Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
Assignment #1 Adjectives and Adverbs:
Faulty or Incomplete Comparisons
Make sure you state clearly what items you are comparing. Some faulty comparisons can give a reader the wrong idea.
Faulty: He likes the parrot better than his wife.
To avoid suggesting that he prefers the parrot to his wife, clarify the comparison by completing the second clause:
Revised He likes the parrot better than his wife does. You would need to edit sentences like the following: Faulty My essay got a higher grade than Maria. Revised My essay got a higher grade than Maria's.
[You need to compare the two essays, not your essay and Maria.]
Comparisons must also be complete. If you say that something is "more efficient," your reader wonders, "More efficient than what?"
Faulty Didion shows us a home that makes her feel more tied to her roots.
Revised Didion shows us a home that makes her feel more tied to her roots than her home in Los Angeles does.
Directions: Rewrite each sentence to fix all faulty or incomplete comparisons. 1. The tie you're wearing looks like my father.
______________________________________________________________________ 2. Harold was smarter than anyone in his class.
______________________________________________________________________ 3. This soup tastes like Campbells.
______________________________________________________________________ 4. The windows in the attic work like the basement.
______________________________________________________________________ 5. My brother has boasted that he can run faster than anyone we know.
______________________________________________________________________ 6. Baked potato chips have 50% less fat.
______________________________________________________________________ 7. Millie was more polite to the policeman than her mother.
______________________________________________________________________ 8. Candidate A's speech was a half hour longer than Candidate B.
______________________________________________________________________ 9. Millard talked so fast.
______________________________________________________________________ 10. I enjoy hockey more than my friends.
Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
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 She didn’t say nothing. Revised She didn’t say anything.
She said nothing.
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. 1. _____________________________________________________________________
Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
Assignment #3 Capitalization Rules
Capitalize . . .
1. the first word of a sentence
2. proper nouns
names of relatives (to indicate family relationship) when used with name
names of relatives when used as proper name
titles
A. preceding a name EXAMPLE
EXCEPTION- Do not capitalize titles used as general words.
B. when used in direct address
ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR TITLES
Capitalize very high ranking government officials’ titles even when not followed by a name or used in direct address when a specific individual is referred to.
Capitalize important words in compound titles used with names, but do not capitalize prefixes or suffixes added to the titles.
3. major words in titles of books, articles, and songs
EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize short prepositions, conjunctions, or articles unless they are the first word of the title
EXCEPTION - Do not capitalize the non-specific use of the word “god.”
5. directions that are names, such as North, South, East, and West when used as sections of the country
EXCEPTION- Do not capitalize directions when used as compass directions
6. days of the week, months of the year, and holidays
7. seasons, when used in a title
8. countries, nationalities, and specific languages
9. periods and events
EXCEPTION- Do not capitalize century numbers
10. names of national, political, racial, social, civic, and athletic groups
11. trademarks
12. the first word in a sentence that is a direct quote, even if the direct quote comes in the middle of a sen-tence
EXCEPTION- Do not capitalize the first word of a list following a colon if the list is not a complete sen-tence.
14. The first word in each line of most poetry
15. the single-letter word, first person pronoun I.
16. salutations and closings in letters - first word only unless proper name is used
18. names of the planets
NOTE -Experts disagree about whether to capitalize earth, sun,and moon. For consistency, this author sug-gests capitalizing them when they are used to designate celestial bodies.
Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
Assignment #4 Misplaced Modiers
A modifier should be placed next to the word it describes.
Note how the placement of the modifier creates different possible meanings:
Note how different placement of the word only creates a difference in meaning between these two sentences.
Sentence A means that the shopper did not buy any ties.
Sentence B means that the shopper visited only the tie department.
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it describes. Sentences with misplaced modifiers often sound awkward, confusing, or downright illogical.
Some frequently misplaced single words are
almost even exactly hardly just merely nearly only scarcely simply Misplaced single word
Therefore, almost correctly belongs next to all.
Misplaced phrase
As written, this sentence means that children were served on paper plates. On paper plates is misplaced.
Correctly written, the sentence means that hamburgers were served, on paper plates.
Example #2
As written, this sentence means that the car is carrying a briefcase. Carrying a briefcase is misplaced. Correctly written, the sentence means that the man is carrying a briefcase.
Misplaced clause Example #1
As written, this sentence means that the store was broken..
As written, the sentence means that I forgot my keys after I got home.
Squinting modifiers
A squinting modifier is a modifier misplaced so that it may describe two situations.
