Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
Assignment #1 Adjectives and Adverbs: Faulty or Incomplete
Com-parisons
1. The tie you’re wearing looks like my father’s tie. OR
The tie you’re wearing looks like a tie belonging to my father. 2. Harold was smarter than anyone elsein his class.
3. This soup tastes like Campbells’s soup. OR
This soup tastes like soup made by Campbells.
4. The windows in the attic work like the windows (those) in the basement. 5. My brother has boasted that he can run faster than anyone else we know. 6. Baked potato chips have 50% less fat than fried potato chips.
7. Millie was more polite to the policeman than she was toher mother. OR
Millie was more polite to the policeman than her mother was.
8. Candidate A’s speech was a half hour longer than Candidate B’s speech. OR
Candidate A’s speech was a half hour longer than the speech (that) given by Candidate B. 9. Millard talked so fast that we could not understand him.
10.I enjoy hockey more than my friends do. OR
I enjoy hockey more than I enjoy my friends.
Assignment #2 Adjectives and Adverbs: Double Negatives
Although some other languages and dialects allow more than one negative to emphasize an idea, standard English uses only one negative in a clause. Words like hardly, scarcely,and barely are considered negatives. The contraction -n’t stands for the adverb not. Avoid double negatives.
Faulty: We don’t have no excuses. Revised: We do not have any excuses. We have no excuses.
Faulty: They can’t hardly pay the rent. Revised: They can hardly pay the rent.
Directions: Write 10 sentences of your own below showing various examples of the rules below. Sample Sentences
1. Makoto hardly has any time.
2. Megumi barely says anything anymore.
3. Masatoshi has scarcely eaten any of his pumpkins. 4. She just looked at the scene before leaving. 5. She narrowly missed being hit.
6. Mark really wanted to say something but he barely whispered 7. Mommie was just saying something before he rudely interrupted. 8. Maguri can hardly pay her credit cards.
9. Momichi can hardly go anywhere without his mother watching him. 10. Janet doesn’t have any problems.
Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
Assignment #3 Capitalization Rules
Sample Sentences
1. It is important for Aunt Dorothy to speak to Mother.
2. It must be said that Governor Johnson was not happy about the media incident.
3. He was going to see the tour by the President of the United States, but most people do not even know who the president is even more.
4. Have you read the book “To Kill a Mockingbird”?
5. It is said that Buddha, Zeus are the same god. Can you believe it?
6. However, I do not believe in any gods whatsoever, except Allah and Yahwah, and Steve Jobs. 7. I heard that he moved to the West, and he lives three miles south of Houston.
8. This has been a interesting autumn, but spring was hard. 9. The countries of Peru, and Japan are great.
10. I would have liked to live in the Renaissance and during the Age of Enlightenment.
Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
Assignment #4 Misplaced Modiers
Directions: Write 10 sentences of your own below showing various examples of the rules below. 1. I only shook my head to John just as he came in.
2. We took the horse that was injured back to the stables.
3. By the time that children have finished junior high, they know a lot about history. 4. When I had reached 14, my friend told me lots of secrets.
5. When the tournament was over, I managed to tell my son that I had done it. 6. She gave out the cakes on expensive dishes to the guests.
Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
Assignment #5 Commonly Confused Words (1)
Commonly Confused Words: accept / except Accept is a verb. It has four meanings:
• to receive something offered, especially with approval Example
• to admit to a group or organization Example
• to answer affirmatively, especially to an invitation Example
• to regard as true Example
Except is a preposition. It means “but” and indicates an “exception.” Example
Note the correct use of bothaccept and except in the example below. Accept / Except - Exercise 1
For help with any item below, refer to the page on accept / except.
1. The correct answer is except. All of the soldiers exceptmy brother are out of step. 2. The correct answer isaccept. Please acceptthis pot of Mom’s chicken soup.
