I. Comma
• Use a comma (,) to set off the words yes, no, or well at the beginning of a sentence.
• Use a comma to set off list of things.
• Use a comma when you use a person‟s name when you speak to him/her.
Examples. Yes, I am coming soon.
Cats, dogs, cows, hens, etc are domestic animals.
Teddy, did you see Marta?
Part I. put a comma where it is necessary.
1. No they are not getting ready.
2. Chair table shelf bed televisions etc. are household items.
3. Sure the solution will be found sooner.
4. Of course we love our country very much.
5. Students teachers directors janitors and guards are members of a school community.
6. Yes we have to love our country.
7. Well we will try all the best to find the solution.
8. Abel likes cookies candies chocolates and cakes.
9. Habtamu have you seen my brother?
10. Did you do your worksheet Zeritu?
11. Well you have to try again.
12. Where have you been Boja?
13. Absolutely the answer is correct.
14. Numbers one three five seven etc. are called odd number.
II. Quotation Marks
A direct quotation is the exact words that someone says.
Use a quotation mark („„ ‟‟) before and after a direct speech after a reporting word.
Reporting words
-asked -added -joked -answered
- said -replied -explained -warned
Examples:
- The students said, “we are free?”
- I asked, “are you really free?”
- Abel joked, “I‟m a king!”
Part II. Write the sentences. Put quotation mark around each direct speech.
1. Thomas said, learning is the key to success.
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2. He added, time is precious.
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3. He said, study hard and use your time.
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4. He explained, these two things are important.
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5. Helen joked, the prime minister is my friend.
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6. The boy argued, how dare you are!
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7. The teacher warned, you should be disciplined.
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8. The girl replied, ok I will be disciplined Mr.
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9. I asked, what is the problem?
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10. The man said, I don‟t have money for lunch.
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Part III. Use the reporting words from the box to complete the sentences below.
asked Replied answered
said exclaimed warned
Example: “Would you like to come?” asked Abebe.
1. “I studied hard.” ________________________Bersabeh.
2. “Do you read everything?” _______________Jafar.
3. “What an amazing question!” _________________________Hirut.
4. “Yes, I read everything.” _________________________Bersabeh.
5. “You must study hard!” ____________________________her father.
6. “Ok I will study hard.” _____________________________Bersabeh.
Part IV. Punctuate the following sentences. Fill the words from the box to the blank space.
asked replied explained
said shouted exclaimed
1. The exercise is so easy. _________________ Mr. Tenaw.
“The exercise is so easy.” Said, Mr. Tenaw.
2. What are you doing? _________________Mr. Tenaw.
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3. We are doing our class work. ______________________students.
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4. First read the questions very well._____________________Mr. Tenaw.
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5. Go out ! ______________________________student Henok.
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6. What the hell is this! ______________________ student Leul.
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7. Disturbing is not good. ___________________ Mr. Tenaw.
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III. Avoiding double negatives
• Avoid using double negatives in one sentence.
• Write a positive sentence instead of double negatives.
Read the following words. They are negative and positive forms.
Negative Positive
no any
none one, some, all
nothing anything, something
hardly Almost
nowhere anywhere ,somewhere
nobody/no one everyone, someone
never always, ever
neither either
Examples: double negative: I don’t never do that.
Negative meaning: I never do that.
Positive meaning: I always do that.
Part V. Avoid the double negatives in the following sentences.
1. She doesn‟t no have a book.
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2. Most people don‟t have no house.
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3. They boys aren‟t no playing.
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4. Eating isn‟t never wastage of something.
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5. I am not going no where.
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6. I don‟t like nothing.
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7. Corn isn‟t no vegetable.
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8. None doesn‟t like death.
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9. I can‟t go no school.
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10. Nothing no is bad. ____________________________________________________
Part V. Write sentences using the following negative words.
1 no There is no water in the jar.
2 none
3 nothing
4 hardly
5 nowhere
6 nobody
7 never
8 neither
9 no one
10 doesn‟t
1. Look at the picture. A discussion was going on in the park between two children. Imagine and write what the discussion in the park between those friends.
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2. Discuss and jot down the points to prepare a notice for the bulletin board. Use the given clues.
3. Fill in the grid given below by assigning qualities to each one.
4.Fill in the boxes with present and past participle
