Lesson 6 Exercise

Lesson Six Exercise

** In the first four sentences, choose which sentences should use parentheses and which ones need em dashes.

Remember that one is used to de-emphasize information, and the other is used to emphasize information.

** In sentences 5-8, decide which words need hyphenating and which do not. I did not intentionally write tricky

sentences here. I chose those words which have clearly defined rules. However, it IS a tricky section, so tread

cautiously and look back at the rules and examples.

** For sentences 9-10, correct what Princess Punctuation wrote, using your knowledge about en dashes.

** In sentences 11-12, use ellipsis dots correctly. (Use the format you prefer, but stick with one format.)

** Finally, I wrote the last two sentences, using punctuation marks correctly. I planned for them to be your gift from

me to you. Unfortunately, Princess Punctuation, who is upset that you are leaving, has erased the punctuation marks

and even put some in the wrong places. Use your knowledge about punctuation to correct these two sentences.

*** The total number of points included in these sentences is 30. In other words, I'll be looking for how you deal with

punctuation in at least 30 places.
*** Please ask questions if you need a little help. I won't give you answers, but I'll clarify and point you in the right

direction.
*!* The examples in the lesson clearly show that there should be NO space before or after hyphens, en dashes, or em

dashes.

1. The eager students rushed to the Registration Desk () or — Punctuation Station was closed.
1. The eager students rushed to the Registration Desk—Punctuation Station was closed.

2. Professor Davenport ( or — also known as the nutty professor — or ) forgot to go to class.
2. Professor Davenport (also known as the nutty professor) forgot to go to class.

3. Penny walked Susie to school Friday morning ( or — this was their usual routine — or ) and then jogged back home.
3. Penny walked Susie to school Friday morning (this was their usual routine) and then jogged back home.

4. "I turned to wave good-bye () or — how could this have happened?"
4. "I turned to wave good-bye—how could this have happened?"

5. The well fed puppy had a shiny coat, showing that he was well groomed.
5. The well-fed puppy had a shiny coat, showing that he was well groomed.
dubject subject
6. The bluish green mixture began to boil in the heavily coated pot.
6. The bluish-green mixture began to boil in the heavily coated pot.
subject

7. Her decidedly late blind date apologized for his car's ever thirsty gas tank.
7. Her decidedly late blind date apologized for his car's ever thirsty gas tank.
ly no dash after subject

8. The anti inflammatory drug and the anti biotics had Joan feeling better by the next day.
8. The anti-inflammatory drug and the antibiotics had Joan feeling better by the next day.

9. From 1982–1988, I lived in Atlanta, Georgia.
9. From 1982 to 1988, I lived in Atlanta, Georgia.

10. The total amount raised was between $50,000–$80,000.
10. The total amount raised was between $50,000 and $80,000.

11. "I wonder [pause in dialogue] what would Anne do in the same situation?"
11. "I wonder... What would Anne do in the same situation?"

12. "Could he possibly be [dialogue trails off] Wendy sank her tear streaked face into her pillow.
12. "Could he possibly be... Wendy sank her tear streaked face—into her pillow.
Warning: This one requires careful examination!

13. Our ever changing language is partially shaped by technology that is ever expanding.
13. Our ever-changing language, is partially shaped by technology that is ever expanding.

14. After reading the assigned book (Westward, Pioneer)!, Harley was eager to write his report . . . this was a rare

occasion.
14. After reading the assigned book Westward Pioneer, Harley was eager to write his report—this was a rare

occasion!
Hint: The exclamation mark is needed, but where?