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Reverse Rules for Writers^*

Find the errors in these rules. Then, click on each sentence to check your answers.

1. Put the apostrophe where its needed.
2. Never let a colon separate: the main parts of the sentence.
3. Avoid overuse, of commas.
4. Reserve the dash--which is often overused--for emphasis.
5. Avoid un-necessary hyphens; divide words only between sy-
   llables.
6. Use a semicolon where needed, use it properly; and never where not called for.
7. Avoid run-on sentences they seem to go on forever.
8. Have a good reason for Capitalizing a word.
9. In formal writing, don't use contractions.
10. Consult a dictionery for correct spelling.
11. Observe the rule that verbs has to agree with their subjects.
12. Make each subject and pronoun agree in their number, too.
13. Use parallel construction in writing sentences, forming paragraphs, and to emphasize a point.
14. After studying the rules, dangling modifiers will be easy to correct.
15. Omit unnecessary, excess words that aren't needed.
16. Generally, writing should be in the active voice.
17. Watch out for irregular verbs that have crope into your language.
18. Proofread carefully in case you any words out. No matter how hard you try, typos often silp by.

^*Venolia, Jan, Write Right! Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press, 1995.

For an explanation of the Reverse Rules for Writers, see Quirks of English.

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Last updated: 1/20/2009