1
Drop by the
Grammar
Garage
…for a quick
fix-up for your
sentences!
Name: ______________________________
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Name: ______________________________
Grammar Garage Assessment:
Page
Concept
#
3
Capitalization: proper
nouns
5
Punctuation: End marks
and sentences
7
Punctuation: commas ,
dates and addresses
9
Punctuation: commas,
Introductory words
10
Punctuation: commas,
compound sentences
11
Punctuation: commas in
a series
12
Punctuation: commas,
appositives
13
Punctuation: commas,
contractions
14
Punctuation: commas,
possessive nouns
16
Homophones: “That’s
Right”
#
Completed
# missed
Percent
correct
3
CAPITALIZATION OF PROPER NOUNS
~Proper Nouns are nouns that name a particular person, place, or thing.
Examples:
First names: Jane, Chris, Emily
Full names: Meredith Smith, Libby Wayne, Richard Mason, Jr.
Initials: Michael W. Jones, William E. Johnson
Titles: Dr. Teresa Hicks, President G. W. Bush
Exercise 1: Please circle the letters that need to be capitalized.
1. On our visit to the state capital, we met governor kaine.
2. susie and sam are brother and sister.
3. The sign read, “dr. felicia r. talbot, m. d.”
4. We met senator garcia while we were there.
5. One neighbor is t .b. goodyear, and the other is captain mary lutz.
6. Have you seen richard mason, jr., or mr. and mrs. jackson?
7. Who is the president of the united states?
8. ambassador warren introduced us to the other guests.
9. The lottery was won by j. michael chang and his sister, Amanda.
10. The principal of our school is dr. teresa hicks.
11. The first prize for art was presented to my uncle bill.
12. my sister and grandmother went shopping.
13. My friend Martha has a puppy which she named bubbles.
14. The order is for john, mary, tim, gus, and justin.
15. Their aunt and uncle finally met mrs. wayne.
~Particular Places:
Cities: Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax County
States: Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania
Countries: United Stated, Canada, Spain
Geographic features: Mt. Everest, Shenandoah Valley, Atlantic Ocean
Streets: Martins Hundred Drive, Elm Street, Trillium House Lane
Parks: Yellowstone National Park, Bull Run Regional Park
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Exercise 2: Please circle the letters of the places that need to be capitalized.
1. The andes mountains are in chile and argentina.
2. Which is larger, los angeles, california, or denver, colorado?
3. lake placid is in new york.
4. The mississippi river flows from minnesota to the gulf of mexico.
5. The hallmark store is on lee highway.
6. You might need a reservation to stay in yosemite national park.
7. The smallest state in the united states is rhode island.
8. Drive home by way of pleasant valley road and braddock road.
9. Canada, the united states, and mexico are part of north america.
10. The lewis and clark expedition reached the pacific ocean in 1803.
11. We went hiking in the shenandoah mountains last week.
12. The hawaiian islands are not in the atlantic ocean.
13. The rocky mountains are located in colorado.
14. Deliver this package to 246 west oak street.
15. The states of alabama, georgia, and tennessee are in the southern part of
the united states.
~Particular Things:
Days, holidays,months: Tuesday, July 4th, January
Special events: World War II, Civil War, Easter
Organizations, businesses, stores: Salvation Army, Red Cross, Crown
Educational store, United Airlines
Nationalities: German, American, Asian, African
Brand Names: Big Mac, Campbell’s Soup, Ivory Soap, Sony
Exercise 3: Please circle the letters of particular things that need to be capitalized.
1. We are to meet you on wednesday, march 3, in washington, d. c.
2. This year, christmas falls on a sunday.
3. The irish like to celebrate st. patrick’s day.
4. How many months are between may and december?
5. let’s stop and get a big mac.
6. The bank of america is open until 7:00 monday through friday.
7. The spanish settled in florida.
8. Andrew’s father works for general services administration.
9. The american lung association has a special event every year.
10. Please buy some krispy kreme doughnuts at giant.
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ENDING MARKS AND TYPES OF SENTENCES
 The period (.) is used to end a declarative sentence. This is a sentence
that makes a statement or tells us something:
It is raining.
The airplane landed on time.
School is closed today.
 The period is also used to end an imperative sentence. It gives a
command or makes a request to do something:
Please lock the door.
Don’t forget your coat.
Put the book away.
 The period is also used with abbreviations; common abbreviations are
used for days of the week, months, titles, and initials:
Tues. – Tuesday St. – Street
Dr. – Doctor
before noon – A.M.
Feb. – February
Mister – Mr.