3. The correct answer is except. The soup will cure anything except flat feet.
4. The correct answer is except. Please put everything except pickles on my hamburger. 5. The correct answer is except. You may keep all of his gifts except the ring.
6. The correct answer is accept. If you accept the ring, you’ll have to marry the bum.
7. The correct answer is accept. Should the Trojans accept this lovely wooden horse from the Greeks? 9. The correct answer is accepted. That there are other universes is now an accepted scientific fact. 10. The correct answer is accepts. The committee loves your proposal and accepts it unanimously. Commonly Confused Words: affect / effect
First, notice how each word looks different from the other affect starts with a
effect starts with e
Even though a should sound different from e, we pronounce these two words alike. Therefore, we often have difficulty deciding which one to use in our writing.
Affect
Affect is usually a verb.
Affect means “to influence” or “to produce a change in.” Example of affect in a sentence
Since affect means “to influence” or “produce a change in” in this sentence, it is the correct word to use here. Since the verb affect is related to the noun affection, sentences using affect often deal with changes in or influences on emotional states.
Example
Note: Affect is used as a noun in psychology to indicate one’s emotional state or behavior. Effect
While affect is always a verb,effect is usually a noun.
As a noun, effectmeans “the result,” “the change,” or “the influence.”
As affect, a verb “producesa change,” effect, a noun,isthe “change” or “result.” Example ofeffectused as a noun
Since effect means an “influence” in this sentence, it is the correct word to use here. Another example of effectused as a noun
Since effect means the “result” or “change” in this sentence, it is the correct word to use here. Effect is sometimes, though not often, used as a verb, meaning “to cause.”
Example of effect used as a verb
Since effect, a verb here, means “to cause,” it is the correct word to use in this sentence. For help with any item below, refer to the page on affect/effect.
1. The correct answer is affect. I will try not to let his words affect me. 2. The correct answer is effect. Bridge washouts are often an effect of floods.
3. The correct answer is effect. He tried in vain to effect a different opinion in the crowd. 4. The correct answer is affected. Jim was seriously affected by his cousin’s death. 5. The correct answer is affect. Weather conditions affect many people’s moods. 6. The correct answer is affect. Did the committee’s vote affect your position on
7. The correct answer is effect. Crossing wire A to wire B will produce an explosive effect. 8. The correct answer is effect. The major effectof the storm was devastation everywhere. 9. The correct answer is effect. The politician wanted to effect a change in the system. 10. The correct answer is effect. That terrible accident had a profound effect on my driving. Commonly Confused Words: allusion / illusion / delusion
Allusion is a noun that means an indirect but meaningful reference . Example
Illusion is a noun. It can mean
• an erroneous perception of reality • an erroneous concept or belief
• the condition of being deceived by a false perception Example
Delusion is a noun. It means a false belief held in spite of invalidating evidence. Example
Allusion / Illusion / Delusion - Exercise 1
For help with any item below, refer to the page on allusion / illusion / delusion.
1. The correct answer is allusion. The professor gave only a brief allusion to the work at hand. 2. The correct answer is illusion. Jane’s sweet smile is only an illusion.
3. The correct answer is allusion. Daniel gave a slight allusion to his history as a police officer at the begin-ning of the date.
4. The correct answer is delusion. I’ve found that believing in love is nothing more than a sad delusion. 5. The correct answer is delusion. Ryan doesn’t like you. You believe in a delusion.
6. The correct answer is allusion. He didn’t actually come out and say so. It was only an allusion. 7. The correct answer is illusion. That image isn’t real. It’s only an illusion.
8. The correct answer is delusion. The best delusion is a close-held belief.
9. The correct answer is allusion. The author gave a small allusion to her personal life. 10. The correct answer is delusion. My trust in religion is not a delusion.
Use amount to describe uncountableitems such as sugar, flour, soil, and peace. Example
Usenumber to describe countable items such as lemons, sacks, rocks, and war. Example
Note the difference:
Amount / Number - Exercise 1
For help with any item below, refer to the page on amount / number.
