The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation (26 page)

1.
Some of the desserts
were
left by the end of the birthday party.

2.
It was
I
and maybe two other people.

3.
Dr. Cresta is one of those professors who
do
whatever it takes to get
their
point across.

4.
Your brilliant excuses almost
make
up for your tardiness.

5.
Neither Jackson nor Jenna is playing hooky. (CORRECT)

6.
Neither Jackson nor his family
is
going camping this weekend.

7.
Either of us is capable of winning. (CORRECT)

8.
All of the class is willing to take part in the prank. (CORRECT)

9.
One-third of the eligible population
tends
not to vote in national elections.

10.
Not even one-third of the voters
tend
to cast their ballots in national elections.

11.
Here
are
the paper clips you requested.

12.
She is one of those doctors who make house calls. (CORRECT)

13. She
and
he
are always fighting.

14.
When Toni and
he
come over, we always have a great time.

15.
It is we who must decide whether to tax ourselves or cut spending. (CORRECT)

16.
Between you and
me
, this class is a joke.

17. Who
do you think you are to give me advice about dating?

18.
Who makes up these English rules anyway? (CORRECT)

19. Who
do you think should win?

20. Whom
are you voting for?

21.
She is one of the only teachers who
do
what it takes to help
their
students learn joyfully.

22. Whoever
has the keys gets to be in the driver's seat.

23.
We are willing to work with
whomever
you recommend.

24.
The thoughts that Ted presented at the meeting were worthwhile. (CORRECT)

25.
The thoughts that Ted presented,
which
were about shifting national priorities, were well received.

26.
When you do a job so
well
, you can expect a raise.

27.
I,
like
most people, try to be considerate of others.

28.
Harry smells good. What is the aftershave he is wearing? (CORRECT)

29.
Lisa did so well on the test that she was allowed to accelerate to the next level. (CORRECT)

30.
Our puppy is the least
hungry
of the litter.

31.
He's a man
who
I think defines greatness.

32.
Karen should
have
known that her cheap umbrella would break in the storm.

33.
Sometimes the effects of our generosity may seem minimal, but our good intentions do make a difference. (CORRECT)

34.
Ben thought he had
laid
my jacket on that bench.

35.
Our company policy will not allow me to
accept
a gift worth more than $50.

36.
They thought we were late, but my wife and I were
already
at the restaurant.

37. Regardless
of who was there first, we were all very hungry and ready to eat.

38.
We could hardly believe the Giants could
lose
the game by that many runs.

39.
Isn't it amazing how long that mime can remain completely
stationary
?

40.
The department's principal concern is the safety of all employees. (CORRECT)

41.
How did they manage to serve cold ice cream in the middle of the vast
desert
?

42.
The boss
complimented
Ari on his excellent presentation.

43.
The judge did not believe any of
their
stories.

44.
Ilana said she wanted to become
an
FBI agent when she grew up.

45.
It's not good when
you're
always late like this.

46.
To be a good billiards player, you've got to think
further
ahead than just the next shot.

47.
I think I'll go
lie
down awhile.

48.
The golf course at the resort is lovely, but I prefer
its
swimming pool.

49.
Sam and
I
paid the cab fare, and Alejandro paid for dinner.

50.
Marta completed five
fewer
problems than I did in the same amount of time.

1.
Go
west
three blocks and turn right.

2.
He insisted it was based on the
people's
right to know.

3.
“How,” I asked, “
can
you always be so forgetful?”

4.
I want you to meet my best friend
,
Bill
,
when he gets here.

5.
Although we have a competent staff
,
bottlenecks do occur.

6.
I did not receive the order; therefore, I will not pay my bill. (CORRECT)

7.
We offer a variety of drinks, for instance
,
beer and wine.

8.
Is that book
yours
?

9.
We have much to do
;
for example, the carpets need vacuuming.

10.
Estimates for the work have been forwarded, and a breakdown of costs has been included. (CORRECT)

11.
Because of his embezzling
,
the company went bankrupt.

12.
A proposal that makes harassment of whales illegal has just passed.

13.
He is the
president
of our corporation.

14.
Paolo hurried to the depot to meet his aunt and two cousins.

15.
Finish your job
;
it is imperative that you do.

16.
Sofia and Aidan's house was recently painted. (CORRECT)

17.
“Stop it!” I said
.
“Don't ever do that again.”

18.
He was born in Ames, Iowa
,
and still lives there.

19.
“Would you like to accompany me
?
” he asked.

20.
I have always had a mental block against
math
.

21.
He is a strong
,
healthy man.

22.
To apply for this job
,
you must have previous experience.

23.
Marge, the woman with blond hair
,
will be our speaker this evening.

24.
He thought quickly and then answered the question in complete detail.

25.
He asked if he could be excused
.

26.
It is hailing
,
not raining.

27.
We will grant you immunity if you decide to cooperate with us.

28.
You signed the contract
;
consequently
,
you must provide us with the raw materials.
OR
You signed the contract
.
Consequently
,
you must provide us with the raw materials.