A.C. Smith, Jr.
 The question mark (?) is used at the end of an interrogative sentence,
which asks a question:
What time is it?
Do you think it will stop raining?
 The exclamation mark (!) is used to end an exclamatory sentence,
which shows strong feeling or surprise:
What a beautiful coat!
Stop! Don’t do that! Ouch, that hurt!
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Exercise 1: Read each sentence and tell what type of sentence it is. (declarative,
imperative, interrogative, or exclamatory)
1. Can you remember the color of the horse? ______________________
2. Look at that giant elephant! ___________________________________
3. The sun is setting in the west. _________________________________
4. Don’t forget to lock the door when you leave. ____________________
5. Would you take this to my house? ______________________________
6. What an amazing new invention! _______________________________
7. The next town is only five miles away. ___________________________
8. Come here right now. _________________________________________
9. Would you take me to the mall? ________________________________
10. Do your homework. __________________________________________
Exercise 2: Read each sentence. Add the correct ending punctuation. Add periods to all
abbreviations.
It was a cold, breezy morning Dr Jack Beanstalk and his wife, Ima
Beanstalk, drove slowly up the road Would it snow some more They
hoped it wouldn’t It was almost 9:30 A M when they arrived at the cabin
Dr. Jack got out of the car Did he remember the key to the cabin Was this
the correct address He looked at his wife and asked her She said it was
“What a beautiful cabin ” exclaimed Ima The long drive from Centreville,
VA had been worth it They would stay until Wed morning
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PUNCTUATION: COMMAS – DATES AND ADDRESSES
Commas are used to set off dates and addresses:
Dates:
Tuesday, January 11
July 4, 1776
The baby was born on November 15, 2005, at 3:30 a.m.
Addresses:
Centreville, Virginia
Lakeland, Florida
She lives at 267 Barcelona Drive, Marietta, GA.
 In sentences, a comma is needed before and after the year when the
month and day are given:
June 23, 2002, was our first family reunion.
 In sentences, a comma in NOT needed when only the month and year
are stated:
June 2006 is our next family reunion.
 In sentences, a comma is needed before and after a state or country
when the name of the city is stated:
Fairfax, Virginia, is west of Washington, D. C.
Exercise 1: Place commas correctly in these dates and addresses.
1. Tuesday June 29
2. September 1 1998
3. Atlanta Georgia
4. New York City New York
5. March 9 1985
6. Paris France
7. Honolulu Hawaii
8. Friday July 11
9. Chicago Illinois
10. Wednesday November 15
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Exercise 2: Place commas correctly in these dates and addresses.
1. Today’s date is February 23 2006.
2. The last day of the year is Sunday December 31.
3. Why is July 4 1776 such an important date?
4. Address that letter to 23 Summer St. Macon Georgia.
5. He was born in Tampa Florida but moved to Ft. Myers Florida.
6. Jacksonville Florida is not far from Savannah Georgia.
7. How far is it from Washington D.C. to Louisville Kentucky?
8. February 9 1961 is Mrs. Wayne’s birthday.
9. The wedding will be on August 12 2008.
10. On what day of the week will May 30 2007 fall?
Exercise 3: Place commas appropriately.
1. 15450 Martins Hundred Drive
Centreville Virginia 20120
September 8 2006
2. 102 Cedar Avenue
Anna Maria Island FL
3. 8593 College Street
Auburn Alabama 36849
August 13 2009
Exercise 4: Place commas appropriately.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Send this letter to Mexico City Mexico before next week.
The letter was sent on May 12 2004 and arrived three days later.
Deliver this package to 127 Maple St. Springfield VA by tomorrow.
Auburn Alabama is an eight hour drive from Lakeland Florida.
He flew from Dulles Virginia to Sacramento California.
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COMMAS: INTRODUCTORY WORDS AND NOUNS OF ADDRESS
Introductory Words: use a comma to set off words like yes, no, or well when
they introduce a sentence.
Yes, I will answer the phone.
Well, I have never played the clarinet.
No, he didn’t give me the message.
The comma after an introducing word indicates a slight pause.
Introductory words can also be short phrases like of course, by the way, or
first of all:
By the way, those shoes are spectacular!
Of course, I will call her right away.
First of all, you must give me the recipe for the coffee cake!
Nouns of Address: use commas to set off the names of people to whom you
are speaking or writing.
Emily, please bring your workbook to class every day.
You mailed the letters yesterday, Mrs. Walls.
Thank you, Rachel, for returning your books on time.
Nouns of address can be set off by one comma or by two commas. Use one
comma for a noun of address at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.