The sentence above is unclear.
Does it mean that I told my son when the game was over? OR
Does it mean that I would play with him when the game was over?
Awkward separations
An awkward separation creates a confusing meaning.
Dangling Modifier Errors
A dangling modifier is “dangling” because its placement gives it nothing to modify.
In many cases, the dangling modifier appears at the beginning of a sentence, although it can also come at the end. Sometimes the error occurs because the sentence fails to specify anything to which the modifier can refer. At other times the dangling modifier is placed next to the wrong noun or noun substitute: a noun that it does not modify.
Dangling modifiers may appear in a variety of forms. Dangling participles:
In this sentence, the modifier passing the building is positioned next to the broken window. The resulting meaning is that “the broken window” is “passing the building,” clearly not the intended meaning.
In this sentence, the modifier once revised and corrected is positioned next to I, suggesting that “I” have been “revised and corrected.”
Dangling gerund:
In this sentence, the modifier after roasting for three hours is positioned next to we, meaning that “we” have been “roasting for three hours.”
In this sentence, the modifier to walk a high wire is positioned next to a pole. As a result, the sentence means that “a pole” can walk “a high wire.”
Dangling elliptical clause:
In this sentence, the modifier when just six years old is positioned next to my grandmother, suggesting that my six year old grandmother taught me ballet.
How to repair dangling modifiers – two options:
1. Create a word for the modifier to describe. Place it next to the modifier. (Sometimes you will need to invent a subject.)
With the modifier next to my paper, the sentence clearly means that “my paper” was “corrected and rewritten.”
With the modifier next to an acrobat, the sentence clearly means that “an acrobat” can “walk a high wire.” 2. Rewrite the modifier (phrase) as an adverbial clause, thus eliminating the need for an immediate word to modify.
Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
Assignment #5 Commonly Confused
Words (1)
Directions: Go to the following URL [ http://www.towson.edu/ows/indexCCW.htm ] and click on each word to understand the difference. Look at all of the examples and try the following tasks.
1. accept / except
1. All of the soldiers (accept except ) my brother are out of step. 2. Please ( accept except ) this pot of Mom’s chicken soup. 3. The soup will cure anything (accept except ) flat feet.
4. Please put everything (accept except ) pickles on my hamburger. 5. You may keep all of his gifts ( accept except) the ring.
6. If you (accept except ) the ring, you’ll have to marry the bum.
7. Should the Trojans (accept except ) this lovely wooden horse from the Greeks? 8. I can resist anything (accept except ) temptation.
9. That there are other universes is now an (accepted excepted ) theory. 10. The committee loves your proposal and (accepts excepts ) it unanimously. 2. affect / effect
11. I will try not to let his words (affect effect) me. 12. Bridge washouts are often an (affect effect) of floods.
13. He tried in vain to (affect effect) a different opinion in the crowd. 14. Jim was seriously (affected effected) by his cousin’s death. 15. Weather conditions (affect effect) many people’s moods.
16. Did the committee’s vote (affect effect) your position on the matter? 17. Crossing wire A to wire B will produce an explosive (affect effect.) 18. The major (affect effect) of the storm was devastation everywhere. 19. The politician wanted to (affect effect) a change in the system. 20. That terrible accident had a profound (affect effect) on my driving. 3. allusion / illusion / delusion
21. The professor gave only a brief (allusion illusion delusion) to the work at hand. 22. Jane’s sweet smile is only a/an (allusion illusion delusion).
23. Daniel gave a slight (allusion illusion delusion) to his history as a police officer at the beginning of the date.
24. I’ve found that believing in love is nothing more than a sad (allusion illusion delusion). 25. Ryan doesn’t like you. You believe in a/an (allusion illusion delusion).
26. He didn’t actually come out and say so. It was only an (allusion illusion delusion). 27. That image isn’t real. It’s only a/an (allusion illusion delusion).
28. The best (allusion illusion delusion) is a close-held belief.
29. The author gave a small (allusion illusion delusion) to her personal life. 30. My trust in religion is not a/an (allusion illusion delusion).
4. amount / number
32. That assignment took an enormous (amount number) of hours to complete. 33. A small (amount number) of people gathered on the sidewalk.
34. We have a large (amount number) of work to complete. 35. The (amount number) of rainfall this year has been pitiful.
36. We expect a huge (amount number) of friends to attend the party in Joe’s honor. 37. The bait attracted only a small (amount number) of crabs.
