The GED Language Arts,Writing Exam - Mechanics

M
ECHANICS
refers to the rules that govern punctuation marks, capitalization, and spelling. Like the
rules that govern usage, the rules that govern sentence mechanics help us keep our sentences and
their meanings clear.
Since the GED Writing Test was revised in 2002, the only spelling that is tested is homonyms, possessives, and con-
tractions. Correct use of punctuation will be tested, but comma questions will generally be limited to instances where
a comma is necessary to eliminate or prevent confusion.
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Punctuation
Punctuation marks are the symbols used to separate sentences, express emotions, and show relationships between
objects and ideas. Correct punctuation makes your meaning clear and adds drama and style to your sentences. Poor
punctuation, on the other hand, can lead to a great deal of confusion for your readers and can send a message other
than the one you intended. For example, take a look at the following two versions of the same sentence:
Don’t bother Xavier.
Don’t bother, Xavier.
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CHAPTER
8
Mechanics
WHEN DO you need a comma? When should you use a dash or
semicolon? How do you know when something should be capitalized?
These questions and more will be answered in this chapter. You will
review the basic rules of mechanics so that you can answer GED
questions about spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
These sentences use the same words, but have two
very different meanings because of punctuation. In the
first sentence, the comma indicates the speaker is telling
the reader not to bother Xavier. In the second sentence,
the speaker is telling Xavier not to bother. Here’s
another example of how punctuation can drastically

affect meaning:
You should eat Zak so you can think clearly dur-
ing your interview.
Because this sentence is missing some essential punc-
tuation, the sentence says something very different from
what the author intended. The speaker isn’t telling the
reader to eat Zak; rather, she’s telling Zak to eat. The sen-
tence should be revised as follows:
You should eat, Zak, so you can think clearly dur-
ing your interview.
Punctuation helps create meaning, and it also has
another important function: It enables writers to express
a variety of tones and emotions. For example, take a look
at these two versions of the same sentence:
Wait—I’m coming with you!
Wait, I’m coming with you.
The first sentence clearly expresses more urgency and
excitement, thanks to the dash and exclamation point.
The second sentence, with its comma and period, does
not express emotion; the sentence is neutral.
Punctuation Guidelines
There are many rules for punctuation, and the better you
know them, the more correctly and effectively you can
punctuate your sentences. The following table lists the
main punctuation marks and guidelines for when to use
them.
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YOUR PURPOSE: USE THIS PUNCTUATION: EXAMPLE:
End a sentence period [.] Most sentences end in a period.
Connect complete sentences semicolon [;] A semicolon can connect two
(two independent clauses) sentences; it is an excellent way to
show that two ideas are related.
comma [,] and a conjunction Leslie is coming, but Huang is staying
[and, or, nor, for, so, but, yet] home.
dash [—] (less common, but Hurry up—we’re late!
more dramatic)
Connect items in a list comma [,] but if one or more His odd shopping list included
items in that list already have a batteries, a box of envelopes, and a
comma, use a semicolon [;] can of spam.
The castaways included a professor,
who was the group’s leader; an
actress; and a millionaire and his
wife.
Introduce a list of three or colon [:] There are three things I want to do
more items before I die: go on a cruise, go sky-
diving, and surf.
Colons have three functions: intro-
ducing long lists, introducing quota-
tions, and introducing explanations.
Introduce an explanation colon [:] You know what they say about real
(what follows “explains” or estate: Location is everything.
“answers” what precedes)
Introduce a quotation colon [:] or comma [,] She yelled, “Let’s get out of here!”
(words directly spoken) He said only one word: “Shame.”
Indicate a quotation quotation marks [“ ”] “To be or not to be?” is one of the
most famous lines from Hamlet.
Indicate a question question mark [?] What time is it?

“How much longer?” he asked.
Connect two words that work hyphen [-] mother-in-law, turn-of-the-century
together as one object or modifier poet, French-fried potatoes
Separate a word or phrase dash [—] I never lie—never.
for emphasis
We’re late—very late!
Separate a word or phrase that commas [,] Elaine, my roommate, is from
is relevant but not essential Chicago.
information Her nickname as a child, her mother
told me, was “Boo-boo.”
Separate a word or phrase that parentheses [( )] There is an exception to every rule
is relevant but secondary (including this one).
information
Show possession or contraction apostrophe [’] Why is Lisa’s wallet in Ben’s
backpack?
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Comma Rules
Many mechanics questions will deal with commas, the
most common punctuation mark within sentences. The
presence and placement of commas can dramatically
affect meaning and can make the difference between
clarity and confusion. The previous chart lists four
comma uses, but there are several others. The following
is a complete list of comma rules. If you know them, then
you can be sure your sentences are clear. You will also
be able to tell whether a comma is needed to correct a
sentence.

