Simple Stuff (Things you should have learned before high school)

You have to get 90% for these to count.  If you don't, keep trying until you do.  Use the explanation page and/or ask for help if you need it.  
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Feel free to split your screen like this.
By Jan. 17:
​Click here for the Google doc. By Jan. 31:
​Click here for the Google doc.
By Feb. 14:
​Click here for the Google doc. By March 4:
Don't email me the screenshots. Put them on your "Unit 1" PDF.
By March 25:​
Don't email me the screenshots. Put them on your "Unit 2" PDF.

​Capitalizing Nouns

Quick Tip:
Capitalize names and words you're using like a name.
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • Capitalize a noun if it's a name, because it points out a specific person, place, thing, or idea.  They're called "proper nouns."  El Dorado High School is a great school.
  • A title, like "president" or "principal," should be capitalized ONLY if you're using it like a name, NOT if you have "the," "our," etc., in front of it.  President Trump said ... [You're using it like it's part of his name.]
    Donald Trump is the 45th president. [You're NOT using it like it's his name.] 
  • The same thing is true for dad, mom, uncle, aunt, cousin, etc.
    Hey, Dad, can you come help me?  [You're using it like it's his name.]
    My mom works at the penitentiary.  [You're NOT using it like it's her name.]
    Have you met my brother?  [You wouldn't write "my Paul," so you also wouldn't write "my Brother."]
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Regular Plurals

Quick Tip:
For most nouns, just add -s or -es to make them plural (more than one).
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • The vast majority of words just use -s.
    computer ➔ computers
  • If the word end with an -e, still just add -s.
    phone ➔ phones
  • Use -es if the noun ends with ch, s, sh, x, or z.
    church ➔ churches
    fox ➔ foxes​
  • There are irregular plurals, but you'll practice them in a different exercise.
  • NEVER use an apostrophe to make a word plural!  NEVER EVER!!  DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Plurals Ending with -f

Quick Tip:
To decide between -s and -ves, say it out loud and see if you hear a v or an f.
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • For most nouns that end with -f or -fe, make them plural (more than one) by changing the ending to -ves.
    wolf ➔ wolves
    life ➔ lives
  • But sometimes you just add -s instead.
    chief ➔ chiefs
    roof ➔ roofs
  • NEVER use an apostrophe to make a word plural!  NEVER EVER!!  DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Plurals Ending with -y

Quick Tip:
For words that end with -y, you use either -ies or just -s.
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • For most nouns that end with -y, make them plural (more than one) by changing the ending to -ies.
    baby ➔ babies 
    French fry ➔ French fries
  • If there’s a vowel (a, e, i, o, or u) before the -y, just add -s. 
    key ➔ keys 
    day ➔ days    ​
  • NEVER use an apostrophe to make a word plural!  NEVER EVER!!  DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Irregular Plurals

Quick Tip:
There isn't a rule for these, but they're not hard to remember.
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • Some nouns don't follow the regular patterns for making words plural, so they're called "irregular plurals." 
  • Here are some basic patterns that sometimes work:
    • -sis ➔ ses  crisis ➔ crises
    • -an ➔ -en  man ➔ men
    • -us ➔ -i  cactus ➔ cacti
    • -o ➔ -oes  potato ➔ potatoes
    • -on ➔ -a  criterion ➔ criteria
    • -ee-  ➔ [no change]  deer ➔ deer
  • There are a few things you can do:
    • Just remember them.
    • Go with what sounds right (but you still have to spell it right).
    • Look it up online.
  • If you look it up, it will usually tell you how to spell the plural.  If it doesn't then you probably just add -s or -es.
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After the word "plural," it tells you how to spell it.
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Plurals Review

Quick Tip:
This is a review of the last four exercises, so you can look back at those explanations and/or use the picture to the right. ➔
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • We've practiced several patterns for making words plural, so this is a review of all of them combined.

Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Adjectives

Quick Tip:
Adjectives describe nouns, like a blue car or a large​ pizza.
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • They usually tell you...
    • Which one?
      the first goal
    • What kind?
      an amazing day
    • How many? 
      only three times
  • They can be... 
    • before a noun
      My English teacher is the best!
    • after a form of BE (is, am, are, was, were, be, being & been)
      I didn't know she was younger than I am.
    • after a linking verb
      The new coach seems cool.​

Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Degrees of Adjectives

Quick Tip:
Short words = er/est
Longer words = more/most
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • For most one-syllable words, add -er or -est.    
    old ➔ older/oldest
  • For words with three or more syllables, put more/most or less/least in front of the word.    
    beautiful ➔ more/most beautiful    
    difficult ➔less/least difficult
  • For two-syllable words, it depends on the word.  Just go with what sounds right or look it up online.
    narrow ➔ narrower/narrowest
    peaceful ➔ more/most peaceful
  • For one-/two-syllable words that end with -y, use -ier or -iest.    
    friendly ➔ friendlier/friendliest
  • A few words use completely different forms:
    good➔better/best 
    bad➔worse/worst 
    little➔less/least 
    many➔more/most
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Adverbs

