Grammar and Writing Essentials

What are commonly confused words?

• Words that are spelled the same but have different meanings

• Words that sound alike or similar but have different spellings and meanings (often homophones)

• Words that are used in the same context

• Words that are synonyms and can be used interchangeably

Should you capitalize the word after a semicolon?

• Yes, always

• No, unless it is a proper noun or the letter 'I'

• Only if the sentence is a question

• Yes, if it starts a new clause

Can you list some singular intensive pronouns?

• myself, yourself, himself

• themself, ourselves, yourselves

• he, she, it

• this, that, these

What is a semicolon used for?

• A semicolon connects two closely related complete sentences (independent clauses) without using a conjunction like 'and' or 'but'.

• A semicolon is used to separate items in a complex list.

• A semicolon indicates a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a period.

• A semicolon is used to introduce a quotation.

What is the difference between intensive and reflexive pronouns?

• Intensive pronouns are essential to the sentence's meaning, while reflexive pronouns are not.

• Intensive pronouns are used for emphasis, while reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject.

• Intensive pronouns and reflexive pronouns are the same.

• Intensive pronouns are not essential to the sentence's meaning, while reflexive pronouns are.

What are the two main uses of a semicolon?

• To join two complete sentences to show they belong together and to separate items in a complex list when commas are already used.

• To indicate a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a period and to introduce a list of items.

• To separate independent clauses without a conjunction and to connect related ideas in a sentence.

• To replace a period in a sentence and to separate adjectives that describe the same noun.

What is the rule about conjunctions and semicolons?

• If you use a semicolon, do not use a conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

• You can use a conjunction with a semicolon if it connects two independent clauses.

• A semicolon should always be followed by a conjunction.

• Conjunctions and semicolons can be used interchangeably.

What are intensive pronouns?

• Words that end in -ing and describe actions

• Words ending in -self or -selves used to add emphasis

• Pronouns that replace nouns in a sentence

• Words that indicate possession or ownership

What must you have on both sides of a semicolon?

• A complete sentence on both sides of the semicolon.

• A phrase on one side and a clause on the other.

• Two independent clauses that are not related.

• A single word on one side and a complete sentence on the other.

Can you list some plural intensive pronouns?

• ourselves, yourselves, themselves

• us, you, them

• me, you, him

• myself, yourself, himself