March 31st Grammar Assignment
Instructions: For each of the following Punctuation elements, I want you to write two sentences. The sentences must follow the instructions for each element. Therefore, you should write a total of 20 sentences. (They do not need to be long, but do need to be correct.)
Periods: Periods should not be put down next to each other. For these two sentences, finish each sentence with an abbreviation.
Example: My magazine was published by Time Warner, inc.
Commas: Commas are used to separate clauses within the same sentence. Write two sentences with different clauses (with or without a conjunction).
Example: I like superhero movies, but I did not like Man of Steel.
Colons: Colons are used to indicate a list. In two separate sentences, use a colon followed by a list of items.
Example: Military techniques consist of the following: Tactics, strategy, operations, and logistics.
Semicolons: Semicolons are often used to separate two independent clauses which are related to one another. Use semicolons in two sentences.
Example: My car is dirty from the snow and salt; I am going to wash it later.
Hyphens: Hyphens are often used to connect a series of words being used as an adjective (When you use multiple words to create a single idea), or after a prefix that is used before a word which does not normally have a prefix. Use hyphens in two separate sentences.
Example #1: James Cameron films often include a mustache-twirling villain.
Example #2: I used to ride a bicycle pre-high school. In my post-college days, I stopped buying cars and began driving trucks.
Parentheses: These are used in a sentence to isolate a modifying word or phrase which would disrupt the flow of the sentence if it was not isolated. Use parentheses in two sentences.
Example: When you look at the cars in the parking lot, (mine is the big black Jeep) you will see a lot of SUVs.
Brackets: These are used when a writer is modifying someone else’s quote to make it more understandable to the reader. Usually it clears up the context of the quote. Cite two quotes using brackets.
Example: Winston Churchill once said, “If he [Hitler] declared war on Hell, I would at least make a favorable reference to the Devil.”
Ellipses: This is used when you are omitting information from a quote. You use three dots if it is in the middle of a sentence, and four if it is used at the end of a sentence. Use two ellipses in a sentence.
Example: Few people are as misquoted as William T. Sherman. The phrase “War is Hell” comes from a speech he made, where he told the graduates,”…[You may] look on war as glory, but it is all Hell.”
Apostrophes: These are (primarily) used to indicate omitted letters in a word. They can also be used to indicate possession. (This is why it’s=it is, and its=possessive.) Use apostrophes in two sentences.
Example: Don’t listen to its arguments, as it’s trying to manipulate everyone’s feelings.
Slashes: Slashes are sometimes used in place of the word ‘or’.
Example: The options for toppings were ketchup/mayonnaise/mustard/olive oil.