Verb Tense: Using Irregular Verbs -- Exercise 1

Directions: Choose the correct verb for the sentences below.

1.	When Mom __________ out the kitchen rug, dog hair, bread crumbs, coffee grounds, and spaghetti noodles flew through the air and dusted the sidewalk.  shaked shook had shook
2.	At the back of the lab, Glenn decorated the margins of his biology textbook with caricatures. When test time arrives, Glenn will wish that he had __________ the different cell types Dr. Shuman was explaining to the class. drawn drawed drew
3.	Theodore bought beautiful roses for Glenda, his date. Because he did not have a vase, he rinsed out a peanut butter jar. After Theodore __________ Glenda's reaction to the arrangement, he realized that he had not made a favorable first impression. saw had saw seen
4.	Jennifer has discovered that hanging clothes outside to dry has its disadvantages. Recently, a spider crept into a pair of her jeans and __________ a day biting the "intruder"--Jennifer's bare leg--that had invaded the arachnid's new home. spend spent
5.	Ms. Ayer __________ several deep breaths to keep from exploding at Jerry, whose excuse for missing yet another class was that Grandma had died--for the fifth time in one semester! taked took tooked
6.	Diane always wonders where she will next discover a pair of her husband's dirty socks. Yesterday Mike __________ two in the refrigerator next to a carton of orange juice. leaved leaft left
7.	When Richie jammed the photocopier for the eighth time, Sharon, the department secretary, picked up a heavy stapler and __________ it at his head. through throwed threw
8.	Because her hands were still slippery from the dishwater, Marilyn dropped the watermelon, which __________ on the floor in an explosion of pulp and seeds. busted bursted burst
	9.On his way to an interview at SunTrust Bank, Geraldo stepped in gum. Nervous about the meeting, he failed to notice the candy wrapper and leaves that __________ to his shoe as he walked from the parking garage to the lobby. sticked stuck stucked
10.	On Christmas Eve, Captain Beane wore a pair of antlers while greeting passengers boarding his 727. The costume __________ little trust in Louise, whose fear of flying required a serious pilot. built build builded
11.	Jim would have __________ the difficult and dirty job of cleaning the slimy gutters if the blue sky, seventy-degree weather, and new titanium graphite driver had not summoned him to the golf course. began begun beginned
12.	After losing electricity during a hurricane, the Martinez family ___________ candles, speared hot dogs on pencils, and roasted the wieners over this makeshift barbecue. lit lited litted
13.	Because Nigel had __________ to the supermarket with this week's grocery money, Shirley expected him to return with bread, milk, and other essentials. Boy, was she angry when he came home with fifty dollars worth of losing lottery tickets! gone went goed
14.	When Henry opened the vegetable crisper at the bottom of the refrigerator, the puddle of rotting lettuce that he discovered __________ up the kitchen for the rest of the day. stinked stank stanked
15.	Whenever Mike _________ his Cessna 152, a small airplane, he worried about running out of fuel, hitting birds, and being abducted by alien spaceships. flied flown flew
16.	Audrey had just __________ into her first forkful of omelet when she noticed mushrooms in the egg. Because she was highly allergic to this vegetable, she had to spit the mouthful into her napkin, wiping her tongue with a clean corner. bited bitt bitten
17.	Maria __________ from the cold glass of Pepsi, trying to extinguish the anger that, lava-like, threatened to explode at her husband Darren, who had spent the day watching college football instead of mowing the lawn. drinked drank drunk
18.	Raphael would have __________ jeans and a T-shirt to the interview if he thought such attire would land him the job. Because he knew better, Raphael struggled into a scratchy suit that made him feel as though ants were crawling over his skin. wore wored worn
19.	At first, Rose __________ to tolerate Simon's lack of punctuality. His good looks compensated for her having to wait an extra ten or fifteen minutes. But once Simon's tardiness hit half an hour, Rose dumped him for a boyfriend who looked at his watch. chose choose choosed
20.	One spring Joe __________ tomatoes in the backyard; pollution, insects, and weekend badminton matches did so much damage to the poor plants that Joe went back to buying canned tomatoes at the grocery store. grew had grew growed

Verb Tense: Using Irregular Verbs -- Exercise 2 This handout accompanies Exercise 2 of Grammar Bytes! The interactive version of this exercise is available at www.chompchomp.com/tense2. Directions: Choose the correct verb for the sentences below. 1. A strong wind __________ through the trees, loosening clumps of moss, dead branches, old kites, and baby squirrels, all of which fell to the wet ground below. had blew blew blowed 2. Charlie believed that he had __________ the best essay of the semester, but when Mrs. Varner returned the paper, the slashes of red ink and caustic comments immediately changed his opinion of the work. wrote wroten written 3. Becky had an empty wallet and stomach, so she __________ a Snicker's bar from the candy rack. The ensuing guilt was harder to tolerate than her growling belly. stole had stole stealed 4. In her dreams that night, Diana had __________ in a pool of warm cocoa; when she awoke, the aroma of chocolate still tickled her nostrils. swimmed swam swum 5. Chauncey would have __________ some of the squid eyeball stew if a long, gray tentacle hadn't dangled over the side of the bowl. ate eaten eatten 6. My grandmother doesn't trust banks, so she has __________ money all over the house. Once, I pulled an old Reader's Digest off a shelf and found seven $100 bills stuck between the pages. hid hiden hidden 7. George would have __________ to class sooner, but a beautiful woman was listening to him lie about his fat wallet and hot car, and he couldn't tear himself away from the conversation. came come commed 8. If Eli hadn't escaped to the kitchen to cool down, he would have __________ a heavy plate over the head of Mrs. Jones, who sent back her chicken for the fourth time. broken breaked braked 9. Dashing down the hallway, Tuan slipped in a puddle of Pepsi and crashed into the water fountain. His elbow and nose __________ for the rest of the day. hurt hurted had hurted 10. Giselle dreaded attending her US Government class. Whenever Dr. Duncan called on her, Giselle felt as if she had __________ in her chair; she couldn't open her mouth, let alone answer one of his questions. freezed froze frozen 11. A thin stray kitten cried outside the back door. Because Rebecca felt sorry for the poor animal, she __________ it some leftover ravioli, the only food she had in the refrigerator. fed feed feeded 12. Last week, Hector had __________ his girlfriend Gloria an expensive gold necklace. When he saw her flirting with Omar, Hector knew that he should have purchased new rims for his car instead. gived gave given 13. Because Kerri Ann __________ all of her biology homework, she spent the rest of the evening eating pizza with her friends. The next morning, when Dr. Wright passed out the quiz, Kerri Ann realized that her books should have been her only evening company. done had done had did 14. On his way to an interview, Gonzalo __________ a hot dog to quiet his rumbling stomach. While he was wolfing down this quick meal, yellow mustard dripped all over the front of his crisp white shirt. buyed bough bought 15. Omar woke up before dawn and drove to Daytona Beach. As the sun __________ over the ocean, he watched the water sparkle like the beautiful diamond earrings he had given his girlfriend Gloria, who then dumped him for a new boyfriend with a higher MasterCard limit. rised raised rose 16. Dan would have __________ his new truck to the grocery store if he hadn't been so worried that a loose can of peas might roll around in the bed and chip the pristine green paint. drived drove driven 17. For weeks, Judi searched cookbooks and culinary magazines for the recipe to make squid eyeball stew. Finally, she __________ the instructions on the Internet at www.eatmoresquid.com, a web site dedicated to preparing this sea delicacy. finded found founded 18. After cooking all night, Paulette __________ a huge platter of chocolate-broccoli muffins to the meeting. Everyone enjoyed the delicious combination of tastes while getting the daily dose of vitamin C. brough brought brang 19. When Mr. Tighe saw Julie using Moby Dick as a coaster for a sweating glass of cold Pepsi, he __________ down his briefcase and lectured the poor young woman on showing proper respect for great literature. throwed through threw 20. Jim's last temper tantrum __________ $200. He had thrown an expensive titanium three-wood into the golf course lake, and his wife Nancy insisted that he hire a scuba diver to retrieve it. cost costs costed This handout is ©1999 by Robin L. Simmons.

Verb Tense: Using Irregular Verbs -- Exercise 3

This handout accompanies Exercise 3 of Grammar Bytes! The interactive version of this exercise is available at www.chompchomp.com/tense3.

Directions: Choose the correct verb for the sentences below.

