Although the humble comma is one of the most common punctuation marks, many people struggle to use it correctly.
Always use a comma after introductory words or phrases (i.e. dependent clauses) in complex sentences. Let’s look at a few simple examples:
After lunch, I went shopping.
To make a cake, you first need butter and sugar.
Tomorrow, I’m going home.
Hint
See how each introductory word or phrase clarifies or adds something to the sentence? That’s a big hint that you need a comma after it.
You also need a comma when you change the subject in the middle of a sentence. Let’s first look at an example that does not need a comma:
Tom is a great guy who wishes to become an astronaut one day.
Even though the sentence contains two verbs (“is” and “wishes”), you do not need a comma because the subject is “Tom” throughout the sentence. Now, let’s see where a comma comes into play in a similar sentence:
Tom is a great guy, and I hope he achieves his dream of being an astronaut one day.
In this example, you need a comma because the subject changes from “Tom” to “I”. Notice that these are two independent clauses, or clauses that can stand on their own as a sentence, joined by the conjunction “and.” Independent clauses need a comma and a conjunction to be combined grammatically.
Hint
Examine a sentence closely before deciding that it needs a comma. The second subject must perform a separate action for the comma to apply.
You also need to use commas when you make a list. Let’s examine a simple example:
I went to the store to buy eggs, milk, cream, and oranges.
The comma after “cream” is an Oxford comma, separating out the final items in a list of three or more things. It always precedes the word “and.” The Oxford comma (also called a serial comma) is sometimes deemed unnecessary in certain writing styles, but it should always be used because it provides extra clarity. Take the following two sentences:
My brother, my favorite person and my mortal enemy, walked into the room.
My brother, my favorite person, and my mortal enemy walked into the room.
See how the placement of the final comma changes the meaning of the sentence? The first sentence identifies the brother as someone the speaker loves and hates at the same time. The second sentence identifies three separate people.
Capitalization
You likely know how to capitalize a lot of things in your writing, even if those things don’t come at the beginning of a sentence. These are known as proper nouns, or nouns that refer to specific things. They include, but are not limited to, the following:
Names of people
Names of places
Days of the week
Months
Holidays
Titles of creative works
Although you’re likely experienced with capitalization, there are a few ways that the HiSET may try to trip you up. This includes official titles. Let’s look at a complex example:
Example: The president of the United States has many powers. In 2011, President Barack Obama signed many important laws, such as the American Taxpayer Relief Act.
“The” and “In” are capitalized because they start each sentence. “United States” and “Barack Obama” are capitalized because they refer to a specific place and person, respectively. “American Taxpayer Relief Act” is a law and thus a proper noun as well.
But what about “president” in the first sentence and “President” in the second sentence? You only capitalize titles if they immediately precede the person they’re describing. Here are a couple more examples of this rule.
I met Mayor Jenkins the other day. I think he’s the best mayor this town has ever had.
I don’t know what Director Simmons is thinking. The other directors don’t agree with his decisions.
Hint
If the title doesn’t refer to a specific person, don’t capitalize it.
Possessives vs. Contractions
The HiSET language arts: writing test requires that you know the difference between possessives and contractions. Although they both use apostrophes, they’re very different things.
A possessive shows ownership.
Jess’s car broke down yesterday.
My teacher’s desk is cluttered with tests.
If the possessive applies to more than one subject, put the apostrophe after the second subject.
My mom and dad’s home is over 100 years old.
Although “mom” lacks an apostrophe, “mom and dad” creates a single subject, meaning only one apostrophe is needed.
A contraction combines two words by using an apostrophe.
I am = I’m
They are = They’re
How is = How’s
He will = He’ll
Should not = Shouldn’t
Hint
The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to possessives and contractions is that the HiSET assesses your ability to not only use them correctly but also tell them apart. Figuring out whether the underlined portion of the text is using a possessive or contraction requires reading the entire sentence (and maybe the sentence before and after).
Homophones, Homonyms, and Heteronyms
Homonyms are words that look or sound the same but:
Have different meanings
May have a different spelling or pronunciation
Here are a few common homonyms.
Bat can refer to the flying mammal or what a batter uses in baseball
Letter can refer to a piece of mail or a letter of the alphabet
Orange can refer to the fruit or the color
Park can refer to a green space or an action of a vehicle
Ring can refer to jewelry or a sound
Rose can refer to the flower or the color
Homophones are a specific category of homonyms. They are words that have the same pronunciation but:
Have different meanings
Often have different spellings
Here are four pairs and one trio of homophones you need to know for test day success.
Affect: A verb.
“I affected the experiment by adding the chemical.”
Effect: A noun.
“An effect of the experiment was a scientific breakthrough.”
