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Take the Punctuation Challenge!
Take the grammar, proofreading, and word choice challenges.

Also see FAQ punctuation.
 

 

 

1.  I'm not sure I like being tested, however, I'm curious about this assessment.


Correct


Incorrect

Which is it?  Click on your choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

1.  I'm not sure I like being tested[;] however, I'm curious about this assessment.

Or

.  I'm not sure I like being tested[.  H]owever, I'm curious about this assessment.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

Clicking Why? will take you to an illustration of the error in a 75-point checklist of common errors.

To return to your place in the Challenge, use your back arrow.

Note: Examples on the checklist illustrate the error or the incorrect usage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

1.  I'm not sure I like being tested[;] however, I'm curious about this assessment.
Or
1.  I'm not sure I like being tested[. H]owever, I'm curious about this assessment.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

Clicking Why? will take you to an illustration of the error in a 75-point checklist of common errors.

To return to your place in the Challenge, use your back arrow.

Note: Examples on the checklist illustrate the error or the incorrect usage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

+1.  I'm just sitting on the dock of this bay; therefore, I'm feeling pretty happy and relaxed.


Correct


Incorrect

Which is it?  Click on your choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+1.  I'm just sitting on the dock of this bay[;] therefore, I'm feeling pretty happy and relaxed.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+1.  I'm just sitting on the dock of this bay[;] therefore, I'm feeling pretty happy and relaxed.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

2.  But I do think it's important to write correctly; therefore, I'll give it a try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

2.  But I do think it's important to write correctly; therefore, I'll give it a try.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

2.  But I do think it's important to write correctly; therefore, I'll give it a try.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

+2.  I'd like to dangle my feet in the water, however, I'm afraid a fish will bite my toe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+2.  I'd like to dangle my feet in the water[;] however, I'm afraid a fish will bite my toe.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+2.  I'd like to dangle my feet in the water[;] however, I'm afraid a fish will bite my toe.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

3. So here goes, wish me luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

3. So here goes[.]  Wish me luck!

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

3. So here goes[.]  Wish me luck!

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

+3.  A beaver bit a woman on the leg once; I heard about it on the news.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+3.  A beaver bit a woman on the leg once[;] I heard about it on the news.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+3.  A beaver bit a woman on the leg once[;] I heard about it on the news.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

4.  June 3, 1994 was the last time I took a test like this – for my high school graduation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

4.  June 3, 1994[,] was the last time I took a test like this – for my high school graduation.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

4.  June 3, 1994[,] was the last time I took a test like this – for my high school graduation.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

+4.  I also saw the story in the August 13,
2004 edition of our newspaper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+4.  I also saw the story in the August 13,
2004[,] edition of our newspaper.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+4.  I also saw the story in the August 13,
2004[,] edition of our newspaper.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

5.  My boss, vice president of marketing, told me I had better shape up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

5.  My boss[,] vice president of marketing[,] told me I had better shape up.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

5.  My boss[,] vice president of marketing[,] told me I had better shape up.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

+5.  Anyway, I do love the lakes here – Minneapolis, Minnesota is a great place to live.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+5.  Anyway, I do love the lakes here – Minneapolis, Minnesota[,] is a great place to live.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+5.  Anyway, I do love the lakes here – Minneapolis, Minnesota[,] is a great place to live.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

6.  Also, Susan who is our department's editor, is tired of correcting my copy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

6.  Also, Susan[,] who is our department's editor, is tired of correcting my copy.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

6.  Also, Susan[,] who is our department's editor, is tired of correcting my copy.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

+6.  My wife who doesn't like fishing, will go canoeing with me as long as she doesn't have to paddle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+6.  My wife[,] who doesn't like fishing, will go canoeing with me as long as she doesn't have to paddle.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+6.  My wife[,] who doesn't like fishing, will go canoeing with me as long as she doesn't have to paddle.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

7.  Although, I don't think I'm so bad, people are always changing what I write.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

7.  Although[] I don't think I'm so bad, people are always changing what I write.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

7.  Although[] I don't think I'm so bad, people are always changing what I write.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

+7.  But, the winters here take some getting used to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+7.  But[] the winters here take some getting used to.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+7.  But[] the winters here take some getting used to.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

8.  Everyone says I need to do first-rate work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

8.  Everyone says I need to do first[-]rate work.

It was
 correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

8.  Everyone says I need to do first[-]rate work.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

+8.  Over time, however, you realize the beauty of winter is first rate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+8.  Over time, however, you realize the beauty of winter is first[]rate.