38. We are trying to bring in a generous (amount number) of money for the charity. 39. Jones always donates a large (amount number) of dollars to the fund.
40. The records show that Smith’s firm handles a healthy (amount number) of clients each month. 5. authoritarian / authoritative
51. Jim’s knowledge about insects makes him an (authoritarian authoritative) person to consult for informa-tion about ants.
52. Because he refused to listen to those whose opinions differed from his, the leader was (authoritarian authoritative).
53. The Oxford English Dictionary is an (authoritarian authoritative) source for researchers interested in the etymology of a word.
54. I called Joe’s Auto Shop because I consider the mechanics there to be (authoritarian authoritative). 55. Harry S. Truman is considered to have been an (authoritarian authoritative) leader.
56. Mussolini acted in an (authoritarian authoritative) manner. 57. A good teacher instructs in an (authoritarian authoritative) way.
58. People rightly feel intimidated when a person acts in an (authoritarian authoritative) manner. 59. IRS agents conducting an audit should treat a taxpayer in an (authoritarian authoritative) way. 60. I am sure about my answer because I feel (authoritarian authoritative) in that subject area. 6. beside / besides
61. Don’t trip over the cord (beside besides) my desk.
62. The fact that my hair is orange today is (beside besides) the point; I am still your mother.
63. (Beside Besides) my occupation as a janitor, I work nights in a factory and weekends at McDonalds. 64. A nervous Joe attempted to stand (beside besides) the beautiful Missy in their class picture.
65. None of Barney’s friends, (beside besides) Andy, would listen to his horrendous vocal performances. 66. If style is the ticket into the club, no one in this group (beside besides) my brother has the slightest chance.
67. Tina reads poetry and drama (beside besides) graphic novels.
68. I wonder how many professors (beside besides) Dr. Smith believe that tuition is too low? 69. John was (beside besides) himself in anticipation for the county wrestling match.
70. Does all chocolate, (beside besides) Tootsie Rolls, have enormous amounts of fat?
Name___________________________ Number_____________________________
Assignment #6 Commonly Confused
Words (2)
Directions: Go to the following URL [ http://www.towson.edu/ows/indexCCW.htm ] and click on each word to understand the difference. Look at all of the examples and in your own words, explain the difference, giv-ing your own examples.
1. credible / creditable / credulous
1. Danielle did a (credible creditable credulous) job today.
3. I find Sean Connery to be a highly (credible creditable credulous) actor. 4. Amy found his story to be quite (credible creditable credulous).
5. I managed to pull together an extremely (credible creditable credulous) presentation. 6. You fooled me again! I’m so (credible creditable credulous)!
7. I can’t believe the police would be so (credible creditable credulous) as to believe the robbers! 8. Perhaps this wouldn’t happen if your actions were more (credible creditable credulous). 9. David found that the team produced (credible creditable credulous) results.
10. Lucy is a (credible creditable credulous) woman who believes in sea monsters. 2. connote / denote
11. Hollywood (connotes denotes) romance and glittering success.
12. When politicians answer questions, hesitation may (connote denote) weakness or ignorance on a topic. 13. A flashing yellow light on a highway (connotes denotes) caution.
14. The term “skinny” has a negative (connotation denotation) while “slender” has a positive one. 15. “Fuel” (connotes denotes) a substance burned to produce heat or power.
16. To some, the word “school” (connotes denotes) confinement, but it may suggest intellectual excitement or sociability to others.
17. The (connotations denotations) of words are usually neutral.
18. Both “cheap” and “inexpensive” (connote denote) something that has a low price. 19. The word “beach” (connotes denotes) a sandy shore.
20. Because the (connotations denotations) of “pushy” and “assertive” are quite different, the two words are not interchangeable.
3. desert / dessert
21. Karen said that her chocolate (desert dessert ) was delicious. 22. The world’s largest hot ( desert dessert ) is the Sahara.
23. A ( desert’s dessert’s ) low humidity causes its extreme temperatures.
24. Ryan ( deserted desserted ) his friends at the party to give Candy a ride home.
25. The doctor recommended that I cut alcohol and ( desert dessert ) from my diet to help me lose weight. 26. Last enforced in 1945, the maximum U.S. penalty for ( desertion
dessertion ) in wartime is death.
27. That restaurant is expensive, but its pastry chef makes incredible ( deserts desserts ).
28. Some animals that have adapted to live in a ( desert dessert ) climate are jack rabbits, kangaroo rats, and coyotes.
29. When she needed it most, Alice’s keen sense of direction (deserted desserted) her. 30. Indiana Jones found the Arc of the Covenant in the Egyptian ( desert dessert).
