Lesson 437 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Brackets

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a bracketed sic [meaning "thus in the original"] to show that an error in quoted material is not an error in quoting, but the error was in the original text. 

 

Example: 

"i [sic] felt very bad." 

(The "I" should have been capitalized.)

Instructions: Insert [sic] where needed in the following sentences.

1. "The robber put the monie in the canvas bag."

2. "I will be leaving early tommorrow by train."

3. "I wanted to kill the man because he was a Yanky."

4. "He was a nown criminal by everyone there."

5. He complained, "I ain't going."

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. "The robber put the monie [sic] in the canvas bag."

2. "I will be leaving early tommorrow [sic] by train."

3. "I wanted to kill the man because he was a Yanky [sic]."

4. "He was a nown [sic] criminal by everyone there."

5. He complained, "I ain't [sic] going."

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 436 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Brackets

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use brackets to enclose comments, criticisms, or corrections inserted by someone other than the original writer or speaker. 

 

Example: 

Anyone who met him [the author] respected his authority.

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

1. Everyone who knew him the deceased recognized the loss to the community.

2. In his biography My Only Love he wrote about his job.

3. I think the day was the 3rd 4th that you were here.

4. The witness said, "I saw him the defendant coming out the back door."

5. With his new book The Last Day he should become a millionaire.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Everyone who knew him [the deceased] recognized the loss to the community.

2. In his biography [My Only Love] he wrote about his job.

3. I think the day was the 3rd [4th] that you were here.

4. The witness said, "I saw him [the defendant] coming out the back door."

5. With his new book [The Last Day] he should become a millionaire.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Quiz for Lessons 431 - 435 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Parentheses

View Quiz - Print Quiz

Instructions: Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. I'll get back to you tomorrow Friday.

2. Which country countries do you want to visit?

3. You put fifty-four 54 books on that shelf.

4. The ACLU American Civil Liberties Union is going to bring a suit.

5. If you want to be healthy, you must 1 eat good food, 2 get sufficient exercise, and 3 get adequate sleep.

6. The Atomic Energy Commission AEC is very concerned about what is happening in Europe.

7. We are going to visit Brazil I don't know where this spring.

8. I need seven 7 dollars for tonight.

9. To take this ride, you need to 1 shut your eyes, 2 hang on tight, and 3 pray.

10. That movie reminded me I remember it well about the adventure we had.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I'll get back to you tomorrow (Friday).

2. Which country (countries) do you want to visit?

3. You put fifty-four (54) books on that shelf.

4. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is going to bring a suit.

5. If you want to be healthy, you must (1) eat good food, (2) get sufficient exercise, and (3) get adequate sleep.

6. The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) is very concerned about what is happening in Europe.

7. We are going to visit Brazil (I don't know where) this spring.

8. I need seven (7) dollars for tonight.

9. To take this ride, you need to (1) shut your eyes, (2) hang on tight, and (3) pray.

10. That movie reminded me (I remember it well) about the adventure we had.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 435 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Parentheses

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use parentheses to indicate alternative terms (as in form letters). 

 

Example: 

You may study any lesson(s) on our site.

Instructions: Use parentheses to indicate alternative terms in these sentences.

1. Please indicate the lecture that you want to attend.

2. I would like to know the city where your firm is located.

3. I can't tell you my favorite book from that list.

4. Be sure to indicate the nation that you want to visit.

5. I don’t need your silly look any more today.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Please indicate the lecture(s) that you want to attend.

2. I would like to know the city (cities) where your firm is located.

3. I can't tell you my favorite book(s) from that list.

4. Be sure to indicate the nation(s) that you want to visit.

5. I don’t need your silly look(s) any more today.

View Quiz

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 434 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Parentheses

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use parentheses to enclose abbreviations synonymous with spelled-out forms occurring after the forms or if the order is reversed. 

 

Examples: 

I will meet with U.E.A. (Utah Education Association) leaders at 4:00. 

I will meet with Utah Education Association (U.E.A.) leaders at 4:00.

Instructions: Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. The FFA Future Farmers of America boys from our school won many awards.

2. What was the ruling by the Federal Communications Commission FCC?

3. The pipe that will be used is PVC polyvinyl chloride.

4. The National Education Association NEA will have its conference in February.

5. The BSA Boy Scouts of America has come under fire recently.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The FFA (Future Farmers of America) boys from our school won many awards.

2. What was the ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?

3. The pipe that will be used is PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

4. The National Education Association (NEA) will have its conference in February.

5. The BSA (Boy Scouts of America) has come under fire recently.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 433 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Parentheses

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use parentheses to enclose Arabic numerals which confirm written numbers. 

