1.  Correcting Grammar 2.5.2014

2. 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.

3. Why care about grammar & punctuation?  Shoot Ben!  Vs.  Shoot, Ben!  If you cook Ben will do the dishes.

4. What is a sentence?

5.  What is the subject and predicate of the following:  He speaks German only when he is working.

6. 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?

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.