1.	Sherry should have __________ everyone the truth. Then poor Rebecca would have declined a bowl of soup instead of vomiting in the bathroom once she discovered that half a cup of frog tongues made up the dinner's first course. telled teld told
2.	While Allison was clinging to the roof's edge, she realized that she no longer resented the many hours that her boyfriend Chris spent in the gym. After all, his strong arms would catch her after she loosened her grip and __________ to the ground below. fell falled fallen
3.	Mauricio would have _________ the seven-foot wave into shore if a huge shark had not been patrolling the waters underneath Mauricio's surfboard, hoping for a dangling arm or leg. rode rided ridden
4.	If Carlos had known that hail the size of golf balls would fall later that day, he would have __________ his shoulder pads and football helmet instead of his good silk suit. worn wore weared
5.	Using bites of bologna as bribes, Diane convinced Reliable, her beagle, to lie still and then __________ each of his eighteen toenails. cut cutted cuted
6.	At the beginning of the semester, Joyce anticipated learning about Egyptian archeology. Her interest __________, however, as the monotonous lectures of Dr. Nelson provided facts dustier than mummy wrappings. shrinked shrank shrunck
7.	Hardly stopping for breath, Mervina, the neighborhood motor mouth, __________ Kishana up on all of the local gossip, including Sherry's disastrous dinner party, where the frog tongue soup sent five guests to the local emergency room. cought caught catched
8.	After Mrs. Curall __________ irregular verb forms in her writing class, she discovered that the frequency of tooked and weared declined in her students' essays. tought taught teached
9.	While crawling along in rush-hour traffic, Kay cranked up her car stereo and __________ the lyrics to "Back in Black" with AC/DC, oblivious to the scowls of annoyance from the other drivers trapped beside her. singed sung sang
10.	Because Henry enjoyed impressing his girlfriend Gloria, he __________ for the expensive dinner with his brand new Visa card; he would worry about the shocking statement when it arrived in the mail next month. payed had payed paid
11.	To keep Ms. Simmons from becoming irrationally angry about the ragged edges of his essay, Jack carefully __________ the fuzzies from the sheets of paper. tore had torn teared
12.	If Tyree had __________ how beautiful the substitute teacher was going to be, he would have prepared his math homework (instead of an arsenal of spitballs) to impress her with his intelligence. knowed known knew
13.	With a hotdog, Dris __________ Butler, her bulldog, to the car but could not get him onto the backseat; Butler sensed a trip to the vet and refused to budge. lead leaded led
14.	Tikeja __________ Michael's forehead to confirm his fever. When cool skin met her touch, she knew her little brother was faking an illness to get out of helping her rake the big backyard. feeled feld felt
15.	Thrashing on the surface of the lake, a huge catfish __________ Reggie's fishing pole almost to the point of breaking. Reggie fought on, images of fried fillets making his mouth water. bended had bended bent
16.	Exhausted from her spring break adventures, Tiffany __________ through Dr. Olefke's astronomy lecture; like a black hole, the zero on her subsequent quiz sucked up all hope of passing. slept sleept sleeped
17.	The telephone __________ twelve times before Pablo would lift the receiver. He prayed the call was from a salesperson and not his psycho ex-girlfriend Maria. rung rang ringed
18.	While Clive stood on top of the fire ant mound, several of the insects crawled over his shoes and __________ him on the ankles, sending the poor boy dancing around the yard and slapping at his legs. stinged stang stung
19.	Jeanne __________ her house of twenty years with great misgivings; she worried that the new owners would dig up the bones of her beloved cat, Emmy Lou, to put a pool or rose garden in the backyard. selled sold sole
20.	Melissa dug in her heels and __________ the leash with both hands; Mellie, her Labrador retriever, saw children playing Frisbee down the street, and no human was going to keep her from chasing the flying red disk. held had held holded

This handout is ©2000 by Robin L. Simmons.

Verb Tense: Using Irregular Verbs -- Exercise 5

This handout accompanies Exercise 5 of Grammar Bytes! The interactive version of this exercise is available at www.chompchomp.com/tense5.

Directions: Each item below contains three underlined verbs. Fix the one that is formed incorrectly.

1.	Robin slept at the very edge of the bed, one leg dangling over the side, because Oreo, her little dog, lay stretched out in the middle of the quilt and bitt any limb that invaded her territory.
2.	After bumping the wobbly table, Neil cought the box of donuts before it hit the floor, but no one drank juice that morning because Neil wasn't fast enough to grab the carton before it exploded in a spray of orange on the kitchen tile.
3.	Jim would have driven faster if his mother had took her own car to the mall. Instead, she rode with him, criticizing his every decision and shrieking hysterically whenever he ran a yellow light.
4.	All of Charlie's hopes sinked when the telephone rang and the beautiful Delores told the eager young man that she didn't have time to study calculus with him that evening.
5.	Wendy red each Cliff's Notes title on the rack, hoping to spot Moby Dick. She finally found a booklet stuffed among the guides to Hamlet and bought it without regret, for she couldn't stomach another minute in the exhausting novel.
6.	If Eli cooked and ate the half head of raw cabbage (the only item in the refrigerator), he knew that he would burp through his date with Amy, so he drived to the food store and bought a box of macaroni and cheese to fix instead.
7.	Bryan had had enough of his sister's loud stereo and bad taste in music, so he went to her room, banged on the door, and teld Melissa that if she didn't reduce the volume, then he would return with his baseball bat and pound her boom box into little bits.
8.	Marsha sat at the dining room table, wondering (and worrying) what dish her husband might serve. Brent's refusal to use measuring devices ment that her tongue either leapt in surprise at the over seasoning or lay in her mouth, bored with the bland taste.
9.	Latoya would have swum farther, but a cramp stang her side, so she rode a wave into shore and spent the afternoon watching handsome young men parading on the beach.
10.	Leroy has read travel books about every exotic country imaginable but refuses to ever visit in person. He worries that he might be stinged by a poisonous spider, bitten by a deadly snake, or convinced to order scrambled monkey brains at a restaurant because of his unfamiliarity with the language.
11.	At the coffee house table, Willie spread out his laptop computer, cell phone, and digital watch. He gived the impression that he had important business, but in truth, he wrote love letters to his girlfriend, counting the minutes until she returned his phone call.
12.	Kareem drank the hot tea that Sarah laid on the counter. Although the steaming liquid burned his throat, at least he erased the terrible taste of the squid eyeball stew that he had ate.
13.	Maria knowed the futility of her task that October afternoon. As she swept off the front sidewalk, more leaves fell from the trees overhead, sprinkling the concrete with color.
14.	My cat Fuzz sprang onto the kitchen counter, strode to the sink, and flinged herself onto the cool porcelain for an afternoon nap. Only here was she safe from the pursuit of Oreo, the dog.
15.	At the video arcade, Jeremy wished that he had slew the giant mutant tomatoes on level one. Then he would not have fought the kamikaze pickles on level two and could have kept his grape bombs for the ninja carrots on level three.
16.	Christine wrang her hands as she listened to Dr. Armour's lecture about tardiness. Although Christine swore to her math teacher that she would never be late again, everyone in the class knew that when the alarm clock rang the next morning, Christine would hit the snooze button one time too many.
17.	With regret, Jack slung the heavy backpack over his shoulders and fleed the cold library. If he had brought a jacket, he could have continued fantasizing about the cute librarian who sat at the reference desk.
18.	A tantalizing smell had drawn Richard to the edge of his neighbor's yard. Finally, temptation winned, and he crept across the lawn to the open window, where he spied chocolate-broccoli muffins cooling on the kitchen counter.
19.	Juan herd his mother calling from down the street but chose to ignore her summons. Although he knew that she would be angry about his late arrival for dinner, he had to finish his inspection of the dead toad on the sidewalk.
20.	Christine sprang out of the bed and saw bright sunlight streaming through the windows. She knew that Dr. Armour would not tolerate another late, so Christine leapt back into bed and sleapt until noon.

This handout is ©2000 by Robin L. Simmons.

Verb Tense: Using Irregular Verbs -- Exercise 4

This handout accompanies Exercise 4 of Grammar Bytes! The interactive version of this exercise is available at www.chompchomp.com/tense4.

Directions: Each item below contains three underlined verbs. Fix the one that is formed incorrectly.

1.	Rachel would have wrote a better essay for Mr. Parker, but she drank a double espresso and found that she had too much energy to sit at a computer.
2.	Miguel bursted out laughing when he saw that Rey, his ferocious Chihuahua, had bitten the seat of Julio's jeans and hung on as Julio danced around the kitchen, trying to shake the little dog off.
3.	Danny used to love going to the beach. He watched beautiful women in skimpy bikinis, ate fresh seafood, and swum in the refreshing water. After a shark bit him, however, Danny preferred the pool at his apartment complex.
4.	Cristie would have chose a less expensive dinner, but when she saw squid eyeball stew on the menu, she knew that she had found the perfect thing to eat.
5.	Because Jonathon had forgotten to bring his wallet to school, he buyed a bag of corn chips instead of the Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes, the lunch special that caught his eye.
6.	Keila knew that she had many misspelled words in her essay, so she digged around in her book bag, searching for her dictionary. She found instead a Snicker's bar, which she ate, hoping that the sugar rush would help her brain remember to spell.
7.	After a long day of mowing lawns, Kevin was truly exhausted. He sat slumped in his chair, and even if you had put a handful of scorpions down his shirt, he would not have rose to shake them out.
8.	When Fabiana flied from Dallas to Orlando, the plane hit such a bad patch of turbulence that the passengers felt as if they were riding Space Mountain at Disney World.
9.	On Sunday Michael spent the afternoon waxing his new Honda Accord. If he had knew about the two pop quizzes on Monday, he would have given his algebra problems and accounting spreadsheets more attention.
10.	Larry stuck a dead grasshopper in the cake batter and then put the pan into the hot oven to bake. He planned to serve a slice to his little sister Stephanie, who had tore his favorite Chicago Bulls jersey.
11.	Even though Frances had already ate, she stopped at the food court and bought a slice of pizza. She wanted an opportunity to smile at the cute young man who ran the register.
12.	Danielle hated to see her brother Tim walk into the Burger King where she worked. He always brought his obnoxious friends with him, payed for his meal with pennies, and then left huge puddles of ketchup at his table.
13.	Unaware that his alarm clock had not rung at 6 a.m., Levi slept under the warm comforter while Dr. Ribley tought the semester's most difficult algebra concept to the students who had arrived on time.
14.	Obviously Alicia had chose the most difficult English teacher in the whole school. During the semester with Mr. Hayden, Alicia wrote twenty essays and studied grammar rules until she thought her head would burst.
15.	Because Tran knew that a strong chemistry background was essential for a future pharmacist, she rose from her warm bed and begun studying her notes for another test.
16.	To avoid being stung, Kasey spilled a small amount of Pepsi on the picnic table; the bubble bees that flew around the campsite left him alone and drunk from the puddle.
17.	The hungry shark swam beneath the unsuspecting surfer and began to position himself for an attack. Then the fish noticed the hot pink toenail polish on the foot that dangled over the surfboard and losed his appetite.
18.	At the beginning of class, Matt realized that he had forgotten the essay he had wrote at 4 a.m., so he smeared blood-like streaks of red pen at the corners of his mouth and told his instructor, Dr. Borglum, that muggers had beaten him up before stealing his backpack.
19.	My cat Buster leapt onto the wobbly table to escape Oreo, the dog, who ran in tight circles, trying to bite Buster's tail, which hanged over the side.
20.	David was so hungry that he fought his brother for the container of leftovers, teared off the lid, and ate the cold meatloaf and congealed gravy right out of the plastic.

