MUGs (Grammar and Usage)

Choose the punctuation mark that should be used:

The stock trader lost millions of dollars in extremely risky maneuvers​​​ (a)   they put the retirement funds of hundreds of people in jeopardy by betting on oil futures.

• colon
• comma
• question mark
• apostrophe
• semicolon
• hyphen
• parentheses

Answer explanation

Both are complete sentences, and the second one elaborates on the issue presented in the first, so the colon is the best choice.

How could this sentence be written correctly using commas?

The drama club led by the fabulous Mrs. Sawyer will fly to New York City for the competition.

• The drama club led by, the fabulous Mrs. Sawyer, will fly to New York City, for the competition.

• The drama club led by the fabulous Mrs. Sawyer, will fly to New York City for the competition.

• The drama club, led by the fabulous Mrs. Sawyer, will fly to New York City for the competition.

• The drama, club led by the fabulous Mrs. Sawyer will fly, to New York City, for the competition.

Answer explanation

We discussed how a proper noun in the middle of the sentence is going to have a comma around it 9 times out of ten. Also, the sentence opens with a dependent clause.

How could this sentence be written correctly using apostrophes?

Bullying people in schools or on computers and devices is wrong because it hurts peoples feelings.

• Bullying people in school's or on computer's and devices' is wrong because it hurts peoples feelings.

• Bullying people in schools or on computers and devices is wrong because it hurts people's feelings.

• Bullying people in schools or on computers and devices is wrong because it hurt's peoples feelings.

• Bullying people in schools' or on computers' and devices' is wrong because it hurts peoples feelings.

Which dialogue statement is written correctly?

• “Today is Friday.” Said Mrs. Jones.

• “Today is Friday,” said Mrs. Jones.

• “Today is Friday”! said Mrs. Jones!

• “Today is Friday.” said Mrs. Jones

Answer explanation

We discussed the need to put a comma inside of quotation marks as you are exiting the quote, but continuing the sentence.

Which of the following sentences are written with correct pronoun agreement.

Select all that apply.

• The unknown dog sat itself down on the cold, stone floor.

• The ladies at the ball wore gowns they made themselves.

• The person looked at themselves in the mirror.

• No students were herself at the pep rally.

Which is the correction for the underlined section in the following sentence?

Mark Twain was Americas best loved humourist.

• Americas' best loved humorist.

• America's best loved humourist.

• America's best-loved humorist.

• Correct as is.

Complete the sentence in the best way possible:

Given a chance to invest in Alexander Graham Bell's invention​ (a)   the telephone​ (b)   the investor decided it was too risky.

• em dash
• period
• colon
• brackets
• quotes
• ellipsis
• hyphen

Answer explanation

This is a spot for the em dash, comma, or parentheses as the sentence is interrupted for information to be given to make it more clear.

Which is the correction for the underlined section in the following sentence?

Though Twain went bankrupt several times through his ill fated investments in gadgets, he became a rich man and a world-famous celebrity through his writings and teachings.

• his ill fated investments in gadgets;

• his ill-fated investments in gadgets,

• his ill:fated investments in gadgets,

• Correct as is.

The car has lost ​ (a)   shine after being parked outside for years.

• its
• it's
• it is
• i'ts

I would like to invest in (a)   product, but I don't have the funds.

• their
• they're
• there
• thier