Grammar:Keys to being successful writers

Phrases

Clauses

Sentence fragments

Commas

Phrases (pg. 45)group of words NOT containing a

subject AND a verb• Types of phrases

– Prepositional– Participle– Gerunds– Infinitive– Appositives

Prepositional Phrases

• uses preposition and noun– Adjective---prep. phrase modifies noun or

pronoun• Tucson has been the locale of many Westerns.• Answers who, what or how many

– Adverb---prep. phrase modifies verb, adj. or adv.

• Tina exercises with care. [how does she exercise]• Tina exercises before breakfast. [when she

exercises]• Answers how, when, where, to what extent or why

Participle Phraseverb form that can be used as an

adjective• Verbal may end in –ing or –ed.

• Removing his coat, Jack rushed to the river bank.

Gerund Phraseverb form ending in –ing that is

used as a noun

• Walking is a healthful exercise.

• Writing that thank-you letter was a good idea.

Infinitive Phraseverb form that begins with to used

as a noun or modifier

• To leave would be rude.

• No one wants to stay.

• Democrats expect Barack Obama to win the Presidential election.

***Don’t confuse the to with the infinitive with the to of a prepositional phrase

Appositive (interrupter)noun or pronoun, often with

modifiers, set beside another noun or pronoun to explain it further

• My brother’s car, a sporty red hatchback with bucket seats, is the envy of my friends.

***Notice, an appositive is always set off by commas before and after the appositive.

Exercises to complete for homework

• Pg. 62 Ex. C

• Pg. 66 Post Test 3

Clauses (pg. 67)group of words containing a subject

and a predicate and is used as a part of speech

• Types– Independent– Subordinate (dependent)

Independent clausescan stand alone.

• When removed from its sentence, an independent clause makes complete sense.

• It was a hot, sunny weekend, and all the beaches were packed.– 2 independent clauses joined with a

conjunction

Subordinate clause

• Cannot stand alone because it is an incomplete thought.

• Still has a subject and verb, just doesn’t make sense without the independent clause

• Whoever knows the song may join in.

• We sang “Green Grow the Lilacs,” which is my favorite song of the West.

Conjunction Junction

• Independent clauses can be joined with conjunctions – AND, OR, BUT, NOR, FOR

• Subordinate clauses can begin with subordinating conjunctions

Subordinating Conjunctions

After

Although

As

As if

As long as

As though

Because

Before

If

In order that Where

Provided that Wherever

Since Whether

So that While

Than

Though ****MEMORIZE

Unless THESE!!!!!!!!

Until

When

Whenever

Do pg. 70 Exercise 1pg. 273-275 Exercise 1

The Comma (pg. 795)

• Why can I never remember if I need a comma or not?

• Well, the human brain can only retain 7+/-2 bits of information and there are several comma rules and sub-rules

• So let’s review when we need a comma…

• Items in a Series• Between independent clauses when a

conjunction is used.• Set off nonessential clauses or participial

phrases• Introductory elements• Interrupters• Dates and addresses• Salutations• After a name followed by Jr., Sr., PhD.,

etc…

Items in a Series

• 3 or more items need commas

• Do put a comma before the and at the end of the list of items

She had been to Paris, Rome, and Madrid

• Separate 2 or more adjectives preceding a noun

She is a creative, intelligent executive.

Joining 2 Independent clauses(2 complete sentences)

• Use a comma and conjunction

• Comma always comes before the conjunction

The first chapter is slow-moving, but the rest of the story is full of action and suspense.

Subordinating ConjunctionsAfter

Although

As

As if

As long as

As though

Because

Before

If

In order that Where

Provided that Wherever

Since Whether

So that While

Than Whenever

Though ****MEMORIZE

Unless THESE!!!!!!!!

Until

WhenWhen these begin a sentence, the comma comes after the clause.

When these are in the middle of a sentence the comma comes before the conjunction.

Exceptions to the rule---typically, because, since, or when in the middle of a sentence need no comma

WARNING

• When there are simply 2 verbs (like in a compound sentence) DO NOT use a comma

The teacher called my parents and left a message on the voicemail.

***Notice: there is not a second subject so there is not a second independent clause

Nonessential Elements• If part of the sentence (clause) is

nonessential to the meaning of the sentence, it is considered an interrupter and should be set off by commas

Carla Harris, who was offered scholarships to three colleges, will go to Vassar in the fall.

• BUT, if the clause is essential to clarifying the meaning, you do not use a comma

New Orleans is the city which interests me most.

Introductory Elements

• Use a comma after Well, yes, no, why, when they begin a sentence

• After a participial phrase– Giggling like a child, he wrapped the last

present.

***Notice---do not confuse a gerund that ends in –ing acting as a subject with a participial phrase. Gerund has no comma after it.– Painting my room was hard but fun.

• If more than one prep. phrase starts a sentence, use a comma

• More examples– After the game we all went to eat ice cream.– With athletes in training, injuries are common.

Interrupters

• Use with appositives– An interview with John McCain, the

Republican nominee for President, will appear Sunday in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, our local paper.

• Parenthetical expressions (see pg 804)

Conventional uses

• Dates and addresses– Write to me at 6161 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville,

Illinois, 62025, after the first of the month.

• When only the month and day or month and year are used, DO NOT use a comma.

• After salutation– Dear Ms. Haskins,

• After a name that has Jr., Sr., etc..– Peter Grundel, Jr.– Lorraine Henson, Ph.D.

The Comma Song

Do Pg. 808 Review Exercise 1-25 odd

Types of Sentences

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

• Compound-complex

Simple sentences(See Spot run! Go Spot go!)

• One independent clause and no subordinate clauses

• Great literature stirs the imagination.

Compound sentences

• Two or more independent clauses but no subordinate clauses

• Great literature stirs the imagination, and it challenges the intellect.

• Great literature stirs the imagination; moreover, it challenges the intellect.

Complex sentences

• One independent and at least one subordinate clause

• Great literature, which stirs the imagination, also challenges the intellect.

Compound-complex sentence

• Two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause

• Great literature, which challenges the intellect, is sometimes difficult, but it is also rewarding.