Use two commas if the noun of address is in the middle of a sentence.
Exercise 1: Use commas to set off the nouns of address.
1. Did you call me Mrs. Anderson?
2. Brian make sure the door is shut.
3. Please Carrie watch what you are doing.
4. Give this pen to Will Sam.
5. I believe sir that you are right!
6. Scott please help mom with the dishes.
7. Mr. and Mrs. Magoo here is your table.
8. Thank you Sally for remembering to push in your chair.
9. We are going to the mall first Lindsay.
10. Cassie what is today’s date?
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COMMAS: COMPOUND SENTENCES
Use a comma before conjunctions like and, or, and but in a compound
sentence. A compound sentence expresses two complete ideas.
Texas is a big state. It has many people. = 2 sent., 2 complete ideas
Texas is a big state, and it has many people. = 1 sent., 2 ideas.
Doug can go to the store. He can stay home.
Doug can go to the store, or he can stay home.
She drove to the store. It was closed.
She drove to the store, but it was closed.
Exercise 1: Combine the two sentences using a comma and the word in parentheses.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Many people live here. They work in Washington, D.C. (and)
The houses are old. They are built well. (but)
Some people have lawns. Some people have gardens. (and)
Should I choose the books? Should I choose the magazines? (or)
He took the path. She walked down the road. (but)
Exercise 2: Make the compound sentences into two sentences by removing the comma
and the conjunction. Be sure to capitalize where necessary!
1. The dog slept, and the cat played.
2. Marianne went home, and she went to sleep.
3. Dylan dressed himself, and he ate breakfast afterwards.
4. Steven is coming now, or he will be left behind.
5. The traffic light turned green, abut the cars did not move.
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COMMAS: SERIES
Use commas to separate words in a series of three or more items.
 Use and before the last word in the series
 Do NOT use a comma after the last word in the series
Shoes, socks, and pants were thrown on the floor.
shoes, socks, and pants = a series of items
The shirts, blouses, and coats were hung in the office.
shirts, blouses, and coats = a series of items
The small cup, red bowl, and green napkin were on the table.
Small cup, red bowl, and green napkin = a series of items
Exercise 1: Find each series and add commas and the word and as needed.
1. The puppies were cute noisy hungry.
2. We took our vacation to Florida Hawaii Kentucky.
3. We drove through mountains deserts prairies.
4. Sam Kelsey Carley Graham stayed after school to practice.
5. They arrived tired dirty exhausted.
6. Gold blue red green are favorite colors of Holly Bob Todd Libby.
7. The house was old unpainted filthy.
8. Paper crayons scissors are in the closet.
9. She lost a comb a bag of pennies a watch.
10. We have visited Seattle San Francisco Los Angeles.
Exercise 2: Write a sentence to include each series. Use commas and the word and as
needed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
wet, cold, heavy
________________________________________
a car, a train, a boat ________________________________________
run, jump, throw
________________________________________
apples, grapes, lemons______________________________________
pencils, paper, glue ________________________________________
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COMMAS: APPOSITIVES
Appositives are words or phrases that rename or identify the words or
phrases they follow. Appositives are set off with commas.
Alex, my brother, is home from school. (my brother renames Alex)
Our neighbors, the Millers, live across the street. (the Millers identifies
the neighbors)
They will feed Kallie, our dog. (our dog identifies who Molly is)
Exercise 1: In each sentence below, add commas to set off the appositives.
1. Can you call Mike the owner of this car?
2. Elijah Wood the actor has made several great movies.
3. Cindy my friend came over for a luncheon.
4. We visited Williamsburg a historic city in Virginia.
5. The two students Amanda and Carrie helped pass out papers.
6. Meagan and Mitchell our cousins will be here soon!
7. How old is Zoe your niece?
8. The Queen Mary an oceanliner is docked in California.
9. Our orthodontist Dr. Crutchfield is an excellent person.
10.How far is it to Philadelphia the home of the Liberty Bell?
Exercise 2: Add commas as necessary. Not all sentences will need commas!
1. Will you ride in the car with us?
2. The two girls Robin and Sally decided to go shopping.
3. Dr. McAteer the eye doctor can give you an eye exam.
4. The stores are closed on the Fourth of July a national holiday.
5. Mrs. Wayne a teacher and Mrs. Gray a physical therapist met for lunch.
6. The friends jogged in the park for an hour.
7. Susy my best friend lives in Orlando, Florida.
8. Memorial Day a major holiday is always the last Monday in May.
9. Jim our next-door neighbor doesn’t go outside very much.
10.My first car a Mercury Monarch was given to me for Christmas.
