| Possessives | Contractions | Colons | Comma Usage in Sentences | Comma Usage in Quotations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Susie's family went shopping for holiday gifts.
Correct this - Susie's family went shopping for holiday gifts.
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Shortening one or two words
What do we use contractions for?
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A colon is used after a full sentence or independent clause to introduce something that illustrates, clarifies, or amplifies what was said in the sentence that preceded the colon.
When do you use a colon in your writing?
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Mr. Jeff was kind, thoughtful, and intelligent when he helped me with my homework.
Add commas where necessary - Mr. Jeff was kind thoughtful and intelligent when he helped me with my homework.
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Mr. DeNicolo said to the class, “your essays will be due next week.”
Add commas and/or quotes where necessary - Mr. DeNicolo said to the class your essays will be due next week.
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Mrs. Malino's hair is pretty.
Make this possessive - The hair of Mrs. Malino is pretty.
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I can't attend the swim meet anymore.
Make this a contraction - I cannot attend the swim meet anymore.
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Remember the old saying: be careful what you wish for.
Fix this - Remember the old saying be careful what you wish for.
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My pet parrot enjoys eating food flying around the house and imitating other people.
Add commas where necessary - My pet parrot enjoys eating food flying around the house and imitating other people.
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“I was so scared when I was attacked by the alien,” said Teddy, “but luckily, the police arrived just in time.”
Fix this - I was so scared when the alien attacked me said Teddy but luckily the police arrived just in time.
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The family's dog has golden fur.
Make this possessive - The dog of the family has golden fur.
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You're annoying me to no end.
Make this a contraction - You are annoying me to no end.
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If the second sentence explains or expands on the first one.
How can you use a colon to combine two sentences?
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“Caillou, I need you to clean the table before dinner.”
Add commas where necessary - “Caillou I need you to clean the table before dinner.”
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“I don’t like sand,” said Dequavis.
Fix this - I don’t like sand said Dequavis.
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Pinkalicious's show is fun and engaging for little kids.
or Pinkalicious' show is fun and engaging for little kids.
Correct this - Pinkalicious show is fun and engaging for little kids.
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I don't like your tone and I can't take it anymore, so go over there in the corner!
Make this a contraction and correct it - I do not like your tone and I cannot take it no more, so go over they're in the corner.
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Because the text that comes before the colon is not a complete sentence.
Why is the following sentence incorrect? Marshall’s favorite flavors of ice cream are: mint chip, chocolate, and cookie dough.
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Mrs. Smith, my next door neighbor, is going to be my fourth grade teacher!
Add commas where necessary - Mrs. Smith my next door neighbor is going to be my fourth grade teacher!
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“Nicholas, you need to stop forgetting about doing your project,” said Ms. Cusino.
Fix this - Nicholas you need to stop forgetting about doing your project said Ms. Cusino.
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Chris' dog always steals his cat's food.
or Chris's dog always steals his cat's food.
Correct this - Chris dog always steals his cats food.
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I'm not going to your party because you're a bad friend and I don't like you anymore!
Make this a contraction and correct it - I am not going to your party because your a bad friend and I do not like you no more!
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When the quotation is after an independent clause or complete sentence.
When do you use colons to introduce a quotation?
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Even with soccer practice, violin lessons, and debate class, Michael still found room to finish his homework.
Add commas where necessary - Even with soccer practice violin lessons and debate class Michael still found room to finish his homework.
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Mrs. Shalissa was not happy with her neighbor's (neighbors') new pigs. She said, “they always keep me up at night by snorting so loud.”
Adjust the incorrect comma usage - Mrs. Shalissa was not happy with her neighbors new pigs. She said, they always keep me up at night by snorting so loud.
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