AP Lang Grammar and Conventions Lesson 1: Subject-Verb agreement, Pronoun Reference Source: Advanced Language and Literature, Shea, Golden, Balla 2016

Grammar and Conventions #1: Subject-Verb Agreement – a verb must agree in number with its subject, regardless of whether other words fall between them. Example: The cars – two Fords, a Lincoln, and a Nissan – were for sale in the lot down the street The boys were the first group to finish their assignment. Activity: What should the verb be? The group finished ____its/their_____ assignment. Each dog and cat in the shelter __is/are___ well-cared for. Either the dog or the kittens ____is/are____ up for adoption. Neither the kittens nor the dogs ____is/are__ up for adoption. The team wearing red uniforms ____control/controls___ the ball. The group finished its assignment Each dog and cat in the shelter is well-cared for Either the dog or the kittens are well-cared for Neither the kittens nor the dog is well-cared for (verb agrees with what its closest to) The team wearing red uniforms controls the ball

Grammar and Conventions #1: Pronoun Reference – pronouns replace nouns; referring to pronouns must be agree in number and be clear in reference. Pronoun – Antecedent agreement Example: Because Tom wanted to build a time machine, he invested all of his money in it. “he” and “his” replace Tom; “it” replaces time machine (Tom and time machine are antecedents) Activity: What is the problem with the pronoun and its antecedent in these sentences? I wanted to bring a baby deer home, but my dad said they aren’t good domestic pets. A person might want to skip breakfast, but they shouldn’t because it is an important meal. The sentence should read: I wanted to bring a baby deer home, but by dad said it is not a good domestic pet A person might want to skip breakfast, but he/she shouldn’t because it is an important meal. OR People might want to skip breakfast, but they…

Grammar and Conventions #1: Pronoun Reference – pronouns replace nouns; referring to pronouns must be agree in number and be clear in reference. Indirect Pronoun Reference Example: She read a review of the book that confused her. Corrected: She read a review of the book, a work that confused her.

Grammar and Conventions #1: Comma Splices– when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. Fused Sentences – (run-on) when two independent clauses are joined without a conjunction or proper punctuation. Examples: (CS) The day was hot, the night was even hotter. (RO) The day was hot the night was even hotter. Correct: The day was hot. The night was even hotter. The day was hot, but the night was even hotter.

Grammar and Conventions #1: Comma Splices– when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. Fused Sentences – (run-on) when two independent clauses are joined without a conjunction or proper punctuation. Know your SVO: Sentence parts - A sentence always includes a subject (S) and a predicate (P). A predicate is composed of a verb (V) and often includes its object (O) and a subject complement (SC). P S V O SC Jimi Hendrix smashed his guitar during the performance.

Grammar and Conventions #1: Comma Splices– when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. Fused Sentences – (run-on) when two independent clauses are joined without a conjunction or proper punctuation. Activity: Correct the following run-ons and comma splices using the suggested method. (Period) The comma splice is easy to identify, it uses a comma to separate complete sentences. (Comma/coordinating Conjunction) TJ is a great player, he will not try out this year. (Semicolon) Ella joined track, she’s a great runner. (Subordination: Because) Tomas is an avid reader, he wants to be an author some day. (Your choice) Hardly anyone left the wedding early the guests stayed until four A.M.

Grammar and Conventions #1: Action verbs – describe action Linking verbs – join the subject to its complement Helping verbs – least common and precede the main verb Examples: Esperanza walked with pride. (Action) Esperanza was this year’s homecoming queen. (Linking) Esperanza had shown the most school spirit. (Helping)

Grammar and Conventions #1: Verb Voice – is the feature of transitive verbs that tell whether the subject of a sentence is acting or being acted upon. Examples: The police questioned him. (active) He was questioned by the police. (passive) * It is generally preferable to use active voice in academic writing because it makes the prose more immediate, and clearly indicates who is doing what.

Grammar and Conventions #1: Verb Voice – is the feature of transitive verbs that tell whether the subject of a sentence is acting or being acted upon. Activity: Change the following passive voice sentences to active voice These words were spoken by Emerson. At dinner, six shrimp were eaten by Henry. The piece is really enjoyed by the choir.

Grammar and Conventions #1: Putting it all together…. In your journal: Write a paragraph summarizing Thoreau’s “Resistance to Civil Government” that includes all the elements of SOAPSTone AND: A sentence with a semicolon An intentional fragment (they can be stylistically interesting when used purposefully) A sentence with passive voice that is intentional At least two vocab words from this week that work in context