Lesson 439 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Slash

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Use a slash (/) to separate parts of a choice. 

 

Example: 

Mr./Mrs. Smith will speak to us first.

Instructions: Put slashes where they are needed in these sentences.

1. Jeff and or Jim may return by train.

2. Miss Ms. Jones is a special guest of the company.

3. Mr. Mrs. James was surely the driver of the car.

4. We and or they will be given the chance to see the bears.

5. Sir Madame Chorsky will christen the new ship.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Jeff and/or Jim may return by train.

2. Miss/Ms. Jones is a special guest of the company.

3. Mr./Mrs. James was surely the driver of the car.

4. We and/or they will be given the chance to see the bears.

5. Sir/Madame Chorsky will christen the new ship.

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Lesson 139 - Parts of the Sentence - Pronouns

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Pronouns take the place of nouns. Personal pronouns have what is called case. Case means that a different form of a pronoun is used for different parts of the sentence. There are three cases: nominative, objective, and possessive. Many mistakes are made in the use of nominative and objective case pronouns. Memorizing each list will help you use them correctly.

Nominative case pronouns are I, she, he, we, they, and who. They are used as subjects, predicate nominatives, and appositives when used with a subject or predicate nominative.

Objective case pronouns are me, her, him, us, them, and whom. They are used as direct objects, indirect objects, objects of the preposition, and appositives when used with one of the objects. (We will learn about indirect objects and objects of the preposition in later lessons.) (You and it are both nominative and objective case.)

Possessive case pronouns are my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, your, yours, their, and theirs. They are used to show ownership.

Instructions: Choose the correct form of the pronoun and tell why you chose it.

1. Yes, it was (him, he).

2. (We, Us) girls went together to shop.

3. (Who, Whom) is on the phone? It is (me, I).

4. Jim met Pam and (me, I) at the movie.

5. The noise outside awakened (us, we).

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Yes, it was he.

    - predicate nominative, nominative case

2. We girls went together to shop.

    - subject, nominative case

3. Who is on the phone? It is I.

    - subject and predicate nominative, nominative case

4. Jim met Pam and me at the movie.

    - direct object, objective case

5. The noise outside awakened us.

    - direct object, objective case

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Lesson 438 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Slash

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Use a slash (/) to separate parts of fractions. 

 

Examples: 

2/3's (two thirds)

1/8 (one eighth)

Instructions: Replace the fractions in these sentences by using numbers with the slash.

1. We only need three quarters of a yard of that material.

2. That door is three sixteenths too long to fit.

3. You only get one-half of the money.

4. She was asleep one fourth of the time when she should have been working.

5. This must be within one sixty-fourth of an inch.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. We only need 3/4's of a yard of that material.

2. That door is 3/16's too long to fit.

3. You only get 1/2 of the money.

4. She was asleep 1/4 of the time when she should have been working.

5. This must be within 1/64 of an inch.

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Lesson 138 - Parts of the Sentence - Pronouns

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Pronouns take the place of nouns. Personal pronouns have what is called case. Case means that a different form of a pronoun is used for different parts of the sentence. There are three cases: nominative, objective, and possessive. Many mistakes are made in the use of nominative and objective case pronouns. Memorizing each list will help you use them correctly.

Nominative case pronouns are I, she, he, we, they, and who. They are used as subjects, predicate nominatives, and appositives when used with a subject or predicate nominative.

Objective case pronouns are me, her, him, us, them, and whom. They are used as direct objects, indirect objects, objects of the preposition, and appositives when used with one of the objects. (We will learn about indirect objects and objects of the preposition in later lessons.) (You and it are both nominative and objective case.)

Possessive case pronouns are my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, your, yours, their, and theirs. They are used to show ownership.

Instructions: Choose the correct form of the pronoun and tell why you chose it.

1. (Who, Whom) did you send?

2. The man saw (them, they) outside.

3. Had the girls met (he, him) before?

4. The boss helped (we, us), Tom and (I, me).

5. I saw (she, her) at the door.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Whom did you send?

    - direct object, objective case

2. The man saw them outside.

    - direct object, objective case

3. Had the girls met him before?

    - direct object, objective case

4. The boss helped us, Tom and me.

    - direct object and appositive, objective case

5. I saw her at the door.

    - direct object, objective case

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Lesson 437 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Brackets

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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."