Board: A piece of wood.
“I bought 10 boards at the hardware store.”
Bored: Feeling uninterested.
“I’m always so bored in that class!”
Led: A verb.
“I led the horse to water.”
Lead: An element.
“Consuming lead is very dangerous.”
Principal: The head of a school.
“My principal is a nice guy.”
Principle: A rule or moral.
“The principle of the story is to play nice with others.”
There: Shows location.
“There is the ball.”
Their: Shows possession.
“Their cat is orange.”
They’re: A contraction of “They are.”
“They’re going to be late to school if they don’t hurry up.”
Remember that homophones are a type of homonym with this simple mnemonic: When talking through a phone, you hear words, but you don’t see them. Homophones sound the same–but they are spelled or used differently.
If the homonyms have different pronunciations, they are known as heteronyms.
Heteronyms are a bit rarer, but here are some you should know:
Although I live in Nashville, I drove all the way to Chicago to see a live concert.
The Polish vase I bought didn’t have a lot of polish on it.
After having lunch, I will resume writing my resume.
Hint
If a HiSET question asks about a homophone, homonym, or heteronym, read the surrounding sentences for context.
Mechanics Review Quiz
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(1) In 2019 archaeologists began excavating the Kalambo structure in Zambia, the oldest wooden structure ever discovered worldwide. Through a process called luminescence dating, the structure was determined to be 476,000 years old, so ancient that it was actually before the Homo sapien era.
According to one of the scientists reports, the wooden structure “involves the intentional shaping of two trees to create a framework of two interlocking supports.” The report gives us a better understanding of what early hominid ancestors had the ability to do hundreds of thousands of years ago. These hominids could carve logs with specific tools to hold them together and produce a platform. According to detailed logs of the archeological findings, another log of similar age was found not far from the excavation.
Other wooden tools were discovered in this area of africa but were not nearly as old as the Kalambo structure. According to archaeologists, wooden tools were used regularly in the Stone Age, even more than stone tools. However, it’s rare that wood is preserved for such lengths of time. Very few wooden structures have been found that are more than 100,000 years old.
Where in the underlined sentence is there an error in comma usage?
Correct
Incorrect
Question 2 of 8
2. Question
The Oldest Wooden Structure Ever Found
In 2019 archaeologists began excavating the Kalambo structure in Zambia, the oldest wooden structure ever discovered worldwide. Through a process called luminescence dating, the structure was determined to be 476,000 years old, so ancient that it was actually before the Homo sapien era.
(2) According to one of the scientists reports, the wooden structure “involves the intentional shaping of two trees to create a framework of two interlocking supports.” The report gives us a better understanding of what early hominid ancestors had the ability to do hundreds of thousands of years ago. These hominids could carve logs with specific tools to hold them together and produce a platform. According to detailed logs of the archeological findings, another log of similar age was found not far from the excavation.
Other wooden tools were discovered in this area of africa but were not nearly as old as the Kalambo structure. According to archaeologists, wooden tools were used regularly in the Stone Age, even more than stone tools. However, it’s rare that wood is preserved for such lengths of time. Very few wooden structures have been found that are more than 100,000 years old.
What would be the correct possessive form of the word scientist?
Correct
Incorrect
Question 3 of 8
3. Question
The Oldest Wooden Structure Ever Found
In 2019 archaeologists began excavating the Kalambo structure in Zambia, the oldest wooden structure ever discovered worldwide. Through a process called luminescence dating, the structure was determined to be 476,000 years old, so ancient that it was actually before the Homo sapien era.
According to one of the scientists report, the wooden structure “involves the intentional shaping of two trees to create a framework of two interlocking supports.” The report gives us a better understanding of what early hominid ancestors had the ability to do hundreds of thousands of years ago. These hominids could carve logs with specific tools to hold them together and produce a platform. (3) According to detailed logs of the archeological findings, another log of similar age was found not far from the excavation.
Other wooden tools were discovered in this area of africa but were not nearly as old as the Kalambo structure. According to archaeologists, wooden tools were used regularly in the Stone Age, even more than stone tools. However, it’s rare that wood is preserved for such lengths of time. Very few wooden structures have been found that are more than 100,000 years old.
The word “log” is repeated in the underlined sentence with two different meanings. This is an example of which of the following devices?
Correct
Incorrect
Question 4 of 8
4. Question
The Oldest Wooden Structure Ever Found
In 2019 archaeologists began excavating the Kalambo structure in Zambia, the oldest wooden structure ever discovered worldwide. Through a process called luminescence dating, the structure was determined to be 476,000 years old, so ancient that it was actually before the Homo sapien era.