This handout is ©2000 by Robin L. Simmons.

 

For Irregular Verbs

Understand the problem.

All verbs, whether regular or irregular, have five forms (often called principal parts).  These forms are the infinitive, simple present, simple past, past participle, and present participle.

The difference between a regular and an irregular verb is the formation of the simple past and past participle.  Regular verbs are dependably consistent--the simple past ends in -ed as does the past participle.  Check out this chart.

Infinitive	Simple Present	Simple Past	Past Participle	Present Participle
to laugh	laugh(s)	laughed	laughed	laughing
to start	start(s)	started	started	starting
to wash	wash(es)	washed	washed	washing
to wink	wink(s)	winked	winked	winking

Irregular verbs, on the other hand, can end in a variety of ways, with absolutely no consistent pattern.  Here are some examples:

Infinitive	Simple Present	Simple Past	Past Participle	Present Participle
to drive	drive(s)	drove	driven	driving
to feel	feel(s)	felt	felt	feeling
to put	put(s)	put	put	putting
to swim	swim(s)	swam	swum	swimming

Writers make two frequent errors with irregular verbs.   The writers either add an incorrect -ed to the end of an irregular verb, or they accidentally interchange the simple past and past participle.   Read this sentence:

Olivia feeled like exercising yesterday, so she putted on her bathing suit and drived to the YMCA, where she swum so far that only an extra large pepperoni pizza would satisfy her hunger.

What are the problems with this sentence?  First, feeled should be felt.  Next, putted needs to be put.  The correct past tense form of drive is drove.  And we must change swum to swam.

Know the solution.

To avoid making mistakes with irregular verbs, learn this chart below. 

Infinitive	Simple Present	Simple Past	Past Participle	Present Participle
to arise	arise(s)	arose	arisen	arising
to awake	awake(s)	awoke or awaked	awaked or awoken	awaking
to be	am, is, are	was, were	been	being
to bear	bear(s)	bore	borne or born	bearing
to beat	beat(s)	beat	beaten	beating
to become	become(s)	became	become	becoming
to begin	begin(s)	began	begun	beginning
to bend	bend(s)	bent	bent	bending
to bet	bet(s)	bet	bet	betting
to bid (to offer)	bid(s)	bid	bid	bidding
to bid (to command)	bid(s)	bade	bidden	bidding
to bind	bind(s)	bound	bound	binding
to bite	bite(s)	bit	bitten or bit	biting
to blow	blow(s)	blew	blown	blowing
to break	break(s)	broke	broken	breaking
to bring	bring(s)	brought	brought	bringing
to build	build(s)	built	built	building
to burst	burst(s)	burst	burst	bursting
to buy	buy(s)	bought	bought	buying
to cast	cast(s)	cast	cast	casting
to catch	catch(es)	caught	caught	catching
to choose	choose(s)	chose	chosen	choosing
to cling	cling(s)	clung	clung	clinging
to come	come(s)	came	come	coming
to cost	cost(s)	cost	cost	costing
to creep	creep(s)	crept	crept	creeping
to cut	cut(s)	cut	cut	cutting
to deal	deal(s)	dealt	dealt	dealing
to dig	dig(s)	dug	dug	digging
to dive	dive(s)	dived or dove	dived	diving
to do	do(es)	did	done	doing
to draw	draw(s)	drew	drawn	drawing
to drink	drink(s)	drank	drunk	drinking
to drive	drive(s)	drove	driven	driving
to eat	eat(s)	ate	eaten	eating
to fall	fall(s)	fell	fallen	falling
to feed	feed(s)	fed	fed	feeding
to feel	feel(s)	felt	felt	feeling
to fight	fight(s)	fought	fought	fighting
to find	find(s)	found	found	finding
to flee	flee(s)	fled	fled	fleeing
to fling	fling(s)	flung	flung	flinging
to fly	flies, fly	flew	flown	flying
to forbid	forbid(s)	forbade or forbad	forbidden	forbidding
to forget	forget(s)	forgot	forgotten or forgot	forgetting
to forgive	forgive(s)	forgave	forgiven	forgiving
to forsake	forsake(s)	forsook	forsaken	forsaking
to freeze	freeze(s)	froze	frozen	freezing
to get	get(s)	got	got or gotten	getting
to give	give(s)	gave	given	giving
to go	go(es)	went	gone	going
to grow	grow(s)	grew	grown	growing
to hang (to suspend)	hang(s)	hung	hung	hanging
to have	has, have	had	had	having
to hear	hear(s)	heard	heard	hearing
to hide	hide(s)	hid	hidden	hiding
to hit	hit(s)	hit	hit	hitting
to hurt	hurt(s)	hurt	hurt	hurting
to keep	keep(s)	kept	kept	keeping
to know	know(s)	knew	known	knowing
to lay	lay(s)	laid	laid	laying
to lead	lead(s)	led	led	leading
to leap	leap(s)	leaped or leapt	leaped or leapt	leaping
to leave	leave(s)	left	left	leaving
to lend	lend(s)	lent	lent	lending
to let	let(s)	let	let	letting
to lie (to rest or recline)	lie(s)	lay	lain	lying
to light	light(s)	lighted or lit	lighted or lit	lighting
to lose	lose(s)	lost	lost	losing
to make	make(s)	made	made	making
to mean	mean(s)	meant	meant	meaning
to pay	pay(s)	paid	paid	paying
to prove	prove(s)	proved	proved or proven	proving
to quit	quit(s)	quit	quit	quitting
to read	read(s)	read	read	reading
to rid	rid(s)	rid	rid	ridding
to ride	ride(s)	rode	ridden	riding
to ring	ring(s)	rang	rung	ringing
to rise	rise(s)	rose	risen	rising
to run	run(s)	ran	run	running
to say	say(s)	said	said	saying
to see	see(s)	saw	seen	seeing
to seek	seek(s)	sought	sought	seeking
to send	send(s)	sent	sent	sending
to set	set(s)	set	set	setting
to shake	shake(s)	shook	shaken	shaking
to shine (to glow)	shine(s)	shone	shone	shining
to  shoot	shoot(s)	shot	shot	shooting
to show	show(s)	showed	shown or showed	showing
to shrink	shrink(s)	shrank	shrunk	shrinking
to sing	sing(s)	sang	sung	singing
to sink	sink(s)	sank or sunk	sunk	sinking
to sit	sit(s)	sat	sat	sitting
to slay	slay(s)	slew	slain	slaying
to sleep	sleep(s)	slept	slept	sleeping
to sling	sling(s)	slung	slung	slinging
to sneak	sneak(s)	sneaked or snuck	sneaked or snuck	sneaking
to speak	speak(s)	spoke	spoken	speaking
to spend	spend(s)	spent	spent	spending
to spin	spin(s)	spun	spun	spinning
to spring	spring(s)	sprang or sprung	sprung	springing
to stand	stand(s)	stood	stood	standing
to steal	steal(s)	stole	stolen	stealing
to sting	sting(s)	stung	stung	stinging
to stink	stink(s)	stank or stunk	stunk	stinking
to stride	stride(s)	strode	stridden	striding
to strike	strike(s)	struck	struck	striking
to strive	strive(s)	strove	striven	striving
to swear	swear(s)	swore	sworn	swearing
to sweep	sweep(s)	swept	swept	sweeping
to swim	swim(s)	swam	swum	swimming
to swing	swing(s)	swung	swung	swinging
to take	take(s)	took	taken	taking
to teach	teach(es)	taught	taught	teaching
to tear	tear(s)	tore	torn	tearing
to tell	tell(s)	told	told	telling
to think	think(s)	thought	thought	thinking
to throw	throw(s)	threw	thrown	throwing
to understand	understand(s)	understood	understood	understanding
to wake	wake(s)	woke or waked	waked or woken	waking
to wear	wear(s)	wore	worn	wearing
wring	wring(s)	wrung	wrung	wringing
write	write(s)	wrote	written	writing

In addition to learning the chart above, you must also understand the difference between the simple past and past participle.

A simple past tense verb always has just one part.  You need no auxiliary verb to form this tense.  Look at these examples:

Because dinner time was near, my dog Oreo bit the spine of Moby Dick and pulled the novel off of my lap.

Because Denise had ignored bills for so long, she wrote out checks for an hour straight.

Despite the noise, jolts, and jerks, Alex slept so soundly on the city bus that he missed his stop.

Many multipart verbs, however, require the past participle after one or more auxiliary verbs.  Read these sentences:

Raymond had bitten into the muffin before Charise mentioned that it was her infamous chocolate-broccoli variety.

had = auxiliary verb; bitten = past participle

Once Woody has written his essay for Mr. Stover, he plans to reward himself with a packet of Twinkies.

has = auxiliary verb; written = past participle

Cynthia might have slept better if she hadn't watched The Nightmare on Elm Street marathon on HBO.

might, have = auxiliary verbs; slept = past participle

For regular verbs, knowing the distinction between the simple past and past participle is unnecessary because both are identical.  Check out these two sentences:

Diane giggled as her beagle Reliable pushed his cold wet nose into her stomach, searching for cookie crumbs.

giggled = simple past

Until the disapproving Mrs. Wittman elbowed Latoya in the ribs, the young girl had giggled without stop at the toilet paper streamer attached to Principal Clemmons' shoes.

had = auxiliary verb; giggled = past participle

When you choose an irregular verb for a sentence, however, the simple past and past participle are often different, so you must know the distinction.  Here are two examples:

Essie drove so cautiously that traffic piled up behind her, causing angry drivers to honk their horns and shout obsenities.

drove = simple past

Essie might have driven faster if she hadn't forgotten her glasses and saw more than big colored blurs through the windshield.

might, have = auxiliary verbs; driven = past participle

In addition, past participles can function as adjectives in sentences, describing other words.  When you use a past participle in this manner, you must choose the correct form.  Read these sentences:

The calculus exams given by Dr. Ribley are so difficult that his students believe their brains will burst.

Delores discovered the stolen bologna under the sofa, guarded fiercely by Max, her Chihuahua.

