Grammar Mechanics for Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test Study Guide

Semicolons

You may be asked to recognize errors involving the use of semicolons on the PPST Writing test. Review how to use this mark correctly in the following guidelines and examples:

1. Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses that are not joined by a conjunction.
2. Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses that contain commas, even if the clauses are joined by a conjunction.
3. Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses connected with a conjunctive adverb, such as however, therefore, then, thus, or moreover.

Colons

Colons are used to introduce elements and to show an equivalent relationship (almost like an equal sign in math). Follow these guidelines to recognize the correct use of commas:

1. Use a colon to introduce a list when the clause before the colon can stand as a complete sentence.
   These are the first-year teachers: Ellen, Ben, and Eliza.
   The first-year teachers are Ellen, Ben, and Eliza. (No colon here.)
2. Use a colon to introduce a restatement or elaboration of the previous clause.
   James enjoys teaching Measure for Measure each spring: it is his favorite play.
3. Use a colon to introduce a word, phrase, or clause that adds emphasis to the main body of the sentence.
   Carrie framed the check: it was the first paycheck she had ever earned.
4. Use a colon to introduce a formal quotation.
   Writer Gurney Williams offered this advice to parents: "Teaching creativity to your child isn't like teaching good manners. No one can paint a masterpiece by bowing to another person's precepts about elbows on the table."

Use the punctuation guidelines you have reviewed to answer this practice question.

1. Alternative medicine includes a range of practices outside of conventional medicine such as a herbs homeopathy, massage, yoga, and acupuncture increasing appeal for Americans.

Choice c is the correct answer. The semicolon does not work because it does not separate two independent clauses. It should be replaced with a comma, setting off the nonessential clause that begins with the word which.

Apostrophes

Apostrophes are used to show possession, contractions, and so on. Consider these eight rules for using apostrophes:

1. Add 's to form the singular possessive, even when the noun ends in s:
   Mr. Summers's essay convinced me.
2. Add 's to plural words not ending in s to show possession.
   The children's ability to absorb foreign language is astounding.
   The workshops focus on working women's needs.
3. Add ' to plural words ending in s to show possession.
   The students' grades improved each semester.
4. Add 's to indefinite pronouns that show ownership.
   Everyone's ability level should be considered.
5. Never use apostrophes with possessive pronouns.
   This experiment must be yours.
6. Use 's to form the plurals of letters, figures, and numbers, as well as expressions of time or money.
   Mind your p's and q's.
   The project was the result of a year's worth of work.
7. Add 's to the last word of a compound noun, compound subject, or name of a business or institution to show possession.
   The president-elect's speech riveted the audience.
   Gabbie and Michael's wedding is in October.
   The National Science Teachers Association's meeting will take place next week.
8. Use apostrophes to show that letters or words are omitted in contractions.
   Abby doesn't (does not) work today.
   Who's (who is) on first?

Capitalization

Capitalization is necessary both for specific words and to start sentences and quotations. The following are six instances when capitalization is needed:

1. the first word of the sentence
2. proper nouns (names of specific people, places, and things)
3. the first word of a complete quotation, but not a partial quotation
4. the first, last, and any other important words of a title
5. languages
6. the pronoun I, and any contractions made with it

Sometimes knowing when to capitalize a word is tricky. Look for these trouble spots on the PPST Writing test:

• Compass directions, such as east or west, are not capitalized unless they refer to a specific geographical area.
  The American Civil War was fought between the North and the South.
• Family relationships are not capitalized when they are preceded by a pronoun.
  I met my mother for lunch.
  Uncle Russ agreed to baby-sit, so that I could meet Mother for lunch.
• Seasons and parts of the academic year are not capitalized.
  I'll register for the course this fall.
• Words modified by proper adjectives are not capitalized, unless they are part of a proper name.
  Jacob recommended the Italian restaurant in his neighborhood.

Practice answering this usage question.

16. When Thomas Jefferson sent explorers Lewis and Clark into the he patterned their mission on the scientific methods to observe, collect, document and classify.

The answer is b. As a proper noun, the Enlightenment is correctly capitalized; however, the apostrophe is misplaced. To show possession, add 's to a singular noun. The West is correctly capitalized because it refers to a geographical region of the United States.