According to one of the scientists reports, the wooden structure “involves the intentional shaping of two trees to create a framework of two interlocking supports.” The report gives us a better understanding of what early hominid ancestors had the ability to do hundreds of thousands of years ago. These hominids could carve logs with specific tools to hold them together and produce a platform. According to detailed logs of the archeological findings, another log of similar age was found not far from the excavation.
(4) Other wooden tools were discovered in this area of africa but were not nearly as old as the Kalambo structure. According to archaeologists, wooden tools were used regularly in the Stone Age, even more than stone tools. However, it’s rare that wood is preserved for such lengths of time. Very few wooden structures have been found that are more than 100,000 years old.
Which of the following words from the underlined sentence should be capitalized?
Correct
Incorrect
Question 5 of 8
5. Question
Questions 5–8 are based on the following passage.
The Advantages of Working From Home
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become a popular avenue for many employees. (5) The pandemic forced many offices to close down and communicate virtually through apps like slack. While the virus has since subsided, many businesses continue to operate in a remote manner and more individuals have sought remote work.
Working from home has many advantages that entice people. For starters, it allows them to multi-task and take care of other priorities while working, such as watching their kids or pets, doing chores during their breaks, and exercising. Additionally, youre able to work at your own pace and tackle projects at any time, freeing up your days as long as the boss is okay with it. Lastly, when you are under the weather, you don’t have to stress about going into work; you can work from home.
In the end, it’s all about comfort and what works best for you. Some people are effected too much by distractions at home while others become too bored sitting around an office all day and not moving around much; they need breaks. One thing is for certain: waking up from your own bed and relaxing in the morning and not feeling the pressure of having to fight through traffic is a really nice feeling that many people enjoy.
Which of the following words in the underlined sentence should be capitalized?
Correct
Incorrect
Question 6 of 8
6. Question
The Advantages of Working From Home
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become a popular avenue for many employees. The pandemic forced many offices to close down and communicate virtually through apps like slack. While the virus has since subsided, many businesses continue to operate in a remote manner and more individuals have sought remote work.
Working from home has many advantages that entice people. (6) For starters, it allows them to multi-task and take care of other priorities while working, such as watching their kids or pets, doing chores during their breaks, and exercising. Additionally, youre able to work at your own pace and tackle projects at any time, freeing up your days as long as the boss is okay with it. Lastly, when you are under the weather, you don’t have to stress about going into work; you can work from home.
In the end, it’s all about comfort and what works best for you. Some people are effected too much by distractions at home while others become too bored sitting around an office all day and not moving around much; they need breaks. One thing is for certain: waking up from your own bed and relaxing in the morning and not feeling the pressure of having to fight through traffic is a really nice feeling that many people enjoy.
Where is there an error in comma usage in the underlined sentence?
Correct
Incorrect
Question 7 of 8
7. Question
The Advantages of Working From Home
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become a popular avenue for many employees. The pandemic forced many offices to close down and communicate virtually through apps like slack. While the virus has since subsided, many businesses continue to operate in a remote manner and more individuals have sought remote work.
Working from home has many advantages that entice people. For starters, it allows them to multi-task and take care of other priorities while working, such as watching their kids or pets, doing chores during their breaks, and exercising. (7) Additionally, youre able to work at your own pace and tackle projects at any time, freeing up your days as long as the boss is okay with it. Lastly, when you are under the weather, you don’t have to stress about going into work; you can work from home.
In the end, it’s all about comfort and what works best for you. Some people are effected too much by distractions at home while others become too bored sitting around an office all day and not moving around much; they need breaks. One thing is for certain: waking up from your own bed and relaxing in the morning and not feeling the pressure of having to fight through traffic is a really nice feeling that many people enjoy.
Which of the following words in the underlined sentence should contain an apostrophe?
Correct
Incorrect
Question 8 of 8
8. Question
The Advantages of Working From Home
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become a popular avenue for many employees. The pandemic forced many offices to close down and communicate virtually through apps like slack. While the virus has since subsided, many businesses continue to operate in a remote manner and more individuals have sought remote work.
Working from home has many advantages that entice people. For starters, it allows them to multi-task and take care of other priorities while working, such as watching their kids or pets, doing chores during their breaks, and exercising. Additionally, youre able to work at your own pace and tackle projects at any time, freeing up your days as long as the boss is okay with it. Lastly, when you are under the weather, you don’t have to stress about going into work; you can work from home.
In the end, it’s all about comfort and what works best for you. (8) Some people are effected too much by distractions at home while others become too bored sitting around an office all day and not moving around much; they need breaks. One thing is for certain: waking up from your own bed and relaxing in the morning and not feeling the pressure of having to fight through traffic is a really nice feeling that many people enjoy.
Which homophone in the underlined sentence is incorrectly spelled based on its usage?