The written reprimand so shamed poor Pablo that he promised his boss never to throw another scoop of ice cream at a customer again.

Remember that you can always consult a dictionary when you have a question about the correct form of an irregular verb.

Verb Tense: Lay and Lie -- Exercise 6 This handout accompanies Exercise 6 of Grammar Bytes! The interactive version of this exercise is available at www.chompchomp.com/tense6. Directions: Choose the correct verb for the sentences below. 1. Melody __________ her head on the desk in defeat. Even though she had studied until 3 a.m. that morning, she could make no sense of the chemistry problems on the exam before her. lay laid layed 2. The students who have Mr. Sebacher for World Literature believe that their professor reads Homer, Dante, and Shakespeare all evening. The reality is that Mr. Sebacher __________ on the couch, eats Doritos, and channel surfs until midnight. lies lays laid 3. Theodora will nuzzle a snake, kiss a frog, and let a tarantula crawl up her arm. But if you were __________ a bowl of lima beans on the dining room table, she would run screaming from the house. to lie to lay to have lain 4. Saxe, Diane's horse, will let you know when she deserves another carrot or apple. She sticks out her tongue so that it __________ outside her mouth like a long, fat, pink worm. lies lays will lay 5. ____________ on the kitchen counter, the chocolate chip cookie teased Spencer, Eli's Chihuahua, who sat on the linoleum, whining and drooling. Laying Lieing Lying 6. Pumpkin, my oldest cat, loves __________ on my pillow. All night long, she and my head fight for room. to lay to lie to be laying 7. Removing the dirty sock from her granddaughter's mouth, Jeanne __________ Abigail in the crib and chased after Savannah, the family's new kitten, who was using the couch as a scratching post. Babies of any species, Jeanne knew, required constant supervision. lain lay laid 8. Bill went to the bank interview smelling of wet dog. He had __________ his one suit on the bed before going into the bathroom to shave. Dripping from the rain, Skipper, his Labrador retriever, decided the jacket made a perfect towel. lain laid layed 9. Rachel __________ the telephone receiver on the table and returned to the sci-fi novel she had left on the couch. The poor solicitor at the other end read five more minutes of spiel before realizing that no one was listening. lay layed laid 10. While Karen was chopping green peppers at the sink, Chris __________ a long, fat anchovy onto the pizza, camouflaging it with sliced mushrooms and onions. laid layed lay 11. Jacob's physics notes were tucked in his book bag. A half-read copy of Moby Dick served as a coaster for a glass of cold Pepsi. An unopened trigonometry book was __________ on the desk. Although final exams were only two days away, Jacob decided to play another level of Duke Nukem, his favorite computer game. lying lieing laying 12. Kevin __________ the dripping barbecue sandwich on his plate and grabbed a fork and knife. He ignored the stares of the other restaurant patrons and ate his sandwich with utensils. laid layed lay 13. The bright floral-print tie __________ against Dr. Kinser's crisp white shirt gives everyone the impression that snow has fallen in the rainforest. laying lying lieing 14. After an especially long week at work, Deepa __________ on the sofa, watching television and trying to relax. Once the University of Florida football game began, however, she was jumping up every five minutes to boo referee calls and cheer effective Gator plays. lay was laying laid 15. The last slice of cheesecake __________ on a platter in the middle of the table; everyone wanted to eat it, but only Cassandra was assertive enough to scoop the slice onto her own plate. lay was laying laid 16. When Carol went hunting through the kitchen cupboards for a midnight snack, she found a single stale Oreo __________ in a crumpled bag behind an empty Fruit Loops box. laying lieing lying 17. Robin can't __________ anything on the counter. Money, glasses of orange juice, stacks of paper--all of these get swatted to the floor by her mischievous cat, Buster. lay lie have lain 18. If Della hadn't __________ the leaky take-out container of moo goo gai pan on the top shelf of the refrigerator, she would not have had to mop up the ooze that dripped over four shelves of food. lain laid lied 19. A crumpled ten-dollar bill __________ at the bottom of the washing machine. Mike retrieved the money, drove to Taco Bell, and bought fifteen tacos, a large Pepsi, and a kid's meal toy. lay lied laid 20. The message light on the phone was blinking. Eight appointments and an afternoon meeting filled the calendar. A stack of top priority work _________ in the middle of the desk.Valerie knew that lunch would be a bottled water and a handful of Tums. laid lied lay This handout is ©1998 by Robin L. Simmons

For Fixing Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

Understand the problem.

What are comma splices and fused sentences? They are problem sentences that contain two or more main clauses incorrectly joined together. Main clauses, remember, contain an independent subject and verb, so they can stand alone as complete sentences.

A comma splice incorrectly joins two main clauses with a comma, like this:

MAIN CLAUSE + , + MAIN CLAUSE =
.

A fused sentence has two main clauses joined with no punctuation at all, like this:

MAIN CLAUSE + no punctuation + MAIN CLAUSE =
.

Know the solution.

To fix a comma splice or fused sentence, use one of the four strategies below.

Rule #1 - Make two complete sentences.

Because comma splices and fused sentences contain two main clauses, you can always add a period (a full stop) at the end of the first clause and then begin the second one with a capital letter. Take a look at the fused sentence below:

My eighty-one-year-old grandmother still rides her Harley motorcycle her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

A break should occur between motorcycle and her. To fix the problem with Rule #1, you would revise the sentence like this:

My eighty-one-year-old grandmother still rides her Harley motorcycle. Her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

Rule #2 - Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions. Some students remember the seven by learning the word fanboys. Each of the seven letters of fanboys stands for one of the coordinating conjunctions.

F = for | A = and | N = nor | B = but | O = or | Y = yet | S = so

These seven coordinating conjunctions, teamed up with a comma, can correctly join two main clauses. Take a look at our original example:

My eighty-one-year-old grandmother still rides her Harley motorcycle her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

To fix the problem with Rule #2, you should do this:

My eighty-one-year-old grandmother still rides her Harley motorcycle, and her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

The important thing to remember with Rule #2 is that you must use a coordinating conjunction that logically joins the two complete sentences. The coordinating conjunction but, for example, wouldn't work in the example above because the writer isn't showing contrast.

Rule #3 - Use a semicolon.

Unlike a comma, a semicolon is a strong enough mark of punctuation to join two main clauses. Use a semicolon like this:

My eighty-one-year-old grandmother still rides her Harley motorcycle; her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

Keep these three things in mind when you use a semicolon:

• The two main clauses that the semicolon joins should be closely related in meaning.

• Don't capitalize the word that follows the semicolon unless that word is a proper noun, one that is always capitalized.

• Limit your use of semicolons; you should not scatter them wantonly throughout your writing. Semicolons are like glasses of champagne; save them for special occasions.

Rule #4 - Use a subordinate conjunction.

When you are fixing a comma splice or fused sentence, subordinate conjunctions can be the most tricky to use. There are two reasons that subordinate conjunctions are tricky: 1) there are many subordinate conjunctions to choose from, and 2) you must use the right punctuation. For those who are not faint of heart, here are the things to keep in mind.

First, know your subordinate conjunctions. Here is a list of them:

After Although As Because Before Even if Even though If In order that

Once Provided that Rather than Since So that Than That Though Unless

Until When Whenever Where Whereas Wherever Whether While

Next, keep these general rules in mind:

MAIN CLAUSE + no punctuation + SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE + , + MAIN CLAUSE

Now take a look at the original problem sentence:

My eighty-one-year-old grandmother still rides her Harley motorcycle her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

To fix the sentence with Rule #4, you could do something like these two examples:

While my eighty-one-year-old grandmother rides her Harley motorcycle, her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

My eighty-one-year-old grandmother rides her Harley motorcycle as her toy poodle balances in a basket between the handlebars.

A good writer will fix problem sentences using all four strategies: adding a period and a capital letter, using a comma and a conjunction, joining the two main clauses with a semicolon, or subordinating one of the parts with a subordinate conjunction.

When Mom __________ out the kitchen rug, dog hair, bread crumbs, coffee grounds, and spaghetti noodles flew through the air and dusted the sidewalk.

Directions: Read the sentence below. Then choose the correct form of the verb to fill the blank. You might want to consult the rules before you make your choice!

A. shaked B. shook C. had shook

A or An? Exercises

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

In the following phrases, supply either a or an: 

1. ____ bingo game

2. ____ idiot

3. ____ good job

4. ____ rotten plum

5. ____ used fork

6. ____ uncle

7. ____ historian

8. ____ apple

9. ____ hair

10. ____ artichoke

11. ____ horrible movie

12. ____ opera

13. ____ fine opera

14. ____ television

15. ____ earthquake

16. ____ icicle

17. ____ plant

18. ____ eggplant

19. ____ honorable discharge

20. ____ intelligent man

21. ____ table

22. ____ up stairway

23. ____ paper clip

24. ____ animal

25. ____ usual feeling

26. ____ interest

27. ____ alibi

28. ____ early bird

29. ____ couch

30. ____ airplane

31. ____ grade

32. ____ pair

33. ____ idea

34. ____ energy level

 

A or An? Answer Key

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

In the following phrases, supply either "a" or "an":

1. a bingo game

2. an idiot

3. a good job

4. a rotten plum

5. a used fork

6. an uncle

7. a historian

8. an apple

9. a hair

10. an artichoke

11. a horrible movie

12. an opera

13. a fine opera

14. a television

15. an earthquake

16. an icicle

17. a plant

18. an eggplant

19. an honorable discharge

20. an intelligent man

21. a table

22. an up stairway

23. a paper clip

24. an animal

25. a usual feeling

26. an interest

27. an alibi

28. an early bird

29. a couch

30. an airplane

31. a grade

32. a pair

33. an idea

34. an energy level

A or An?

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

"A" goes before all words that begin with consonants.

• a cat

• a dog

• a purple onion

• a buffalo

• a big apple

with one exception: Use an before unsounded h.

• an honorable peace

• an honest error

"An" goes before all words that begin with vowels:

• an apricot

• an egg

• an Indian

• an orbit

• an uprising

with two exceptions: When u makes the same sound as the y in you, or o makes the same sound as w in won, then a is used.