Quick Tip:
Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.  
They usually end with -ly, but not always.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • They usually tell you...
    • How?
      She types quickly.
    • When?
      He arrived early in the morning.
    • Where?
      I think I left my phone downstairs.
    • To what degree (how much)?
      We've been extremely busy.  (describing the adjective "busy")
      She types really quickly.  (describing the adverb "quickly")
  • Other notes:
    • ​Some adverbs don't end with -ly:
      She types fast.
    • Sometimes the -ly form is a completely different word:
      hard ≠ hardly​

A lot of people use an adjective when they should use an adverb.
  • Wrong: I eat really slow.  
    It should be "slowly" because "eat" is something you DO.
  • Wrong: Hold on a second.  Just let me brush my hair real quick.
    It should be "quickly" because "brush" is something you DO.
    It should be "really" because it tells HOW quickly you're going to do it.
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Good/Well

Quick Tip:
If it's something you DO, use "well."
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • ​Use "good" to describe a noun:
    That’s a really good song.  [It's describing the song.]
    He's a good pitcher.  [It's describing the pitcher.]
  • Use "well" to describe an action:
    He sings really well.  [It's describing how he sings.]
    He pitches really well.  [It's describing how he pitches.]
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Past Tense 1

Quick Tip:
Most verbs end with -ed in past tense, but not all (see below).
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
You already know most of this, but here's a review, just in case:
  • ​For many verbs, you make past tense by adding -ed (or just -d if the word already ends with -e).
    look ➔ looked
    type ➔ typed
  • If the word ends with -y, it often becomes -ied, unless there's a vowel (a, e, i, o, or u) before the -y (like -ay or -ey).
    try ➔ tried
    play ➔ played
  • Another common way is to change the vowel (a, e, i, o, or u) in the middle of the word.
    write ➔ wrote
    draw ➔ drew
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Past Tense 2

Quick Tip:
For "irregular" verbs, there aren't really any rules; you just have to learn the patterns or look them up online.
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
Here are a few general patterns, but they're not always true:
  • The past tense form of most verbs ends with a t or d sound, so many verbs change in order to make that happen.
    lose ➔ lost
    sell ➔ sold
  • ​A lot of short verbs that end with -t don't change at all (since they already have the t sound). 
    put ➔ put
  • Sometimes a -d at the end changes to a -t.
    build ➔ built
  • Some words that have -ear change to -ore.
    wear ➔ wore
  • Sometimes the vowel changes from a long vowel sound to a short vowel sound or vice versa.
    hide ➔ hid
  • Others are completely different words.
    go ➔ went
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Past/Passed & Desert/Dessert

Quick Tip:
The forms with the letter "s" twice (passed & dessert) mean only one thing each: passed is always a verb and dessert is always something you eat.
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • ​"Passed" is the past tense of "pass."  Period.  That's the only time it's used.
    I passed Casey's on the way to school yesterday; in fact, I pass it every day.
  • "Past" is used for anything else.
​
  • "Dessert" is what you might eat after dinner.  You can remember that by thinking "I want two helpings of dessert"; that helps because the letter s is in the word two times.
  • "Desert" is used for anything else, like (1) the sandy place where camels live and (2) to leave someone/something behind.
    Don't desert your friends in the desert.
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Fewer/Less & Many/Much

Quick Tip:
Singular words use less/much.
​Plural words use fewer/many.
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • Just ask yourself if the noun is singular or plural.  Don't worry about whether it's "countable."
  • If it's singular , use less/much:
    less time, less fruit, etc.
    How much lemonade do you want?
  • If it's plural nouns, use fewer/many: 
    fewer boys, fewer days, etc.
    How many hours did you work last week?
  • For words that are spelled the same in singular and plural, just think about if it means one or more than one.
    I caught fewer fish this weekend. (more than one)
    My fish taco has less fish than yours. (one)
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Here/Hear/Heir

Quick Tip:
Hear = listen
Here = a place
​Heir = son/daughter
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • Hear = what you do with your ears
    [See how they're spelled almost the same?]
  • Here = a place ['Where' & 'there' are also talking about a place and are spelled almost the same.]
  • "Here" is also used for "here is" and "here are."
  • Heir = the person who inherits stuff when someone dies
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Quite/Quiet/Quit

Quick Tip:
Quite = some
Quiet = not loud
Quit = stop
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • "Quite" means more than just 'some' but not as much as 'very many.'
    You have quite a few missing assignments.
  • It's often used as "NOT quite."  ​
    We're not quite finished.
  • "Quiet" is the opposite of loud.
    A classroom should be quiet.
  • "Quit" means to stop doing something.
    Sometimes you have to know when to quit.
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