It was
 correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+8.  Over time, however, you realize the beauty of winter is first[]rate.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

9.  But to tell you the truth, I could use a week's vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

9.  But to tell you the truth, I could use a week[']s vacation.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

9.  But to tell you the truth, I could use a week's vacation.

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

+9.  Many visitor's trips are actually taken during January and February.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+9.  Many visitors['] trips are actually taken during January and February.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+9.  Many visitors['] trips are actually taken during January and February.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

10.  Here's what I'd like to do; sail during the day and dance at night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

10.  Here's what I'd like to do[:] sail during the day and dance at night.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

10.  Here's what I'd like to do[:] sail during the day and dance at night.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

+10.  Robert Frost described a snowy evening with these words: "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+10.  Robert Frost described a snowy evening with these words[:] "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep."

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+10.  Robert Frost described a snowy evening with these words[:] "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep."

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

11.  Anyway, I hope I'm doing an 'acceptable' job here, to use Susan's word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

11.  Anyway, I hope I'm doing an
["]acceptable["] job here, to use Susan's word.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

11.  Anyway, I hope I'm doing an
["]acceptable["] job here, to use Susan's word.

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Try again.     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

+11.  As my wife once said, "'Cold' is a relative term."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

+11.  As my wife once said, "[']Cold['] is a relative term."

It was
 correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

No!

+11.  As my wife once said, "[']Cold['] is a relative term."

It was
correct.


 

Why?     Next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

 

 

12.  (However, I think we need to define "acceptable").

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
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Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

                          No!

12.  (However, I think we need to define "acceptable[.]")

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Congratulations!

Once more, from the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Workshops and Seminars
 Copyright by Stephen Wilbers
www.wilbers.com
 

Take the Punctuation Challenge!

 

 

Yes!

12.  (However, I think we need to define "acceptable[.]")

Now it's
correct.

It was
incorrect.

Why?     Congratulations!

Once more, from the top.

 

 


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Error Checklist

Note: Examples illustrate the error or the incorrect usage.

Apostrophes     Commas: Missing, Nonrestrictive, Unnecessary     Parentheses

Quotation Marks     Semicolons & Colons     Unit Modifiers

 

Punctuation
Grammar, Word Choice, Spelling, Numbers, Format
 □ 1. Comma splices (commas used incorrectly between two complete sentences or main clauses, as in I just love those commas, they’re so much fun; instead use periods, semicolons, dashes, or conjunctions between complete sentences); especially with

□ a. however (as in I know what I know, however, I don’t know what you know)

□ b. therefore (as in She knows the rules, therefore, she makes few errors)

“Then, however, thus, hence, indeed, and therefore are adverbs rather than conjunctions and should be preceded by a semicolon [or a period] when used as a transition between the clauses of a compound sentence.”

□ 2. Missing commas

□ a. after titles (as in Thomas Carter, Account Executive_has provided exemplary leadership): “Use commas to set off a title following a name.”

□ b. in addresses (as in Minneapolis, Minnesota_is a nice place to live): “Use commas to set off individual parts of addresses and names of geographical places and political divisions.”

□ c. after the year in dates (as in On April 7, 1999_we began testing for Y2K compliance; but note: We began testing in April 1999): “Use commas around the year when it follows a specific date; do not use commas around the year when it is used with the month or season alone.”

□ d. after modifying words or phrases (as in Her boss, a superb writer_is a meticulous editor): “Use commas to set off a word, phrase, or clause that is in apposition to a noun unless it is necessary to complete the meaning of the sentence.”

