1. A comma before "and" in a series is optional.

2. The colon is the most neglected mark of punctuation.

3. Never use "Because" or "And" to start a sentence

4. Fragments are always considered an error in writing.

5. Where you pause, put a comma.

6. The semicolon is an outdated mark of punctuation and, therefore, unnecessary in writing.

7. The most important part of speech is the noun.

8. Use a comma after the salutation in a business letter.

9. The pronoun "everybody" is plural.

10. Dashes and hyphens are interchangeable marks of punctuation

11. Periods can go inside or outside of end quotation marks depending on the quoted material.

12. Never end a sentence with a preposition.

BONUS: Grammar checkers on computers are usually correct!

1. The most typical oral grammar error is misusing "real" for "really."

2. Pronunciation errors are more common than grammar errors for speakers.

3. When speaking, only 7% of your meaning is conveyed by the words you use.

4. Speaking correctly over the telephone is more important than doing so in person.

5. Hanging a mirror near your desk is a good way to help maintain a pleasant tone over the phone.

6. Filler words like "uh" and "um" are sometimes desirable.

7. The best way to eliminate grammar and pronunciation errors is to practice saying that phrase correctly until it becomes a new habit for you.

8. You are a role model for the way others speak, especially children.

9. Many oral grammar errors can sound right to your ears as you say them.

10. Listeners tend to judge a speaker's smartness or ignorance according to the correctness of his or her speech.

11. Speakers punctuate when they speak as well as write.

12. Of the five parts of speech speakers misuse, incorrect verbs hurt a speaker's image the most.

BONUS: Ca$h Engli$h should always be spoken in the business world.

1. All paragraphs should have at least three sentences.

2. Ending a letter with "Please feel free to call" adds friendliness to your conclusion.

3. Avoid using personal pronouns like "you" or "we" in correspondence.

4. A letter should never exceed one page.

5. Using passive rather than active voice is wrong.

6. Using jargon and technical terminology will impress your readers with how much you know.

7. Include your action item in the same paragraph you use to explain why you are requesting it.

8. Readers typically prefer paragraphs to bullet points when they receive information.

9. Bolding or italicizing key information for your readers can seem insulting to them.

10. Typing a message in all capital letters emphasizes the importance of it.

11. Use one paragraph only for each main point you are developing in a document.

12. The best place to apologize in correspondence is in the concluding paragraph.

BONUS: Grammar and spelling don't matter much in e-mail.