English grammar explained in plain language simple enough to be understood.
A possessive noun shows ownership. We add an apostrophe -s ( ‘s ) onto a noun to show that the noun owns something. This is the boy’s bike. The ‘s on the end of boy shows that the boy owns… Read more163. The Apostrophe With Possessive Nouns
Use an apostrophe whenever you are talking about more than one number, letter, or symbol. Plural letters need an apostrophe. four B’s – I need four B’s to write my full name.seven X’s – I used seven X’s in this… Read more164. Apostrophes for Plural Letters, Numbers, and Symbols
Section A: Make each word pair into a one-word contraction by bumping out some letters and inserting an apostrophe. Example: can not = can’t1. does not 2. I will3. he is4. they are5. should not6. we are7. I am8. did… Read more165. Practice With Apostrophe and Colon
A hyphen ( – ) is a short dash used within certain words. We use a hyphen inside of number words. When we write a number larger than twenty using words, we need a hyphen.23 = twenty-three56 = fifty-six49 =… Read more166. Using the Hyphen With Numbers
We use a hyphen inside a two-word adjective when the adjective comes before the noun it describes.Here are some examples:a two-word adjectivea well-known authora high-profile clienta long-term contractan up-to-date computer system In each of these examples, the hyphenated adjective is… Read more167. Hyphenated Adjectives
A hyphen ( – ) is a short dash used inside certain words. Compound words are two words joined together as one. doghousefiremansnowflakeEach compound word is made up of two smaller words. Some compound words are spelled with a hyphen…. Read more168. Hyphenated Compound Words
Here are three prefixes that always use a hyphen when forming words: ex, all, self Use a hyphen after the prefix -ex when ex– means “former.”ex-girlfriendex-husbandex-presidentex-governorex-sister-in-law Use a hyphen after the prefix all- when all- is modifying a noun or… Read more169. Use a Hyphen With Certain Prefixes
Section A: In each sentence below, find the two words that need a hyphen. Write the new hyphenated word. One sentence does not get a hyphen.1. My cousin has twenty three chickens in his backyard coop.2. His home sits on… Read more170. Practice With Hyphenated Words
A dash ( – ) looks like a hyphen. A hyphen is used inside of words. A dash is used between parts of a sentence. Use a dash when you want to show an interruption in thought. I really need… Read more171. Using the Dash
Parentheses ( ) are a type of punctuation. Parentheses always come as a pair – in twos. We put parentheses around words and information that are not of major importance. The words in a parentheses can be left out and… Read more172. Parentheses