Lesson 350 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use commas to separate a series of three or more short clauses. 

 

Example: 

I am working, he is sleeping, and she is singing. 

(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. They are eating we are drinking and you are starving.

2. The music began the lights dimmed and the curtains opened.

3. My sister has left home my brother is at school and my mother is baking bread.

4. Jim fished Jeff hiked and I loafed the whole camp-out.

5. You correct he proofreads but I edit material.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. They are eating, we are drinking, and you are starving.

2. The music began, the lights dimmed, and the curtains opened.

3. My sister has left home, my brother is at school, and my mother is baking bread.

4. Jim fished, Jeff hiked, and I loafed the whole camp-out.

5. You correct, he proofreads, but I edit material.

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 149 - Parts of the Sentence - Noun/Pronoun Review

View Lesson - Print Lesson

 

A simple sentence is a group of words expressing a complete thought, and it must have a subject and a verb.  A predicate nominatives or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject.  A direct object receives the action performed by the subject.  An appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames the noun or pronoun that it follows.  Nouns or nominatives of address are the persons or things to which you are speaking.

Transitive active verbs are the verbs in sentences with a direct object. Transitive passive verbs have the subject receiving the action with the doer in a prepositional phrase or omitted in the sentence. The verb in the transitive passive voice always has is, am, are, was, were, be, being, or been as an auxiliary or helping verb. Intransitive verbs have no receiver of the action. They are classified as intransitive complete or intransitive linking. Intransitive linking are sentences with a predicate nominative or predicate adjective. Intransitive complete are all the verbs that don't fit one of the other kinds of transitive or intransitive verbs.

Instructions: Find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, 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. Neither the electrician nor his assistant had the right parts.

2. On the golf course Jim hit two trees and a sand trap.

3. For most people, life is a struggle.

4. The bus driver could hardly see the edge of the road.

5. Barbara, two groups, they and we, stayed to the end.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. had = verb (ta), electrician/assistant = subject, parts = direct object

2. hit = verb (ta), Jim = subject, trees/sand trap = direct objects

3. is = verb (il), life = subject, struggle = predicate nominative

4. could see = verb (ta), driver = subject, edge = direct object

5. stayed = verb (ic), groups = subject, they/we = appositives, Barbara = noun of address

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 349 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

View Lesson - Print Lesson

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.

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 148 - Parts of the Sentence - Noun/Pronoun Review

View Lesson - Print Lesson

A simple sentence is a group of words expressing a complete thought, and it must have a subject and a verb.  A predicate nominatives or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject.  A direct object receives the action performed by the subject.  An appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames the noun or pronoun that it follows.  Nouns or nominatives of address are the persons or things to which you are speaking.

Transitive active verbs are the verbs in sentences with a direct object. Transitive passive verbs have the subject receiving the action with the doer in a prepositional phrase or omitted in the sentence. The verb in the transitive passive voice always has is, am, are, was, were, be, being or been as an auxiliary or helping verb. Intransitive verbs have no receiver of the action. They are classified as intransitive complete or intransitive linking. Intransitive linking are sentences with a predicate nominative or predicate adjective. Intransitive complete are all the verbs that don't fit one of the other kinds of transitive or intransitive verbs.

Instructions: Find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, 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. Mr. Hoyle introduced the speaker, a famous French educator.

2. Please answer the door, Fred.

3. Phil Clintock should not have been elected President.

4. No one enters my territory without permission and lives.

5. The rehearsal has been changed, Jessica.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. introduced = verb (ta), Mr. Hoyle = subject, speaker = direct object, educator = appositive

2. answer = verb (ta), you (understood) = subject, door = direct object, Fred = noun of address

3. should have been elected = verb (il), Phil Clintock = subject, President = predicate nominative

4. enters = verb (ta) / lives = verb (ic), no one = subject, territory = direct object

5. has been changed = verb (tp), rehearsal = subject, Jessica = noun of address

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 348 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

View Lesson - Print Lesson

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.

