VV070 Week 5 Homework—Suggested Answers
1. Each of the following sentences needs either a comma or a semicolon. Put in the
necessary punctuation.
1) Many companies make sugar-free soft drinks, which are flavored by synthetic chemicals; the
drinks usually contain only one or two calories per serving.
2) The hill was covered with wildflowers; it was a beautiful sight.
3) The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on; everything was ready for the
guests' arrival.
4) He looked carefully in the underbrush, but he failed to notice the pair of green eyes staring at
him.
5) The dog, growling and snarling, snapped at me; I was so frightened that I ran.
6) San Francisco is my favorite city; in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.
7) I am not interested in a trip to Asia this year; however, I would like to go to Europe.
8) Our dog seems to have a built-in alarm clock; he wakes us up at exactly the same time every
morning.
We often use semicolons between main clauses related by however, for example, etc.
4. Rewrite the sentences so that they include a semicolon and the expression in
parenthesis.
1) Most music computers are too expensive for the average consumer. Digital keyboard
instruments can be inexpensive. They are widely available. (however)
Most music computers are too expensive for the average consumer; however, digital
keyboard instruments can be inexpensive and are widely available.
2) Inside the keyboard is a small computer. The computer controls a sound synthesizer. The
instrument can both process and produce music. (consequently)
Inside the keyboard is a small computer, which controls a sound synthesizer; consequently,
the instrument can both process and produce music.
3) The person playing the keyboard presses keys or manipulates other controls. The computer
and synthesizer convert these signals. The signals are converted into vibrations and sounds.
(immediately)
The person playing the keyboard presses keys or manipulates other controls; immediately,
the computer and synthesizer convert these signals, which are converted into vibrations
and sounds. (alternatively, you could place the semicolon and immediately in front of the
final clause)
4) The inexpensive keyboards can perform only a few functions. To the novice computer
musician, the range is exciting. The range includes drum rhythms and simulated instruments.
(still)
The inexpensive keyboards can perform only a few functions; still, the range is exciting to
the novice computer musician, as it includes drum rhythms and simulated instruments.
5) Would-be musicians can orchestrate whole songs. They start from just the melody lines. They
need never again play “Chopsticks.” (thus)
Would-be musicians can orchestrate whole songs by starting from just the melody lines;
thus, they need never again play “Chopsticks.”
CZENGLISH
Look at some of the sentences and try to identify the problems common to Czech learners of English.
(For more see Don Sparling: English or Czenglish)
A) The town has three theatres and two concert halls. Besides there are more than twenty cinemas.
(34)
-> confusing “besides” with “beside”.
B) This invention enabled to do twice as much work a day. (74)
-> enable is used with a person, so for example “enabled us”
C) I think he won’t come./* I want him not to go there./* John seems not to be very bright./ *
-> In English, the negative should be on the first of the two verbs, that is the main verb (e.g. “I
don’t think he will come,” “I don’t want him to go there,”…)
D) Everybody doesn’t agree with me./* Some teachers can’t understand that everyone isn’t
interested in their subjects. (154)
-> Here the negative should be with the subjects; “Not everybody agrees with me.” “Some teachers
can’t understand that not everyone is interested in their subjects.”