 

Example: 

They will arrive in (30) thirty days.

Instructions: Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. The phone deal is for one hundred fifty 150 minutes a month.

2. It is interest free for ninety 90 days.

3. We only have room for forty-five 45 guests.

4. The firm has thirteen 13 openings at the present time.

5. They will lay off four hundred 400 workers in the next 6 six months.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The phone deal is for one hundred fifty (150) minutes a month.

2. It is interest free for ninety (90) days.

3. We only have room for forty-five (45) guests.

4. The firm has thirteen (13) openings at the present time.

5. They will lay off four hundred (400) workers in the next (6) six months.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 432 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Parentheses

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use parentheses to mark numbered or lettered divisions within sentences or paragraphs. 

 

Example: 

We will read the following chapters for our discussion tomorrow: (1) Africa, (2) India, and (3) Iceland.

Instructions: Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. Before you turn in your paper, check 1 spelling, 2 punctuation, 3 capitalization, and 4 footnotes.

2. Our trip will take us to 1 Swanee, 2 Moreno Valley, 3 Taber, and 4 Rio de Janeiro.

3. We must set 1 our short term goals, 2 our long term goals, and 3 the ways they will be accomplished.

4. Our possible means of transportation are as follows: 1 bicycle, 2 ox cart, 3 train, 4 bus, or 5 by foot.

5. We must include 1 our family, 2 our friends, and 3 our neighbors so we don't offend anyone.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Before you turn in your paper, check (1) spelling, (2) punctuation, (3) capitalization, and (4) footnotes.

2. Our trip will take us to (1) Swanee, (2) Moreno Valley, (3) Taber, and (4) Rio de Janeiro.

3. We must set (1) our short term goals, (2) our long term goals, and (3) the ways they will be accomplished.

4. Our possible means of transportation are as follows: (1) bicycle, (2) ox cart, (3) train, (4) bus, or (5) by foot.

5. We must include (1) our family, (2) our friends, and (3) our neighbors so we don't offend anyone.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 431 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Parentheses

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Parentheses are used much like the dash, but it is used to set off unimportant material that interrupts the sentence thought or structure.

Use parentheses to set off supplementary, parenthetic, or explanatory material that does not change the meaning of the main sentence. 

 

Example: 

Joe Jones (you knew him) visited me yesterday.

Instructions: Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. We fished or should I say drowned worms in the murky river.

2. They listened to the teacher's stories they were very dull which gave some background for the book.

3. Terri and Mark you remember them moved to a new house last week.

4. Even though he was not qualified according to his transcripts, he knew more than most of the others.

5. Another possibility the possibilities seem endless was suggested by a person at the back of the room.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. We fished (or should I say drowned worms) in the murky river.

2. They listened to the teacher's stories (they were very dull) which gave some background for the book.

3. Terri and Mark (you remember them) moved to a new house last week.

4. Even though he was not qualified (according to his transcripts), he knew more than most of the others.

5. Another possibility (the possibilities seem endless) was suggested by a person at the back of the room.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Quiz for Lessons 426 - 430 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Dashes

View Quiz - Print Quiz

Dashes are used to give emphasis to written ideas and are typed by using two hyphens. They should be used sparingly.

Instructions: Use dashes where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. I I I don't know what you mean!

2. We need to paint everything the window frames, the doors, the walls.

3. Next week how I dread it! I have to go to court.

4. You know the man across the street you are not even listening to me.

5. The dishes, the windows, the tile they were all broken by the storm.

6. They fished in the lower river a waste of time!

7. We had many things to do for the trip buy tickets, get passports, pack, arrange for the animals.

8. We we we shouldn't be in this warehouse.

9. This movie what a thriller! was the best I have seen recently.

10. Have you met my wife my best friend and eternal companion?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I--I--I don't know what you mean!

2. We need to paint everything--the window frames, the doors, the walls.

3. Next week--how I dread it!--I have to go to court.

4. You know the man across the street--you are not even listening to me.

5. The dishes, the windows, the tile--they were all broken by the storm.

6. They fished in the lower river--a waste of time!

7. We had many things to do for the trip--buy tickets, get passports, pack, arrange for the animals.

8. We--we--we shouldn't be in this warehouse.

9. This movie--what a thriller!--was the best I have seen recently.

10. Have you met my wife--my best friend and eternal companion?

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 430 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Dashes

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a dash to emphasize appositives or to set off a series of appositives. 

 

Example: 

Everything--cars, bikes, furniture--must be moved.

Dashes are used to give emphasis to written ideas and are typed by using two hyphens. They should be used sparingly.