Use a comma:
1. with a coordinating conjunction to separate two
complete sentences. Note that a comma is not
required if both parts of the sentence are 4 words
or less.
Let’s eat first, and then we will go to a movie.
I’m definitely older, but I don’t think I’m
much wiser.
I love him and he loves me.
2. to set off introductory words, phrases, or clauses.
Next year, I will stick to my New Year’s
resolutions.
Wow, that sure looks good!
Because the game was cancelled, Jane took the
kids bowling.
3. to set off a direct address, interjection, or transi-
tional phrase.
Well, Jeb, it looks like we will be stuck here for
a while.
His hair color is a little, um, unusual.
My heavens, this is spicy chili!
Sea horses, for example, are unusual in that
the males carry the embryos.
4. between two modifiers that and could replace.
He is a mean, contemptible person.
(Both mean and contemptible modify
person.)
I
ncorrect: Denny’s old, stamp collection is
priceless.

C
orrect: Denny’s old stamp collection is
priceless.
(You cannot put “and” between old and
stamp; old describes stamp and stamp modi-
fies collection. They do not modify the same
noun.)
5. to set off information that is relevant but not
essential (nonrestrictive).
Essential, not set off:
The woman w
ho wrote Happy Moon is com-
ing to our local bookstore.
(We need this information to know which
woman we’re talking about.)
Nonessential, set off by commas:
The dog, lost and confused, wandered into the
street.
(The fact that the dog was lost and confused
is not essential to the sentence.)
Essential, not set off:
Witnesses w
ho lie under oath will be
prosecuted.
Nonessential, set off by commas:
Leeland, who at first refused to testify, later
admitted to lying under oath.
6. to separate items in a series.
The price for the cruise includes breakfast,
lunch, dinner, and entertainment.

The recipe calls for fresh cilantro, chopped
onions, diced tomatoes, and lemon juice.
7. to set off most quotations. As a general rule,
short quotations are introduced by commas
while long quotations (several sentences or
more) are introduced by colons. All speech in
dialogue should be set off by commas.
“Let’s get going,” he said impatiently.
Rene Descartes is famous for the words, “I
think, therefore I am.”
Joseph said, “Please forgive me for jumping to
conclusions.”
8. to set off parts of dates, numbers, titles, and
addresses.
She was born on April 30, 2002.
Please print 3,000 copies.
Tiberio Mendola, MD, is my new doctor.
Please deliver the package to me at 30 Willow
Road, Trenton, NJ.
9. to prevent confusion, as in cases when a word is
repeated.
What it is, is a big mistake.
After I, comes J.
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Capitalization
Capitalization is an important tool to help us identify (1)

the beginning of a new sentence and (2) proper nouns
and adjectives. Here are six rules for correct capitalization:
1. Capitalize the first word of a sentence.
Please close the door.
What are you trying to say?
If you are quoting a full sentence within your
own sentence, use a capital letter, unless you
introduce the quote with that.
The author notes, “A shocking three out of
four students admitted to cheating.”
The author notes that “a shocking three out of
four students admitted to cheating.”
If you have a full sentence within parentheses,
that sentence should be capitalized as well (and
the end punctuation mark should be within the
parentheses).
He was expelled for repeatedly violating the
school’s code of conduct. (He was caught
stealing and cheating several times.)
2. Capitalize proper nouns. A proper noun is the
name of a specific person, place, or thing (as
opposed to a general person, place, or thing). See
the table at the bottom of this page.
3. Capitalize the days of the weeks and months of
the year, but not the seasons.
It was a warm spring day in May.
Wednesday is the first official day of autumn.
4. Capitalize the names of countries, nationalities,
geographical regions, languages, and religions.
He has traveled to Brazil and Tunisia.

She is half Chinese, half French.
She is from the South.
(But, Drive south for five miles.)
We speak Spanish at home.
He is a devout Catholic.
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CAPITALIZE (SPECIFIC) DON’T CAPITALIZE (GENERAL)
Jennifer Johnson (specific person) the lady
Algebra 101 (specific class) my math class
Main Street (specific street) on the street
Frosted Flakes (specific brand) good cereal
Caspian Sea (specific sea) deep sea/ocean
Lincoln Memorial (specific monument) impressive memorial/monument
S.S. Cole (specific ship) naval carrier
Dade High School (specific school) our high school
Precambrian Age (specific time period) long ago
Microsoft Corporation (specific company) that company