1. When Delores realized that her father had made lima beans and rice for dinner, she __A________,
claimed to feel nauseous, and excused herself from the table. The bag of stale popcorn in her
room would tide her over until breakfast.
A. clutched her stomach
B. was clutching her stomach
C. did clutch her stomach
2. Not only did Hank despise the way June chewed with her mouth open, ______c___ finding her
wet towels all over the bathroom floor.
A. but also disliked
B. but also disliking
C. but he also disliked
3. To protect her delicate hands, Fran will not rake the yard, do the dishes, or _____c_____.
A. refuses to scrub the bathtub
B. won't scrub the bathtub
C. scrub the bathtub
4. When Diane takes her beagle for a walk, Santana enjoys sniffing for edible garbage,
______b____, and lunging at squirrels.
A. howls at bicyclists
B. howling at bicyclists
C. she howls at bicyclists
5. After Amanda cashes her paycheck, the money goes to her savings account, cappuccino fund,
and _____B_____.
A. paying her credit card bill
B. toward her credit card balance
C. credit card balance
6. In preparation for her run, Alicia ______A____, applied sunscreen, and increased the volume on
her iPod.
A. tightened her shoelaces
B. was tightening her shoelaces
C. did tighten her shoelaces
7. We searched the car trunk, ____C______, and the top of the refrigerator, but we could not find
the box of cornflakes that we remember buying.
A. looked on the pantry shelves
B. on the pantry shelves
C. the pantry shelves
8. Bonkers, our ninety pound golden retriever, chews on furniture, _______C___, and snots up the
car windows—inconveniences we didn't anticipate when we adopted him.
A. would drag us around the neighborhood during walks
B. he drags us around the neighborhood during walks
C. drags us around the neighborhood during walks
9. Belinda saw very little of the horror movie, for she shut her eyes _______A___, when she heard
the monster's footsteps in the dead leaves, and when characters started screaming.
A. when the violins began to play
B. while listening to the violins play
C. during the violin music
10. In Mrs. Curall's office, Ruben feigned the flu. He hoped to be excused from class, get an
extension on his paper, and __A________.
A. spend the afternoon playing tennis with his friends
B. to spend the afternoon playing tennis with his friends
C. then to spend the afternoon playing tennis with his friends
11. Carlos not only missed his one-year anniversary with Adrianna ________A__.
A. but he also forgot his mother's birthday
B. but also forgot his mother's birthday
C. but also forgetting his mother's birthday
12. Teresa was expecting a visit from her mother, so she spent the day cleaning the shelves of the
refrigerator, scrubbing mold from the bathroom tile grout, and _____B_____.
A. she removed dog hair from the sofa cushions
B. removing dog hair from the sofa cushions
C. removed dog hair from the sofa cushions
13. When Noodle the poodle realized that the leash meant a bath, not a walk to the park, he
growled, pulled, and ____C______.
A. was leaping like a fish on a line
B. he was leaping like a fish on a line
C. leaped like a fish on a line
14. With the humans out of the house, Skeeter had to decide either to shred a roll of toilet paper or
_______A___.
A. chew another hole in the sofa arm
B. chewing another hole in the sofa arm
C. if he wanted to chew another hole in the sofa arm
15. Neither ____B______ nor the ineffective air conditioner rattling in the window will deter Tiffany
from loving the freedom of her first apartment.
A. when the inconsiderate neighbors played loud music
B. the inconsiderate neighbors playing loud music
C. playing loud music by the inconsiderate neighbors
16. We looked everywhere for the car keys—under the sofa cushions, ____C______, and on the
counters and tabletops. All along, Andrew had them in the front pocket of his jeans!
A. our search included the trash can
B. searching for them in the trash can
C. in the trash can
17. Laura and Diane bang on Boen's door when they need heavy furniture moved, after they have
clogged the garbage disposal, and ____A______.
A. having discovered a spider in the bathtub
B. upon the discovery of a spider in the bathtub
C. if they find a spider in the bathtub
18. Bathing Noodle, our poodle, requires four arms to hold him in the tub, towels to mop up the
water, and ______b____.
A. raincoats which will keep us dry
B. raincoats to keep us dry
C. raincoats as protection against the oncoming deluge
19. We hate having dinner at Aunt Ida's house because she is a vegan health nut. Baked tofu,
______C____, and decaffeinated tea do not make a satisfying meal!
A. vegetables steamed with no oil or seasoning
B. steamed vegetables
C. vegetables that are flavorless
20. Tonia kicked the back of Vincent’s desk, _____A_____, and poked his arm with her sharp pencil,
but he would not bend to the side so that she could get a glimpse of his quiz answers.
A. blew on his neck
B. she blew on his neck
C. blowing on his neck

Final Review Exercise

Please correct comma splices, run-ons, fragments, misplaced/dangling modifiers, apostrophe usage, or any other punctuation or usage error you find. NOTE: Not every sentence has an error, and some sentences have more than one.