29.
I would like
,
however, to read the fine print first.

30.
You are required to bring the following:
sleeping
bag, food, and a sewing kit.

31.
The three
companies'
computers were stolen.

32.
The
women's
department is upstairs and to your left.

33.
It hurt
its
paw.

34.
One of the
lawyers
left her briefcase.

35.
That's the
Texas
way of doing things.

36.
July 5, 1990
,
was the day I was born.

37.
I need to locate four states on the map: Arkansas, Ohio, Illinois, and Utah.

38.
The e-mail read, “Hi
,
Camille. I haven't heard from you in two weeks.”

39.
The veterinarian said, “Unless
it's
bleeding and doesn't stop, don't worry about it.”

40.
Not wanting to discuss this with her mother anymore, Wendy declared, “This is her karma
,
not mine.”

41.
You must study hard to get good grades at a major university.

42. One-fourth
of the police force voted for a pay raise.

43. Thirty-one
people were injured.

44.
I owe you
$15
, not $16.
OR
I owe you $15.00, not
$16.00
.

1.
Ophelia is picking up the food
,
and I am making the centerpieces.

2.
“Yes,” Ting said
,
“I did see the baby panda at the zoo today.”

3.
Her mother is planning a trip to Portland, Maine
,
in the fall this year.

4.
Patrick's name was on the guest list, wasn't it? (CORRECT)

5.
Yes, Mother
,
I did remember to place the bakery order.

6.
Jackson's white cat was born in June 2013 at his farm.

7.
Jackson's white cat was born on June 28
,
2013
,
at his farm.

8.
You may only bring the bare essentials to the exam, i.e.
,
a watch, a pencil or a pen, paper, and a calculator.

9.
Pencils, pens, paper, calculators, etc., will be provided. (CORRECT)

10.
I would be hesitant
,
however, to take the trip alone.

11.
He hosted a cowboy-themed party in the big red barn.

12.
It looks like A.J. Jefferson Jr. will be our next congressman.
OR
It looks like A.J. Jefferson, Jr.
,
will be our next congressman.

13.
If you are interested in working for our company
,
send us your résumé.

14.
My oldest cousin
,
who lives in Detroit
,
used to be a policeman.

15.
Jonathan Green
,
M.D
.,
will be the keynote speaker at the conference.

16.
The keynote speaker at the conference will be Jonathan Green, M.D.

17.
Well
,
do you think we'll see the sun today?

18.
Frank visited the travel agent but still did not book his trip.

19.
I want to go now
,
not later.

20.
I really enjoyed the show
. T
he acting was superb.
OR
I really enjoyed the show,
and
the acting was superb.

1.
I took Angie
,
the one with the freckles
,
to the movie last night.

2.
Jeremy and I have had our share of arguments.

3.
You are
,
I am sure, telling the truth.

4.
She left Albany, New York
,
on January 18 of that year.

5.
I need sugar, butter, and eggs from the grocery store.

6.
Dairy products, e.g.
,
milk, butter, eggs, etc.
,
are no longer foods I can eat.

7.
Please
,
Sasha, come home as soon as you can.

8.
Although you may be right
,
I cannot take your word for it.

9.
If you decide to cooperate with us
,
we will grant you immunity.

10.
I am typing a letter, and she is talking on the phone.

11.
She finished her work and then took a long lunch.

12.
Mae said, “Why don't you come up and see me sometime?”

13.
You said that I could go, didn't you? (CORRECT)

14.
To apply for this job, you must have a Social Security card.

15.
He seems to be such a lonely, quiet man, doesn't he?

16.
She wore a bright red dress. (CORRECT)

17.
She has a good, healthy attitude about her work.

18.
On June 7, 2012, Hector earned his computer science degree.

19.
I like anchovies on my pizza.
M
y wife hates them.
OR
I like anchovies on my pizza,
but
my wife hates them.

20.
Although my wife hates anchovies, I like them on my pizza.

1.
Denise prefers to eat chicken or fish
;
I'm a vegetarian.

2.
The centerpieces had her favorite flowers: roses, carnations, and daisies.

3.
They were missing a few things on their camping trip
;
namely
,
they forgot sunscreen, towels, and firewood.

4.
Please give me some time; I do not want to be rushed.

5.
While visiting the beach, we saw pelicans, stingrays, and iguanas.

6.
I would like to leave early in the morning
;
therefore
,
I am going to bed soon.

7.
On our last trip we stayed in Nashville, Tennessee
;
Atlanta, Georgia
;
and Orlando, Florida.

8.
The girls on the team will have quite a few expenses: uniforms
,
shoes
,
equipment
,
and camp fees.

9.
Estella landed her dream summer job: She'll be an intern in a senator's office. (CORRECT
OR
she'll)

10.
Roberto can't decide among three careers: dentist
,
veterinarian
,
or physical therapist.

11.
When Jane leaves, which will be in a few minutes, we can plan her party, but we still better do it quietly. (CORRECT)

12.
The players have only one goal: they want to win the Stanley Cup.
OR
The players have only one goal
;
they want to win the Stanley Cup.

13.
I need to buy shampoo, toothpaste, soap, and contact lens solution.

14.
Give her a break
;
she just started working here two days ago!

15.
The delegates came from our offices in Region 1, Boston
;
Region 2, New York
;
Region 6, Houston
;
and Region 10, Seattle.

16.
Her new supervisor gave her a list of rules to be followed at the office: no making personal phone calls, surfing the Internet, or reading magazines.

17.
Jobs were assigned to the shelter volunteers: clean the litter boxes, sweep the floors, feed the cats, and give them water.

18.
Max and Sue have been to the Caribbean many times
;
however
,
they have not visited St. Lucia.

19.
At the camp the children were divided into two groups: those who know how to swim and those who do not.

20.
Ashley was late for the rehearsal
;
she is usually late.