Lesson 349 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more phrases. 

 

Example: 

He ran down the hall, out the door, and into the yard. 

(The comma before the conjunction and is optional, but I prefer using it.)

Use no commas in a series when all items are joined by or, and, or nor.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. The rain splashed against the house onto the sidewalk and into the street.

2. Through the trees around the cabin and down the valley roared the wind.

3. College is to gain knowledge to make new friends and to prepare for a career.

4. The cat climbed up the tree and out on a limb and finally onto the roof.

5. Munching on an apple listening to a recording and sitting on the couch Martha looked very happy.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The rain splashed against the house, onto the sidewalk, and into the street.

2. Through the trees, around the cabin, and down the valley, roared the wind.

3. College is to gain knowledge, to make new friends, and to prepare for a career.

4. no commas needed

5. Munching on an apple, listening to a recording, and sitting on the couch, Martha looked very happy.

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Lesson 49 - Parts of Speech - Adverbs

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Adverbs may be compound. 

 

     Example: 

     He speaks rapidly and well.

Instructions: Find the adverbs in these sentences.

1. We shouldn't decide this very important decision quickly or foolishly.

2. Suddenly and quietly the boys slipped from the room.

3. The girls did the dishes laughingly and happily together.

4. Marilyn types rapidly and accurately.

5. Either today or tomorrow we will go to the zoo.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. We shouldn't decide this very important decision quickly or foolishly.

2. Suddenly and quietly the boys slipped from the room.

3. The girls did the dishes laughingly and happily together.

4. Marilyn types rapidly and accurately.

5. Either today or tomorrow we will go to the zoo.

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Lesson 348 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more numbers. 

 

Example: 

He called for numbers 3, 6, 9, and 12.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. In the Bingo game the winning numbers were 7 21 35 46 and 72.

2. My combination for my lock is 3 54 and 26.

3. He said that his lucky numbers were 7 11 13 and 99.

4. The numbers 14 27 58 79 and 38 won the lottery.

5. I like mixed greens with numbers of 20 50 and 100 on them.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. In the Bingo game the winning numbers were 7, 21, 35, 46, and 72.

2. My combination for my lock is 3, 54, and 26.

3. He said that his lucky numbers were 7, 11, 13, and 99.

4. The numbers 14, 27, 58, 79, and 38 won the lottery.

5. I like mixed greens with numbers of 20, 50, and 100 on them.

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Lesson 48 - Parts of Speech - Adverbs

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Not and its contraction n't are adverbs. They really modify the entire sentence, but we will have them modify the verb as it is the most important word in the sentence. This is a common practice in grammar books. Remember that adverbs tell us how, when, where, why, and how much and modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

Instructions: Find the adverbs in these sentences and tell which word they modify.

1. Terri did not do the work correctly.

2. Mom was never so deeply pleased with the kids.

3. Badger actually likes almost every cat he sees.

4. I recently found that you wouldn't help.

5. You will not go tomorrow to that very scary movie.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Terri did not do the work correctly.

    - not and correctly modify did do

2. Mom was never so deeply pleased with the kids.

    - never and deeply modify was pleased

    - so modifies deeply (telling how much)

3. Badger actually likes almost every cat he sees.

    - actually modifies likes

    - almost modifies every (telling how much)

4. I recently found that you wouldn't help.

    - recently modifies found

    - n't modifies would help

5. You will not go tomorrow to that very scary movie.

    - not and tomorrow modify will go 

    - very modifies scary (telling how much)

Note: Adverbs that modify verbs always modify the whole verb phrase when it is made up of more than one word.

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Lesson 347 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate a series of three or more words. 

 

Example: 

I dropped my pencil, papers, and books. 

(The comma before the conjunction and is optional, but I prefer using it.)

Use no commas between two or more words usually thought of as being one item. 

 

Example: 

We ate hamburgers, pork and beans, and potato chips.

Use no commas in a series when all items are joined by or, and, or nor. 

 

Example: 

You dance and sing and play well.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. I have seen many gold silver and copper mines.

2. People in the United States can travel by air rail or water.

3. The girl waved leaned over and fell into the pool.

4. My wife likes a meal of a glass of grape juice a fresh salad and spaghetti and meat balls.

5. At the resort we can hike and swim and ski all we want.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I have seen many gold, silver, and copper mines.

2. People in the United States can travel by air, rail, or water.

3. The girl waved, leaned over, and fell into the pool.

4. My wife likes a meal of a glass of grape juice, a fresh salad, and spaghetti and meat balls. (Spaghetti and meat balls are considered one item.)

5. no commas needed

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Lesson 47 - Parts of Speech - Adverbs

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Many adverbs end with ly which is a good clue to adverb recognition, but not all words that end in ly are adverbs. Some words such as daily, yearly, hourly can be either adverbs or adjectives.

Instructions: Pick out the adverbs in these sentences.

1. Daily we did our very hard lessons.

2. The yearly crop was totally ruined by the weather.

3. Hourly we listened to the rapidly falling rain.

4. The friendly person suddenly ran up to me.

5. The unusually large dog jumped outside and licked my face.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Daily we did our very hard lessons.

2. The yearly crop was totally ruined by the weather.

3. Hourly we listened to the rapidly falling rain.

4. The friendly person suddenly ran up to me.

5. The unusually large dog jumped outside and licked my face.

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Lesson 346 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to separate parts of geographical places. 

 

Example: 

Have you visited St. Louis, Missouri?

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. A neat place we visited was Custer Wyoming.

2. In Cody Wyoming there is an interesting museum.

3. I enjoyed the zoo in San Diego California.

4. We saw many bears in Waterton Alberta Canada.

5. The Black Hills are in South Dakota.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. A neat place we visited was Custer, Wyoming.

2. In Cody, Wyoming there is an interesting museum.

3. I enjoyed the zoo in San Diego, California.

4. We saw many bears in Waterton, Alberta, Canada.

5. no commas needed

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Lesson 46 - Parts of Speech - Adverbs

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Adverbs are words that modify (1) verbs, (2) adjectives, and (3) other adverbs. They tell how (manner), when (time), where (place), how much (degree), and why (cause). Why is a common one-word adverb that tells why. Adverbs that tell us how, when, where, and why always modify the verb. Adverbs that tell us how much modify adjectives or other adverbs. These adverbs are also called qualifiers because they strengthen or weaken the words they modify.

      Examples: 

      He kicked the ball solidly. (how)

      He kicked the ball immediately. (when)

      He kicked the ball forward. (where)

      He kicked the ball too hard. (how much)

Instructions: Find the adverbs in the following sentences and what they tell us.

1. Paul answered the question quickly.

2. The answer was given too softly.

3. I soon understood what he said yesterday.

4. Becky and Pam wanted to know then and there.

5. Why do we misunderstand others so often?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Paul answered the question quickly.

    - quickly (how)

2. The answer was given too softly.

    - too (how much)

    - softly (how)

3. I soon understood what he said yesterday.

    - soon (when)

    - yesterday (when)

4. Becky and Pam wanted to know then and there.

    - then (when)

    - there (where)

5. Why do we misunderstand others so often?

    - why (why)

    - so (how much)

    - often (when)

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