Lesson 353 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to set off an appositive if not closely tied to the words it equals or identifies. 

 

Examples: 

Larry Millward, my best friend, will speak at the meeting. 

My brother Ken moved to Hawaii. (closely tied)

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Fred James a soldier captured during World War II spoke at the assembly.

2. My sister Elaine died recently.

3. Paul the top student in his class was the valedictorian.

4. Small farming a very important occupation is disappearing.

5. We rode all day on Dot a very old and gentle horse.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Fred James, a soldier captured during World War II, spoke at the assembly.

2. My sister Elaine died recently. (It is closely tied, but one could take Elaine as a noun of address if you don't know her as the sister.)

3. Paul, the top student in his class, was the valedictorian.

4. Small farming, a very important occupation, is disappearing.

5. We rode all day on Dot, a very old and gentle horse.

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Lesson 152 - Parts of the Sentence - Adjectives

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Adjectives modify or affect the meaning of nouns and pronouns and tell us which, whose, what kind, and how many about the nouns or pronouns they modify. They come before the noun or pronoun they modify except for the predicate adjective which comes after a linking verb and modifies the subject.

 

Examples of adjectives:

The big brown bear grabbed the scared small man.

(The, big, and brown modify the subject bear and the, scared, and small modify the direct object man)

Examples of predicate adjectives:

The big bear is brown. The brown bear was big.

(brown and big come after the linking verbs is and was and modify the subject bear)

 

There are seven (7) words in the English language that are always adjectives. They are the articles a, an, and the and the possessives my, our, your, and their. (The possessives are from the possessive pronoun list but are always used with nouns as adjectives.) One should memorize them so they are immediately recognized as adjectives.

Adjectives that point out what kind are most common and too numerous to list. Big, brown, scared, and small above are examples.

Instructions: Find the adjectives that tell what kind in these sentences and tell what they modify.

1. The tall man is a professional baseball player.

2. That lovely old lady wrote realistic short plays.

3. A loud and noisy group greeted the returned missionary.

4. The small but strong man helped the cute little girl.

5. A tall slender girl won the beauty contest.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The tall man is a professional baseball player.

- tall modifies man

- professional and baseball modify player

2. That lovely old lady wrote realistic short plays.

- lovely and old modify lady

- realistic and short modify plays

3. A loud and noisy group greeted the returned missionary.

- loud and noisy modify group

- returned modifies missionary

4. The small but strong man helped the cute little girl.

- small and strong modify man

- cute and little modify girl

5. A tall slender girl won the beauty contest.

- tall and slender modify girl 

- beauty modifies contest

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Lesson 352 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to set off words or phrases used as nouns of address (nominatives of address).

Examples:

Joe, get over here. 

Get over here, Joe. 

Young man, get over here.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Did you Susan see him at the meetings?

2. I will call you in the morning Steve.

3. Well Fred it was a pleasure to see you again.

4. Jeanne I don't know what is going on.

5. You should Bill know the answer to that one.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Did you, Susan, see him at the meetings?

2. I will call you in the morning, Steve.

3. Well, Fred, it was a pleasure to see you again.

4. Jeanne, I don't know what is going on.

5. You should, Bill, know the answer to that one.

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Lesson 151 - Parts of the Sentence - Adjectives

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Adjectives modify or affect the meaning of nouns and pronouns and tell us which, whose, what kind, and how many about the nouns or pronouns they modify. They come before the noun or pronoun they modify except for the predicate adjective which comes after a linking verb and modifies the subject.

 

Examples of adjectives:

The big brown bear grabbed the scared small man.

(The, big, and brown modify the subject bear and the, scared, and small modify the direct object man)

Examples of predicate adjectives:

The big bear is brown. The brown bear was big.

(brown and big come after the linking verbs is and was and modify the subject bear)

 

There are seven (7) words in the English language that are always adjectives. They are the articles a, an, and the and the possessives my, our, your, and their. (The possessives are from the possessive pronoun list but are always used with nouns as adjectives.) One should memorize them so they are immediately recognized as adjectives.

Adjectives that point out which include that, this, those, these, and the articles a, an, and the.

Instructions: Find the adjectives that tell which in these sentences and tell what they modify.

1. These first apples have been stepped on.

2. This money had been lost at the races.

3. That cat had those kittens.

4. A mouse can scare an elephant.

5. An answer will be found in the dictionary or a thesaurus.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. These first apples have been stepped on.