I have always wondered this: why am I able to see any random television program, often for less than ten seconds, and immediately recognize which network the show is airing on? To me, the differences seem obvious and undeniable on ABC. Colors are always darker and the definition is softer. NBC programs look more like traditional videotape brighter, sharper, more aggressively modern. Everything on CBS has a slightly grainy, understated appearance, Fox looks like the middle ground between CBS and NBC. When the show Cavemen premiered last fall, I came across the first episode by accident. It was not known what channel I was watching but I did know this: aesthetically Cavemen looked like an ABC show, it looked like Head of the Class, which had looked like Barney Miller. I had a similar experience when I first saw 30 Rock, a sitcom that visually resembles Friends, which visually resembled Silver Spoons. These relationships have nothing to do with content, they refer only to the technical, non-narrative aspects of how the shows are broadcast. For reasons I don’t understand, I can identify the look of any major network instantaneously. So can a lot of other people, we can do it without even trying.

Except that we can’t.

It’s a paradox. My ability to differentiate between TV networks is real. When I watch Lost, I sometimes think this reminds me of Twin Peaks and Moonlighting. I am right, but not for the reasons I believed. I think they look alike, but they don’t, or at least not any more than all the other TV dramas shot on 35mm film. It’s an optical illusion created by my own mind and what’s weird about this particular illusion is that it usually ends up proving accurate. I am tricking myself into seeing the truth, even though that truth is invisible. I have watched so much television that I am now a genius.

And I suppose an idiot.

When initially, pursuing this discrepancy the hypothesis was that these differences must be purely technological. I assumed the answer would be explained by different kinds of film stock ,or by different frequencies used during the transmission of satellite feeds. These possibilities were proved false. All the network producers buy their film stock from outside sources so there can’t be a brand of film that makes NBC look like NBC. It also can’t be a result of frequency because networks use different channels in different markets. As far as I can tell, there is no meaningful difference between how different networks shoot and broadcast.

This dead end made me question my whole premise, was I the only person who saw these differences? I started asking acquaintances if they could tell the difference between CBS and NBC. I noticed that whenever I asked a person who watched lots and lots of television they always said “Of course." But whenever I asked someone who only watched TV casually, they inevitably said something along the lines of, “I’m not sure.” At first, I thought those responses helped prove my point, and I thought they suggested that these aesthetic differences were real, but their subtlety was lost on anyone who wasn’t a sophisticated viewer. But now I suspect a different explanation, in reality watching an inordinate amount of TV causes a person to imagine concrete visual differences, that are merely just the manifestation of abstract subconscious knowledge.

PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
A pronoun agrees with its antecedent in number, gender, and person. If the antecedent is singular,
a singular pronoun is required. The plural antecedent requires a plural pronoun.
 The following antecedents are referred to by singular pronouns: anybody, anyone, each, either,
everybody, everyone, neither, nobody, one, somebody, someone.
 ex. Each of the boys has his own savings account.
Anyone can achieve his or her goals.
 Singular antecedents joined by or/nor are referred to by a singular pronoun.
 ex. John nor Dave could find his jacket.
A dog or a cat can find its way home.
 Collective nouns may take either a singular or plural pronoun, depending on the meaning of the
sentence.
 ex. The cast is having its picture taken. (whole group as one)
The cast quickly took their places on stage. (individuals)
Choosing the Right Pronoun. Underline the correct pronoun.
 1. Neither Mary nor Laura has turned in (her, (their)) report.
 2. Anybody can learn to set up (his, (their)) own tent.
 3. Each of the boys takes care of (his,( their)) own room.
 4. Neither Tom nor Jim can give (his, (their)) report today.
 5. Anyone can join our group if (he, (they)) is really interested.
 6. The team can't play ((its), their) best when it's too hot.
 7. Either Bill or Tony will lend you ((his), their) book.
 8. Everyone should do (his, (their)) best work on the project.
 9. George wants to go into politics; he finds ((it), them) exciting.
10. Everyone should be in (his, (their)) seat before the curtain goes up.
11. Some of the team are wearing (his, (their)) new helmets.
12. Every class officer will do (her, (their)) best.
13. I find that playing bridge is hard on ((my), your) nerves.
14. Some of the vanilla has lost ((its), their) flavor.
15. Everybody will receive (his, (their)) scores in the mail.
16. Someone will be disappointed by (his, (their)) grade on the exam.
17. One should not worry too much about (his, (their)) past mistakes.
18. Each of us is prepared to give (his, (their)) speech on Thursday.
19. Has anyone lost (her, (their)) jacket?
20. Nobody plays (his, (their)) best when the humidity is very high. M:\9-TLC\TLC Web Design\Handouts Worksheets\Grammar.Punctuation.Writing\Pronouns and
Antecedents.doc
 1. Neither Mary nor Laura has turned in ((her), their) report.
 2. Anybody can learn to set up (his, (their)) own tent.
 3. Each of the boys takes care of ((his), their) own room.
 4. Neither Tom nor Jim can give ((his), their) report today.
 5. Anyone can join our group if ((he), they) is really interested.
 6. The team can't play ((its), their) best when it's too hot.
 7. Either Bill or Tony will lend you( (his), their) book.
 8. Everyone should do (his, (their)) best work on the project.
 9. George wants to go into politics; he finds (it, (them)) exciting.
10. Everyone should be in (his, (their)) seat before the curtain goes up.
11. Some of the team are wearing (his,( their)) new helmets.
12. Every class officer will do ((her), their) best.
13. I find that playing bridge is hard on (my,( your)) nerves.
14. Some of the vanilla has lost (its, (their)) flavor.
15. Everybody will receive ((his), their) scores in the mail.
16. Someone will be disappointed by ((his), their) grade on the exam.
17. One should not worry too much about ((his), their) past mistakes.
18. Each of us is prepared to give ((his), their) speech on Thursday.
19. Has anyone lost ((her), their) jacket?
20. Nobody plays ((hi)s, their) best when the humidity is very high.

Comma Usage Exercise 2

Please add commas wherever they are necessary.

Norman Bethune, a Canadian doctor, became a famous Canadian who is better known outside of Canada, than in it. Bethune was born in Gravenhurst, Ontario, in 1890. As a young man he studied medicine, and in 1917 he became a doctor. At the age of 36 he was stricken with tuberculosis, a devastating lung disease. He spent about a year recovering and subsequently won worldwide fame for his experiments in lung surgery, and for his invention of instruments used in chest surgery. In 1936, Bethune joined the Republican Army in the Spanish Civil War. When he developed the first mobile blood transfusion service in history, his fame around the world increased. The blood transfusion service allowed doctors for the first time, to provide significant treatment to soldiers near battle fronts. In 1938 , Bethune went to China, which was at war with Japan. Bethune organized field hospitals, served as a battle surgeon, and set up medical schools to train Chinese surgeons. In November, 1938, he became medical chief of the Chinese Eighth Route Army. Unfortunately in 1939, after only 21 months in China Bethune died of blood poisoning. Despite Bethune’s major medical innovations, most Canadians have never heard of him. However; he is considered a national hero in China, and is well known in many other parts of the world.

Directions: In the blank beside each sentence, indicate whether that sentence contains a dangling modifier (DM) or a
misplaced modifier (MM). Then rewrite the sentence to correct it. Check the answers by using the key below.
Because rewritten sentences will vary, have a writing counselor check your new sentences for you.
Examples:
a. At the age of six, my mother sang hymns to me. DM
 Correction: When I was six, my mother sang hymns to me.
b. We were told at midnight the concert would begin. MM
Correction: We were told the concert would begin at midnight.

1. The car on the bridge which is green is mine. MM
My car on the bridge is green.

2. Expecting confusion, our plans were made. DM
We were expecting confusion, after our plans were made.

3. Feeling hot, sweaters were taken off.MM
Sweaters were taken off, after feeling hot.

4. I showed my dog to the veterinarian with the fleas. MM
I showed my dog with fleas, to the veterinarian

5. Larry told me he was getting married that afternoon at night. DM
Larry told me he was getting married that afternoon.

6. This typewriter is used by a secretary with a wide carriage. MM
This typewriter with a wide carriage, is used by a secretary.

7. Swimming out into the sea, the current grew stronger. MM
The current grew stronger, swimming out to sea.

8. Walking along the bridge, a ship suddenly appeared.MM
A ship suddenly appeared, walking along the bridge.

9. The Honda was stalled on the road out of oil. DM
Out of oil, the Honda stalled on the road.

10. He kept a black book of all the girls he had dated in his desk. MM
In his desk, he kept a black book of all the girls he dated.