Instructions: Use dashes where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. Have you met Larry Millward the best friend I've ever had?

2. We lost in the fire everything clothes, jewelry, photos, memories.

3. We stopped in three cities Butte, Great Falls, Sweetgrass.

4. I want you to visit Brazil my other country and second home.

5. Everyone men, women, children will be cared for immediately.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Have you met Larry Millward--the best friend I've ever had?

2. We lost in the fire everything--clothes, jewelry, photos, memories.

3. We stopped in three cities--Butte, Great Falls, Sweetgrass.

4. I want you to visit Brazil--my other country and second home.

5. Everyone--men, women, children--will be cared for immediately.

View Quiz

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 429 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Dashes

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Dashes are used to give emphasis to written ideas and are typed by using two hyphens. They should be used sparingly.

Use dashes to show hesitation. 

 

Example: 

I--I--I don't know what you mean!

Instructions: Use dashes where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. You you you are the one who did it.

2. I heard him say "Oh oh oh my head!"

3. I I I didn't mean to do it.

4. Well well well I guess I can try to help with it.

5. Soon very soon we should be there.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. You--you--you are the one who did it.

2. I heard him say "Oh--oh--oh my head!"

3. I--I--I didn't mean to do it.

4. Well--well--well I guess I can try to help with it.

5. Soon--very soon we should be there.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 428 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Dashes

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Dashes are used to give emphasis to written ideas and are typed by using two hyphens. They should be used sparingly.

Use a dash to indicate a summarizing clause. 

 

Example: 

The house, the yard, the garage--they had remained untouched.

Instructions: Use dashes where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. Kitchen, living room, bedrooms they were just as dirty as ever.

2. Oil, steel, wheat they were the backbone of industrialization.

3. Policemen, teachers, garbage collectors these are people that we cannot do without.

4. Cars, homes, businesses they were destroyed everywhere by the earthquake.

5. Families, jobs, hope these the war had nearly decimated everywhere.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Kitchen, living room, bedrooms--they were just as dirty as ever.

2. Oil, steel, wheat--they were the backbone of industrialization.

3. Policemen, teachers, garbage collectors--these are people that we cannot do without.

4. Cars, homes, businesses--they were destroyed everywhere by the earthquake.

5. Families, jobs, hope--these the war had nearly decimated everywhere.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 427 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Dashes

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Dashes are used to give emphasis to written ideas and are typed by using two hyphens. They should be used sparingly.

Use dashes to emphasize parenthetical material. 

 

Example: 

Tomorrow--how I fear it!--is the big test.

Instructions: Use dashes where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. All the presentations especially the one by Emily were excellent.

2. I leave I am so excited! for school today.

3. That game what an exciting one it was! is one that we will long remember.

4. There are several persons including myself, incidentally who resent your implications.

5. We approached the dog what a monstrous creature he was! with caution.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. All the presentations--especially the one by Emily--were excellent.

2. I leave--I am so excited!--for school today.

3. That game--what an exciting one it was!--is one that we will long remember.

4. There are several persons--including myself, incidentally--who resent your implications.

5. We approached the dog--what a monstrous creature he was!--with caution.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Lesson 426 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Dashes

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Dashes are used to give emphasis to written ideas and are typed by using two hyphens. They should be used sparingly.

Use a dash to show a break in thought or sentence structure. 

 

Example: 

He had tried to change--you're not even paying attention!

Instructions: Use dashes where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. We will invite Susan she is the new girl next door to our party.

2. The dog slid on the vinyl his nails acting like skates and crashed into the trash can.

3. When our stockpile was sold indeed, dumped for surplus all our sales were compromised.

4. Today has been but I will not bore you with my troubles.

5. Let me tell you about watch where you are going!

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. We will invite Susan--she is the new girl next door--to our party.

2. The dog slid on the vinyl--his nails acting like skates--and crashed into the trash can.

3. When our stockpile was sold--indeed, dumped for surplus--all our sales were compromised.

4. Today has been--but I will not bore you with my troubles.

5. Let me tell you about--watch where you are going!

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Quiz for Lessons 421 - 425 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Hyphens

View Quiz - Print Quiz

Instructions: Supply hyphens where they are needed in these sentences.

1. The Anglo French contest for North America was early in our history.

2. Take a word and work backward to its back formation.

3. I need to deemphasize some of those old concepts.

4. There is a twin bill at the drive in.

5. I hate his so what attitude that he always uses on us.

6. My new brother in law will be here for a visit soon.

7. I love that good to the last drop taste which this has.

8. The test is on chapters 8 through 12 in the math text.

9. The store has its annual better than ever price sale this week.

10. Your off the cuff remarks made for a great interview.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The Anglo-French contest for North America was early in our history.

