6 Sentence Structure
2. place the word most or least before the modifier
Again, as a general rule, add –est to short modifiers (one or two syllables). Use most or least with modifiers that are more than two syllables.
Wanda is more experienced than I, but I am the most familiar with the software.
Ahmed is clearly the smartest student in the class.
Double Comparisons and Double Negatives
Be sure to avoid double comparisons. Don’t use both –er/–est and more/less or most/least together.
Incorrect: She has the most longest hair I’ve ever seen.
Correct: She has the longest hair I’ve ever seen.
Incorrect: Minsun is more happier now.
Correct: Minsun is happier now.
–U S A G E–
WHERE? WHEN? HOW? TO WHAT EXTENT?
The plane flew south. Jude arrived early. She sang beautifully. Anthony is very talented.
Put the chair here. She registered late. The system is behaving Eleanor is still extremely ill.
erratically.
I was walking back to camp. Let’s meet again They fought bravely. The gas is dangerously low.
tomorrow.
Likewise, be sure to avoid double negatives. When a negative word such as no or not is added to a statement that is already negative, a double negative—and poten-tial confusion—results. Hardly and barely are also nega-tive words. Remember, one neganega-tive is all you need.
Incorrect: He doesn’t have no idea what she’s talking about.
Correct: He doesn’t have any idea what she’s talking about.
He has no idea what she’s talking about.
Incorrect: I can’t hardly wait to see you.
Correct: I can hardly wait to see you.
I can’t wait to see you.
P r e p o s i t i o n a l I d i o m s
Another aspect of usage that may be covered on the GED is prepositional idioms: the specific word/preposition combinations that we use in the English language, such as take care of and according to. The following is a list of some of the most common prepositional idioms. Review the list carefully to be sure you are using prepositional idioms correctly.
from time to time frown on/upon
full of
glance at (something)/
glance through (some-thing, e.g., a book) grateful to (someone)
in the habit of in the near future interested in
M
ECHANICSrefers to the rules that govern punctuation marks, capitalization, and spelling. Like the rules that govern usage, the rules that govern sentence mechanics help us keep our sentences and their meanings clear.Since the GED Writing Test was revised in 2002, the only spelling that is tested is homonyms, possessives, and con-tractions. Correct use of punctuation will be tested, but comma questions will generally be limited to instances where a comma is necessary to eliminate or prevent confusion.
P u n c t u a t i o n
Punctuation marks are the symbols used to separate sentences, express emotions, and show relationships between objects and ideas. Correct punctuation makes your meaning clear and adds drama and style to your sentences. Poor punctuation, on the other hand, can lead to a great deal of confusion for your readers and can send a message other than the one you intended. For example, take a look at the following two versions of the same sentence:
Don’t bother Xavier.
Don’t bother, Xavier.
C H A P T E R
8 Mechanics
WHEN DO you need a comma? When should you use a dash or semicolon? How do you know when something should be capitalized?
These questions and more will be answered in this chapter. You will review the basic rules of mechanics so that you can answer GED questions about spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
These sentences use the same words, but have two very different meanings because of punctuation. In the first sentence, the comma indicates the speaker is telling the reader not to bother Xavier. In the second sentence, the speaker is telling Xavier not to bother. Here’s another example of how punctuation can drastically affect meaning:
You should eat Zak so you can think clearly dur-ing your interview.
Because this sentence is missing some essential punc-tuation, the sentence says something very different from what the author intended. The speaker isn’t telling the reader to eat Zak; rather, she’s telling Zak to eat. The sen-tence should be revised as follows:
You should eat, Zak, so you can think clearly dur-ing your interview.
Punctuation helps create meaning, and it also has another important function: It enables writers to express a variety of tones and emotions. For example, take a look at these two versions of the same sentence:
Wait—I’m coming with you!
Wait, I’m coming with you.
The first sentence clearly expresses more urgency and excitement, thanks to the dash and exclamation point.
The second sentence, with its comma and period, does not express emotion; the sentence is neutral.
Punctuation Guidelines
There are many rules for punctuation, and the better you know them, the more correctly and effectively you can punctuate your sentences. The following table lists the main punctuation marks and guidelines for when to use them.
–M E C H A N I C S–
6 2
YOUR PURPOSE: USE THIS PUNCTUATION: EXAMPLE:
End a sentence period [.] Most sentences end in a period.
Connect complete sentences semicolon [;] A semicolon can connect two
(two independent clauses) sentences; it is an excellent way to
show that two ideas are related.
comma [,] and a conjunction Leslie is coming, but Huang is staying [and, or, nor, for, so, but, yet] home.
dash [—] (less common, but Hurry up—we’re late!
more dramatic)
Connect items in a list comma [,] but if one or more His odd shopping list included items in that list already have a batteries, a box of envelopes, and a comma, use a semicolon [;] can of spam.
The castaways included a professor, who was the group’s leader; an actress; and a millionaire and his wife.
Introduce a list of three or colon [:] There are three things I want to do
more items before I die: go on a cruise, go
sky-diving, and surf.
Colons have three functions: intro-ducing long lists, introintro-ducing quota-tions, and introducing explanations.
Introduce an explanation colon [:] You know what they say about real
(what follows “explains” or estate: Location is everything.
“answers” what precedes)
Introduce a quotation colon [:] or comma [,] She yelled, “Let’s get out of here!”
(words directly spoken) He said only one word: “Shame.”
Indicate a quotation quotation marks [“ ”] “To be or not to be?” is one of the most famous lines from Hamlet.
Indicate a question question mark [?] What time is it?
“How much longer?” he asked.
Connect two words that work hyphen [-] mother-in-law, turn-of-the-century
together as one object or modifier poet, French-fried potatoes
Separate a word or phrase dash [—] I never lie—never.
for emphasis
We’re late—very late!
Separate a word or phrase that commas [,] Elaine, my roommate, is from
is relevant but not essential Chicago.
information Her nickname as a child, her mother
told me, was “Boo-boo.”
Separate a word or phrase that parentheses [( )] There is an exception to every rule
is relevant but secondary (including this one).
information
Show possession or contraction apostrophe [’] Why is Lisa’s wallet in Ben’s backpack?
–M E C H A N I C S–
Comma Rules
Many mechanics questions will deal with commas, the most common punctuation mark within sentences. The presence and placement of commas can dramatically affect meaning and can make the difference between clarity and confusion. The previous chart lists four comma uses, but there are several others. The following is a complete list of comma rules. If you know them, then you can be sure your sentences are clear. You will also be able to tell whether a comma is needed to correct a sentence.
Use a comma:
1. with a coordinating conjunction to separate two