Lesson 365 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma wherever necessary for clarity to prevent misreading. 

 

Example: 

Beneath, the water sparkled brilliantly. (clear) 

Beneath the water sparkled brilliantly. (confusing)

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. To write one must spend much time revising and proofreading.

2. After washing the boy left for the game.

3. Although a real diamond mine is rather small.

4. Inside the store contained many beautiful statues.

5. When eating a person should use good manners.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. To write, one must spend much time revising and proofreading.

2. After washing, the boy left for the game.

3. Although a real diamond, mine is rather small.

4. Inside, the store contained many beautiful statues.

5. When eating, a person should use good manners.

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Lesson 164 - Parts of the Sentence - 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. These adverbs can shift location in the sentence without changing meaning or what they modify. Adverbs that tell us how much modify adjectives or other adverbs. Adverbs that tell how much will come just before the adjectives or adverbs that they modify. 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)

Not and its contraction n't are adverbs. They really modify the entire sentence, but we will have them modify the verb as it is the most important word in the sentence. This is a common practice in grammar books.

Adverbial objectives or adverbial nouns are nouns used as adverbs. They usually tell amount, weight, time, distance, direction, or value. They can have adjectives modifying them. 

 

Example: 

He waited two days.

Instructions: Find the adverbial nouns in the following sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. Yesterday Jim came home.

2. Tomorrow I will walk a mile.

3. The boulder landed three feet from me.

4. Will works mornings and nights.

5. This package cost five dollars.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Yesterday Jim came home.

- Yesterday and home modify came

2. Tomorrow I will walk a mile.

- Tomorrow and mile modify will walk

3. The boulder landed three feet from me.

- feet modifies landed

4. Will works mornings and nights.

- mornings and nights modify works

5. This package cost five dollars.

- dollars modifies cost

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Lesson 364 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses and phrases. Nonrestrictive clauses and phrases are modifiers that can be omitted without changing the meaning of the main clause. 

 

Example: 

Our new boat, which we bought last week, is a pleasure to use. 

(The adjective clause is not needed to understand the meaning of the main clause.)

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. The Jazz which is a much different team from last year start the season next week.

2. The waiter balancing two trays of food saw our signal for the check.

3. Ads which are essential to our economy are very annoying much of the time.

4. For this job we need a person who is very creative.

5. The new baby delivered in the taxi changed our lives completely.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The Jazz, which is a much different team from last year, start the season next week.

2. The waiter, balancing two trays of food, saw our signal for the check.

3. Ads, which are essential to our economy, are very annoying much of the time.

4. No comma needed. The clause "who is very creative" is needed for the meaning of the main sentence.

5. The new baby, delivered in the taxi, changed our lives completely.

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Lesson 163 - Parts of the Sentence - 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. These adverbs can shift location in the sentence without changing meaning or what they modify. Adverbs that tell us how much modify adjectives or other adverbs. Adverbs that tell how much will come just before the adjectives or adverbs that they modify. 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)

Not and its contraction n't are adverbs. They really modify the entire sentence, but we will have them modify the verb as it is the most important word in the sentence. This is a common practice in grammar books.

Instruction: Find the adverbs modifying other adverbs in the following sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. The announcer should speak less loudly.

2. You should do much better.

3. People shouldn't change their jobs too often.

4. Very slowly the car started down the hill.

5. The contestant answered the question rather uncertainly.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The announcer should speak less loudly.

- less modifies loudly

2. You should do much better.

- much modifies better

3. People shouldn't change their jobs too often.

- too modifies often

4. Very slowly the car started down the hill.

- very modifies slowly

5. The contestant answered the question rather uncertainly.

- rather modifies uncertainly

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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 162 - Parts of the Sentence - 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. These adverbs can shift location in the sentence without changing meaning or what they modify. Adverbs that tell us how much modify adjectives or other adverbs. Adverbs that tell how much will come just before the adjectives or adverbs that they modify. 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)

Not and its contraction n't are adverbs. They really modify the entire sentence, but we will have them modify the verb as it is the most important word in the sentence. This is a common practice in grammar books.

Instructions: Find the adverbs in the following sentences and tell what word they modify. They will all modify an adjective.

1. An unusually intelligent group attended the lecture.

2. My wife has an exceptionally keen mind.

3. We have had a surprisingly small amount of snow.

4. The bus to Trax was very late.

5. The train car was completely full.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. An unusually intelligent group attended the lecture.

