Parts of Speech Nouns Nouns name something or someone. Nouns are the names of people, places and things. Can generally have a, an, the before them (except proper nounsnames) Some examples are Ireland, milk, John, lion, girl.
Articles The = definite article A, an = indefinite articles. Pass me a pen (means pass me any pen so it’s indefinite as it’s not specific.) Pass me the pen (means pass me a specific pen so it’s the definite article.)
Pronouns A pronoun is a word which takes the place of a noun. It saves you repeating nouns e.g. Kelly was going to the park. Kelly was going to meet Mary. Kelly and Mary were going to go to the cinema. Examples: she, he, her, him, his, hers, we, they, them, me, I, it. Kelly was going to go to the park where she was going to meet Mary. They were going to go to the cinema. Note: do not use after a comma as this results in comma splice if it starts a main clause. Stacy went to Katie’s house, they listened to music all afternoon.
Verbs Verbs are doing, having or being words They describe some form of action Can usually end in s, ed, ing (regular verbs) Irregular ran, swum, drunk etc. Some examples are have, write, is, are, was, were, invite. Adjectives Adjectives describe nouns or pronouns such as a person, place, thing or idea. They tell us what somebody or something is like. Some examples are red, tall, boring, brave, Scottish.
Adverbs Adverbs are words that describe or modify verbs. They sometimes modify adjectives or other adverbs. An adverb usually tells how, where, or when. Often end in –ly but not always Carefully Hesitantly Quickly Almost Sometimes
Conjunctions Conjunctions are linking words such as and, because, but, or, if, while, where, and when that are used to join words, groups of words or parts of a sentence. Prepositions Prepositions are words like in, on, from, between, with, at, off, on and by which are usually (but not always) found before a noun or pronoun. They indicate time, position or place. Examples She spoke to me. We stayed at home. This is for you. There was a box of chocolates on the table.
Write 5 sentences for someone else in the class Write 5 sentences for someone else in the class. They will have to identify the parts of speech used. Make sure you know what they are as you will have to mark them.
Subject and verb For a sentence to be grammatically correct it must contain a subject and a verb and it must make complete sense. The subject of a sentence is the person/thing that carries out the action of the verb. I walked to the park. I = subject walked = verb
Clauses A clause is a group of words containing a verb. The following sentence consists of two clauses: Although I was late getting up, I got to the train in time. In the sentence above, I got to the train in time is the main clause. A main clause can stand on its own as an independent sentence. Although I was late getting up is a subordinate (or dependent) clause. A subordinate clause cannot stand on its own as an independent sentence. It needs to be attached to a main clause to make sense and be grammatically correct. Although I was late getting up. I got to the train in time.
Be careful starting a sentence with a participle clause: A verb ending in –ing (present participle) Or a verb ending in –ed (past participle.) Examples Feeling tired and hungry, Rebecca asked if they could stop for a rest. Founded in the 1960s, Forres Academy has undergone many changes over the years. It is divided from the main clause by a comma. To make it clear, the subject must come straight after the comma. You can never put a full stop after a participle clause or a subordinate clause – they both need to be attached to a main clause. e.g. Feeling tired and hungry. Rebecca asked if they could stop for a rest.
Varied sentences In the Writing paper try to start some sentences with subordinate or participle clauses. You could also start a sentence with an adverb; remember to use a comma after it. Using varied and sophisticated sentencing is one of the criteria for Credit level. Examples Hesitantly, she edged closer to the door and with fingers outstretched, she grasped for the handle. Feeling devastated, Amy sunk to the floor as the tears began to fall and tumble down her cheeks Terrified and shaking, she crept down the stairs. After arriving at the house, Michael looked nervously through the window but he could see nothing: the room was in darkness. Write 5 sentences so that you can practise varied sentencing.
Use of the comma Never use a comma to join two complete sentences (main clauses.) This results in comma splice. I liked the book, it was really exciting. When a sentence can be divided naturally into two parts, you can use a comma to mark that division. You do not have to use a comma, but the sentence will look clearer and neater if you do so. A natural division will always occur in a sentence if you begin the first part of the sentence with such words/phrases as: when, as soon as, if, as, while, before, after. Examples If I see her at the party tonight, I’ll give her the message. When I got home, I had supper and went straight to bed. As it grew darker, we became more frightened.
However, you must not use a comma if you use those same words as ‘joining’ words in the middle of a sentence. Examples My dad will buy me a new laptop if I pass the exam. I got the shock of my life when she told me. I texted Mike as soon as I got home.
Put a comma where needed in the sentences below Put a comma where needed in the sentences below. If you think it doesn’t need one, just put a tick next to the number in your jotter. When I get to Paris I’ll send you a text. I’ll tell you when I’m ready. If you don’t do your homework Miss Ross will be annoyed. She e-mailed me as soon as she got the news. As soon as I have enough money I will retire. As it was getting late we decided to turn back. Jamie is upset because his team didn’t win. While we were waiting for the bus we listened to music. Just as I was leaving the postman arrived. They arrived just as we were leaving.
Pick at least 5 examples and write out the sentences Pick at least 5 examples and write out the sentences. Identify the main clauses and subordinate clauses. Identify and sort any comma splice (preferably by using a conjunction rather than using a semi-colon or full stop.) You can amend/change the sentence if needed. My brother never cleans his room, it looks really untidy. San Fransisco is a great place to visit, I've been there twice, however, each time it has poured rain. When Dan goes running, he runs for a long time as it takes a while before he gets tired. After my ballet recitals, my mum takes me out for ice-cream, she has always done this. Katie broke her arm, she had to get a cast. Carl and Ashley collect stamps, they are going to a stamp convention over the summer holidays. When the fire alarm went off in class, we had to leave the building immediately.