• a union

• a united front

• a unicorn

• a used napkin

• a U.S. ship

• a one-legged man

Adjective or Adverb Exercise #1

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.

Choose the correct item from the choices in the parentheses:

1. He (correct, correctly) defined the terms. The answer sounded (correctly, correct).

2. She (quickly, quick) adjusted the fees. She adapted (quick, quickly) to any situation.

3. He measured the floor (exact, exactly). They proved to be (perfectly, perfect) (exact, exactly) measurements.

4. The stillness of the tomb was (awfully, awful). The tomb was (awfully, awful) still.

5. It was a (dangerously, dangerous) lake to swim in. The man was (dangerous, dangerously) drunk. The gas smelled (dangerously,dangerous).

6. She performed (magnificent, magnificently). It was a (magnificent, magnificently) beautiful performance.

7. Her voice sounds (beautifully, beautiful). She sang the song (exact, exactly) as it was written. We heard it (perfectly, perfect).

8. He was a very (sensibly, sensible) person. He acted very (sensible, sensibly).

9. Mike wrote too (slow, slowly) on the exam. He always writes (slow, slowly).

10. Talk (softly, soft) or don't talk at all. The music played (softly, soft).

11. Andrea knows the material very (good, well). She always treats us (good, well).

12. You must send payments (regular, regularly). We deal on a (strictly, strict) cash basis.

13. The mechanic's tools were (well, good). The foreman said that his work was (good, well) done.

14. She worked (careful, carefully) with the sick child. She was a very (careful, carefully) worker.

15. He did not pass the course as (easy, easily) as he thought he would.

16. I find this novel very (interesting, interestingly). It was (interesting, interestingly) written.

The Correct Answer	Your Response is:
Question 1		correctly	Incorrect
Question 2		correct	Incorrect
Question 3		quickly	Incorrect
Question 4		quickly	Incorrect
Question 5		exactly	Incorrect
Question 6		perfectly exact	Incorrect
Question 7		awful	Incorrect
Question 8		awfully	Incorrect
Question 9		dangerous	Incorrect
Question 10		dangerously	Incorrect
Question 11		dangerous	Incorrect
Question 12		magnificently	Incorrect
Question 13		magnificently	Incorrect
Question 14		beautiful	Incorrect
Question 15		exactly	Incorrect
Question 16		perfectly	Incorrect
Question 17		sensible	Incorrect
Question 18		sensibly	Incorrect
Question 19		slowly	Incorrect
Question 20		slowly	Incorrect
Question 21		softly	Incorrect
Question 22		softly	Incorrect
Question 23		well	Incorrect
Question 24		well	Incorrect

Adjective or Adverb Exercise #2

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.

In the following sentences, cross out the incorrect words and write in the correct form in the blanks. If the sentence is correct as it is, write "correct" in the blank.

1. Terrence plays quarterback as well as Brian._______________

2. The game hadn't hardly begun before it started to rain.____________

3. This was sure a mild winter.__________________

4. Jane behaves more pleasant than Joan.________________

5. When you are a parent, you will think different about children.___________

6. I felt badly about not having done good on my final exams._____________

7. Whether you win is not near as important as how you play._____________

8. Asian music often sounds oddly to Western listeners.______________

9. Does your car run well enough to enter the race?_________________

10. I felt safely enough to go out at night on my own._________________

11. You can see the distant mountains clear with these binoculars.______________

12. Our team was real sharp last Saturday afternoon during the game.___________

Question	Your Answer	The Correct Answer	Your Response is:
Question 1		well	Incorrect
Question 2		had	Incorrect
Question 3		surely	Incorrect
Question 4		pleasantly	Incorrect
Question 5		differently	Incorrect
Question 6		bad	Incorrect
Question 7		well	Incorrect
Question 8		nearly	Incorrect
Question 9		odd	Incorrect
Question 10		well	Incorrect
Question 11		safe	Incorrect
Question 12		clearly	Incorrect
Question 13		really	Incorrect
Question 14		regularly	Incorrect
Question 15		strictly	Incorrect
Question 16		good	Incorrect
Question 17		well	Incorrect
Question 18		carefully	Incorrect
Question 19		careful	Incorrect
Question 20		easily	Incorrect
Question 21		interesting	Incorrect
Question 22		interestingly

Articles Exercise #1

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

1. I want ____ apple from that basket.

2. ____ church on the corner is progressive.

3. Miss Lin speaks ____ Chinese.

4. I borrowed ____ pencil from your pile of pencils and pens.

5. One of the students said, "____ professor is late today."

6 Eli likes to play ____ volleyball.

7. I bought ____ umbrella to go out in the rain.

8. My daughter is learning to play ____ violin at her school.

9. Please give me ____ cake that is on the counter.

10. I lived on ____ Main Street when I first came to town.

11. Albany is the capital of ____ New York State.

12. My husband's family speaks ____ Polish.

13. ____ apple a day keeps the doctor away.

14. ____ ink in my pen is red.

15. Our neighbors have ____ cat and ____ dog.

Articles Exercise #1: Answer Key

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

1. I want an apple from that basket.

2. The church on the corner is progressive.

3. Miss Lin speaks Chinese. (no article needed)

4. I borrowed a pencil from your pile of pencils and pens.

5. One of the students said, "The professor is late today."

6. Eli likes to play volleyball. (no article needed)

7. I bought an umbrella to go out in the rain.

8. My daughter is learning to play the violin at her school.

9. Please give me the cake that is on the counter.

10. I lived on Main Street when I first came to town. (no article needed)

11. Albany is the capital of New York State. (no article needed)

12. My husband's family speaks Polish. (no article needed)

13. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

14. The ink in my pen is red.

15. Our neighbors have a cat and a dog.

 

Articles Exercise #2

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

 

Directions: Write the following paragraphs, inserting a, an, and the where needed.

1. I have horse of my own. I call her Pretty Girl. She is intelligent animal, but she is not thoroughbred horse. I could never enter her in race, even if I wanted to. But I do not want to. She is companion, for my own pleasure. I took her swimming day or two ago.

2. Horse knows when he is going to race. How does he know? His breakfast was scanty. (He is angry about that.) He does not have saddle on his back. He is being led, not ridden, to grandstand. He is led under grandstand into unusual, special stall. Horse is nervous. Sometimes he does not know what to do when starting gate flies open and track is before him. If he does not begin to run instantly, other horses are already ahead of him. During race, when he sees another horse just ahead of him, he will try to pass him. Sometimes jockey holds him back to save his energy for last stretch. Eventually horse gets to run as fast as he can.

Exercise boy, watching owner's favorite jockey riding horse he has exercised day after day, says nothing. Secretly, he is planning for day when he will be jockey himself, and his horse will be first to cross finish line.

3. Most people have fewer hours to give to time-consuming activities of clubs than they used to have, but most people in small town belong to club or two. One of clubs is likely to be social and benevolent organization, such as Rotary or Elks. Business people are likely to belong, also to either Kiwanis Club or Lions. Such business people's organizations may meet as often as once a week in one of private dining rooms of town's leading hotel for lunch. They have good lunch, hear good program, and continue their fundraising program for worthy organization, such as local hospital

Articles Exercise #2 Answer Key

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.

1. I have a horse of my own. I call her Pretty Girl. She is an intelligent animal, but she is not a thoroughbred horse. I could never enter her in a race, even if I wanted to. But I do not want to. She is a companion, for my own pleasure. I took her swimming a day or two ago.

2. A horse knows when he is going to race. How does he know? His breakfast was scanty. (He is angry about that.) He does not have a saddle on his back. He is being led, not ridden, to the grandstand. He is led under the grandstand into an unusual, special stall. The horse is nervous. Sometimes he does not know what to do when the starting gate flies open and the track is before him. If he does not begin to run instantly, other horses are already ahead of him. During the race, when he sees another horse just ahead of him, he will try to pass him. Sometimes the jockey holds him back to save his energy for the last stretch. Eventually the horse gets to run as fast as he can. The exercise boy, watching the owner's favorite jockey riding the horse he has exercised day after day, says nothing. Secretly, he is planning for the day when he will be a jockey himself, and his horse will be the first to cross the finish line.

3. Most working people have fewer hours to give to time-consuming activities of clubs than they used to have, but most people in a small town belong to a club or two. One of the clubs is likely to be a social and benevolent organization, such as the Rotary or Elks. Business people are likely to belong, also to either the Kiwanis Club or the Lions. Such business people's organizations may meet as often as once a week in one of the private dining rooms of the town's leading hotel for lunch. They have a good lunch, hear a good program, and continue their fundraising program for a worthy organization, such as a local hospital.

Count and Noncount Nouns

Exercise 1

Are the following nouns count or noncount? Put an N next to the noncount nouns and a C next to the count nouns. If the noun can be either noncount or count depending on the context, put a D next to it.

world textbook acid smoking poetry applause thought

banana conduct progress biology essay crystal shopping

 

Exercise 2

Put an X next to the words in the following list that can be used as either count or noncount nouns, depending on the context.

defense beauty garbage experience baggage

rain rug nature bag emotion

 

Exercise 3

Fill in the blank with the form of the noun in parentheses that is appropriate to the grammatical context of the sentence and the meaning of the passage as a whole.

Diabetes: Beyond the Basics

Because diabetes can cause devastating _________ (damage, damages) to virtually all body ________ (system, systems), people with diabetes should not underrate the seriousness of their disease. Learning to live with a chronic ________ (illness, illnesses) such as diabetes must be an ongoing process.

The Hospital's Center for Family Life Education is sponsoring a five-part educational series on diabetes. The series will begin on April 30 and continue through May 29. The _________ (program, programs) will be held in the second floor classroom of the Education Center from 7-9 p.m.

The diabetes series is free and open to the public and will be of specific _________ (interest, interests) to people who have diabetes and their families and friends.