- unusually modifies intelligent

2. My wife has an exceptionally keen mind.

- exceptionally modifies keen

3. We have had a surprisingly small amount of snow.

- surprisingly modifies small

4. The bus to Trax was very late.

- very modifies late

5. The train car was completely full.

- completely modifies full

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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 161 - Parts of the Sentence - 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. These adverbs can shift location in the sentence without changing meaning or what they modify. Adverbs that tell us how much modify adjectives or other adverbs. Adverbs that tell how much will come just before the adjectives or adverbs that they modify. 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)

Not and its contraction n't are adverbs. They really modify the entire sentence, but we will have them modify the verb as it is the most important word in the sentence. This is a common practice in grammar books.

Instructions: Find the adverbs in the following sentences and tell what word they modify. They will all modify the verb.

1. Did you ever return the video?

2. He did not answer but just looked up sadly.

3. Now I surely know the answer.

4. He completely forgot about the video.

5. Lanie already returned it for you.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Did you ever return the video?

- ever modifies did return

2. He did not answer but just looked up sadly.

- not modifies did answer 

- just, up, and sadly modify looked

3. Now I surely know the answer.

- now and surely modify know

4. He completely forgot about the video.

- completely modifies forgot

5. Lanie already returned it for you.

- already modifies returned

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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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Quiz for Lessons 156 - 160 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, and adjectives in the following sentences.

1. Jay, we will need the electrician's help tomorrow.

2. That's right!

3. That attractive woman in the red dress and shoes is she.

4. Two of the most famous bridges are Rainbow Bridge and Natural Bridge.

5. Mars has become the probe graveyard.

6. Ila was wearing her Christmas presents, a pearl necklace and earrings.

7. The game was won in the last second, Boyd!

8. Go and bring in the newspaper, Grandpa.

9. I need a new suit, some shoes, and a fancy tie.

10. Your mother is whipping the cream for the pumpkin pie, your favorite dessert.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. will need = verb; we = subject; help = direct object; Jay = noun of address; the, electrician's = adjectives

2. is ('s) = verb; that = subject; right = predicate adjective

3. is = verb; woman = subject; she = predicate nominative; that, attractive, the, red = adjectives

4. are = verb; Two = subject; Rainbow Bridge/Natural Bridge = predicate nominatives; the, famous = adjectives

5. has become = verb; Mars = subject; graveyard = predicate nominative; the, probe = adjectives

6. was wearing = verb; Ila = subject; presents = direct object; necklace/earrings = appositives; her, Christmas, a, pearl = adjectives

7. was won = verb; game = subject; Boyd = noun of address; the, the, last = adjectives

8. go/bring = verbs; you (understood) = subject; newspaper = direct object; Grandpa = noun of address; the = adjective

9. need = verb; I = subject; suit/shoes/tie = direct objects; a, new, some, a, fancy = adjectives

10. is whipping = verb; mother = subject; cream = direct object; dessert = appositive; your, the, the, pumpkin, your, favorite = adjectives

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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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Lesson 160 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, and adjectives in the following sentences.

1. The diamond is the hardest known mineral.

2. The best student in your class is my sister Marilyn.

3. Drink this lemonade and get some rest.

4. Paul, does Sarah like her new dress and skirt?

5. We have been collecting aluminum cans for many weeks.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. is = verb; diamond = subject; mineral = predicate nominative; the, the, hardest, known = adjectives

2. is = verb; student = subject; sister = predicate nominative; Marilyn = appositive; the, best, your, my = adjectives

3. drink/get = verbs; you (understood) = subject; lemonade/rest = direct objects; this, some = adjectives

4. does like = verb; Sarah = subject; dress/skirt = direct objects; Paul = noun of address; her, new = adjectives

5. have been collecting = verb; we = subject; cans = direct object; aluminum, many = adjectives

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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 159 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, and adjectives in the following sentences.

1. My Uncle Bill runs a large and spacious horse ranch.

2. Those small boys, Todd and Mark, have built many funny sand castles.

3. The basketball player appeared restless but ready for the game.

4. Claudia, this frightened child has lost his mother.

5. Your father seems very old and feeble now.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. runs = verb; Uncle Bill = subject; ranch = direct object; my, a, large, spacious, horse = adjectives

2. have built = verb; boys = subject; castles = direct object; Todd/Mark = appositives; those, small, many, funny, sand = adjectives

3. appeared = verb; player = subject; restless/ready = predicate adjectives; the, basketball, the = adjectives

4. has lost = verb; child = subject; mother = direct object; Claudia = noun of address; this, frightened, his = adjectives

5. seems = verb; father = subject; old/feeble = predicate adjectives; your = adjective

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