31. Mary was forced to ( desert dessert ) some of her favorite furniture during the hurried move to New York.
32. After dinner, Tony and Rose shared a Mediterranean sunset and a homemade Greek (desert dessert ). 4. disinterested / uninterested
33. I am totally (disinterested uninterested) in dating right now.
34. The detective prudently remained (disinterested uninterested) in the outcome of the case. 35. Rebecca is definitely (disinterested uninterested) in studying biochemistry.
36. Perhaps at another time I won’t be so (disinterested uninterested) in the outcome. 37. Mom remains a (disinterested uninterested) party in the affairs of her children.
38. I was asked to mediate the argument between my friend and her boyfriend because I was (disinterested uninterested) in the outcome.
39. Norman was (disinterested uninterested) in the girls’ fashion conversation. 40. Take a close, (disinterested uninterested) look at the case at hand.
41. After such a huge dinner, I am positively (disinterested uninterested) in dessert.
5. everyday / every day
43. It is important to drink eight cups of water (everyday every day).
44. Norman’s struggle to open the window was an (everyday every day) event. 45. Personally, I find going to the store an (everyday every day) adventure. 46. (Everyday Every day) I find myself pondering the meaning of life. 47. Carla never gets annoyed by such an (everyday every day) frustration. 48. I seem to stub my toe on that front step (everyday every day).
49. Rachel found that (everyday every day) she needed to reboot her computer. 50. Getting angry at my brother happens (everyday every day).
51. News reporters will not bother with such an (everyday every day) issue.
52. It is curious that cars were once considered unusual; now they are such (everyday every day) things. 6. everyone / every one
53. (Everyone Every one) of those DVDs is mine.
54. I knew that (everyone every one) would be having fun.
55. Jane couldn’t believe that (everyone every one) thought she was married. 56. It is curious that (everyone every one) of the cats is female.
57 Perhaps later, (everyone every one) could come by. 58. (Everyone Every one) thought that the dog was lost. 59. I had to edit (everyone every one) of those essays.
60. Yes, I’ve tasted (everyone every one) of the new line of candies. 61. (Everyone Every one) quickly found something else to do.
62. Maybe (everyone every one) of the files could be put to good use. 7. farther / further
63. David told me that we’d talk (farther further) tomorrow.
64. Billy found that he could throw the ball (farther further) than anyone else. 65. A little bit of water in the mixture makes the paint go (farther further). 66. I wish the professor had discussed this (farther further).
67. The (farther further) you talk it over with Harold, the more confused he becomes. 68. Your ability to toss the football (farthest furthest) should not make you act like a snob. 69. Jane likes any fishing lure that allows her to cast (farther further).
70. Perhaps the poem would be better if the poet had provided (farther further) detail. 71. I hate it when my golf swing just doesn’t make the ball go any (farther further). 72. We’ll discuss this (farther further).
8. fewer / less
73. The cook suddenly wished she had added (fewer less) soy sauce. 74. I wish we were given (fewer less) pages for homework.
75. I wish we were given (fewer less) homework.
76. David found that (fewer less) spoonfuls helped the mixture. 77. Did you know that I’ve read (fewer less) than half of my books? 78. Give me (fewer less) slices of pizza.
79. Jennifer later discovered that her brother had bought (fewer less) textbooks than she. 80. Tomorrow, class, please bring in (fewer less) leaves than you brought today.
81. I found that I had spilled (fewer less) soda than I had thought. 82. Perhaps (fewer less) than six computers will be set up.
9. good / well
83. That breakfast you fixed this morning was (good well). 84. How (good well) did you learn your lines for the play?
87. That was a (good well) report that you gave yesterday. 88. Whenever Bill does a job, he does it (good well).
89. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear your instructions very (good well). 90. The food in that restaurants always tastes (good well).
91. Bloomingberg’s sales are always (good well) at this time of the year. 92. Most students write (good well) by the time they finish high school. 10. healthy / healthful
93. I’ve never seen a dog so (healthy healthful)! 94. Rachel is a (healthy healthful) woman. 95. Rachel follows a (healthy healthful) diet.
96. Perhaps Jack should eat something more (healthy healthful)? 97. The orange trees are very (healthy healthful) this year. 98. Jen, you look particularly (healthy healthful) today! 99. I found the medicine to be very (healthy healthful).