Exercise 4

On the basis of the rules for using articles discussed in the OWL file "Count and Noncount Nouns," which combinations of words below are permitted and which ones aren't? Put an X next to the incorrect combinations.

a table these person this furniture that assignment a boy

the poetry a difficulty a research this eggs those argument

 

Exercise 5

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate article if one is needed.

The Computer Jungle

Though you can make ____ decision on purely economic grounds, buying ____ computer is often more like joining ____ religious cult. Buy ____ Apple, for example, and almost by default you join Apple chairman Steve Jobs in his crusade against IBM. Every machine has its "users' groups" and ____ band of loyal enthusiasts who tout its merits. That makes it all ____ more difficult for ____ uninitiated to decide what machine to buy. Students have ____ huge advantage, however. The computer companies are so eager for students' business (it builds "brand loyalty") that many offer huge discounts.

In the past six months, IBM, Apple, and others have brought out new computers, and ____ fierce competition has forced prices down. Also, time is on your side: next year at ____ time you'll have even more choice and more computing power and features for ____ same price. On ____ other hand, this will probably be true for many years. So for those who need or want ____ computer now, it's a great time to buy one

Answers to Count and Noncount Noun Exercises

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.

Count and Noncount Nouns

Exercise 1

Are the following nouns count or noncount? Put an N next to the noncount nouns and a C next to the count nouns. If the noun can be either noncount or count depending on the context, put a D next to it.

world C textbook C acid D smoking N poetry N applause N thought D

banana C conduct N progress N biology N essay C crystal D shopping N

Exercise 2

Put an X next to the words in the following list that can be used as either count or noncount nouns, depending on the context.

 

defense X beauty X garbage ___ experience X baggage ___

rain X rug ___ nature ___ bag ___ emotion X

Exercise 3

Fill in the blank with the form of the noun in parentheses that is appropriate to the grammatical context of the sentence and the meaning of the passage as a whole.

Diabetes: Beyond the Basics

Because diabetes can cause devastating damage to virtually all body systems, people with diabetes should not underrate the seriousness of their disease. Learning to live with a chronic illness such as diabetes must be an ongoing process.

The Hospital's Center for Family Life Education is sponsoring a five-part educational series on diabetes. The series will begin on April 30 and continue through May 29. The program will be held in the second floor classroom of the Education Center from 7-9 p.m.

The diabetes series is free and open to the public and will be of specific interest to people who have diabetes and their families and friends.

Exercise 4

On the basis of the rules for using articles, which combinations of words below are permitted and which ones aren't? Put an X next to the incorrect combinations.

____ a table X these person ____ this furniture ____ that assignment ____ a boy

____ the poetry ____ a difficulty X a research X this eggs X those argument

 

Exercise 5

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate article if one is needed.

The Computer Jungle

Though you can make the decision on purely economic grounds, buying a computer is often more like joining a religious cult. Buy an Apple, for example, and almost by default you join Apple chairman Steve Jobs in his crusade against IBM. Every machine has its "users' groups" and a band of loyal enthusiasts who tout its merits. That makes it all the more difficult for the uninitiated to decide what machine to buy. Students have a huge advantage, however. The computer companies are so eager for students' business (it builds "brand loyalty") that many offer huge discounts.

In the past six months, IBM, Apple, and others have brought out new computers, and the fierce competition has forced prices down. Also, time is on your side: next year at this time you'll have even more choice and more computing power and features for the same price. On the other hand, this will probably be true for many years. So for those who need or want a computer now, it's a great time to buy one.

 

Prepositions of Direction: To, On (to), In (to): Exercises Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab. Complete the following sentences with the correct preposition: to, toward, on, onto, in, or into. Some sentences may have more than one possible correct answer. Remember that a few verbs of motion take only "on" rather than "onto." 1. Anna has returned ______ her home town. 2. The dog jumped ______ the lake. 3. Are the boys still swimming ______ the pool? 4. Thomas fell ______ the floor. 5. The plane landed ______ the runway. 6. We drove _____ the river for an hour, but turned north before we reached it. 7. The kids climbed ______ the monkey bars. 8. Joanna got ______ Fred's car. 9. The baby spilled his cereal ______ the floor. 10. We cried to the man on the ladder, "Hang ______!" 11. I just called ______ say I love you. 12. Matthew and Michelle moved the table ______ the dining room. 13. Allan left your keys ______ the table. 14. Dr. Karper apologized for interrupting us, and told us to carry ______ with our discussion. 15. I'd like ______ ask you a question. 16. Pat drove Mike ______ the airport. 17. Glenn almost fell ______ the river. 18. The waitress noticed that there was no more Diet Pepsi ______ Marty's glass. 19. Lee and Sarah took the bus that was heading ______ the university. 20. Mary Sue jumped ______ the stage and danced.

Prepositions of Direction: To, On (to), In (to): Exercise 1

Question	Your Answer	The Correct Answer	Your Response is:
Question 1	to	to	Correct
Question 2	to	in / into	Incorrect
Question 3	to	in	Incorrect
Question 4	to	on / onto	Incorrect
Question 5	to	on	Incorrect
Question 6	to	toward	Incorrect
Question 7	to	on / onto	Incorrect
Question 8	to	in / into	Incorrect
Question 9	to	on	Incorrect
Question 10	to	on	Incorrect
Question 11	to	to	Correct
Question 12	to	into	Incorrect
Question 13	to	on	Incorrect
Question 14	to	on	Incorrect
Question 15	to	to	Correct
Question 16	to	to	Correct
Question 17	to	in / into	Incorrect
Question 18	to	in	Incorrect
Question 19	to	toward	Incorrect
Question 20	to	on / onto	Incorrect

Prepositions of Location: At, In, On: Exercises

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.

Complete the following sentences with the correct preposition: at, in, or on.

1. Will you wait for me _____ the bus stop?

2. Jane is _____ her bedroom.

3. Daria's books are lying _____ the floor.

4. The girls didn't want to spend a long time _____ the carnival.

5. I let the cat sit _____ my lap, but then suddenly it jumped _____ my face!

6. Do you live _____ the city or _____ the country?

7. Trent arrived _____ the school building just in time.

8. The rancher built a fence to keep his cows _____ the pasture.

9. Kevin and Mack are out practicing _____ the football field.

10. From afar, Heathcliff could see a light _____ the window.

11. The old house had so much grime _____ the windows that Bradley could hardly see inside.

12. The shepherd boy grazed his flock _____ the grassy hillside.

13. The audience threw tomatoes _____ the terrible comedian.

14. Wrestling isn't real; those guys _____ the ring are just pretending.

15. David works _____ the field of network administration, while Marty works _____ web design.

16. The car stalled and got stuck _____ the street.

17. Audrey lives _____ Third Street.

18. If William doesn't make any money on his book, he'll be out _____ the street.

19. I'll use my cellular phone when I'm _____ the bus, but never while I'm _____ the car.

20. Passengers are not allowed to use electronic devices _____ airplanes during takeoff and landing.

 

Prepositions of Location: At, In, On: Exercise 1

Question	Your Answer	The Correct Answer	Your Response is:
Question 1	at	at	Correct
Question 2	at	in	Incorrect
Question 3	at	on	Incorrect
Question 4	at	at	Correct
Question 5	at	on	Incorrect
Question 6	at	at	Correct
Question 7	at	in	Incorrect
Question 8	at	in	Incorrect
Question 9	at	at	Correct
Question 10	at	in	Incorrect
Question 11	at	on	Incorrect
Question 12	at	in	Incorrect
Question 13	at	on	Incorrect
Question 14	at	on	Incorrect
Question 15	at	at	Correct
Question 16	at	in	Incorrect
Question 17	at	in	Incorrect
Question 18	at	in	Incorrect
Question 19	at	in	Incorrect
Question 20	at	on	Incorrect
Question 21	at	on	Incorrect
Question 22	at	on	Incorrect
Question 23	at	in	Incorrect
Question 24	at	on	Incorrect

Independent and Dependent Clauses (Definitions)

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

When you want to use commas and semicolons in sentences and when you are concerned about whether a sentence is or is not a fragment, a good way to start is to be able to recognize dependent and independent clauses. The definitions offered here will help you with this.

This handout will:

• define independent and dependent clauses

• explain proper ways to punctuate sentences that use them

• note some common errors to avoid

Definitions

Independent Clause (IC)

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.

Example: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz. (IC)

Dependent Clause (DC)

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.

Example: When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (DC)
(What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)

Dependent Marker Word (DM)

A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.

Example: When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy. (DM)

Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

Connecting dependent and independent clauses

There are two types of words that can be used as connectors at the beginning of an independent clause: coordinating conjunctions and independent marker words.

1. Coordinating Conjunction (CC)

The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the beginning of an independent clause are and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet. When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction:

Example: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise. (CC)

2. Independent Marker Word (IM)

An independent marker word is a connecting word used at the beginning of an independent clause. These words can always begin a sentence that can stand alone. When the second independent clause in a sentence has an independent marker word, a semicolon is needed before the independent marker word.

Example: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz; however, it was hard to concentrate because of the noise. (IM)

Some common independent markers are: also, consequently, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.

Proper Punctuation Methods

This table gives some examples of ways to combine independent and dependent clauses and shows how to punctuate them properly.

 

IC. IC.	I went to the store. I didn't buy any bread.
IC; IC.	I went to the store; I didn't buy any bread.
IC, CC IC.	I went to the store, but I didn't buy any bread.
IC; IM, IC.	I went to the store; however, I didn't buy any bread.
DC, IC.	When I went to the store, I didn't buy any bread.
IC DC.	I didn't buy any bread when I went to the store.

Some Common Errors to Avoid

Comma Splices

A comma splice is the use of a comma between two independent clauses. You can usually fix the error by changing the comma to a period and therefore making the two clauses into two separate sentences, by changing the comma to a semicolon, or by making one clause dependent by inserting a dependent marker word in front of it.

Incorrect: I like this class, it is very interesting.

Correct: I like this class. It is very interesting.

(or) I like this class; it is very interesting.

(or) I like this class, and it is very interesting.

(or) I like this class because it is very interesting.

(or) Because it is very interesting, I like this class.

