Grammar Practice: (8th Grade ELA) Sentences & Punctuation

Read the sentences. It was very hot outside. We decided to stay inside. Which is the best way to combine these sentences into a compound sentence?

• It was very hot outside, because we decided to stay inside.

• It was very hot outside; we decided to stay inside.

• It was very hot outside, and we decided to stay inside.

• It was very hot outside while we decided to stay inside.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.4.2C

Which sentence is written correctly as a compound sentence?

• The play was funny, but it also had a serious message.

• The play was funny but, it also had a serious message.

• The play was funny; but, it also had a serious message.

• The play was funny, because it also had a serious message.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.4.2C

Which sentence is written correctly as a complex sentence?

• We left early, and the bus had already gone.

• Although we left early, the bus had already gone.

• We left early; the bus had already gone.

• We left early the bus had already gone.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.3.1I

Which is the best way to combine them into a complex sentence?

Maria studied all night. She wanted to do well on the test.

• Maria studied all night, and she wanted to do well on the test.

• Maria studied all night, so she wanted to do well on the test.

• Because Maria wanted to do well on the test, she studied all night.

• Maria studied all night; she wanted to do well on the test.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.3.1I

Which sentence correctly uses a nonrestrictive clause?

• The book that I borrowed from the library is new.

• The book, that I borrowed from the library, is new.

• The book, which I borrowed from the library, is new.

• The book which I borrowed from the library is new.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• My uncle, who is a doctor lives in Houston.

• My uncle who is a doctor, lives in Houston.

• The uncle who is a doctor lives in Houston.

• My uncle, who is a doctor, lives in Houston.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?

• The author (who was born in Texas) writes historical fiction.

• The author who was born in Texas), writes historical fiction(.

• The author, (who was born in Texas) writes historical fiction.

• The author (who was born in Texas, writes historical fiction).

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

Parentheses are mainly used to—

• separate two complete sentences

• introduce a list of items

• add extra information that is not essential

• replace commas in compound sentences

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

• I like to play soccer; and my brother likes basketball.

• I like to play soccer; my brother likes basketball.

• I like to play soccer, my brother likes basketball.

• I like to play soccer; but my brother likes basketball.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Which sentence shows correct semicolon use in a list?

• On our trip, we visited Dallas; Texas, Austin; Texas, and Houston; Texas.

• On our trip, we visited Dallas, Texas; Austin, Texas; and Houston, Texas.

• On our trip, we visited Dallas, Texas, Austin, Texas, and Houston, Texas.

• On our trip; we visited Dallas, Texas, Austin, Texas; and Houston, Texas.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A