Grammar worksheet focusing on proper use of commas, semicolons, and colons.

Problem Description:

The task involves analyzing a series of sentences and determining whether they require commas, semicolons, or colons. The goal is to identify the correct punctuation for each sentence based on its structure and meaning.

Solution:

Let's go through each sentence one by one and determine the appropriate punctuation:

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#### 1. My orthodontist who just came back from a trip to Hawaii tightened my braces.
- Analysis: This sentence contains a non-restrictive clause ("who just came back from a trip to Hawaii"). Non-restrictive clauses are set off with commas.
- Correct Punctuation:
My orthodontist, who just came back from a trip to Hawaii, tightened my braces.

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#### 2. The new plants however did not survive the frost.
- Analysis: "However" is a conjunctive adverb that connects two independent clauses. It should be preceded by a comma.
- Correct Punctuation:
The new plants, however, did not survive the frost.

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#### 3. If it rains the picnic will be postponed until next week.
- Analysis: This is a conditional sentence with an "if" clause. No additional punctuation is needed here.
- Correct Punctuation:
If it rains, the picnic will be postponed until next week.

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#### 4. That student driver narrowly passed down this accumulation avoided the log and put the car in gear.
- Analysis: This sentence is missing proper punctuation to separate the actions. A comma is needed after "accumulation."
- Correct Punctuation:
That student driver narrowly passed down this accumulation, avoided the log, and put the car in gear.

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#### 5. We hauled along those items the ranger suggested and then we ate at a fine diner.
- Analysis: The phrase "the ranger suggested" is a restrictive clause modifying "those items." No comma is needed before it. However, the sentence could benefit from a semicolon to separate the two main ideas.
- Correct Punctuation:
We hauled along those items the ranger suggested; then we ate at a fine diner.

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#### 6. The company picnic was canceled because it rained all day.
- Analysis: This sentence is clear as is. No additional punctuation is needed.
- Correct Punctuation:
The company picnic was canceled because it rained all day.

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#### 7. I have sent several Family Value cards to many of my friends every year (I never placed my name on them).
- Analysis: The parentheses are correctly used here to provide additional information. No further punctuation is needed.
- Correct Punctuation:
I have sent several Family Value cards to many of my friends every year (I never placed my name on them).

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#### 8. Your benefits package includes guaranteed stock options, employee contributions to your 401(k), and unlimited vacation time.
- Analysis: This is a list of three items. Commas are correctly used to separate the items.
- Correct Punctuation:
Your benefits package includes guaranteed stock options, employee contributions to your 401(k), and unlimited vacation time.

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#### 9. Sand is an important natural resource, for example, it helps to slow down hurricanes.
- Analysis: The phrase "for example" is a parenthetical expression and should be set off with commas.
- Correct Punctuation:
Sand is an important natural resource, for example, it helps to slow down hurricanes.

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#### 10. Over the hillside wildflowers had bloomed since the sun came up in May.
- Analysis: This sentence is clear as is. No additional punctuation is needed.
- Correct Punctuation:
Over the hillside wildflowers had bloomed since the sun came up in May.

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#### 11. The modern well-built home looks out over the valley.
- Analysis: This sentence is clear as is. No additional punctuation is needed.
- Correct Punctuation:
The modern well-built home looks out over the valley.

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#### 12. You probably would agree that Sara is not unusual, hear about what she wants to do during summer break.
- Analysis: This sentence is incomplete and lacks proper punctuation. It appears to need a colon or semicolon to introduce the second part.
- Correct Punctuation:
You probably would agree that Sara is not unusual: hear about what she wants to do during summer break.

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#### 13. Running along the beach the child slipped and fell.
- Analysis: The participial phrase "Running along the beach" modifies the subject "the child." A comma is needed to set it off.
- Correct Punctuation:
Running along the beach, the child slipped and fell.

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#### 14. The Bradford Pear tree which blooms in the early spring is a very fragile tree.
- Analysis: The phrase "which blooms in the early spring" is a restrictive clause and does not require a comma.
- Correct Punctuation:
The Bradford Pear tree which blooms in the early spring is a very fragile tree.

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#### 15. We fished and swam in the river, then we sang songs by the campfire.
- Analysis: This sentence is clear as is. No additional punctuation is needed.
- Correct Punctuation:
We fished and swam in the river, then we sang songs by the campfire.

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#### 16. Please cancel delivery of our newspaper beginning Tuesday August 3rd.
- Analysis: This sentence is clear as is. No additional punctuation is needed.
- Correct Punctuation:
Please cancel delivery of our newspaper beginning Tuesday, August 3rd.

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#### 17. Please add the following items to my to-do list fill car up, pack suitcase, and shut down computer.
- Analysis: This sentence is a list of items. Commas are needed to separate the items.
- Correct Punctuation:
Please add the following items to my to-do list: fill car up, pack suitcase, and shut down computer.

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Final Answer:

Here are the corrected sentences with the appropriate punctuation:

1. My orthodontist, who just came back from a trip to Hawaii, tightened my braces.
2. The new plants, however, did not survive the frost.
3. If it rains, the picnic will be postponed until next week.
4. That student driver narrowly passed down this accumulation, avoided the log, and put the car in gear.
5. We hauled along those items the ranger suggested; then we ate at a fine diner.
6. The company picnic was canceled because it rained all day.
7. I have sent several Family Value cards to many of my friends every year (I never placed my name on them).
8. Your benefits package includes guaranteed stock options, employee contributions to your 401(k), and unlimited vacation time.
9. Sand is an important natural resource, for example, it helps to slow down hurricanes.
10. Over the hillside wildflowers had bloomed since the sun came up in May.
11. The modern well-built home looks out over the valley.
12. You probably would agree that Sara is not unusual: hear about what she wants to do during summer break.
13. Running along the beach, the child slipped and fell.
14. The Bradford Pear tree which blooms in the early spring is a very fragile tree.
15. We fished and swam in the river, then we sang songs by the campfire.
16. Please cancel delivery of our newspaper beginning Tuesday, August 3rd.
17. Please add the following items to my to-do list: fill car up, pack suitcase, and shut down computer.

Final Answer: \boxed{\text{See above for corrected sentences.}}