Fused Sentences

Fused sentences happen when there are two independent clauses not separated by any form of punctuation. This error is also known as a run-on sentence. The error can sometimes be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to separate the two sentences.

Incorrect: My professor is intelligent I've learned a lot from her.

Correct: My professor is intelligent. I've learned a lot from her.

(or) My professor is intelligent; I've learned a lot from her.

(or) My professor is intelligent, and I've learned a lot from her.

(or) My professor is intelligent; moreover, I've learned a lot from her.

Sentence Fragments

Sentence fragments happen by treating a dependent clause or other incomplete thought as a complete sentence. You can usually fix this error by combining it with another sentence to make a complete thought or by removing the dependent marker.

Incorrect: Because I forgot the exam was today.

Correct: Because I forgot the exam was today, I didn't study.

(or) I forgot the exam was today.

Tense Consistency Exercises

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.

A. Recognizing Shifts in Sentences

Check the following sentences for confusing shifts in tense. If the tense of each underlined verb expresses the time relationship accurately, write S (satisfactory). If a shift in tense is not appropriate, write U (unsatisfactory) and make necessary changes. In most cases with an inappropriate shift, there is more than one way to correct the inconsistency. Reading the sentences aloud will help you recognize differences in time.

___ 1. If the club limited its membership, it will have to raise its dues.

___ 2. While Barbara puts in her contact lenses, the telephone rang.

___ 3. Thousands of people will see the art exhibit by the time it closes.

___ 4. By the time negotiations began, many pessimists have expressed doubt about them.

___ 5. After Capt. James Cook visited Alaska on his third voyage, he is killed by Hawaiian islanders in 1779.

___ 6. I was terribly disappointed with my grade because I studied very hard.

___ 7. The moderator asks for questions as soon as the speaker has finished.

___ 8. Everyone hopes the plan would work.

___ 9. Harry wants to show his friends the photos he took last summer.

___ 10. Scientists predict that the sun will die in the distant future.

___ 11. The boy insisted that he has paid for the candy bars.

___ 12. The doctor suggested bed rest for the patient, who suffers from a bad cold.

Answers to this exercise are available. 

 

B. Completing Sentences

Complete these sentences, using the tense suggested.

1. We stand patiently, hoping that ____________________. (use future tense)

2. Advertisers seem to believe that ______________________. (use present tense)

3. By the time the fog lifted, ___________________________. (use past perfect tense)

4. We will leave for Florida as soon as __________________. (use present tense)

5. One student keeps repeating what __________________. (use present perfect tense)

6. Yesterday our track team competed in a meet that ___________________. (use past tense)

7. Before the crew paves a driveway, they always ____________________. (use present tense [habitual action])

8. Before the crew paves the driveway, they ______________________. (use future tense [one-time action])

9. By the time the letter arrives, _____________________. (use future perfect tense)

10. When the final report is published, _____________________. (use future tense)

 

C. Completing Paragraphs

In the following passage from Alex Haley's Roots, some of the verbs have been deliberately omitted. Supply the appropriate tense for each missing verb, the plain form of which is given in parentheses.

In Banjuh, the capital of Gambia, I met with a group of Gambians. They __(tell)___ me how for centuries the history of Africa has been preserved. In the older villages of the back country, there are old men called griots, who __(be)__ in effect living archives. Such men ___(memorize)_____ and, on special occasions, _(recite)____ the cumulative histories of clans or families or villages as those histories __(have)____ long been told. Since my forefather _(have)___ said his name was Kin-tay (properly spelled Kinte), and since the Kinte clan __(be)___ known in Gambia, the group of Gambians would see what they could do to help me. I was back in New York when a registered letter __(arrive)___ from Gambia.

Word ____(have)___ been passed in the back country, and a griot of the Kinte clan _(have)____ , indeed, been found. His name, the letter said, __(be)__ Kebba Kanga Fofana. I __(return)___ to Gambia and __(organize)_____ a safari to locate him.

Answers to this exercise are available. 

 

D. Controlling Shifts in Paragraphs

Although the main tense in the following paragraph is past, the writer correctly shifts to present tense twice. Find these two verbs in present tense. If you encounter difficulty, try reading the paragraph aloud.

The Iroquois Indians of the Northeast regularly burned land to increase open space for agriculture. In fact, the early settlers of Boston found so few trees that they had to row out to the islands in the harbor to obtain fuel. Just how far north this practice extended is uncertain, but the Saco River in southern Maine appears to have been the original northern boundary of the agricultural clearings. Then, pressured by European settlement, the Iroquois extended their systematic burning far northward, even into the Maritime Provinces of Canada. (abridged from Hay and Farb, The Atlantic Shore)

Read the following paragraph through, and determine the main tense. Then reread it and circle the three verbs that shift incorrectly from the main tense.

For the past seven years, I have called myself a swimmer. Swimming, my one sport, provides a necessary outlet for my abundant energy. I have always drawn satisfaction from exertion, straining my muscles to their limits. I don't know why pushing forward in the water, as my muscles cried out in pain, sets off a booming cheer in my head. Many times when I rounded the turn for the last lap of a race, my complaining muscles want to downshift and idle to the finish. My mind, however, presses the pedal to the floor and yells, "FASTER!" The moment that I touched the wall my muscles relax; the pain subsides. I am pleased to have passed the point of conflict. (adapted from Brendon MacLean, "Harder!")

You will notice several shifts in tense in the following paragraph describing action in a fictional narrative. Find the six faulty shifts in tense.

In "The Use of Force" William Carlos Williams describes a struggle involving a doctor, two parents, and their young daughter. The doctor must obtain a throat culture from the girl, who was suspected of having diphtheria. This ordinarily simple task is hindered by the frightened and uncooperative patient, Mathilda Olson. Adding to the doctor's difficulties were the parents, who had to struggle with their own conflicting emotions. They want their daughter helped, but they did not trust the doctor to do the right thing. Sensitive to the parents' uncertainty, the doctor became more and more frustrated by Mathilda's resistance. Williams gives considerable attention to how each of the Olsons react, but it is clear that his main interest was in the doctor and his responses. (adapted from a student essay)

Tense Consistency Exercises: Answers

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

A. Recognizing Shifts in Sentences

In most cases with an inappropriate shift below, there is more than one way to correct the inconsistency. Each suggested change is probably not the only correct one for the sentence.

_U_ 1. If the club limited its membership, it will have to raise its dues. (change will to would)

_U_ 2. As Barbara puts in her contact lenses, the telephone rang. (change puts to put)

_S_ 3. Thousands of people will see the art exhibit by the time it closes.

_U_ 4. By the time negotiations began, many pessimists have expressed doubt about them. (change have to had)

_U_ 5. After Capt. James Cook visited Alaska on his third voyage, he is killed by Hawaiian islanders in 1779. (change is to was)

_U_ 6. I was terribly disappointed with my grade because I studied very hard. (change studied to had studied)

_S_ 7. The moderator asks for questions as soon as the speaker has finished. (asks as habitual action; will ask is also possible)

_U_ 8. Everyone hopes the plan would work. (change hopes to hoped)

_S_ 9. Harry wants to show his friends the photos he took last summer.

_S_ 10. Scientists predict that the sun will die in the distant future.

_U_ 11. The boy insisted that he has paid for the candy bars. (change has to had)

_U_ 12. The doctor suggested bed rest for the patient, who suffers from a bad cold. (change suffers to was suffering)

 

B. Completing Sentences

Many answers are possible.

 

C. Completing Paragraphs

The underlined verbs in the following passage are each in the correct tense.

In Banjuh, the capital of Gambia, I met with a group of Gambians. They told me how for centuries the history of Africa has been preserved. In the older villages of the back country, there are old men called griots, who are in effect living archives. Such men memorize and, on special occasions, recite the cumulative histories of clans or families or villages as those histories have long been told. Since my forefather had said his name was Kin-tay (properly spelled Kinte), and since the Kinte clan was known in Gambia, the group of Gambians would see what they could do to help me. I was back in New York when a registered letter arrived from Gambia.

Word had been passed in the back country, and a griot of the Kinte clan had, indeed, been found. His name, the letter said, was Kebba Kanga Fofana. I returned to Gambia and organized a safari to locate him.

 

D. Controlling Shifts in Paragraphs

In this first paragraph, the two verbs in present tense--both appropriate for the situation--are indicated in bold.

The Iroquois Indians of the Northeast regularly burned land to increase open space for agriculture. In fact, the early settlers of Boston found so few trees that they had to row out to the islands in the harbor to obtain fuel. Just how far north this practice extended is uncertain, but the Saco River in southern Maine appears to have been the original northern boundary of the agricultural clearings. Then, pressured by European settlement, the Iroquois extended their systematic burning far northward, even into the Maritime Provinces of Canada. (abridged from Hay and Farb, The Atlantic Shore)

The main tense in this next paragraph is present. Incorrect shifts to past tense are indicated in bold.

For the past seven years, I have called myself a swimmer. Swimming, my one sport, provides a necessary outlet for my abundant energy. I have always drawn satisfaction from exertion, straining my muscles to their limits. I don't know why pushing forward in the water, as my muscles cried out in pain, sets off a booming cheer in my head. Many times when I rounded the turn for the last lap of a race, my complaining muscles want to downshift and idle to the finish. My mind, however, presses the pedal to the floor and yells, "FASTER!" The moment that I touched the wall my muscles relax; the pain subsides. I am pleased to have passed the point of conflict. (adapted from Brendon MacLean, "Harder!")

Since the following paragraph describes action in a fictional narrative, the main tense should be present. The six incorrect shifts to past tense are underlined.

In "The Use of Force" William Carlos Williams describes a struggle involving a doctor, two parents, and their young daughter. The doctor must obtain a throat culture from the girl, who was suspected of having diphtheria. This ordinarily simple task is hindered by the frightened and uncooperative patient, Mathilda Olson. Adding to the doctor's difficulties were the parents, who had to struggle with their own conflicting emotions. They want their daughter helped, but they did not trust the doctor to do the right thing. Sensitive to the parents' uncertainty, the doctor became more and more frustrated by Mathilda's resistance. Williams gives considerable attention to how each of the Olsons react, but it is clear that his main interest was in the doctor and his responses. (adapted from a student essay)

Apostrophes: Exercise

This exercise brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.

