Grammar: Notes & Exercises Parts of Speech Nouns Pronouns Grammar Lecture 1 Grammar: Notes & Exercises Parts of Speech Nouns Pronouns

Nouns A noun is a person, a place, a thing, or an idea. A noun is always something. An Example of a person? Place? Thing? Idea? Noun practice Name the noun in the following example: James drove to Williamsville in a Toyota in March.

Pronouns Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns. A few example pronouns are: I, we, he, she, they, it. In order to use a pronoun, you must identify the noun first. The noun to which the pronoun refers is the antecedent. Example of Pronouns/Antecedent Because the researcher developed a new drug, she became famous. In this sentence the she is the researcher. Therefore, the pronoun is she and the antecedent is?

Five Types of Pronouns Personal: (I, You, He, She, It, We, They) Demonstrative: (This, That, These, Those) Reflexive: (ends in -self or -selves) Interrogative: Always asks a question Indefinite: (everyone, anywhere, everything) So we have 5 types…What do they do? Personal names specific people, places or things. Demonstrative points out a particular noun. Reflexive emphasize their antecedents. Interrogative ask questions. Indefinite avoid being specific.

What type is in each sentence? She went to the park. Those grades were horrible. I hate everyone. I can do it myself. Do it yourself.

Pronoun Problems A pronoun should refer clearly to its antecedent, the noun or pronoun for which it substitutes. Without proper identification, a pronoun does not carry any meaning. In other words, if you do not tell the reader what the pronoun means, it could be applied to anything, which makes for an unidentifiable meaning and a lot of confusion. For example, if I were to write the following sentence: He was a great man, and he shall forever be my inspiration. In the sentence, I mention a “He” who is important, but I never say to whom I am referring. Thus, my sentence has told nothing and is useless.

Watch for “they” , “it” , and “you” Way too often, we use these pronouns in our sentences. Usually, we use them because we know what they mean. Unfortunately, it has become a habit to use them excessively and without a clear antecedent. Ex. On the Internet, they claimed that an asteroid would collide with the earth. Again, we do not know to what “they” refers.

Prepositions A preposition is a word or phrase that links and relates a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence. How do I know if it is a Prep.? Using the phrase: “The box” plug in a list of locations in relation to the box. Ex. On, above, in, outside, over, under, by, from, near... Prepositional Phrases A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and a direct object. Using “the box”, let me show you what I mean. Consider the phrase: above the box. In this phrase above is the preposition and the box is the direct object. The direct object is always a noun and always follows the preposition.

End Punctuation The end of a sentence can be marked with various marks, depending on the intent of the sentence. Use a period to mark the end of a sentence that makes a statement, gives instruction, or includes and indirect question; use periods with most abbreviations. End Punctuation Use a question mark to end a sentence that asks a direct question. Use an exclamation point to end a sentence that expresses a strong emotion or a forceful command.

Conjunctions There are seven coordinating conjunctions that are used, with commas, to join sentences. They are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. The remaining conjunctions do not require the comma.

The Great Comma Debate FALSE: Commas are used to denote a pause. Whenever you pause in reading a statement…place a comma in that location. TRUTH: Commas are used to separate “extra” information from the remainder of the sentence.

Commas Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses. Ex. The ball flew past the goalie, but the score did not count. Use a comma to separate three or more items in a series. Ex. Dancing, singing, and acting are just a few of her talents. (Avoid omitting the comma after “singing”. Without it, “singing” and “acting” will be forged together as one item.)

Comma Examples In addition, I have made my bed. The transitional phrase is not required for the sentence to be complete. It provides us with additional information. I am going to the store, and I will get some milk. The comma suggests that the word and does not have to be there. This sentence could have been two independent ones; joining them does not change their completeness. My best friend, Jason, is a good guy. The sentence is complete without the name of the friend. The name only gives us additional information.

Comma Examples Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that modify the same noun when they are not joined by a conjunction. Ex. Rescue workers found the frightened, hungry child. Use a comma to separate introductory words, phrases, and clauses from the rest of the sentence. Ex. Above, the sky was a mass of clouds. In this case, you could remove “above” and the sentence would still function. Use a comma to set off a nonrestrictive word group from the rest of the sentence. This means that you use a comma to separate information, which is not necessary, from the rest of the sentence. Ex. I went to Wal-Mart, a store, to buy some bread. The fact that Wal-Mart is a store is not something that is necessary. If removed, the sentence would still function.

Comma Examples Use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers. Ex. She graduated on June 12, 1994. Use a comma to separate a direct quotation from the words that explain it. Ex. She asked, “What’s the score?”

Sentence Fragments A sentence fragment is a group of words that cannot function as a complete sentence on their own. They are often missing a subject, verb, or both. Identifying the problem Always use what if the sentence is incomplete. Ex. Are hatched in sand every year. What are hatched in sand every year? This is missing a subject. A possible correct version might read: Baby turtles are hatched in sand every year.

Your Turn Figure out what part of speech is missing, identify it, then fix the sentence. Is good. To be good. Jake is a good guy. He home.

Run-On Sentences A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without a punctuation mark or conjunction. A conjunction is a word used to fuse together independent clauses. Ex. And, or, but, because… Ex. My name is Jason I am tall.

Three Possible Fixes 1) Add a comma and conjunction My name is Jason, and I am tall. 2) Use a semicolon(;) My name is Jason; I am tall. 3) Make 2 new sentences. My name is Jason. I am tall.

Comma Splice A comma splice occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined with a comma but without a coordinating conjunction (such as and, or, or but. Ex. My name is Jason, I am tall.

Fixing the splice (these should look familiar) 1) Add a conjunction (careful that you don't fall for add a comma and a conjunction) My name is Jason, and I am tall. 2) Use a semicolon(;) My name is Jason; I am tall. 3) Make 2 new sentences. My name is Jason. I am tall.