Lesson 363 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to set off contrasted expressions. 

 

Example: 

His mother, not his father, is in charge.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Your car not your truck is the better vehicle to use.

2. My aunt not my uncle used to live here before.

3. You need to talk to the man at the end of the table not the one near the window.

4. Our track team not our baseball team won the championship.

5. Be sure to see the owner not the manager about the job.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Your car, not your truck, is the better vehicle to use.

2. My aunt, not my uncle, used to live here before.

3. You need to talk to the man at the end of the table, not the one near the window.

4. Our track team, not our baseball team, won the championship.

5. Be sure to see the owner, not the manager, about the job.

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Lesson 63 - 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: These sentences have adverbs that modify the verb and tell us where. Find the adverbs and tell what they modify.

1. The fighter moved forward to meet his opponent.

2. There went the boy for some fun.

3. Sit here in this comfortable chair.

4. We are playing outside.

5. Where have you been?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The fighter moved forward to meet his opponent.

    - forward modifies moved

2. There went the boy for some fun.

    - there modifies went

3. Sit here in this comfortable chair.

    - here modifies sit

4. We are playing outside.

    - outside modifies are playing

5. Where have you been?

    - where modifies have been

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Lesson 362 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma when words are omitted from parallel clauses in a compound sentence. 

 

Example: 

Mother baked an apple pie, and Aunt Gayle, a chocolate cake.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Fred asked the question; Sarah the answer.

2. I like classical music; my wife country music.

3. Ann graduated from Utah State University, and Boyd Arizona State University.

4. This box has the books, and that box the recordings.

5. Stephanie told a funny story; Alaina a scary one.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Fred asked the question; Sarah, the answer.

2. I like classical music; my wife, country music.

3. Ann graduated from Utah State University, and Boyd, Arizona State University.

4. This box has the books, and that box, the recordings.

5. Stephanie told a funny story; Alaina, a scary one.

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Lesson 62 - 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: These sentences have adverbs that modify the verb and tell us when. Find the adverbs and tell what they modify.

1. As the car caught fire, he jumped immediately from it.

2. Daily I go to the gym for exercise.

3. The campfire was glowing later to our surprise.

4. We will now finish the assignment.

5. The work will be done tomorrow.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. As the car caught fire, he jumped immediately from it.

    - immediately modifies jumped

2. Daily I go to the gym for exercise.

    - daily modifies go

3. The campfire was glowing later to our surprise.

    - later modifies was glowing

4. We will now finish the assignment.

    - now modifies will finish

5. The work will be done tomorrow.

    - tomorrow modifies will be done

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Lesson 361 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma to set off a short clause at the end of the sentence to change a statement into a question or an exclamatory sentence. 

 

Example: 

You are going to town, aren't you?

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. That should make them take notice shouldn't it!

2. This is a beautiful location isn't it?

3. Becky is a living miracle isn't she!

4. Joe was here this morning wasn't he?

5. The new player really tries doesn't he!

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. That should make them take notice, shouldn't it!

2. This is a beautiful location, isn't it?

3. Becky is a living miracle, isn't she!

4. Joe was here this morning, wasn't he?

5. The new player really tries, doesn't he!

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Lesson 61 - Parts of Speech - Adverbs

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Since there has been some confusion about adverbs, I think we need a few more lessons about adverbs. We need to memorize what adverbs tell us and what they modify. We must always remember this basic information to handle them correctly.

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: The following sentences have adverbs that tell us how, and they modify the verb. Find the adverbs in these sentences and tell what they modify.

1. Joe was frantically mumbling to the 911 operator.

2. The message was secretly hidden in the cushion.

3. The room was decorated beautifully for the wedding.

4. The spy readily accepted the new assignment.

5. He was carefully disguised but captured quickly by police.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Joe was frantically mumbling to the 911 operator.

    - frantically modifies was mumbling

2. The message was secretly hidden in the cushion.

    - secretly modifies was hidden

3. The room was decorated beautifully for the wedding.

    - beautifully modifies was decorated

4. The spy readily accepted the new assignment.

    - readily modifies accepted

5. He was carefully disguised but captured quickly by police.

    - carefully modifies was disguised  

    - quickly modifies was captured 

    (was is a helping verb to both main verbs)

 

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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Quiz for Lessons 356 - 360 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Comma

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Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. When you return the opportunity will still await you.

2. Having done my best I sat down to see the results.

3. To get the job done you will need to pace yourself.

4. During the last game of the World Series a riot took place.

5. His face stern and set told me that I was in trouble.

6. The answer without doubt will make all the difference.

7. After you finish doing the dishes the floor needs mopping.

8. To get the correct results you must follow the proper order of adding ingredients.

9. Trying to secure the boat the man fell haplessly into the water.

10. In view of the recent events in the Middle East peace does not seem likely.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. When you return, the opportunity will still await you.

