Correcting Grammar
Overview Let’s turn to page 127 in your books. Read the following sections silently at your desk: Fragments, Run-ons and Comma Splices, Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers, Awkward Shifts in Tense; Delete wordy phrases; Then, let’s discuss.
Why care about grammar & punctuation? Shoot Ben! Vs. Shoot, Ben! If you cook Ben will do the dishes.
What is a sentence?
What is the subject and predicate of the following: He speaks German only when he is working.
If you understand subject/predicates… You can punctuate most sentences correctly using 5 rules. Rule 1: A comma goes after a (long) introductory clause. You have to help your readers find your subject; so, you should put a comma before that subject starts. Even though I really wanted to finish my homework, I fell asleep instead. (Where’s the subject? Where does the comma go?
Rule 2 A period or semi-colon separates sentences. I’m glad we finished the first unit; I can’t wait to start the second unit. OR I’m glad we finished the first unit. I can’t wait to start the second unit.
Rule 3 Use a comma between sentences joined with the words “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” “so.” A tip to remember this is that these words spell the following acronym (FANBOYS). I’d like to do my homework, but I have too many phone calls to make. Remember: If the above sentence didn’t have the word “but” in it, it would be a run-on. You would have to separate it with a semi-colon or period. I’d like to do my homework; I have too many phone calls to make. Exception: FANBOYS not separating two complete sentences.
Rule 4 Use a semi-colon and comma with transitional expressions between complete sentences. I’m lazy in the morning; therefore, I set five alarm clocks.
Rule 5 You also want to avoid dangling modifiers, which can make your writing sound goofy. Example: I was spending a late night on the lake in my rowboat with Sarah. Rowing across the lake, the moon rose over the water. This makes it sound like the moon is rowing! Correction: Rowing across the lake, we saw the moon rise over the water.
Avoid Wordiness Also be aware of wordiness when it doesn’t add to your story. “for the purpose of informing” = to inform blue in color = blue winter months = winter
Which vs. That Hint: The word “which” almost always needs a comma. The word “that” almost never does. The light green turtle, which was my favorite, needed a new home. The dark green turtle that he bought was ugly.
Shifts in Tense Lastly, in your narratives, try to remain in the same tense. The class listens intensely; then, they talked loudly. The class listened intensely; then, they talked loudly.