If you’re not doing the crossword puzzle with your morning coffee today, we have a little quiz for you.
Each month, we write a post about a simple grammar rule or two because we could all use a little refresher from time to time. Now, it’s time to test yourself on what you know (or think you know) about some of those rules. It’s easy. Simply pick the correct sentence from each of the five sets below. Answers and explanations are below, so no peeking!

1. Common semicolon uses
A. Hammock has friends in Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas, Nashville, Tenn., and Sacramento, Calif.
B. Kerri is designing the cover for the next issue of American Spirit; however, all designers will have some input on the final product.
C. I’m working on a story for MyBusiness; but the title is giving me trouble.
2. Comparative and superlative adjectives
A. Jamie is the taller of all six editors.
B. My ego is more fragile than I’d like to admit.
C. That’s the most funnest rollercoaster I’ve ever been on!
3. Subject-verb agreement
A. The car with the four flat tires needs to be repaired.
B. Megan M. or Megan P. are going to the gala this weekend.
C. I is a big girl!
4. Hyphens
A. My mother in law called last night and changed our family dinner plans.
B. With a little self control and practice-practice-practice, you can be an American Idol.
C. Two-thirds of the females in our office have ex-boyfriends with greenish-blue eyes.
5. Commonly mixed words
A. I lost my favorite pair of every day shoes.
B. Megan’s everyday commute gets longer when it rains every day for a week.
C. Lie the pillow on the couch and lay down for a nap.
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Correct answers:
1. B. is correct. A semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb.
2. B is correct. If adjective has two syllables but does not end in y, use “more” or “most” at the beginning.
3. A is correct. Car is the subject; needs is the verb. The prepositional phrase between the two does not need to be considered.
4. C is correct. Hyphens are used to write fractions out, with certain prefixes and to create compound modifiers.
5. B is correct. “Everyday” is an adjective which here modifies commute. “Every day” is an adverb telling when.
So, how did you do?