Grammar Review #2: Pronouns and Punctuation English B50 Grammar Review #2: Pronouns and Punctuation

Pronoun Reference If you have a pronoun reference problem, it means that who or what your pronoun is referring to (the antecedent is unclear). The antecedent may be missing or too far from your pronoun. Ethel told Lucy that her pie was wonderful. Whose pie is wonderful? They say the early bird gets the worm. Who are “they”?

Pronoun Agreement A pronoun and an antecedent should agree in gender and number. Everyone on the planet deserves clean water to drench their thirst. “Everyone” is singular, and “their” is plural. A student should always do their homework. “student” is singular and “their” is plural.

Practice Working together in small groups, correct the following pronoun reference and agreement problems. It says in the paper that the legislation passed. Juan told Mark that his grandmother was sick. A parent should always listen to their children. Doctors should do his or her research carefully when selecting a treatment for a patient.

Colons There is one basic rule governing colon use: colons go after independent clauses that are introducing something. See what I did there?  As long as what precedes the colon can stand alone as a complete sentence, then the colon will be correct.

Examples of Colon Use It can introduce a single word There is only one way to describe it: perfection It can introduce a phrase I live by one motto: never back down. It can introduce a list Don’t forget we need some things for dinner tonight: bread, carrots, and peas. It can introduce a sentence Justin Trudeau is more than just young and handsome: he is also a kind and compassionate leader.

Practice Working together in small groups, add colons to the following sentences. If you really want to lose weight, you must do three things eat smaller portions, exercise, and drink lots of water The cook bought eggs, milk, cheese, and bread. The gymnasium was decorated for the holiday red, white, and blue streamers were hung from the ceiling.

Semicolons As we discussed when discussing run-ons and sentence fragments, semicolons are used to connect two independent clauses. I won’t be able to attend the event this weekend; I have too much homework.

Semicolons Cont’d There is one additional semicolon rule, which you will likely use much less frequently. Use semicolons to separate items in a series when at least one of those items have commas within them. I love to bake cookies, cakes, and muffins; read horror and romance novels; and watch Face Off.

Practice Working together in small groups, add semicolons to the following sentences. The average annual rainfall in Death Valley is about two inches nevertheless, hundreds of plant an animal species survive and even thrive there. For anything worth having, one must pay the price the price is always work, patience, love, and self-sacrifice. Open until midnight, the computer lab is well used.

Apostrophes Apostrophes are used to mark the missing letters in contractions. Contractions are combinations of words. Don’t, can’t, shouldn’t, etc. Make sure you include these in your writing and that they appear in the correct spot—where the missing letters would have been.

Apostrophes Cont’d Apostrophes are also used to mark possession Sheila’s purse David’s sweater Buster’s collar

Possession When you’re marking possession for the singular, the apostrophe goes before the “s” Cecilia’s binder When you’re marking possession for the plural, the apostrophe goes after the “s” The girls’ bathroom Some words do not take the “s” to form plural Women Children Men Treat these words like you would the singular, and put an apostrophe and then an “s”

Do Not… Use the apostrophe for possessive pronouns Her’s, your’s, hi’s, it’s, etc. It’s is always the contraction for “it is” Use the apostrophe for verbs She run’s on Thursdays. Use the apostrophe for plurals I have two cat’s.

Only you can prevent apostrophe abuse…

Practice Working together in small groups, add apostrophes to the following sentences The tennis players strategy was brilliant. She couldnt have cared less. Cholesterol plays an important role in how long we live.