Practice advanced grammar skills by revising sentences for correct mechanics, precise syntax, and clear meaning.
Read each problem carefully. Revise sentences when asked, and explain your reasoning when the prompt requires it.
Refining punctuation, sentence structure, and clarity
Language Arts - Grade 9-12
- 1
Add the necessary punctuation to this sentence: Although the experiment failed the first time the team revised the procedure and tried again.
- 2
Correct this comma splice: The evidence was convincing, however, the jury requested more time to deliberate.
- 3
Rewrite the sentence using a colon correctly: The committee focused on three goals increasing participation improving communication and reducing costs.
- 4
Revise the sentence for parallel structure: The coach expects players to arrive early, working hard, and that they support their teammates.
- 5
Revise the sentence to correct the dangling modifier: Walking through the museum, the ancient vase caught Lena's attention.
- 6
Revise the sentence to remove the ambiguous pronoun reference: When Maya told Jordan that she had won the scholarship, she smiled.
- 7
Combine these ideas into one polished sentence using subordination: The novel was published in 1925. It still influences writers today. It uses fragmented narration.
- 8
Choose the correct verb and explain why: The collection of rare maps is/are stored in the archive.
- 9
Add commas if needed: My brother who lives in Denver is visiting next week. Assume the speaker has only one brother.
- 10
Identify the dependent clause and the independent clause in this sentence: Because the power went out during the storm, the debate team postponed its online meeting.
- 11
Correct the punctuation in this sentence: The critic writes that the ending is "deliberately unresolved", and therefore invites multiple interpretations.
- 12
Revise the passive sentence into active voice unless the passive voice is more appropriate: A new attendance policy was approved by the student council after months of debate.
- 13
Insert commas only where they are needed: The hikers prepared for a long difficult journey and packed a bright red silk scarf for warmth.
- 14
Revise the sentence to correct the misplaced modifier: The teacher handed the essay to the student covered in notes.
- 15
Rewrite this sentence as a periodic sentence that delays the main idea until the end: The team finally won the championship after years of losses, difficult practices, and injured players.