviations to be consistent.

Instructions: Put periods where needed in the following sentences.

1. I will send the package C O D to M I T

2. The soldier got lost returning to base but was considered A W O L

3. Dr Hill is really a D D S

4. U S S R no longer exists since it has been divided into several smaller countries.

5. I want to join the U S N and become a Marine.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I will send the package C.O.D. to M.I.T.

2. The soldier got lost returning to base but was considered A.W.O.L.

3. Dr. Hill is really a D.D.S.

4. U.S.S.R. no longer exists since it has been divided into several smaller countries.

5. I want to join the U.S.N. and become a Marine.

Note: When a period is used for an abbreviation or some other reason at the end of the sentence, you do not need a second one to end the sentence. The one period does double duty.

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Lesson 337 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Periods

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Use a period after the abbreviations Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., and St. (Saint) before a name and Jr., Sr., and Esq., after a name. Do not use a period with Miss because it is not an abbreviation.

Instructions: Put periods where needed in the following sentences.

1. Mr Samuel H White spoke at the celebration last night.

2. Mr and Mrs J B Smythe and their son J B Smythe, Jr , will be at the opening ceremonies.

3. Have you been to St Petersburg and St Louis?

4. Dr Leonard J Arrington was a great historian

5. Ms P T Roberts and Mr John J Jones, Esq will speak at tomorrow's meeting.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Mr. Samuel H. White spoke at the celebration last night.

2. Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Smythe and their son J. B. Smythe, Jr., will be at the opening ceremonies.

3. Have you been to St. Petersburg and St. Louis?

4. Dr. Leonard J. Arrington was a great historian.

5. Ms. P. T. Roberts and Mr. John J. Jones, Esq. will speak at tomorrow's meeting.

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Lesson 336 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Periods

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Use a period after initials used in names. 

 

Examples: 

E. F. Smith

Helen R. Hunsaker

W. James Swift

Instructions: Put periods where needed in the following sentences.

1. B D Hibler and Gene W Riding started a new company

2. I know K Malone and J Stockton play for the Utah Jazz.

3. Clara B Walters and Ann J Frampton are sisters.

4. C S Lewis is an interesting author to read.

5. I think names with more than two initials like J R R Tolkien are interesting names.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. B. D. Hibler and Gene W. Riding started a new company.

2. I know K. Malone and J. Stockton play for the Utah Jazz.

3. Clara B. Walters and Ann J. Frampton are sisters.

4. C. S. Lewis is an interesting author to read.

5. I think names with more than two initials like J. R. R. Tolkien are interesting names.

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Quiz for Lessons 331 - 335 - Mechanics - End Punctuation

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Use a period to end a declarative sentence.  A declarative sentence makes a statement.

 

Use a period to end an imperative sentence. An imperative sentence makes a command or request.

Use a question mark to end an interrogative sentence. An interrogative sentence asks a direct question.

Use an exclamation point to end an exclamatory sentence or any strong exclamation. (A strong exclamation is called an interjection.) Many exclamations begin with how or what.

 

Instructions: Put the needed punctuation in each of these sentences.

1. Don't run out in the street

2. Now is the time to support honesty in all aspects of life

3. Well Here we go again

4. Pay attention, will you

5. Who is that guy walking down the hall

6. He doesn't live here anymore

7. Get out of here

8. Did you bring the money that we need

9. Watch what you are doing

10. I will see you tomorrow

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Don't run out in the street. -or- !

2. Now is the time to support honesty in all aspects of life. -or- !

3. Well! Here we go again. -or- !

4. Pay attention, will you! -or- .

5. Who is that guy walking down the hall? -or- !

6. He doesn't live here anymore. -or- !

7. Get out of here! -or- .

8. Did you bring the money that we need? -or- !

9. Watch what you are doing. -or- !

10. I will see you tomorrow. -or- !

(Notice how the exclamation point can be used to give added emphasis or feeling to a sentence.)

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Lesson 335 - Mechanics - End Punctuation

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Use a period to end a declarative sentence.  A declarative sentence makes a statement.

 

Example:

The assignment is due tomorrow.

Use a period to end an imperative sentence. An imperative sentence makes a command or request.

 

Examples:

Hand it in now.

Stop. 

Use a question mark to end an interrogative sentence. An interrogative sentence asks a direct question.

 

Example:

Do you know the man?

Use an exclamation point to end an exclamatory sentence or any strong exclamation. (A strong exclamation is called an interjection.) Many exclamations begin with how or what.

 

Examples:

The assignment is due tomorrow!

Stop!

Do you know the man!  

 

Instructions: Put the needed punctuation in each of these sentences.

1. Who will win the debates, Gore or Bush

2. Do your chores and your home work, and then you can play

3. Ouch That hurt

4. I saw most of the Olympic Games on television

5. Did you see the flying saucer

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Who will win the debates, Gore or Bush?

2. Do your chores and your home work, and then you can play.

3. Ouch! That hurt!

4. I saw most of the Olympic Games on television.

5. Did you see the flying saucer? -or- ! (depending on how you want it said)

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Lesson 334 - Mechanics - End Punctuation

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Use an exclamation point to end an exclamatory sentence or any strong exclamation. (A strong exclamation is called an interjection.) Many exclamations begin with how or what.

 

Examples:

The assignment is due tomorrow!

Stop!

Do you know the man!  

Instructions: Put the needed punctuation in each of these sentences.

1. What a game that was

2. Wow Our team won in the last minute

3. How lovely your Christmas decorations are

4. Oh I need to hurry

5. What I did exactly what you asked

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. What a game that was!

2. Wow! Our team won in the last minute!

3. How lovely your Christmas decorations are!

4. Oh! I need to hurry!

5. What! I did exactly what you asked!

Note: Any sentence can have an exclamation point if you want to say it in that way.

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Lesson 333 - Mechanics - End Punctuation

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Use a question mark to end an interrogative sentence. An interrogative sentence asks a direct question.

 

Example:

Do you know the man?

Instructions: Put the needed punctuation in each of these sentences.

1. Can anyone see the screen with the movie

2. What have you done to this room

3. Where were you yesterday

4. How can you act in such a terrible manner

5. Who wants to go with me

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Can anyone see the screen with the movie?

2. What have you done to this room?

3. Where were you yesterday?

4. How can you act in such a terrible manner?

5. Who wants to go with me?

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