Lesson 4 Exercise

Lesson Four Exercise

PART A

Copy and paste the definitions and rules at the top of your static item.

DEFINITION #1 A subject is a noun or pronoun that tells who or what a sentence is about.

DEFINITION #2a The simple verb tells what the subject does, or, in some cases, links the subject to a word or phrase that tells more about the subject.

DEFINITION #2b A verb can show action.

DEFINITION #2c A verb can help another verb (auxiliary verbs).

DEFINITION #2d A verb can link the first part of a sentence to the last part (linking verbs). Actually, linking verbs link the subject of the sentence either to a word or phrase that means the same thing as the subject, or it can link the subject to an adjective or adjective phrase that tells more about the subject. Linking verbs never show action. They show the relationship of the subject to the word or phrase following the linking verb.

DEFINITION #3 An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it.

RULE #1a A colon should only be used after a complete sentence.

RULE #1b Only one space should follow a colon.

RULE #2 A colon may be used after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items.

RULE #3 A colon is normally used after as follows, the following, and similar expressions.

RULE #4 Do not use a colon before a series of items that serves as the object of a verb.

RULE #5 Do NOT use a colon after introductory words such as namely, for example, including, or that is.

RULE #6a A colon can be used to list elements made up of several words. The elements may need to be listed in a particular order (first, second, third), or the order may not matter.

RULE #6b When using ordinal numbers (first, second, third, and so forth) after a colon, you do NOT need to add and before the last item.

RULE #7a Use a lowercase letter to begin the first word after a colon unless it is a proper noun.

RULE #7b The first word following the colon should begin with a lowercase letter even if it is a complete sentence.

RULE #7bX Exception: When a colon introduces a direct question, the first word following the colon is capitalized.

RULE #8 A colon can also be used to introduce a statement.

RULE #8b A colon can also be used to introduce a question.

RULE #9 A colon can be used for illustration.

RULE #10 A semicolon can replace a period when two sentences (independent clauses) are very closely related.

RULE #11 Do not capitalize the word following a semicolon unless it is a proper noun.

RULE #12 A semicolon can be used to separate sentences (independent clauses) when the independent clauses themselves contain commas.

RULE #13a A semicolon can be used to correct a comma splice, also known as a run-on sentence.

RULE #13b When using a semicolon between two independent clauses that are closely related, be sure that the clause before the semicolon and the clause after the semicolon are both complete thoughts. . Pop!

RULE #14 Use the semicolon to separate elements of a series when one or more of the elements contains commas.

RULE #15 A semicolon can aid in clarity when a complex series follows a colon.. Pop!

PART B

Copy and Paste the following sentences into your static item for Lesson Four Exercise.
List the simple subject or subjects underneath each sentence.
List the subject's verb or verbs underneath the sentence too.
For extra credit, write out beside each verb whether it is an active verb, linking verb, or helping (auxiliary) verb.

Keep in mind that just because it is a noun doesn't mean it is the subject. Read the definition of subject again.

1. Becky and June posted several questions about colons this week.

SUBJECT: Becky

SUBJECT: June

VERB: posted

2. Matilda completed her Weekly Activity and posted it in the forum before anyone else.

SUBJECT: Weekly Activity

VERB: completed

VERB: posted

3. Mitzi told Trina a secret, and she passed it on to Lori.   

SUBJECT: Trina

SUBJECT: Lori

VERB: told

VERB: passed

4. Edward carefully chose the punctuation marks and made a good grade on the Exercise.

SUBJECT: Exercise

VERB: carefully

VERB: made

5. Sarah had worked all day; she arrived home late but studied Lesson Three anyway.

SUBJECT: Sarah

VERB: had worked

SUBJECT: Lesson Three

VERB: arrived

VERB: studied

6. Matt, Joey, and Harry raced their motorcycles for hours, sat around the campfire and told stories about their childhood, then slept under the stars.

SUBJECT: Matt

SUBJECT: Joey

SUBJECT: Harry

VERB:  raced

VERB: sat

VERB: told

VERB: slept

PART C

Cut and Paste the following sentences into your static item for Lesson Four Exercise.
Decide where the colon or semicolon needs to be placed.
Then correct the sentences by using either a COLON or a SEMICOLON.
Remember that we studied commas, spaces, and capitalization in this lesson.
HINT: Three sentences need colons only, and two need semicolons only. One sentence needs both punctuation marks. Commas are also needed in only one sentence.

1. Sylvia Townsend traveled to the following places this year Singapore Hong Kong Japan Rome and London.

1. Sylvia Townsend traveled to the following places this year: Singapore Hong Kong, Japan, Rome and London.

2. The bumblebee flew from flower to flower his assignment today was pollination.

2. The bumblebee flew from flower to flower; his assignment today was pollination.

3. The Rocky Ridge Diner is well known for its specialty mountain oysters.

3. The Rocky Ridge Diner is well known for its specialty: mountain oysters.

4. Molly Hughes moved out of state she was my favorite professor.

4. Molly Hughes moved out of state; she was my favorite professor.

5. You must learn to do the following skipping through WalMart at a high rate of speed navigating the women's clothing section without knocking down customers hitting unsuspecting employees in the face with paint balls and sneaking into the employee's break room.
===> This has been voted Trickiest Sentence. SEE EXAMPLES in the lesson. HINT: You need FOUR punctuation marks in this sentence, and none of them are commas.

5. You must learn to do the following; skipping through WalMart at a high rate of speed; navigating the women's clothing section; without knocking down customers; hitting unsuspecting employees in the face with paint balls and sneaking into the employee's break room.

6. He had one great passion in life playing the cello.

6. He had one great passion in life: playing the cello.

PART D

Princess Punctuation has been naughty this week. She found my Exercise Sentences, and before I caught her, she had erased some of the correct punctuation marks and added some wrong punctuation marks. She also changed some lowercase letters to capital letters and vice versa. You must correct her errors. Be very careful. She can be terribly tricky. *Worry*

1. The lecture hall was quiet, we assumed everyone was asleep.

1.The lecture hall was quiet; we assumed everyone was asleep.

2. Everyone must bring: Sleeping bags, warm clothing, and a heavy jacket.

2. Everyone must bring: sleeping bags, warm clothing, and a heavy jacket.

3. You owe me money, namely: Your part of the electricity bill.

3. You owe me money, namely; your part of the electricity bill.

4. Your morning duties are as follows: First, fill that water cooler with ice and fresh water, second, put adequate cups and plates out for the campers, and third, ring the bell for campers to leave their cabins.

4. Your morning duties are as followed: first, fill that water cooler with ice and fresh water, second, put adequate cups and plates out for the campers, and third, ring the bell for the campers to leave their cabins.

5. Sam has a great sense of humor:a witty way with words.

5. Sam has a great sense of humor: a witty way with words.