Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Worksheet #72
FOCUS Parentheses / Dashes
Use parentheses or dashes before and after words or ideas to explain or define the words or
ideas.
CONNECT TO WRITING
Information within a set of parentheses or dashes gives explanation or definition, but is not
needed to understand the sentence. The information within the parentheses or dashes can be a
word or a phrase.
Examples: Explanation The colors (green and blue) seemed perfect.
Definition The protocol‒rules to be followed‒was to save such tricks only for
a real dog fight.
If the added information is a complete thought, it should be written as a sentence with the period
outside of an ending parenthesis.
Example: Sentence Their plan was incomplete (They really did not think it through.)
PRACTICE
Place parentheses in the appropriate places in the following sentences. Don’t add in commas or
dashes.
1. Jackie Smith 1845-1910 worked in the women’s rights movement. You should read some of
her descriptive letters the ones to Charlene.
2. That new Bed and Breakfast it was once a barn is a popular rental with out-of-town visitors.
3. The Nile River the longest river in the world flows 4,000 miles through Egypt and the Sudan.
4. The common daisy Chrysanthemum leucanthemum can make a beautiful spring bouquet.
5. Thomas Jefferson the author of the Declaration of Independence seemed confused: he spoke
out against the evils of slavery, but he himself owned slaves.
6. As you turn right, you will notice a large yellow house the one with a white picket fence and
its remarkable front porch.
WRITE
Write your own sentence with parentheses.
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Grammar, Mechanics, Spelling, and Vocabulary ©2014 Pennington Publishing [Link]
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Worksheet Answers
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Worksheet #72 Practice Answers
1. Jackie Smith (1845-1910) worked in the women’s rights movement. You should read some of
her descriptive letters (the ones to Charlene).
2. That new Bed and Breakfast (it was once a barn) is a popular rental with out-of-town visitors.
3. The Nile River (the longest river in the world) flows 4,000 miles through Egypt and the
Sudan.
4. The common daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) can make a beautiful spring bouquet.
5. Thomas Jefferson (the author of the Declaration of Independence) seemed confused: he spoke
out against the evils of slavery, but he himself owned slaves.
6. As you turn right, you will notice a large yellow house (the one with a white picket fence) and
its remarkable front porch.
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Worksheet #73 Practice Answers
child’s, horse’s London’s, rose’s, Mom’s Nature’s, Life’s
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Worksheet #74 Practice Answers
1. Will the Firemen’s Ball be held on the same weekend as last year?
2. The Smiths’ house is perfect for our graduation party.
3. Will the puppies’ food change over the next month?
4. I think that the women’s group meets every other Tuesday at the clubhouse.
5. The Children’s Crusade was led by Nicholas in response to a dream.
6. Let’s watch the girls’ basketball game before we go miniature golfing.
7. Have the boys asked to borrow their parents’ cars for the night?
8. The county restaurants’ plans to offer any left-over food to the homeless were ambitious.
9. There is no doubt that workers’ rights to health have not been fulfilled.
10. That Thompsons’ front yard needs some major clean-up, if you ask me.
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Worksheet #75 Practice Answers
1. I need the following items: toothpaste, a toothbrush, a comb, and soap.
2. The magician performed a trick: It was more of a miracle.
3. The philosopher Santayana commented upon the value of history: Those who fail to learn
from history are doomed to repeat it.
4. Please play these pieces: “Aria and Fugue,” “Suite in D Major,” and “The 3 rd Symphony.”
5. Only one fact remains true: Things never happen as planned.
6. She knew the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
7. The principal’s rules were posted: Be Kind, Share with Others, Don’t Touch.
Grammar, Mechanics, Spelling, and Vocabulary ©2014 Pennington Publishing [Link]
