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Terry was at the his father's cottage on the weekend. He was caught in a traffic jam on highway 400. (Try to find this on a map. It is in Ontario, Canada) In the car, he wrote a letter to the parents of Doug Wiley. Doug is a bad student that Terry wants to help. On Monday morning, Terry was so tired that he photocopied the letter and gave it to his students in the first class.

This is what the students read.


Dear Mr. and Mrs. Wiley:
  1. Douglas your son is a student in my history class.
  2. He arrived in my classroom on May 24 1998.
  3. He told me that your address was 67 Spadina Road Thorold Ontario, L2N 4T5.
  4. I visited this address last week.
  5. The house while very nice was occupied by a motorcycle gang.
  6. Although they were busy they found the time to inspect my wallet.
  7. The reason I am writing is because of Doug's memory problems.
  8. He has lost his notebook textbook and lucky pen.
  9. I have recommeded that he visit Annette Gaul M.D. next week.
  10. Dr. Gaul is a hypnotherapist, this should help with Doug's problem,
  11. Good Luck,
  12. Terry Ibrahim


Below indicate if the lines above are correct or if there is a problem. Also describe the rule that is broken in the incorrect lines.

#
Correct
Incorrect
If the line is incorrect, explain why.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
  • Show / Hide the Answers

      1.     erroneous - Douglas, your son, is a student in my history class.
      (use commas to set off additional information)

      2.     erroneous - May 24, 1998
      (when the day month and year are present put a comma between the day and the year)

      3.     erroneous - 67 Spadina Road, Thorold, Ontario L2N 4T5.
      (use commas to separate parts of an address except between the state/province and the zip,post or postal code)

      4.     correct

      5.     erroneous - The house, while very nice, was
      (use commas to set off clauses and phrases that provide unecessary information)

      6.     erroneous - Although they were busy, they
      (use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase or word)

      7.     correct

      8.     erroneous - notebook, textbook, and lucky pen
      (commas separate three or more items in a series- the last comma can be omitted)

      9.     erroneous - Annette Gaul, M.D., next week
      (use a comma when a title or degree follows a person's name)

      10.   erroneous - Dr. Gaul is a hypnotherapist. This should help with Doug's problem.
      (use a period to end a sentence)

      11.   correct (you may omit the comma)

      12.   correct


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