- these and first modify apples

2. This money had been lost at the races.

- This modifies money 

- the modifies races

3. That cat had those kittens.

- That modifies cat

- those modifies kittens

4. A mouse can scare an elephant.

- A modifies mouse

- an modifies elephant

5. An answer will be found in the dictionary or a thesaurus.

- An modifies answer 

- the modifies dictionary 

- a modifies thesaurus

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Lesson 351 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma to separate introductory words yes and no and mild interjections from the sentence that follows them.

Examples: 

Oh, I heard that before. 

Yes, I will be here.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Yes you may leave the room.

2. Of course I won't change my plans.

3. Oh you want to try my patience more.

4. No I didn't see you there.

5. Wow you think that is great.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Yes, you may leave the room.

2. Of course, I won't change my plans.

3. Oh, you want to try my patience more.

4. No, I didn't see you there.

5. Wow, you think that is great.

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Quiz for Lessons 146 -150 - Parts of the Sentence - Noun/Pronoun Review

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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. Curtis, has Jay found his lost keys?

2. There on the porch stood Badger, our lost dog.

3. Sunday, Ila, will be our anniversary.

4. Those two boys, Ivan and he, argue incessantly.

5. He needs more helpers, you and me.

6. Rebecca, why haven't you practiced your music?

7. Your car has been sold today, Todd.

8. In the plowed field some corn was planted.

9. Joe, my uncle, Al Brim, is a famous skater.

10. This matter should not be decided without much thought.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. has found = verb (ta), Jay = subject, keys = direct object, Curtis = noun of address

2. stood = verb (ic), Badger = subject, dog = appositive

3. will be = verb (il), Sunday = subject, anniversary = predicate nominative, Ila = noun of address

4. argue = verb (ic), boys = subject, Ivan/he = appositives

5. needs = verb (ta), he = subject, helpers = direct object, you/me = appositives

6. have practiced = verb (ta), you = subject, music = direct object, Rebecca = noun of address

7. has been sold = verb (tp), car = subject, Todd = noun of address

8. was planted = verb (tp), corn = subject

9. is = verb (il), uncle = subject, skater = predicate nominative, Al Brim = appositive, Joe = noun of address

10. should be decided = verb (tp), matter = subject

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Quiz for Lessons 346 - 350 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Baseball basketball track and tennis require running.

2. The numbers 8 16 32 and 48 are called even numbers.

3. Eat drink and make merry for you will soon die.

4. I like shopping my husband likes dining and the family likes activities.

5. Working hard saving some money and providing for a family should be important for a father.

6. I saw him run up the mountain jump off the cliff and land in a pine tree.

7. He was from Great Falls Montana and she was from Twin Falls Idaho.

8. I have been to Dubois Idaho Taber Alberta Canada and Whippany New Jersey.

9. She likes to sing to play the piano and to read novels.

10. The search party looked along the road up the hill and down the alleys for clues.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Baseball, basketball, track, and tennis require running.

2. The numbers 8, 16, 32, and 48 are called even numbers.

3. Eat, drink, and make merry, for you will soon die.

4. I like shopping, my husband likes dining, and the family likes activities.

5. Working hard, saving some money, and providing for a family should be important for a father.

6. I saw him run up the mountain, jump off the cliff, and land in a pine tree.

7. He was from Great Falls, Montana, and she was from Twin Falls, Idaho.

8. I have been to Dubois, Idaho, Taber, Alberta, Canada, and Whippany, New Jersey.

9. She likes to sing, to play the piano, and to read novels.

10. The search party looked along the road, up the hill, and down the alleys for clues.

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Lesson 150 - Parts of the Sentence - Noun/Pronoun Review

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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. Eric and I were expecting someone, you.

2. She found them in New York, Colette.

3. Do you like her best, Justin?

4. The author might have been anyone.

5. Two people, you and he, must assist us in this effort.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. were expecting = verb (ta), Eric/I = subject, someone = direct object, you = appositive

2. found = verb (ta), she = subject, them = direct object, Colette = noun of address

3. do like = verb (ta), you = subject, her = direct object, Justin = noun of address

4. might have been = verb (il), author = subject, anyone = predicate nominative

5. must assist = verb (ta), people = subject, us = direct object, you/he = appositives

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Lesson 350 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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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.

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

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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

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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 148 - Parts of the Sentence - Noun/Pronoun Review

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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

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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 147 - Parts of the Sentence - Noun/Pronoun Review

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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

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