1. The correct answer is amount. That assignment took an enormous amount of time to complete. 2. The correct answer is number. That assignment took an enormous number of hours to complete. 3. The correct answer is number. A small numberof people gathered on the sidewalk.
4. The correct answer is amount. We have a large amountof work to complete. 5. The correct answer is amount. The amountof rainfall this year has been pitiful.
6. The correct answer is number. We expect a huge number of friends to attend the party in Joe’s honor. 7. The correct answer is number. The bait attracted only a small numberof crabs.
8. The correct answer is amount. We are trying to bring in a generous amountof money for the charity. 9. The correct answer is number. Jones always donates a large numberof dollars to the fund.
10. The correct answer is number. The record show that Smith’s firm handles a healthy number of clients each month.
Commonly Confused Words: already / all ready Already refers to time.
It may mean “by this time. Example of already in a sentence
Already may also mean “by the time mentioned.” Example of already in a sentence
The words all and ready, when used together, mean “completely prepared.” Example of all ready in a sentence.
Commonly Confused Words: authoritarian / authoritative Authoritarian in an adjective. It means
• tyrannical • domineering • dictator-like Example
Authoritative is an adjective. It means • knowledgeable
• competent
• possessing due or acknowledged authority Example
Authoritarian / Authoritative - Exercise 1
For help with any item below, refer to the page on authoritarian / authoritative.
1. The correct answer is authoritative. Jim’s knowledge about insects makes him an authoritative person to consult for information about ants.
3. The correct answer is authoritative.The Oxford English Dictionary is an authoritative source for research-ers interested in the etymology of a word.
4. The correct answer is authoritative. I called Joe’s Auto Shop because I consider the mechanics there to be authoritative.
5. The correct answer is authoritative. Harry S. Truman is considered to have been an authoritative leader. 6. The correct answer is authoritarian. Mussolini acted in an authoritarian manner.
7. The correct answer is authoritative. A good teacher instructs in an authoritative way.
8. The correct answer is authoritarian. People rightly feel intimidated when a person acts in an authoritarian manner.
9. The correct answer is authoritative. IRS agents conducting an audit should treat a taxpayer in an authorita-tiveway.
10. The correct answer is authoritative.I am sure about my answer because I feel authoritative in that subject area.
Commonly Confused Words: beside / besides Beside
Beside is a preposition, meaning • next to
Note: Beside has two additional meanings when used in idiomatic expressions. 1. not relevant to
Example
2. in a state of extreme excitement Example
Besides
Besides is a preposition. It has two meanings: 1. other than, except
Example 2. in addition to Example
Beside / Besides - Exercise 1
For help with any item below, refer to the page on beside / besides.
1. The correct answer is beside.Don’t trip over the cord beside besides my desk.
2. The correct answer isbeside.The fact that my hair is orange today isbeside the point; I am still your moth-er.
3. The correct answer is besides. Besides my occupation as a janitor, I work nights in a factory and week-ends at McDonalds.
4. The correct answer isbeside.A nervous Joe attempted to standbeside the beautiful Missy in their class picture.
5. The correct answer isbesides.None of Barney’s friends,besides Andy, would listen to his horrendous vocal performances.
6. The correct answer isbesides.If style is the ticket into the club, no one in this groupbesides my brother has the slightest chance.
7. The correct answer is besides.Tina reads poetry and dramabesides graphic novels.
8. The correct answer isbesides.I wonder how many professorsbesides Dr. Smith believe that tuition is too low?
Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
Assignment #6 Commonly Confused Words (2)
Credible / Creditable / Credulous - Exercise 1
For help with any item below, refer to the page on credible / creditable / credulous. 1. The correct answer is creditable. Danielle did a creditable job today.
