First 20

Question 1

Affect vs. Effect

Answer 1

Affect, as a verb, is to influence. Effect, as a verb, is to cause something. And as a noun, it brings result.

Question 2

Ages

Answer 2

The numbers are used for people and animals. And the numbers with hyphens for ages as adjectives before a noun or as substitutes for a noun.

Question 3

a.m., p.m.

Answer 3

Lowercase, with periods. Avoid the redundant 10a.m. this morning. Noon and midnight stand alone. Don’t use 12 noon or 12a.m.

Question 4

California

Answer 4

Spell out the names of all the states.

Question 5

Died

Answer 5

Use died, not passed away.

Question 6

Months

Answer 6

Always capitalize the names when alone or alone with a year. The months with long names use abbreviations when placed with a specific date. The months names five letter or less will always be spelled out.

Question 7

Over

Answer 7

It generally refers to spatial relationships, but is now acceptable when referring to a quantity.

Question 8

Seasons

Answer 8

Lowercase spring, summer, fall, winter and derivatives such as springtime unless part of a formal name. Only capitalize seasons when the exact year is included.

Question 9

Spacing

Answer 9

Use only one space between sentences.

Question 10

To

Answer 10

Use to between two dates, times or numerals.

Question 11

Quote marks

Answer 11

Use quote marks for exact, word-for-word comments. Put a comma inside the ending quote marks.

Question 12

Series of three or more

Answer 12

Do not use a comma before the word “and” when listing a series of three or more things.

Question 13

It’s vs. its

Answer 13

It’s is a contraction for it is or it has. Its is the possessive form of the neuter pronoun.

Question 14

Apostrophe

Answer 14

They are generally used to show possession. If the word ends with an S put the apostrophe after the S.

Question 15

Held vs. hold

Answer 15

Use held only in the literal sense. Don’t use held when referring to events, concerts, conventions, etc.

Question 16

Numerals

Answer 16

Spell out one through nine; 10 and higher use numerals. Avoid starting a sentence with a numeral. Use numerals for sports scores, percentages, court decisions, ratios, weights, and with million or billion.

Question 17

Percent

Answer 17

One word. It takes a singular verb when standing alone or when a singular word follows an of construction. It takes a plural verb when a plural word follows an of construction.

Question 18

Titles

Answer 18

In general, capitalize formal titles used directly before a person’s name. Use courtesy titles only in direct quotations.

Question 19

That,which (pronouns)

Answer 19

Use that and which in referring to inanimate objects and to animals without a name. Use that for essential clauses, important to the meaning of the sentence and without commas. Use which for nonessential clauses, where the pronoun is less necessary and use commas.

Question 20

Who,whom

Answer 20

Who is the pronoun used for references to human beings and to animals with a name. Whom is used when someone is the object of the verb or preposition.