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 147 - Parts of the Sentence - Noun/Pronoun Review

View Lesson - Print Lesson

A simple sentence is a group of words expressing a complete thought, and it must have a subject and a verb. A predicate nominatives or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject. A direct object receives the action performed by the subject. An appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames the noun or pronoun that it follows. Nouns or nominatives of address are the persons or things to which you are speaking.

Transitive active verbs are the verbs in sentences with a direct object. Transitive passive verbs have the subject receiving the action with the doer in a prepositional phrase or omitted in the sentence. The verb in the transitive passive voice always has is, am, are, was, were, be, being, or been as an auxiliary or helping verb. Intransitive verbs have no receiver of the action. They are classified as intransitive complete or intransitive linking. Intransitive linking are sentences with a predicate nominative or predicate adjective. Intransitive complete are all the verbs that don't fit one of the other kinds of transitive or intransitive verbs.

Instructions: Find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, 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. He signaled Rulon, his son-in-law in New Jersey, and informed him.

2. The alarm clock had been set in the evening.

3. Our special guest for tonight is Mr. McMillan, our honored mayor.

4. There will be a surprise present for the family.

5. A box of gold coins and precious jewels was recently found in our back yard.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. signaled/informed = verbs (ta), he = subject, Rulon/him = direct objects, son-in-law = appositive

2. had been set = verb (tp), clock = subject

3. is = verb (il), guest = subject, Mr. McMillan = predicate nominative, mayor = appositive

4. will be = verb (ic), present = subject

5. was found = verb (tp), box = subject

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 347 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

View Lesson - Print Lesson

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

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 146 - Parts of the Sentence - Noun & Pronoun Review

View Lesson - Print Lesson

A simple sentence is a group of words expressing a complete thought, and it must have a subject and a verb (predicate - some grammar books use the word predicate, but I will use verb). When finding the subject and the verb in a sentence, always find the verb first and then say who or what followed by the verb. For more information see Lesson 95.

A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject. Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. That is such verbs as the helping verbs: is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been; the sense verbs: look, taste, smell, feel, sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, turn. For more information see Lesson 102.

A direct object receives the action performed by the subject. The verb is always an action verb. To find the direct object, say the subject and verb followed by whom or what. If nothing answers the question whom or what, you know that there is no direct object. The direct object must be a noun or pronoun. The predicate nominative or the direct object will never be in a prepositional phrase. For more information see Lesson 109.

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. Appositives should not be confused with predicate nominatives. A verb will separate the subject from the predicate nominative. An appositive can follow any noun or pronoun including the subject, direct object or predicate nominative. For more information see Lesson 128.

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. For more information see Lesson 131.

Transitive active verbs are the verbs in sentences with a direct object. Transitive passive verbs have the subject receiving the action with the doer in a prepositional phrase or omitted in the sentence. The verb in the transitive passive voice always has is, am, are, was, were, be, being, or been as an auxiliary or helping verb. Intransitive verbs have no receiver of the action. They are classified as intransitive complete or intransitive linking. Intransitive linking are sentences with a predicate nominative or predicate adjective. Intransitive complete are all the verbs that don't fit one of the other kinds of transitive or intransitive verbs. For more information see Lesson 116.

Instructions: Find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, 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. The man with an armful of presents tripped and fell.

2. Into the clearing staggered the wounded soldier.

3. The company president, Mr. Mabey, lost his temper.

4. Wilma, where did you put my book?

5. Shelley, Keats, and Byron are famous poets.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. tripped / fell = verbs (ic), man = subject

2. staggered = verb (ic), soldier = subject

3. lost = verb (ta), president = subject, temper = direct object, Mr. Mabey = appositive (possibly noun of address)

4. did put = verb (ta), you = subject, book = direct object, Wilma = noun of address

5. are = verb (il), Shelley/Keats/Byron = subjects, poets = predicate nominative

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 346 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

View Lesson - Print Lesson

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

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Quiz for Lessons 141 - 145 - Parts of the Sentence - Pronouns

View Quiz - Print Quiz

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

1. (Whom, Who) has she told?