Punctuate the following sentences with apostrophes according to the rules for using the apostrophe.

1. Whos the partys candidate for vice president this year?

2. The fox had its right foreleg caught securely in the traps jaws.

3. Our neighbors car is an old Chrysler, and its just about to fall apart.

4. In three weeks time well have to begin school again.

5. Didnt you hear that theyre leaving tomorrow?

6. Whenever I think of the stories I read as a child, I remember Cinderellas glass slipper and Snow Whites wicked stepmother.

7. We claimed the picnic table was ours, but the Smiths children looked so disappointed that we found another spot.

8. Its important that the kitten learns to find its way home.

9. She did not hear her childrens cries.

10. My address has three 7s, and Tims phone number has four 2s.

11. Didnt he say when he would arrive at Arnies house?

12. Its such a beautiful day that Ive decided to take a sun bath.

13. She said the watch Jack found was hers, but she couldnt identify the manufacturers name on it.

14. Little girls clothing is on the first floor, and the mens department is on the second.

15. The dogs bark was far worse than its bite.

16. The moons rays shone feebly on the path, and I heard the insects chirpings and whistlings.

17. Theyre not afraid to go ahead with the plans, though the choice is not theirs.

18. The man whose face was tan said that he had spent his two weeks vacation in the mountains.

19. My professors advice was to try to get at least two As.

20. Johns 69 Ford is his proudest possession.

 

Apostrophes: Exercise 1

Question	Your Answer	The Correct Answer	Your Response is:
Question 1	Whos	Who's	Incorrect
Question 2	partys	party's	Incorrect
Question 3	its	its	Correct
Question 4	traps	trap's	Incorrect
Question 5	neighbors	neighbor's	Incorrect
Question 6	its	it's	Incorrect
Question 7	weeks	weeks'	Incorrect
Question 8	well	we'll	Incorrect
Question 9	Didnt	Didn't	Incorrect
Question 10	theyre	they're	Incorrect
Question 11	Cinderellas	Cinderella's	Incorrect
Question 12	Snow Whites	Snow White's	Incorrect
Question 13	ours	ours	Correct
Question 14	Smiths	Smiths'	Incorrect
Question 15	Its	It's	Incorrect
Question 16	its	its	Correct
Question 17	childrens	children's	Incorrect
Question 18	7s	7's	Incorrect
Question 19	Tims	Tim's	Incorrect
Question 20	2s	2's	Incorrect

Quotation Marks: Exercise

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

In addition to this exercise, check out the Purdue OWL information on quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing. For more information on writing research papers and paraphrasing sources, see our extensive research paper workshop. 

In the following sentences put in quotation marks wherever they are needed, and underline words where italics are needed.

1. Mary is trying hard in school this semester, her father said.

2. No, the taxi driver said curtly, I cannot get you to the airport in fifteen minutes.

3. I believe, Jack remarked, that the best time of year to visit Europe is in the spring. At least that's what I read in a book entitled Guide to Europe.

4. My French professor told me that my accent is abominable.

5. She asked, Is Time a magazine you read regularly?

6. Flannery O'Connor probably got the title of one of her stories from the words of the old popular song, A Good Man Is Hard to Find.

7. When did Roosevelt say, We have nothing to fear but fear itself?

8. It seems to me that hip and cool are words that are going out of style.

9. Yesterday, John said, This afternoon I'll bring back your book Conflict in the Middle East; however, he did not return it.

10. Can you believe, Dot asked me, that it has been almost five years since we've seen each other?

11. A Perfect Day for Bananafish is, I believe, J. D. Salinger's best short story.

12. Certainly, Mr. Martin said, I shall explain the whole situation to him. I know that he will understand.

Back to the quotation marks exercise or the quotation marks handout.

1. "Mary is trying hard in school this semester," her father said.

2. "No," the taxi driver said curtly, "I cannot get you to the airport in fifteen minutes."

3. "I believe," Jack remarked, "that the best time of year to visit Europe is in the spring. At least that's what I read in a book entitled Guide to Europe."

4. My French professor told me that my accent is abominable.

5. She asked, "Is Time a magazine you read regularly?"

6. Flannery O'Connor probably got the title of one of her stories from the words of the old popular song, "A Good Man Is Hard to Find."

7. When did Roosevelt say, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself"?

8. It seems to me that hip and cool are words that are going out of style.

9. Yesterday, John said, "This afternoon I'll bring back your book Conflict in the Middle East"; however, he did not return it.

10. "Can you believe," Dot asked me, "that it has been almost five years since we've seen each other?"

11. "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" is, I believe, J. D. Salinger's best short story.

12. "Certainly," Mr. Martin said, "I shall explain the whole situation to him. I know that he will understand."

Exercises

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab at http://owl.english.purdue.edu

 Answers to exercise A and B are available.

A. If the following sentences are correctly punctuated with introductory commas, mark a C on the line to the left of the sentence. If there is an error, put an X on the line and circle the error. Do you know why each sentence is correct or incorrect?

____ 1. As the boat turned about a dozen dolphins began to follow it.

____ 2. Since we moved into town, our fuel bill has tripled.

____ 3. Having chosen nursing as a career Susan enrolled in many science courses.

____ 4. Usually, I have time to eat breakfast.

____ 5. From outside the twelve-mile fishing limits off the coast of Maine, a strange phenomenon has been reported.

____ 6. When he was in high school he was known only as an athlete.

____ 7. Before you decide what courses to take, you should consider the amount of work you are willing to do.

____ 8. Nevertheless I do not want to meet him.

B. Add introductory commas where they are needed in the following sentences. Can you identify whether the introductory element, if any, is a clause, phrase, or word? If it is a phrase, what kind of phrase is it?

____ 1. To give Jane a good look at the university Mr. Benson drove up for the Day on Campus.

____ 2. Since the dog had started to run a way to catch him had to be found.

____ 3. Of course the movie that I had rushed to see didn't start on time.

____ 4. Her secondhand car was in excellent condition when she bought it.

____ 5. As I mentioned the rules can be broken occasionally.

____ 6. Having decided to eat only natural foods he had to give up all of his favorite junk food snacks.

____ 7. To estimate the costs he consulted a repairman by phone.

____ 8. To succeed in politics is not necessarily desirable.

____ 9. Making up his mind quickly Jared ordered lasagna while we were still reading the menu.

____ 10. However he tried to use the bottle opener it wouldn't work.

C. Write your own sentences with introductory elements, and punctuate them correctly.

1. After ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

2. To save ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

3. If ____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

4. Often __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

5. Hearing ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

6. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

7. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

8. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

9. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

 

Answers to Exercises: Commas after Introductions

A. If the following sentences are correctly punctuated with introductory commas, mark a C on the line to the left of the sentence. If there is an error, put an X on the line and circle the error. Do you know why each sentence is correct or incorrect?

__X_ 1. As the boat turned about a dozen dolphins began to follow it.	missing comma after introductory clause ending with turned
__C_ 2. Since we moved into town, our fuel bill has tripled.	correct use of comma after introductory clause
__X_ 3. Having chosen nursing as a career Susan enrolled in many science courses.	missing comma after introductory participial phrase ending with career
__C_ 4. Usually, I have time to eat breakfast.	correct use of comma after introductory adverb
__C_ 5. From outside the twelve-mile fishing limits off the coast of Maine, a strange phenomenon has been reported.	correct use of comma after combination of prepositional phrases
__X_ 6. When he was in high school he was known only as an athlete.	missing comma after introductory clause ending with school
__C_ 7. Before you decide what courses to take, you should consider the amount of work you are willing to do.	correct use of comma after introductory clause
__X_ 8. Nevertheless I do not want to meet him.	missing comma after introductory transitional word Nevertheless

B. Add introductory commas where they are needed in the following sentences. Can you identify whether the introductory element, if any, is a clause, phrase, or word? If it is a phrase, what kind of phrase is it?

__P_ 1. To give Jane a good look at the university, Mr. Benson drove up for the Day on Campus.	introductory infinitive phrase
__C_ 2. Since the dog had started to run, a way to catch him had to be found.	introductory clause
__P_ 3. Of course, the movie that I had rushed to see didn't start on time.	introductory prepositional phrase
__N_ 4. Her secondhand car was in excellent condition when she bought it.	no introductory element
__C_ 5. As I mentioned, the rules can be broken occasionally.	introductory clause
__P_ 6. Having decided to eat only natural foods, he had to give up all of his favorite junk food snacks.	introductory participial phrase
__P_ 7. To estimate the costs, he consulted a repairman by phone.	introductory infinitive phrase
__N_ 8. To succeed in politics is not necessarily desirable.	no introductory element (The infinitive phrase is the subject of the sentence.)
__P_ 9. Making up his mind quickly, Jared ordered lasagna while we were still reading the menu.	introductory participial phrase
__C_ 10. However he tried to use the bottle opener, it wouldn't work.	introductory clause (However is not a transitional word here but the first word of an introductory clause.)

Commas with Nonessential Elements: Exercise #3

 

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/index.htm.

The following sentences have essential and nonessential words, phrases, and clauses in them. Put in the necessary punctuation.

1. The girl who teaches swimming at the neighborhood pool has a great deal of patience.

2. The girl who enjoyed teaching swimming decided to major in physical education at college.

3. The high school course that was most valuable to me was typing.

4. Maria wearing an original dress of her own design was the center of attention.

5. Dogsled mushing which has been his favorite sport for years requires a lot of effort.

6. Dauphin Island located off the coast of Alabama is a favorite spot for fishermen.

7. He saw his favorite movie Star Wars eight times.

8. Two of her friends Kate and Beth are planning to share an apartment with her next summer.

9. Citizen Kane considered by many critics to be the greatest American film ever made won only one Academy Award.

10. The officer who made the arrest had been investigated previously for excessive use of force

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