Grammar Rules To enhance your writing

Participle Phrases A participle phrase is an adjective and begins with a participle word (usually ending in “ing”). A participle phrase is an adjective and begins with a participle word (usually ending in “ing”). It is located directly after the noun it modifies. It is located directly after the noun it modifies. In other words, it is used to describe the noun it follows. In other words, it is used to describe the noun it follows. Example: Is that Arthur running for the bus? Example: Is that Arthur running for the bus? Example: You could see the panther releasing its grip. Example: You could see the panther releasing its grip. Please write your own example in your notes. Please write your own example in your notes.

Appositive Phrase a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it, and is separated from the main sentence with commas. a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it, and is separated from the main sentence with commas.noun phrasenoun phrase Its main purpose is to give the reader more detail about the noun it modifies. Its main purpose is to give the reader more detail about the noun it modifies. Example:The insect, a large cockroach with hairy legs, is crawling across the kitchen table. Example:The insect, a large cockroach with hairy legs, is crawling across the kitchen table. Example: Example: Queen Victoria, one of England's greatest monarchs, ruled for sixty-three years. Please write your own example in your notes.

Gerund Phrase Begins with an ing word, and usually functions as a noun that is the subject in the sentence, unlike the participle phrase. Therefore, it is not separated by commas. Begins with an ing word, and usually functions as a noun that is the subject in the sentence, unlike the participle phrase. Therefore, it is not separated by commas. Example: Eating ice cream on a windy day can be a messy experience if you have long, untamed hair. Example: Eating ice cream on a windy day can be a messy experience if you have long, untamed hair. Example: Bill decided that scrambling over the pile of debris was not safe. (Scrambling serves as the subject to this sentence). Example: Bill decided that scrambling over the pile of debris was not safe. (Scrambling serves as the subject to this sentence). Please write your own example in your notes. Please write your own example in your notes.

Relative Pronoun A relative pronoun "relates" a clause to the rest of the sentence. It may be found in adjective and noun clauses. A relative pronoun "relates" a clause to the rest of the sentence. It may be found in adjective and noun clauses. Five relative pronoun words: that, which, who, whom, and whose Five relative pronoun words: that, which, who, whom, and whose Example: People who speak two languages are called bilingual. Example: People who speak two languages are called bilingual. Example: The shirt that Carl bought has a stain on the pocket. Example: The shirt that Carl bought has a stain on the pocket. Please write your own example in your notes. Please write your own example in your notes.

Types of Pronouns continued Nominative (subjective) pronoun - acts as the subject of a sentence—it performs the action of the verb. The subjective pronouns are he, I, it, she, they, we, and you. Nominative (subjective) pronoun - acts as the subject of a sentence—it performs the action of the verb. The subjective pronouns are he, I, it, she, they, we, and you. Example: He spends ages looking out the window. Objective pronoun - acts as the object of a sentence—it receives the action of the verb. The objective pronouns are her, him, it, me, them, us, and you. Objective pronoun - acts as the object of a sentence—it receives the action of the verb. The objective pronouns are her, him, it, me, them, us, and you. Example: Cousin Eldred gave me a trombone. Possessive pronoun - tells you who owns something. The possessive pronouns are hers, his, its, mine, ours, theirs, and yours. Possessive pronoun - tells you who owns something. The possessive pronouns are hers, his, its, mine, ours, theirs, and yours. Example: The red basket is mine.

Compound-Complex Sentences A compound-complex sentence is made from two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. A compound-complex sentence is made from two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. 1. Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with. (underline each independent clause and circle the dependent clause) 1. Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with. (underline each independent clause and circle the dependent clause) 2. We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong. (underline each independent clause and circle the dependent clause) 2. We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong. (underline each independent clause and circle the dependent clause)

Adverbs Comparative adverb: compares two items Comparative adverb: compares two items Superlative adverb: compares three or more items Superlative adverb: compares three or more items Adverb: Comparative Superlative quietlymore quietlymost quietly slowlymore slowlymost slowly badworseworst littlelessleast latelaterlatest fastfasterfastest Examples: The little boy ran farther than his friends. The little boy ran farther than his friends. You're driving worse today than yesterday ! You're driving worse today than yesterday ! Example: Please write your own example here for a superlative adverb. Example: Please write your own example here for a superlative adverb.

Connotation vs. Denotation Connotation: Connotation: the wide array of positive and negative associations that most words naturally carry with them Example: love and romance Denotation: the precise, literal definition of a word that might be found in a dictionary. Example: a red flower with a green stem