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Lesson 137 - Parts of the Sentence - Pronouns

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Pronouns take the place of nouns. Personal pronouns have what is called case. Case means that a different form of a pronoun is used for different parts of the sentence. There are three cases: nominative, objective, and possessive. Many mistakes are made in the use of nominative and objective case pronouns. Memorizing each list will help you use them correctly.

Nominative case pronouns are I, she, he, we, they, and who. They are used as subjects, predicate nominatives, and appositives when used with a subject or predicate nominative.

Objective case pronouns are me, her, him, us, them, and whom. They are used as direct objects, indirect objects, objects of the preposition, and appositives when used with one of the objects. (We will learn about indirect objects and objects of the preposition in later lessons.) (You and it are both nominative and objective case.)

Possessive case pronouns are my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, your, yours, their, and theirs. They are used to show ownership.

Instructions: Choose the correct form of the pronoun and tell why you chose it.

1. It could have been (them, they).

2. Yes, it was (us, we).

3. The runaway girl was (her, she).

4. This is (him, he).

5. The winner was (me, I).

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. It could have been they.

    - predicate nominative, nominative case

2. Yes, it was we.

    - predicate nominative, nominative case

3. The runaway girl was she.

    - predicate nominative, nominative case

4. This is he.

    - predicate nominative, nominative case

5. The winner was I.

    - predicate nominative, nominative case

 

Note: Predicate nominatives give us the most trouble; therefore, these may all sound strange to you, but they are correct.

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Lesson 436 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Brackets

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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.

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Lesson 136 - Parts of the Sentence - Pronouns

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Pronouns take the place of nouns. Personal pronouns have what is called case. Case means that a different form of a pronoun is used for different parts of the sentence. There are three cases: nominative, objective, and possessive. Many mistakes are made in the use of nominative and objective case pronouns. Memorizing each list will help you use them correctly.

Nominative case pronouns are I, she, he, we, they, and who. They are used as subjects, predicate nominatives, and appositives when used with a subject or predicate nominative.

Objective case pronouns are me, her, him, us, them, and whom. They are used as direct objects, indirect objects, objects of the preposition, and appositives when used with one of the objects. (We will learn about indirect objects and objects of the preposition in later lessons.) (You and it are both nominative and objective case.)

Possessive case pronouns are my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, our, ours, your, yours, their, and theirs. They are used to show ownership.

Instructions: Choose the correct form of the pronoun and tell why you chose it.

1. (I, Me) went to the movie.

2. (Him, He) is my best friend.

3. (They, Them) will be here soon.

4. (She, Her) ran happily down the street.

5. There (we, us) went.

6. (Who, Whom) is it?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I went to the movie.   

    - subject, nominative case

2. He is my best friend.

    - subject, nominative case

3. They will be here soon.

    - subject, nominative case

4. She ran happily down the street.

    - subject, nominative case

5. There we went.

    - subject, nominative case

6. Who is it?

    - subject, nominative case

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

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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.

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Quiz for Lessons 131- 135 - Parts of the Sentence - Nouns of Address

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Instructions: Find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositive, and nouns of address in these sentences and tell whether the verb is transitive active (ta), transitive passive (tp), intransitive linking (il), or intransitive complete (ic).

1. Dr. Jensen, a brain surgeon, performed the complicated operation.

2. These parts of the sentence, an appositive and a noun of address, are sometimes confused, students.

3. My fellow citizens, our local paper, the Blab, covers the news well.

4. That mongrel, a shaggy-looking creature, is my dog Badger.

5. You should consult Dr. A. J. Hoyt, a skin specialist, sir.

6. You, my dear, will have my promise, a statement of honor.

7. For dinner I had my favorite dessert, strawberry pie.

8. Comrades, we are here in Russia once again.

9, Matthew, have you swum in the Pacific Ocean, Balboa's discovery?