□ e. after etc. when the sentence continues (as in I dressed, ate breakfast, fed the dog, brushed my teeth, etc._ before leaving for work).

□ f. after subordinate or dependent clauses (as in When she returned from Japan_she had to work hard to catch up on her schoolwork): “Use a comma after a dependent clause that precedes the main clause.”

□ g. with forms of direct address (as in Hi_John and Thanks_Susan_for meeting with us).

□ 3. Missing nonrestrictive commas (commas setting off nonessential elements, as in He distributed the quarterly report_ which indicated record earnings; but note that no comma is used with restrictive or essential elements, as in He distributed the report that emphasized positive trends, and he withheld the report that revealed potential problems): “If [an adjectival] phrase or clause is . . . nonrestrictive, set it off with commas. . . . If [the] phrase or clause is restrictive, do not set it off with commas.”

□ 4. Unnecessary commas

□ a. between subjects and verbs (often after restrictive or essential elements, as in The report that emphasized positive trends, was distributed to the board).

□ b. before restrictive elements (as in You need to tell me, when you are unhappy): “When a dependent clause following a main clause is restrictive, do not set off the clause with a comma.”

□ c. after conjunctions such as although, yet, and, but, or, and after such as (as in Although, there were two relevant reports, only one was distributed, and as in Your credibility will be undermined by common errors such as, unnecessary commas).

□ 5. Inconsistent use of serial commas. (The serial comma – the comma before the conjunction in a series of three or more items – may be used or omitted. Both practices are correct as long as one or the other is followed consistently.)

□ 6. Missing hyphens in unit modifiers (as in five year option for five-year option and long term project for long-term project): “In most cases, use a hyphen between words or between abbreviations and words combined to form a unit modifier that precedes the word modified.”

□ 7. Hyphens for dashes (as in Her resignation - a shock to everyone else - came as a relief to him, for Her resignation – a shock to everyone else – came as a relief to him): “In typewriting, use two hyphens . . . to indicate the em dash” (Note: Contrary to the U of M's recommendation to "close up the spaces before and after em and en dashes," I recommend that you leave a space before and after your dashes.).

□ 8. Missing apostrophes with possessive forms (as in my childrens toys for my children’s toys and two weeks vacation for two weeks’ vacation).

□ 9. Unnecessary apostrophes in plural words (as in We have three Harley’s for sale).

□ 10. Incorrect placement of apostrophes with singular and plural possessive forms (as in one students’ work for one student’s work and three student’s work for three students’ work).

□ 11. Unnecessary colons between verbs and their complements, and between prepositions and their objects (as in My three favorite vegetables are: broccoli, spinach, and radishes, and as in They bought three loads of: hay, wheat, and oats).

□ 12. Semicolons for colons (as in Dear John; and We have three concerns;).

□ 13. Semicolons between main clauses and subordinate clauses (as in There were four errors in my copy; although I proofread it carefully).

□ 14. Single quotation marks

□ a. for double quotation marks (as in He described the process as ‘inherently unfair’ for He described the process as “inherently unfair”).

□ b. for apostrophes in abbreviated years (as in ‘99 for ’99 – Note:  Apostrophes bend to the left; single open quotation marks bend to the right.).

□ 15. Periods and commas outside – rather than inside – closing quotation marks – as in He described the process as “inherently unfair”. “Place a comma or period following a quotation or part of a quotation inside the quotation marks.”

□ 16. Periods inside – rather than outside – closing parentheses when the sentence is only partly enclosed by parentheses, as in Here are more than 70 common errors (relating mainly to punctuation.); but when the sentence is completely enclosed by parentheses, as in (This is a very long list.), the period does go inside the closing parenthesis.

□ 17. Missing periods

□ a. between sentences, creating run-on sentences (as in She ran her best race ever he ran his worst).

□ b. after abbreviations (as in 8 am for 8 a.m., 10:45 pm for 10:45 p.m., and US for U.S.; but note inconsistency in standard usage: M.A., Ph.D., but MBA).