2. Jim chose Ann and (I, me).

3. This is (she, her) speaking.

4. Could it have been (they, them) leaving there?

5. They never called (you and I, you and me).

6. Mother called (we, us) children for supper.

7. The cat groomed (its, it's) paw.

8. Is this shirt (yours, your's)?

9. The next turn is (ours, our's).

10. (Their, They're) house is the new one.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Whom has she told?

    - direct object, objective case

2. Jim chose Ann and me.

    - direct object, objective case

3. This is she speaking.

    - predicate nominative, nominative case

4. Could it have been they leaving there?

    - predicate nominative, nominative case

5. They never called you and me.

    - direct object, objective case

 

6. Mother called us children for supper.

    - direct object, objective case

7. The cat groomed its paw.

    - possessive case

8. Is this shirt yours?

    - possessive case

9. The next turn is ours.

    - possessive case

10. Their house is the new one.

      - possessive case

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Quiz for Lessons 341 - 345 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

View Quiz - Print Quiz

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Most graciously

2. Dear Madam

3. Do you live at 431 North 500 West West Valley Utah 84098?

4. My birthday party is March 1 1976 at the golf course.

5. Monday February 2 is the day the groundhog looks for its shadow.

6. I lived at 368 Maple Avenue for a week.

7. May 1 was our wedding day.

8. Max Blaser Sr. is their neighbor in Tampa Florida.

9. Did you see Tom Jones Jr. at 430 East Plum Erda Colorado 35096 while on vacation?

10. During August all the leaves turn colors in Springfield Minnesota.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Most graciously,

2. Dear Madam: (a business letter)

3. Do you live at 431 North 500 West, West Valley, Utah 84098?

4. My birthday party is March 1, 1976, at the golf course.

5. Monday, February 2, is the day the groundhog looks for its shadow.

6. no comma needed (only one part)

7. no comma needed (only one part)

8. Max Blaser, Sr., is their neighbor in Tampa, Florida.

9. Did you see Tom Jones, Jr., at 430 East Plum, Erda, Colorado 35096, while on vacation?

10. During August all the leaves turn colors in Springfield, Minnesota.

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 145 - Parts of the Sentence - Pronouns

View Lesson - Print Lesson

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.

Possessive pronouns never have apostrophes, but possessive nouns do. Do not confuse the possessive personal pronouns its, your, and their with the contractions it's (it is, it has), you're (you are), and they're (they are).

Instructions: Tell how each italicized pronoun is used in these sentences.

1. It surely was she.

2. Did you see it?

3. Was it you or he at the play?

4. No, it wasn't we.

5. They saw me at the same time.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. It surely was she.

    - subject and predicate nominative, nominative case

2. Did you see it?

    - subject, nominative case

    - direct object, objective case

3. Was it you or he at the play?

    - subject and predicate nominative, nominative case

4. No, it wasn't we.

    - subject and predicate nominative, nominative case

5. They saw me at the same time.

    - subject, nominative case

    - direct object, objective case

 

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 345 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a comma after the complimentary close of a friendly or business letter. 

 

Example: Sincerely yours,

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed in these complimentary closings.

1. Very truly yours

2. Affectionately yours

3. Yours lovingly

4. Your best customer

5. Cordially

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Very truly yours,

2. Affectionately yours,

3. Yours lovingly,

4. Your best customer,

5. Cordially,

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 an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 144 - Parts of the Sentence - Pronouns

View Lesson - Print Lesson

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.

Possessive pronouns never have apostrophes, but possessive nouns do. Do not confuse the possessive personal pronouns its, your, and their with the contractions it's (it is, it has), you're (you are), and they're (they are).

Instructions: Tell how each italicized pronoun is used in these sentences.

1. My choice would be he.

2. She helped us, Jeff and me.

3. You have visited him before.

4. The losers are you and he.

5. It could have been they.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. My choice would be he.

    - predicate nominative, nominative case

2. She helped us, Jeff and me.

    - subject, nominative case

    - direct object and appositive, objective case 

3. You have visited him before.

    - subject, nominative case

    - direct object, objective case 

4. The losers are you and he.

    - predicate nominative, nominative case

5. It could have been they.

    - subject and predicate nominative, nominative case

 

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 an eBook and a workbook format.