
Grammar, Mechanics, and Syntax
Welcome! Please scroll down to find grammar, mechanics, and syntax notes, exercises, and handouts. Click on the underlined name of the file or link to view the content.
​
Prepositions
Infinitive Phrase Notes Sometimes confused with Prepositional Phrases
Pronouns
Interactive Pronoun Case Exercise 1
Interactive Pronoun Case Exercise 2
Interactive Pronoun Case Exercise 3
Interactive Pronoun Case Exercise 4
Interactive Pronoun Case Exercise 5
What is a Pronoun Reference Error?
Unclear Pronoun Reference in Writing
Interactive Pronoun Reference Exercise 1
Interactive Pronoun Reference Exercise 2
Interactive Pronoun Reference Exercise 3
Interactive Pronoun Reference Exercise 4
Interactive Pronoun Reference Exercise 5
​
Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement
Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement Notes
Fixing Pronoun Agreement Error Notes
Interactive Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement Exercise 1
Interactive Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement Exercise 2
Interactive Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement Exercise 3
Interactive Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement Exercise 4
Interactive Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement Exercise 5
Subject/Verb Agreement
Interactive Subject/Verb Agreement Exercise 1
Interactive Subject/Verb Agreement Exercise 2
Interactive Subject/Verb Agreement Exercise 3
Interactive Subject/Verb Agreement Exercise 4
Interactive Subject/Verb Agreement Exercise 5
​
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Fixing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers Notes
Misplaced and Dangling Modifier Examples
Interactive Misplaced/Dangling Modifier Exercise 1
Interactive Misplaced/Dangling Modifier Exercise 2
Interactive Misplaced/Dangling Modifier Exercise 3
Interactive Misplaced/Dangling Modifier Exercise 4
Interactive Misplaced/Dangling Modifier Exercise 5
​
Word Choice
There, Their, and They're Notes
Interactive There, Their, and They're Exercise 1
Interactive There, Their, and They're Exercise 2
Who/Whoever and Whom/Whomever Notes
Interactive Who/Whom Exercise 1
Interactive Who/Whom Exercise 2
Interactive Whose/Who's Exercise 1
Interactive Whose/Who's Exercise 2
Interactive Whoever/Whomever Exercise
Interactive Lose and Loose Exercise 1
Interactive Lose and Loose Exercise 2
Interactive To, Too, and Two Exercise 1
Interactive To, Too, and Two Exercise 2
Interactive Its and It's Exercise 1
Interactive Its and It's Exercise 2
​
Parallel Structure
Interactive Recognizing Parallel Structure Exercise
Sentence Structure
How to Write Clear, Concise, and Direct Sentences
What is Sentence Sprawl?
Identifying Sentence Fragments Notes
Sentence Fragment Examples
Punctuation Tips for Fixing Sentence Fragments Notes
Finding and Fixing Sentence Fragments Notes
Interactive Fixing Sentence Fragments Exercise 1
Interactive Fixing Sentence Fragments Exercise 2
Interactive Fixing Sentence Fragments Exercise 3
Comma Splice Notes
Identifying and Fixing Comma Splices and Fused Sentences Notes
Interactive Finding Comma Splice and Fused Sentence Exercise
Interactive Fixing Comma Splice and Fused Sentence Exercise
​
Commas ,
Introductory Element Comma Notes
Interrupting Element Comma Notes
Concluding Element Comma Notes
Commas with FANBOYs Notes
Commas with Essential/Non-Essential Clauses Notes
Commas with Adjectives Notes
Commas with So Notes
Comma Usage in Writing Notes
Interactive Comma Exercise 1
Interactive Comma Exercise 2
Interactive Comma Exercise 3
Interactive Comma Exercise 4
Interactive Comma Exercise 5
Common Uses for the Comma- Dates, Addresses, etc.
Unnecessary Comma Usage Examples
Dashes --
Using Dashes in Writing Notes
​
Hyphens -
How to Use a Hyphen Notes
Semicolons ;
How to Use a Semicolon Notes
More Semicolon Notes
​
Colons :
How to Use Colons Notes
Apostrophes '
How to Use Apostrophes Notes
Fixing Apostrophe Error Notes
Interactive Apostrophe Exercise 1
Interactive Apostrophe Exercise 2
Interactive Apostrophe Exercise 3
Interactive Apostrophe Exercise 4
Interactive Apostrophe Exercise 5
​
Brackets [ ]
How to Use Brackets Notes
​
Parentheses ( )
How to Use Parentheses Notes
​
Ellipses ...
How to Use Ellipses Notes
​
Quotation Marks " "
How to Use Quotation Marks with Evidence Notes
Using Quotation Marks with Fiction and Poetry Notes
​
​
Not sure if you turned something in? Wondering how you are doing in the course? Please visit Power School weekly to monitor your progress. Also, please check out the Guide to Understanding your Grades.