Grammar
(Punctuation, Word Choice, Spelling, Numbers, Format)

□ 18. Subject-verb nonagreement (as in The network of systems are not working).

□ 19. Nonparallel structure (as in She was healthy, wealthy, and an athlete)

□ 20. Sentence fragments (as in She was angry. Although she wouldn’t admit it.).

□ 21. Shifts in modified subject (also called misplaced modifiers, as in When pickled, I think herring tastes like caviar, and dangling modifiers, as in Working 12-hour days, the project was completed on time. In the second example, the implied subject fails to appear, which leaves the modifying phrase, working 12-hour days, dangling.).

□ 22. Shifts in person (as in If writers proofread carefully, you will find your errors).

□ 23. Incorrect pronoun case (as in Please send the memo to John and I or Please send the memo to John and myself rather than Please send the memo to John and me).

□ 24. Pronoun-antecedent nonagreement (as in A secretary who finishes their work early should be permitted to go home).

□ 25. Their for its in reference to an organization or company (as in The University of Minnesota and their students rather than The University of Minnesota and its students).

□ 26. Unclear or ambiguous pronoun antecedent (as in Susan told Georgia that her proposal had been accepted by the board).

□ 27. Shifts in verb tense (as in The team members worked on the project for three months, and they do a first-rate job), and incorrect verb tense.

Word Choice
(Punctuation, Grammar, Spelling, Numbers, Format)

□ 28. affect, effect

□ 29. alot for a lot

□ 30. alright for all right

□ 31. and/or

□ 32. assure for ensure
           or insure

□ 33. insure for ensure

□ 34. as for because
            or since

□ 35. bring for take

□ 36. comprised of
           for composed of

□ 37. convince, persuade

□ 38. i.e. for e.g.

□ 39. missing comma
            after i.e. or e.g.

□ 40. missing periods
            with i.e. or e.g.

□ 41. etc. after e.g.
         or for example

□ 42. farther, further

□ 43. it’s for its

□ 44. less, fewer

□ 45. towards for toward

□ 46. whether or not
         for whether

Confusing word pairs
 

□ 47. capital,
           capitol

□ 48. complement,
           compliment

□ 49. flout, flaunt

□ 50. personal,
           personnel

□ 51. principle,
           principal

□ 52. stationary,
           stationery

Additional word pairs

□ 53. choose, chose

□ 54. lead, led

□ 55. loose, lose

□ 56. they’re, their, there

□ 57. to, too

□ 58. you’re, your

□ 59. other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spelling
(Punctuation, Grammar, Word Choice, Numbers, Format)

□ 60. Names

□ 61. Compound words

□ 62. Spaced words spelled as solid words (as in Did you setup the room for the presentation?)

□ 63. Capitalization (as in web for Web and internet for Internet).

□ 64. Other:

Numbers
(Punctuation, Grammar, Word Choice, Spelling, Format)

□ 65. Words or figures: “In nonscientific writing, spell out exact numbers of less than 10; use figures for numbers of 10 or more.”

□ 66. In a series: “Treat consistently throughout a sentence or paragraph all numbers referring to the same category.”

□ 67. At sentence beginnings “When it is the first word of a sentence, spell out a number that would normally be written as a figure. If possible, rephrase a sentence to avoid beginning with a number.”

□ 68. Dates: “Do not use st, nd, rd, and th after dates to indicate ordinals” (as in We will meet again on April 15th).

□ 69. Money: “Do not use ciphers (zeros) with even dollar amounts, except for consistency within a series.”

□ 70. Legalese: “Do not repeat a spelled-out number in figures” – as in You have three (3) days to return these four (4) forms.

Format
(Punctuation, Grammar, Word Choice, Spelling, Numbers)

□ 71. Missing page numbers (on pages after the first page in a multiple-page document).

□ 72. Missing page identification lines (on pages after the first page in a multiple-page document).

□ 73. Page number on first page (page numbering should be suppressed on page 1; page numbering first appears on page 2).

□ 74. Full justification rather than left justification.

Proofreading

□ 75.

  
 

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