GRAMMAR and PUNCTUATION REVIEW 2011

Subject/Verb AgreementDirections: Underline the subject. Circle the correct verb.

1. Neither my boss nor my co-workers (is, are) willing to let me try it alone.
2. The manager, as well as his whole staff, (is, are) responsible.
3. Either you or he (is, are) to blame.
4 There (is, are) a group of people waiting to see you.
5. There (is, are) several people waiting to see you.
6. Each man and woman (is, are) requested to attend.
7. Some of the committee members (has, have) already voted.
8. Much of the work (has, have) already been done.
9. I wouldn't like to be one of the people who (is, are) chosen to do that job.
10. The problem with these objectives (is, are) that those who set them do not have to meet them.

Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement Directions: Underline the antecedent. Circle the correct pronoun.

1. Each of the groups will have (its, their) convention here.

2. If any of the sisters needs a ride to church, (she, they) can call me.

3. Either Kathryn or Alex is concerned about (her, their) welfare in this course.

4. Did Sam or Chris want (his, their) hair cut?

5. Somebody left (his, their) trash on the road.

6. At the end of the movies, each of the couples cleared up (its, their) misunderstanding.

7. The Washington team was optimistic; (they, it) took advantage of every break.

8. When a person is in trouble, (they, he) may resort to anything.

9. The books or the bag would be quite enough to carry, so don't tire yourself over (them, it).

10. Actors during early rehearsals often forget (his, their) lines.

Pronoun Case: Circle the correct pronoun below.

1.Maria and (her, she) laughed and talked well into the night.

2. (Him, He) and I just don't seem to get along very well these days.

3.It was (her, she) who tied up the computer for three hours.

4.Cora handed Tom and (I, me) the employment applications.

5.It was (he, him) and Colleen who solved the problem with my scanner.

6.The vice president will select (you or I, you or me) to serve as acting chair.

7.(He and she, Him and her) will not be attending the dinner.

8.(We, Us) boys were on the best basketball team in the nation in high school.

9.That certainly is not (he, him) sitting in the first row of the theater.

10.I gave the left over fudge to Tom and (she, her). Leonardo wrongly believed that (she and Tom, her and Tom) would take the blame for him.

11.Finally, after much confusion, (Robert and she, Robert and her) realized that the noise they heard was an explosion down the street in the chemistry lab of the college.

12.I never realized that (we, us) students were so intelligent!

Colon Practice: Indicate whether or not the colon is used correctly in each sentence below.

  1. His favorite poets are: Milton, Donne, and Keats.
  1. The following are his favorite poets: Milton, Donne, and Keats.
  2. I have three sisters: Catherine, Sarah, and Mary.
  3. There was only one possible explanation: the train had never arrived.
  4. The boy's excuses for being late were: firstly, he did not know the time, secondly, he was sent on an errand, thirdly, he tripped on a rock and fell by the wayside.

Egregious Errors

1. There are (to, too, two) few people here, and they came (to, too, two) late.
2. Are these papers Michael's or (yours, your's)?
3. (Who's, Whose) book is that?
4. (You're, Your) welcome to join us at the seminar, even though (its, it's) not (your, you're) specialty.
5. (Its, It's) time to recognize that hard work is (its, it's) own best reward.
6. My explanation is different (then, than) theirs.
7. This doesn't (affect, effect) you.

Apostrophe Practice: Place apostrophes where needed.

  1. The Prestons have four girls in their family.
  2. Elvis antics offended the Smiths.
  3. I thanked her for finding the childrens toys.
  4. Charles bike has a flat tire.
  5. Sophocles plays were among those I saw in London.
  6. That dogs bowl was made of metal.
  7. Both dogs bowls were made of metal.
  8. I cant wait for Rex Manning day!
  9. The dog licked its owners house paint.
  10. Its a shame the dog did that because he got lead poisoning and died.

Comma and Semicolon Practice: Place commas and semicolons where needed.

  1. Dallas the hottest city in Texas reached a record 110 degrees on Friday.
  2. When we reported for work on Tuesday three jobs faced us immediately.
  3. We had heard the assignment, we did not understand it.
  4. We had heard the assignment but we did not understand it.
  5. We had heard the assignment but did not understand it.
  6. The team members had the necessary skills to win however they lost badly.
  7. I just wanted a soda some potato chips and a candy bar from the vending machine.
  8. If you prepare in advance listen carefully to directions and ask questions you will succeed.
  9. After stretching and running in place I continued my workout in the gym.
  10. My cousin was born in Los Angeles California on April 15 1994 a Wednesday.
  11. After I shopped and put the groceries away I took a long nap.
  12. The summer in Texas is usually long hot and dry.
  13. We decided to go to the movies, afterwards we went to dinner.
  14. Please stay with me for a little while Carol.
  15. Bobo the funny-looking clown at the birthday party performed balloon tricks for the kids.
  16. Every Tom Dick or Harry knows that information.
  17. When I get to the moon I am going to search for green cheese determine if anyone has ever coughed sneezed or burped while in outer space and do a leap for joy that I made it there safely.