2. Having done my best, I sat down to see the results.

3. To get the job done, you will need to pace yourself.

4. During the last game of the World Series, a riot took place.

5. His face, stern and set, told me that I was in trouble.

6. The answer, without doubt, will make all the difference.

7. After you finish doing the dishes, the floor needs mopping.

8. To get the correct results, you must follow the proper order of adding ingredients.

9. Trying to secure the boat, the man fell haplessly into the water.

10. In view of the recent events in the Middle East, peace does not seem likely.

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Quiz for Lessons 56-60 - Parts of Speech - Adverbs

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Instructions: Form the comparative and superlative of the following words.

1. closely

2. wildly

3. not

4. there

5. well

6. soon

7. coldly

8. fast

9. much

10. now

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. closely, more closely, most closely

2. wildly, more wildly, most wildly

3. Not cannot be compared.

4. There cannot be compared.

5. well, better, best

6. soon, sooner, soonest

7. coldly, more coldly, most coldly

8. fast, faster, fastest

9. much, more, most

10. Now cannot be compared.

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Lesson 360 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to set off transposed (out of their natural order) words, phrases, or other modifiers.

Example: 

This woman, without question, is too weak. 

(These transposed items are very much like the introductory items, but they do not come at the beginning of the sentence.)

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Turn to increase the volume the knob to the right.

2. The intruder very quietly closed the door.

3. Her hand cut and bruised showed the ordeal undertaken by her.

4. Sam although he likes drama seldom ever attends a play.

5. All the contestants eager and well-prepared required a good night's rest.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Turn, to increase the volume, the knob to the right.

2. The intruder, very quietly, closed the door.

3. Her hand, cut and bruised, showed the ordeal undertaken by her.

4. Sam, although he likes drama, seldom ever attends a play.

5. All the contestants, eager and well-prepared, required a good night's rest.

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Lesson 60 - Parts of Speech - Adverbs

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Do not use two negative words to limit one idea. Be careful not to use not or n't, no, never, none, hardly, scarcely, or nothing with another negative word.

      Examples: 

      Correct - Jim never likes help. Jim likes no help. 

      Incorrect - Jim never likes no help. 

      Correct - Barbara said nothing. Barbara didn't say anything. 

      Incorrect - Barbara didn't say nothing.

Instructions: Choose the correct form in parentheses for these sentences.

1. Carl hasn't (none, any) more tickets.

2. Jeff (can, can't ) hardly wait to come home.

3. This shouldn't (ever, never) happen again.

4. We (haven't, have) scarcely any fuel left.

5. Jeanne won't need (no, any) money for school.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Carl hasn't any more tickets.

2. Jeff can hardly wait to come home.

3. This shouldn't ever happen again.

4. We have scarcely any fuel left.

5. Jeanne won't need any money for school.

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Lesson 359 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after long introductory prepositional phrases or two or more consecutive prepositional phrases. 

 

Examples: 

At the entrance to the cave, the guide gave us instructions. 

During those hot, boring summer days, time passed very slowly.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. After the wreck into the pine tree the car was towed away.

2. Into the woods during the shower ran the black horse.

3. After the long and exhausting trip we finally arrived at our destination.

4. In the hall closet on the top shelf you will find the material I need.

5. Through the vast expanse of space the astronauts traveled continuously.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. After the wreck into the pine tree, the car was towed away.

2. Into the woods during the shower, ran the black horse.

3. After the long and exhausting trip, we finally arrived at our destination.

4. In the hall closet on the top shelf, you will find the material I need.

5. Through the vast expanse of space, the astronauts traveled continuously.

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Lesson 59 - Parts of Speech - Adverbs

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Most adverbs not formed from verbs cannot be compared. Words like now, too, then, not, already, again, always, yesterday, almost, why, and here.

Instructions: Find the adverbs in these sentences. Remember that adverbs tell us how, when, where, why, and how much.

1. Today or tomorrow I should finish my technically difficult work.

2. Don't leave me alone.

3. Where did you go yesterday?

4. It is too windy for me to go again.

5. Finally he is going away.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Today or tomorrow I should finish my technically difficult work.

2. Don't leave me alone.

3. Where did you go yesterday?

4. It is too windy for me to go again.

5. Finally he is going away.

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Lesson 358 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after an introductory dependent adverb clause. 

 

Example: 

If you want to see the Olympics, order your tickets now.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. When my luggage arrives I will give you your present.

2. After the game was over both the team and the fans celebrated.

3. If you do not believe me ask the rest of those present.

4. Although I am afraid I will lead you through the woods.

5. Where the troops are we are going.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. When my luggage arrives, I will give you your present.

2. After the game was over, both the team and the fans celebrated.

3. If you do not believe me, ask the rest of those present.

4. Although I am afraid, I will lead you through the woods.

5. Where the troops are, we are going.

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Lesson 58 - Parts of Speech - Adverbs

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Some adverbs have an irregular comparison.

      Example: 

      well, better, best

Instructions: Give the comparative and superlative of these words.

1. far

2. little

3. much

4. badly

5. ill

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. far, farther, farthest

2. little, less, least

3. much, more, most

4. badly, worse, worst

5. ill, worse, worst

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