2. The correct answer is credulous. Only Michael was credulous enough to believe her. 3. The correct answer is credible. I find Sean Connery to be a highly credible actor. 4. The correct answer is credible. Amy found his story to be quite credible.
5. The correct answer is creditable. I managed to pull together an extremely creditable presentation. 6. The correct answer is credulous. You fooled me again! I’m so credulous!
7. The correct answer is credulous. I can’t believe the police would be so credulous as to believe the rob-bers!
8. The correct answer is credible. Perhaps this wouldn’t happen if your actions were more credible. 9. The correct answer is creditable. David found that the team produced creditable results.
10. The correct answer is credulous. Lucy is a credulous woman who believes in sea monsters. 11. The correct answer is connotes. Hollywood connotes romance and glittering success.
12. The correct answer is connote. When politicians answer questions, hesitation may connoteweakness or ignorance on a topic.
13. The correct answer is denotes. A flashing yellow light on a highway denotes caution. 14. The correct answer is connotation. The term “skinny” has a negative connotation.
15. The correct answer is denotes. “Fuel” denotes a substance burned to produce heat or power.
16. The correct answer is connotes. To some, the word “school” connotes confinement, but it may suggest intellectual excitement or sociability to others.
17. The correct answer isdenotations. The denotations of words are usually neutral.
18. The correct answer is denote. Both “cheap” and “inexpensive” denote something that has a low price. 19. The correct answer isdenotes. The word “beach” denotes a sandy shore.
20. The correct answer is connotations. Because the connotations of “pushy” and “assertive” are quite differ-ent, they two words are not interchangeable.
For help with any item below, refer to the page on desert / dessert.
21. The correct answer is dessert.Karen said that her chocolatedessertwas delicious. 22. The correct answer is desert. The world’s largest hotdesertis the Sahara.
23. The correct answer is desert’s.A desert’slow humidity causes its extreme temperatures.
24. The correct answer is deserted.Ryan desertedhis friends at the party to give Candy a ride home. 25. The correct answer is dessert. The doctor recommended that I cut alcohol anddessert from my diet to help me lose weight.
26. The correct answer is desertion. Last enforced in 1945, the maximum U.S.penalty fordesertionin wartime is death.
27. The correct answer is desserts. That restaurant is expensive, but its pastry chef makes incredibledesserts. 28. The correct answer is desert. Some animals that have adapted to live in adesert climate are jack rabbits, kangaroo rats, and coyotes.
29. The correct answer is deserted. When she needed it most, Alice’s keen sense of
30. The correct answer is desert. Indiana Jones found the Arc of the Covenant in the Egyptian desert. 31. The correct answer is desert. Mary was forced todesertsome of her favorite furniture during the hurried move to New York.
32. The correct answer is dessert. After dinner, Tony and Rose shared a Mediterranean sunset and a home-made Greek dessert.
33. The correct answer is uninterested. I am totally uninterested in dating right now.
34. The correct answer is disinterested. The detective prudently remained disinterested in the outcome of the case.
37. The correct answer is disinterested. Mom remains a disinterested party in the affairs of her children. 38. The correct answer is disinterested. I was asked to mediate the argument between my friend and her boyfriend because I was disinterested in the outcome.
39. The correct answer is uninterested. Norman was uninterested in the girls’ fashion conversation. 40. The correct answer is disinterested. Take a close, disinterested look at the case at hand.
41. The correct answer is uninterested. After such a huge dinner, I am positively uninterested in dessert. 42. The correct answer is disinterested. Perhaps later I can be disinterested about this disaster; right now, I’m too angry up to think clearly.
You should always be able to substitute “each day” when “every day” is correct.
43. The correct answer is every day.It is important to drink eight cups of water every day.
44. The correct answer is everyday.Norman’s struggle to open the window was an everyday event. 45. The correct answer is everyday.Personally, I find going to the store an everyday adventure. 46. The correct answer is every day.Every day I find myself pondering the meaning of life. 47. The correct answer is everyday.Carla never gets annoyed by such an everyday frustration. 48. The correct answer is every day.I seem to stub my toe on that front step every day.
