Why learn grammar? Yes, you already know how to “talk English.” Learning grammar allows us to have power over our language – to manipulate it for our advantage. Grammar may not seem useful now, but it is a skill that needs to be learned, just as it’s important to know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Grammar is about recognizing patterns. You might struggle a little, and you might struggle a lot in this class. DO NOT GIVE UP. Everyone is different and no two people learn the same. As juniors (and perhaps seniors), you never know where your life will take you. Good grammar skills are a must! You never know when you might have to write (or speak) to impress. No, I don’t expect everyone to use perfect grammar all the time. The key is knowing when it’s important.

A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea Nouns A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea

In your notebook, write down the following: Three of your closest friends Three objects in this room Three places you would like to visit Three qualities you look for in a friend (example: honesty) Make sure the word would sound OK in the following sentence: “I look for ___________ in a friend”

Types of Nouns Common: The generic name of a person, place, thing, or idea. Common nouns are not specific. They name things in a general way. Example: school, person, dog, state Proper: The specific name of a person, place, thing, or idea. Proper nouns are easy to spot because they’re capitalized. Example: Algona High School, Mr. Cecil, Spike, California In your notebook, write down the 3 common and 3 proper nouns in the following sentences. Remember to think of the definition of a noun (person, place, thing, or idea). In the city of Algona, there are many students who attend Algona High School. Mrs. Warrant is a teacher there.

Types of nouns, continued Concrete: Something that is able to be determined by the five senses. (Hint: concrete, as in a sidewalk, is itself a concrete noun, because we can see it and feel it.) Everything in this room is a concrete noun! Think of the objects in this room that you wrote down earlier. Abstract: A noun that cannot be perceived by the sentences. This type of noun usually names something like a quality, a feeling, or a belief. If you cannot hold a certain noun in your hands, then it’s probably an abstract noun. Example: honesty, freedom, happiness Practice: Write down the five abstract nouns in the following sentences. Remember: we’re looking for something that’s a quality, belief, or feeling. I consider truthfulness to be important in a friendship. Beauty is only skin deep, but honesty will create trust.

Types of Nouns, continued Collective: a word that names a group. Example: class, army, herd *Do not confuse collective nouns with plural nouns, meaning a noun that names more than one thing. Example: students. Collective nouns are words that are specifically used to name a group of people or animals. Collective nouns do not need to end in “s” the way plural nouns do. Compound: a noun made up of two or more words. May be one word, two words, or hyphenated. The words together represent a person, place, thing, or idea. Example: ice cream, basketball, mother-in-law Practice: In the first sentence, write down the 3 collective nouns that appear. In the second sentence, write down the 3 compound nouns. 1) The committee baked a batch of cookies for the faculty party. 2) The student council put on a fund-raiser to purchase fire alarms for needy families.

Assignment Practice (to be done before the homework assignment; usually ungraded): Homework (usually graded; needs to be done ON TIME):