To/Too/Two

Quick Tip:
Two = twin
Too has "too many" letters.
​To = everything else
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • "Too" means "also" or "more than needed."
    I want some ice cream too!
    Don’t give the baby too much milk.
  • "Two" is the number 2.  
    It starts with tw, like "twin" and "twice."
  • "To" can go before a verb, as in "I like to run."  This is called the infinitive form.
  • It can also be a preposition, like "I’m going to Tulsa" and "please give this to her."
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

There/Their/They're

Quick Tip:
There = a place
​Their = belonging to them
​They're = they are
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer ​​​Explanation:
  • "There" is a place, just like here & where, which are also talking about a place.  Do you see how all three have "here"?  That's on purpose. :-)  
  • "There" is also used for "there is" and "there are."
  • "Their" shows possession (like "their cousins," "their house," etc.).  It's actually they + r, just like you + r = your.
  • Whenever you see "they're," think "they are" and see if it makes sense.  It's like we are = we're and you are = you're.
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Then/Than

Quick Tip:
If it tells when, use "then." ​
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • "Then" is talking about a time, just like "when."  See how they’re spelled?  
    Let's eat first and then go for a run.  [When should we go for a run?]
  • It can also be used with "if":
    If you ask nicely, then I might buy you some ice cream.  [When will you buy me some ice cream?]
  • "Than" is used to compare things:
    She’s older than I am.  [comparing her and me]
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Who/Whom

Quick Tip:
Think about "he or him" and listen for the 'm' sound.
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[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • If it’s a question, answer it with he or him.
    Did you see who/whom picked up my notebook?
    He picked it up. ➜ ​Did you see who picked up my notebook?
  • If it’s not a question, ignore the first half and substitute he or him in the sentence.
    I'm not sure who/whom I'm going to vote for.
    I'm going to vote for him. ➜ I'm not sure whomI'm going to vote for.
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

It's/Its

Quick Tip:
Try to say "it is" or "it has" in the blank.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • "It's" has two meanings: "It is..." and "It has..."
    It's going to be a great day.  [It is going...]
    It's been fun, but I have to go.  [It has been fun...]​
  • "Its" shows that something belongs to 'it' (e.g., your dog), just like his, hers, yours, etc.  Do you see how they all end with the s sound but DON'T have an apostrophe?
    He got a new truck, and he's really proud of how itsengine sounds.
    My dog can never find its toys after he buries them in the yard.
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Who's/Whose

Quick Tip:
Try to say "who is" or "who has" in the blank.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • Just like "it's," "who's" has two meanings: "Who is..." and "Who has..."
    Who's going to the game tonight?  [Who is going...]
    Who's been using my laptop?  [Who has been using...]​
  • "Whose" shows that something belongs to someone, just like his, hers, yours, & its.  Do you see how they all end with the s sound but DON'T have an apostrophe?
    I'm not sure whose bag this is.
    Whose room are you going to be in for Seminar today?
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Sit/Set & Raise/Rise

Quick Tip:
"Set" and "raise" have to have a thing (a direct object).  
​"Sit" and "rise" don't.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • "Set" and "raise" are things you do to someone or something.  There has to be an object.  ​They're called  'transitive' verbs.
    Set that book down.
    Raise your hand.  [You're doing something to your hand.]
  • "Sit" and "rise" are things you do yourself.  They're called  'intransitive' verbs.
    I need to sit down.
    Your grade won't rise on its own.
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Lay/Lie

Quick Tip:
"Lay" needs a thing (a direct object), just like "set" and "raise."  It might help to remember this rhyme:
You SAY something.  You LAY something.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • "Lay" is what you do to something else:
    "Lay your book down."  [The book doesn’t lay itself down, right?]
  • "Lie" is something you do yourself, (like "sit" and "rise").  Notice they all have an "i" in the middle.
    You sit down, and you lie down.  
  • If you say "I’m going to go lay down," I'll ask you "Really, are you going to lay an egg or what?"  You have to lay down a thing.
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.

Possessives

Quick Tip:
Singular?  Use 's. 
Plural AND already ends with s?  Just add '.
Plural but no s?  Use 's.
Picture
[Click to enlarge.]
Longer Explanation:
  • If the word is singular, add 's.
    sister's friend (one sister)
    table's legs (one table -- it doesn't matter how many legs)
  • If the word is plural AND ends with s, just add an apostrophe.
    dogs' (more than one dog)
  • If the word is plural but DOESN'T end with s, add 's.
    women's (more than one woman)
  • For names of famous teachers & philosophers (Jesus, Moses, Socrates, etc.), just add an apostrophe.
    Moses' people
Click on the button to do the exercise.  It doesn't count until you get 90%, so keep trying until you do.  Be sure to get a screenshot of the results.