It’s Grammar Time!

CLAUSES ALL CLAUSES have a SUBJECT and its VERB.

Independent Clause: Group of words with a Subject AND its Verb. Expresses a complete thought. “Strong like bull.”

Dependent Clause: Group of words with a Subject and its Verb. It does NOT express a complete thought. “Wimpy, Wimpy, Wimpy.” They usually begin with an “AAAWWUBBIS!”

Example: Dependent & Independent Clause

Sentence Types INDEPENDENT CLAUSEDEPENDENT CLAUSE Simple (S) 1 0 Compound (CD) 2+ 0 Complex (CX) 1 1+ Compound-Complex (CD-CX) 2+ 1+

Identify the Type of Each Sentence 1.When we study for the exam, we smile because we are almost finished school. 2.In a few weeks, we will be frolicking and celebrating, but we will miss Mrs. Timmins. 3.Llamas are life. 4.Because he is a special creature who makes us all happy, we decided to have a National Cael Day once a year, and we smile.

Run-on Sentences Joining TWO or more INDEPENDENT CLAUSES without proper punctuation. Example: WRONG: I like tacos so I eat them often. (s) (v) (object) (s) (v) (object) Where, oh where, does the comma go?

Correct! RIGHT: I like tacos, so I eat them often. (s) (v) (object) (s) (v) (object)

Sentence Fragment A group of words that doesn’t express a complete thought. It’s missing a SUBJECT and/or its VERB. Fragment: I need to find a new roommate. Because the one I have now isn't working out too well. Possible Revision: I need to find a new roommate because the one I have now isn't working out too well.

Comma Usage

1.Use a comma when the prepositional phrase begins the sentence. EXAMPLE: At the party, we celebrated! 2. Use a comma between items in a list. EXAMPLE: I will buy apples, bananas, and mangos today.

Comma Usage 3.When beginning a sentence with a DEPENDENT CLAUSE, use a comma AFTER the DEPENDENT CLAUSE. (Think AAAWWUBBIS!!)

AAAWWUBBIS! (AKA: “Dependent Clauses”) While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor. When the snow stops falling, we'll shovel the driveway.

Comma Usage 4.Use a comma to combine two INDEPENDENT CLAUSES joined by a conjunction. EXAMPLE: I hear the birds singing, and I want to cry.

Usage

Who/Whom Who = Subject of the sentence (He) Whom = Object of the verb (Him)

Affect/Effect Affect = Verb Effect = Noun

it’s/its It’s = contraction for “it is” Ex. It’s getting late, so I should leave. Its = possession Ex. The dog licked its paw.

Who’s/Whose Who’s – contraction for “Who is” or “Who has” Example: Who’s coming to my party? Whose- Possession Example: Carl knows the girl whose phone was stolen. Whose pencil is this?

They’re/Their/There They’re = contraction for “They are” Example: They’re going to Avalon for vacation. (They are) Their= Possession Example: Their beach house is beautiful. (ownership) There = Location Example: Evil seagulls lurk over there. (location)

Fewer/Less Singular: LessPlural: Fewer Candy is... less candyM&Ms are... fewer M&Ms Water is... less waterGlasses of water are... fewer glasses of water Potato salad is... less potato saladPotatoes are... fewer potatoes

Fewer/Less…an exception to the rule Time, Money, Distance, and Weight Time: I can fix the roof in less than 12 hours. Money:We had less than $1,000 dollars in the bank. Distance: We’re less than 50 miles away. Weight: Since Luke snatched some big toys from the bag, it weighed less than I thought it would.

Finished/Done Finished = task complete Done = cooked to the proper temperature “Cakes and steaks are done. Humans finish.”

Among/Between Between is used when naming distinct, individual items (can be 2, 3, or more) Example: The negotiations between Brazil, Argentina, and Chile are going well. Among is used when the items are part of a group, or are not specifically named (MUST be 3 or more) Example: The negotiations among the countries of South America are going well.

Compliment Complement A complement, with an e, is a full crew or a set, and when something complements something else, it means they go well together. The sauce is a nice complement to the vegetables.

Good= AdjectiveWell= Adverb Modifies NOUNS (person, place, thing, or idea.) Good roof Good book Good student Good friendship Good idea Modifies Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs Runs well Sings well Reads well Did well on the test