49. The correct answer is every day.Rachel found that every day she needed to reboot her computer. 50. The correct answer is every day.Getting angry at my brother happens every day.
51. The correct answer is everyday.News reporters will not bother with such an everyday issue.
52. The correct answer is everyday.It is curious that cars were once considered unusual; now they are such everyday things.
53.The correct answer is every one.Every one of those DVDs is mine.
54.The correct answer is everyone.I knew that everyone would be having fun.
55. The correct answer is everyone.Jane couldn’t believe that everyone thought she was married. 56. The correct answer is every one.It is curious that every oneof the cats is female.
57. The correct answer is everyone.Perhaps later, everyone could come by. 58. The correct answer is everyone. Everyone thought that the dog was lost. 59. The correct answer isevery one.I had to edit every one of those essays.
60. The correct answer is every one.Yes, I’ve tasted every one of the new line of candies. 61. The correct answer is everyone. Everyone quickly found something else to do.
62.The correct answer is every one. Maybe every one of the files could be put to good use. 63.The correct answer is further.David told me that we’d talk further tomorrow.
64.The correct answer is farther.Billy found that he could throw the ball farther than anyone else. 65.The correct answer is farther.A little bit of water in the mixture makes the paint go farther. 66.The correct answer is further.I wish the professor had discussed this further.
67. The correct answer is further.The further you talk it over with Harold, the more confused he becomes. 68. The correct answer is farthest.Your ability to toss the football farthest should not make you act like a snob.
69.The correct answer is farther.Jane likes any fishing lure that allows her to cast farther.
70.The correct answer is further.Perhaps the poem would be better if the poet had provided further detail. 71. The correct answer is farther.I hate it when my golf swing just doesn’t make the ball go any farther. 72. The correct answer is further.We’ll discuss this further.
73.The correct answer is less. The cook suddenly wished she had added less soy sauce. 74.The correct answer is fewer. I wish we were given fewer pages for homework. 75.The correct answer is less. I wish we were given less homework.
76.The correct answer is fewer. David found that fewer spoonfuls helped the mixture. 77.The correct answer is fewer. Did you know that I’ve read fewer than half of my books? 78.The correct answer is fewer. Give me fewer slices of pizza.
79.The correct answer is fewer. Jennifer later discovered that her brother had bought fewer textbooks than she.
80.The correct answer is fewerTomorrow class, please bring in fewer leaves than you brought today. 81.The correct answer is less. I found that I had spilled less soda than I had thought.
84. The correct answer is well. How well did you learn your lines for the play? 85. The correct answer is either good or well.
After visiting Tom yesterday, I don’t think he looks very good. After visiting Tom yesterday, I don’t think he looks very well.
86. The correct answer is well. Melvin always sings well.
87. The correct answer is good. That was a goodreport that you gave yesterday. 88. The correct answer is well. Whenever Bill does a job, he does it well.
89. The correct answer is well. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear your instructions very well. 90. The correct answer is good. The food in that restaurants always tastes good.
91. The correct answer is good. Bloomingberg’s sales are always goodat this time of the year. 92. The correct answer is well. Most students write well by the time they finish high school. 93. The correct answer is healthy. I’ve never seen a dog so healthy!
94. The correct answer is healthy. Rachel is a healthy woman. 95. The correct answer is healthful. Rachel follows a healthful diet.
96. The correct answer is healthful. Perhaps Jack should eat something more healthful? 97. The correct answer is healthy. The orange trees are very healthy this year.
98. The correct answer is healthy. Jen, you look particularly healthy today! 99. The correct answer is healthful. I found the medicine to be very healthful.
100. The correct answer is healthful. You should find yourself a more healthful meal. 101. The correct answer is healthy. Dan, you are not in a healthy relationship.