11. On entering the room, the messages are easily seen.MM
The messages are easily seen entering the room.

12. While at the park, the sun shone brightly on the sunbathers. MM
The sun shone brightly on sunbathers while at the park.

13. Mary should jump at whatever is demanded quickly. DM
Whatever is demanded quickly, mary should jump at it.
14. He kept all his medicine in the medicine cabinet that had been prescribed for him.MM
He kept all his medicine that had been prescribed to him, in the medicine cabinet.

15. When only a baby, Mom took me scuba diving.DM
When I was a baby, my mom took me scuba diving.

MISPLACED MODIFIERS WORKSHEET
Write "C" if the modifier is correctly placed. Write "MM" if it is misplaced. Then, in the "MM" sentences, circle the
modifier and draw an arrow to show where it should go.
1. The man(...) was stopped for speeding (in the blue sweater.)MM
2. I almost saw the whole movie, but I fell asleep around midnight. c
3.(.....) Joe promised to mow the lawn (running out the door.)MM
4. The initials were those of the lovers carved on the tree. C
5. There are only two parking spaces left in the lot.C
6. Every four hours the doctor told him to take a pill.C
7.(.....) Sitting on the porch, (I smoked my last cigarette).MM
8. The woman(....) walked toward us (wearing the feather hat)MM.
9.(....) The jet crashed into a cliff (carrying 155 passengers.)MM
10. I hardly ate any breakfast.C
11. (....)I watched the mechanic fix the car (with admiration).MM
12. I earn(....) fifty dollars a week (scarcely.)MM
13.(....) Reaching into the cupboard, (I found the bag of cookies.)MM
14. We borrowed a mower(....) from a neighbor (that was broken).MM
15.(......) Climbing up the telephone pole, (we saw a squirrel.)MM
16. Mel,(....) running rapidly, (disappeared around the bend)MM.
17. The cat was rescued(......) after the building had been set on fire (by a fireman.)MM
18. We've almost found all the pieces to the puzzle. C?
19. She vowed(....) on her birthday (to go on a diet.)MM
20. We(...) need gas (badly.)
DANGLING MODIFIERS WORKSHEET
Draw one line under the dangling modifier in each of the following sentences.
1.( Driving in heavy traffic), my head started to ache.
2. (Fishing for trout), our boat tipped over.
3. (Crossing the border,) my bags were searched.
4.( Searching my wallet), my driver's license was found.
5.( A shovel was used), building the sand castle.
Write "DM" if the modifier is dangling or "C" if it has a subject to refer to and the sentence is correct.
Underline the subject.
1. Chasing his sister, (Billy) fell and bruised his knee. DM
2. Feeling nervous, (nails) were bitten.DM
3. Running scared, the( cat) climbed up the tree. C
4. Laughing hysterically, the( joke) was repeated.C
5. Slipping on the ice, (her leg) was broken. DM
In all of the following sentences, there are modifiers that do not apply clearly to the word they modify.
Underline the subject and rewrite the sentence, making the modifier apply clearly to the word it modifies. If
there is no subject, supply an appropriate one. Please have a writing counselor check the remaining exercises.
1. Reaching the finals, (the game) was won by the Tigers.
.The game was won by the Tigers, in the finals.
2. Playing skillfully, (a touchdown) was made by the home team.
.A touchdown was made by the home team playing skillfully.
3. Raising his hand, the question was answered by Joe.
.Joe, raising his hand, answered the question.
4. Planting vegetables, her knees got dirty.
.Her knees got dirty planting vegetables.
5. Speaking for the community, the issue was raised by Mrs. Santos.
. The issue was raised by Mr. Santos when speaking for the community.
Correct the following sentences by changing the dangling modifier into a dependent clause. Rewrite the entire
sentence in the space provided.
1. Fooling around, the lamps got broken.
 When we were fooling around, the lamps got broken.
2. Dashing through the snow, a stone upset the sleigh.
.A stone upset the snow while we were dashing through the snow.
3. Driving home, our car got a flat tire.
.Our car got a flat tire, while we were driving home.
4. Waiting for my friend, the weather turned bad.
.While I was waiting for my friend the weather turned bad.
5. Taking out the garbage, snow started to fall.
.The snow started to fall while he was taking out the garbage.
Complete these sentences.
1. Since moving to Nebraska, we have all been really homesick.
2. Before putting on a show, she made sure her ballet slippers were tied to perfection.
3. While waiting for the Sears man, I found what I needed by myself.
4. By having the oil filter changed, my car's performance has improved greatly
5. On hearing about your divorce, I have been needing to talk to you about something.
Complete these sentences.
1. To appreciate the music, I search YouTube 3 hours a day to discover new inspiring artists.
2. To get a raise, I make sure I am putting one hundred percent effort in anything I do.
3. To have a successful barbecue, my dad never forgets to bring the beer!
4. To get to know people, I like spending time out of work or school.
5. To understand the stock market, I don't pay any attention to it.

