Punctuation quiz.2

Michael Tomasky’s latest quiz. The answers are below out of sight:

1. Explain which two of the following four sentences are correct, and why:

a. I sliced the potatoes, and diced the onions.
b. I sliced the potatoes, and I diced the onions.
c. I sliced the potatoes and I diced the onions.
d. I sliced the potatoes and diced the onions.

2. In only one of the following two sentences, a comma should be placed between the two adjectives. Say which one and explain why:

He was a snappish surly fellow.
I first met her during a fierce summer storm.

3. One word in the following sentence is wrong. Identify it and explain why:

It’s not unusual for an old cat to lose its balance, but when it starts falling over while its just standing there, it’s time to worry.

ANSWERS:

1. Correct answers are b and d. When there’s a second noun (“I” in this case), you put a comma in after the first object. Where the second noun is not there and is merely understood, you don’t.

2. The first sentence takes a comma. The rule: If you can put an “and” between the adjectives and the sentence still makes sense, it takes a comma. One would not say “a fierce and summer storm,” so no comma.

3. Should be “while it’s just standing there.” Counterintuitively, its (no apostrophe) is the possessive form of it. The word it’s (with apostrophe) always and only is a contraction for it is.