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 Phrase verb form that can be used as an adjective Verbal may end in –ing or –ed. Removing his coat, Jack rushed to the river bank. Style Academy Video

Gerund Phrase verb 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 Phrase verb 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 2

Quick Write: Using the picture below, compose an entry that enhances the imagery using the following phrases: participial, gerund, infinitive, appositive, and prepositional

Holding her baby tightly, the women gazes beyond the skyline searching for hope. Her other child clings tightly to her shoulder to gain a sense of security and comfort. The women and her child have been the victims of the Great Depression. Searching for a home, a rare thing to find, the family stops to take a break.

Holding a small child in her arms, the worried woman looked to the distance. Smiling was a rare occurrence for her these days, but to say she was depressed would be ironic. Her children, frail from a lack of nutrition, remain alive, which eases her through her days.

Differences between a phrase and a clause

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 clauses can 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 When I get over my cold, my mother is going to take me shopping. We sang “Green Grow the Lilacs,” however, it is not my favorite song of the West.

Subordinating Conjunctions In order that Where Provided that Wherever Since Whether So that While Than Though ****MEMORIZE Unless THESE!!!!!!!! Until When Whenever After Although As As if As long as As though Because Before If

Conjunction Junction Independent clauses can be joined with conjunctions AND, OR, BUT, NOR, FOR Subordinate clauses can begin with subordinating conjunctions

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.

Do pg. 70 Exercise 1 pg. 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 (Oxford Comma) 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 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 Whenever Though ****MEMORIZE Unless THESE!!!!!!!! Until When When 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