EXERCISE
In the blanks provided, indicate whether the following sentences are correct (C) or contain a comma 
splice (CS) or a run-on (R-0).
Example: Red is my favorite color I don=t like purple.
run-on 
1. Some people know very early in life what they want to do with their life, others never 
know. CS
2. One Nobel Prize winner knew by age ten that he wanted to be a scientist.RO

3. Some people change majors several times before they find a profession they like some 
know their chosen field right from the start of their college education. RO
4. Many people choose not to go to college, they prefer to get a job right out of high 
school. CS
5. Mary, a cousin of mine, is still in college at age fifty she says she doesn=t know what she 
wants to be when she grows up. RO
6. Allan, a nephew of mine, wants to be a professional student; he already has two 
master=s degrees and a doctorate and is pursuing still another master=s. RO
7. In addition, some people spend a lifetime doing something they really aren=t happy 
doing by the time they realize they are in the wrong field, it may be too late to change. RO

8. Satisfaction with one=s chosen career is very important, choosing the right career is not 
always easy. CS
9. There are computerized career services, as well as other guidance counselors, available 
for those who need help, it is up to each person to seek help, though. CS
10. One can waste a great deal of valuable time choosing a career by the common trial 
and error method it would be much wiser for each individual to seek professional help in 
selecting the right career. RO
11. On the first day of the tour we visited the Capitol, we spent the second day at the
Smithsonian Institute. CS
12. Even though I did not feel very well today, I went to my morning classes I cut my 
afternoon English class. RO
13. That the sun always rises is a true statement. 14. Carole has been in the hospital for more than an week, I hope the doctors will be able 
to determine what is wrong with her. CS
15. Although the weather is unusually stormy this spring, spring usually is our wettest 
season. CS
16. Working for sixty hours a week is not unusual for him in fact, some weeks he works 
more than seventy hours. CS
17. Kimberly explained her project to us we carefully listened. RO
18. Connor squealed happily as the other children danced around him. C

1.Technology has evolved greatly over the years there are so many new cellphones, tablets, and game consoles.
2 The internet has been around for over two decades the average person uses up to 11 hours a day operating their smartphones, TV, tablets, laptops, and so on.
3. Many times I have caught myself glued to my phone on Facebook or Instagram totally ignoring whoever is talking to me or when my son is trying to get my attention.
4.I realize how technology and social media is negatively affecting our lives I could have been interacting with my son or I could have had a great conversation with a friend.
5. I remember when I was younger I would play with Brats Dolls or I'd go ahead and doodle on some scratch paper but now I see my brothers with a tablets attached to their face.
6. I mean yes, tablets do have applications where I  can draw or even play with animated characters but its not like they're actually interacting with kids or doing physical activities.
7.Nowadays today's modern people are too dependent on technology when dealing with their daily routine we need our phones on us at all times during the day.
8. Without our phones people act like its the end of the world although the newer technology is helpful there are many problems ti has caused with our people.
9.The new technology followed by social media are affecting our mental health, physical health, and families' relationships.
10.Today the newer gadgets helps us obtain information with just a tap on the screen rather than waiting for the paper boy to deliver the Sunday paper.




1. We can find out what our friends are up. Just by logging onto Facebook and checking their status updates.
2. Technology and social media is changing the way we communicate. It is changing the way we interact with others.
3 Its affecting our attitudes and patience. Its affecting our mental health.
4. Using too much technology and social media, isolating ourselves from the world. Can lead to many mental disorders.
5. Today's modern technology is affecting our physical health. The health of children and adults.
6. We are too focused on technology, the first thing our children do when they get home from school is ask to play with a play or video games.
7. They'd rather be inside. Immersed into these rectangle glowing screens instead of playing outside.
8.This is teaching children bad habits. They are sitting around instead of being outside doing physical activities.
9. Instead, they are inside being a couch potato. Playing video games and watching videos on their tablets.
10.The United States is on of the top three countries with the most advanced technology. Our lives pretty much revolve around it.