2. Take a word and work backward to its back-formation.

3. I need to de-emphasize some of those old concepts.

4. There is a twin bill at the drive-in.

5. I hate his so-what attitude that he always uses on us.

6. My new brother-in-law will be here for a visit soon.

7. I love that good-to-the-last-drop taste which this has.

8. The test is on chapters 8-12 in the math text.

9. The store has its annual better-than-ever price sale this week.

10. Your off-the-cuff remarks made for a great interview.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, Workbook, and Worksheet format.

Lesson 425 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Hyphens

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a hyphen to show the omission of a connecting word. 

 

Example: 

chapters 1-5 (through omitted)

Instructions: Supply hyphens and omit the words where they are needed in these sentences.

1. We studied the Franco and Prussian War in our history class.

2. For tomorrow read chapters 6 to 9 in your geography book.

3. The decade 1950 through 1959 was a great time to grow up.

4. The New York to Paris flight will leave on time.

5. Study your letters l through z for the next quiz.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. We studied the Franco-Prussian War in our history class.

2. For tomorrow read chapters 6-9 in your geography book.

3. The decade 1950-1959 was a great time to grow up.

4. The New York-Paris flight will leave on time.

5. Study your letters l-z for the next quiz.

View Quiz

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, Workbook, and Worksheet format.

Lesson 424 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Hyphens

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a hyphen in compounds in which mispronunciation might otherwise result. 

 

Example:

pre-existence

Instructions: Supply hyphens where they are needed in these sentences.

1. It was hard to find an antiimperialist among the rulers of ancient Rome.

2. I believe that man had a preexistence before this life.

3. Can you deenergize that bomb in time?

4. If you take that medicine, it could cause the body to be antiimmune.

5. The concerned group was starting an antiimmoral movement.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. It was hard to find an anti-imperialist among the rulers of ancient Rome.

2. I believe that man had a pre-existence before this life.

3. Can you de-energize that bomb in time?

4. If you take that medicine, it could cause the body to be anti-immune.

5. The concerned group was starting an anti-immoral movement.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, Workbook, and Worksheet format.

Lesson 423 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Hyphens

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a hyphen with special compounds such as tie-up and drive-in.

Instructions: Supply hyphens where they are needed in these sentences.

1. Jim was the runner up in the race.

2. The sailors attached the ship to the tie up.

3. Let's get something to eat at a drive in.

4. The jump off was the beginning of the war.

5. This meal is certainly first rate.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Jim was the runner-up in the race.

2. The sailors attached the ship to the tie-up.

3. Let's get something to eat at a drive-in.

4. The jump-off was the beginning of the war.

5. This meal is certainly first-rate.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, Workbook, and Worksheet format.

Lesson 422 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Hyphens

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a hyphen in some compound nouns made up of a noun and a prepositional phrase. 

 

Example: 

sister-in-law

Instructions: Supply hyphens where they are needed in these sentences.

1. In the woods we saw many flowers including a jack in the pulpit.

2. One old toy that everyone used to have was a jack in the box.

3. The sergeants at arms will escort him from the courtroom.

4. The ship's captain enjoyed using the cat o' nine tails on disobedient sailors.

5. Finding the man seemed to be just a will o' the wisp.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. In the woods we saw many flowers including a jack-in-the-pulpit.

2. One old toy that everyone used to have was a jack-in-the-box.

3. The sergeants-at-arms will escort him from the courtroom.

4. The ship's captain enjoyed using the cat-o'-nine-tails on disobedient sailors.

5. Finding the man seemed to be just a will-o'-the-wisp.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, Workbook, and Worksheet format.

Lesson 421 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Hyphens

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a hyphen in compounds made up of two or more words used as an adjective before a noun. This includes coined phrases. Do not use a hyphen when one of the words is an adverb ending in -ly. These compounds will add vividness to your writing, but one should not use too many. 

 

Example: 

I received a last-minute call.

Instructions: Supply hyphens where they are needed in these sentences.

1. The little lost girl had that I'm going to cry again look on her face.

2. Spies must have the I like danger attitude to be successful.

3. We found many interesting things in a forty year old trunk.

4. He gave an I dare you to touch me sneer to the others.

5. Did you read that hair raising story last night?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The little lost girl had that I'm-going-to-cry-again look on her face.

2. Spies must have the I-like-danger attitude to be successful.

3. We found many interesting things in a forty-year-old trunk.

4. He gave an I-dare-you-to-touch-me sneer to the others.

5. Did you read that hair-raising story last night?

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in eBook, Workbook, and Worksheet format.