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APOSTROPHES: CONTRACTIONS
A contraction is one word made out of two words. An apostrophe (‘) is used
to show where a letter or letters have been left out.
it + is = it’s
we + will = we’ll
you + are = you’re
Exercise 1: Fill in the chart.
Two Words
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Contraction
it is
are not
I am
she’s
you are
she’ll
he is
they are
I’ve
do not
shouldn’t
won’t
she had
it will
you’d
didn’t
were not
they will
there’s
couldn’t
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APOSTROPHES: POSSESSIVE NOUNS (singular and plural)
Apostrophes are used to show possession. Apostrophes are used with
singular and plural nouns to show possession.
Remember: a noun names a person, place, or thing!
Use an apostrophe and s (‘s) to form the possessive of a singular noun.
For one-syllable words ending in s, add an apostrophe and s (‘s).
Cat
James
Woman
Girl
cat + ‘s
James + ‘s
woman + ‘s
girl + ‘s
the cat’s tail
James’s house
the woman’s home
a girl’s coat
Use an apostrophe (‘) to form the possessive of a singular noun having two
or more syllables and ending with the s or z sound.
Collins
Perez
Moses
Cortez
Collins + ’
Perez + ‘
Moses + ‘
Cortez + ‘
Mrs. Collins’ coat
Mr. Perez’ home
Moses’ brother
Cortez’ army
Use an apostrophe to form the possessive of a plural noun ending in s.
girls
Joneses
wolves
stories
girls + ‘
Joneses + ‘
wolves + ‘
stories + ‘
the girls’ reports
the Joneses’ home
the wolves’ dens
the stories’ endings
Use an apostrophe and s (‘s) to form the possessive form of plural nouns
not ending in s.
children
women
salesmen
people
children’s
women’s
salesmen’s
people’s
the children’s school
the women’s coats
the salesmen’s work
the people’s support
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Exercise 1: Add an apostrophe and s (‘s) or an apostrophe (‘) in order to form the
possessive form of each word below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
man
women
Charles
schools
dollars
6. boys
7. Mr. Gomez
8. actor
9. child
10. children
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
baby
babies
country
countries
horses
Exercise 2: Rewrite each phrase forming the correct possessive of the underlined noun.
1. Martin Luther King birthday
2. two girls shoes
3. the cat paw
4. New Year Day
5. one child game
6. two children game
7. a lady purse
8. the family home
9. many spiders webs
10. James book
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
Exercise 3: Find the nouns showing possession; write its correct possessive form.
1. The light bulb was Alexander Graham Bell invention.
2. That is the Schultz house.
3. Our neighbor father sells children shoes.
4. All of the animals meals are brought by the zoo keeper.
5. Everyone attention was focused on the magician hand.
6. Is this pencil James?
7. Please bring all of the boys shoes over here.
8. Which way is it to the men and women dressing rooms?
9. Emily, Jane, and Marta bicycles are in the driveway.
10.Maria Torres mother cooked some delicious Spanish food.
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THAT’S CORRECT! USING HOMOPHONES CORRECTLY
Many words in the English language are often confused because they sound
alike or almost sound alike. Choosing the correct word is important in
school and in your future! Study the words below:
 Their (possessive) – Their dog ran down the street after the mailman.
 They’re (contraction for they are) – They’re going to be sorry if their
dog bites him.
 There (positional) – There is a stop sign at the end of the street.
 Your (possessive) – Your dog likes to chase cats.
 You’re (contraction for you are) – You’re responsible for your
homework.
 There’s (contraction for there is) – There’s a squirrel in the tree.
 Theirs (possessive) – That dog is theirs.
 Its (possessive) – The dog gave Mr. Smith his paw.
 It’s (contraction for it is) – It’s going to be a great show!
Exercise 1: Write the correct word in each blank below. Choose from the words in
parentheses.
1. ___________ too bad that dogs can’t talk. (it’s its)
2. That dog would bite ______ master if it had the chance. (it’s its)
3. You just don’t know _________ dog, William. (there their)
4. When I see him over _________, I know to cross the street. (their there)
5. _________ saying that because you have been here before. (your you’re)
6. If he were ___________ father, you would be so proud! (you’re your
7. You should have seen __________ face! (it’s its)
8. The children are happy because _________ going home. (they’re there)
9. Is that trampoline ______________? (there’s theirs)
10. __________ a hole in the roof! (there’s theirs)
CONGRATULATIONS…YOU ARE FINISHED!!!!