10. Have you met my friend, Amy?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. performed = verb (ta), Dr. Jensen = subject, operation = direct object, surgeon = appositive

2. are confused = verb (tp), parts = subject, appositive/ noun = appositives, students = noun of address

3. covers = verb (ta), paper = subject, news = direct object, Blab = appositive, citizens = noun of address

4. is = verb (il), mongrel = subject, dog = predicate nominative, creature/Badger = appositives

5. should consult = verb (ta), you = subject, Dr. A. J. Hoyt = direct object, specialist = appositive, sir = noun of address

6. will have = verb (ta), you = subject, promise = direct object, statement = appositive, dear = noun of address

7. had = verb (ta), I = subject, dessert = direct object, pie = appositive

8. are = verb (ic), we = subject, Comrades = noun of address

9. have swum = verb (ic), you = subject, discovery = appositive, Matthew = noun of address

10. have met = verb (ta), you = subject, friend = direct object, Amy = noun of address (If it were an appositive, it would have no commas.)

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Lesson 435 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Parentheses

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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.

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Lesson 135 - Parts of the Sentence - Nouns of Address

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Nouns or nominatives of address are the persons or things to which you are speaking. They are set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma or commas, may have modifiers, and are not related to the rest of the sentence grammatically. You can remove them and a complete sentence remains. They may be first, last or in the middle of the sentence. 

 

Examples: 

John, where are you going? 

Where are you going, John? 

Where, John, are you going?

An appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames the noun or pronoun that it follows. It is set off by commas unless closely tied to the word that it identifies or renames. ("Closely tied" means that it is needed to identify the word.) 

 

Examples: 

My son Carl is a medical technician. (no commas) 

Badger, our dog with a missing leg, has a love for cats. (commas needed)

We must be sure to not confuse nouns of address with appositives since they are both set off with commas.

Instructions: Find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositive, and nouns of address in these sentences and tell whether the verb is transitive active (ta), transitive passive (tp), intransitive linking (il), or intransitive complete (ic).

1. My car, a Plymouth van, rolled over and over on the highway.

2. Class, please read chapter one, "Verbs."

3. Gentlemen, we must help our young people, the leaders of tomorrow.

4. Sarah, this is my brother Ken.

5. We are planning a trip for next summer, young lady.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. rolled = verb (ic), car = subject, van = appositive

2. read = verb (ta), you (understood) = subject, chapter one = direct object, "Verbs" = appositive, class = noun of address

3. must help = verb (ta), we = subject, people = direct object, leaders = appositive, gentlemen = noun of address

4. is = verb (il), this = subject, brother = predicate nominative, Ken = appositive, Sarah = noun of address

5. are planning = verb (ta), we = subject, trip = direct object, lady = noun of address

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Lesson 134 - Parts of the Sentence - Nouns of Address

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Nouns or nominatives of address are the persons or things to which you are speaking. They are set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma or commas, may have modifiers, and are not related to the rest of the sentence grammatically. You can remove them and a complete sentence remains. They may be first, last or in the middle of the sentence. 

 

Examples: 

John, where are you going? 

Where are you going, John? 

Where, John, are you going?

An appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames the noun or pronoun that it follows. It is set off by commas unless closely tied to the word that it identifies or renames. ("Closely tied" means that it is needed to identify the word.) 

 

Examples: 

My son Carl is a medical technician. (no commas) 

Badger, our dog with a missing leg, has a love for cats. (commas needed)

We must be sure to not confuse nouns of address with appositives since they are both set off with commas.

Instructions: Find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositive, and nouns of address in these sentences and tell whether the verb is transitive active (ta), transitive passive (tp), intransitive linking (il), or intransitive complete (ic).

1. Sam, where is that car, the Volvo?

2. Joe, that woman, Miss Clayson, is a famous newscaster.

3. Mr. Smith, our sponsor, is upset with our advertising, Helen.

4. Kids, I want you to meet our new neighbor, Ann Wise.

5. Everyone, we will watch the television program, "Memories."

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. is = verb (ic), car = subject, Volvo = appositive, Sam = noun of address

2. is = verb (il), woman = subject, newscaster = predicate nominative, Miss Clayson = appositive, Joe = noun of address

3. is upset = verb (tp), Mr. Smith = subject, sponsor = appositive, Helen = noun of address

4. want = verb (ta), I = subject, you = direct object, Ann Wise = appositive, Kids = noun of address

5. will watch = verb (ta), we = subject, program = direct object, Everyone = noun of address, "Memories" = appositive

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Lesson 434 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Parentheses

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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.

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