Bell Ringers August Focus on Syntax Syntax refers to the way in which linguistic elements are put together to create meaning. Syntax is a fancy term for the sentence structure.

What is the difference in the following sentences? Sienna threw the ball. The ball threw Sienna. Simple syntax is composed of a single subject and verb.

Explain what each sentence means and HOW the sentence conveys that meaning to an average reader. Sienna threw the ball. Meaning: How Conveyed: In this first sentence, “Sienna” is performing the action. The action (verb) is “threw,” and “the ball” is receiving the action. It is the thing being thrown. The first part of the sentence usually tells us who or what is performing the action of the sentence. The last part of the sentence usually tells us who or what is receiving the action, and the name of the action usually comes between the two. Since there is only one subject and one verb, the syntax is simple.

Explain what each sentence means and HOW the sentence conveys that meaning to an average reader. The ball threw Sienna. Meaning: How Conveyed: This sentence means that “the ball” is performing the action and that “Sienna” is being thrown. The performer of the action usually comes first and the receiver of the action usually comes toward the end. While a strange image, this is still simple syntax because there is only one subject and verb.

Now you try. Woman, without her man, is nothing. Meaning: How conveyed:

Now this one: Woman, without her, man is nothing. Meaning: How Conveyed:

August 13, 2014 A compound sentence has two subjects and two verbs joined with a coordination conjunction (FANBOYS). Examples: Both are useful, and neither is “more right” than the other, but they are not useful in the same way. Michael and Tamaira went to the movie after school. What punctuation is necessary when joining two complete sentences with a coordinating conjunction?

Identify the following as simple or compound. 1.Jeremy arranged the classroom, the books, and the desks. 2.He taped the board, and he washed the desks. 3.Alexis babysits every Friday night after attending school all day. 4.Megan and Patrick ran around campus and swam half a mile.

August 15, 2014 A clause has a subject and a verb. A phrase does not have a subject or a verb or sometimes both. Examples: Only Bob gave Mary a ring. (subject and verb, so clause ) After the dance. (no subject or verb, so phrase ) is extended abroad (verb phrase, no subject) Because I said so. (subject and verb, so clause )

Identify the following as phrases or clauses 1.On the porch. 2.Bob waved to Mary. 3.After the dance. 4.Bob asked Mary to marry him. 5.After she fainted from surprise. 6.Mary said, “Yes!”

Underline the phrases and clauses in the following sentences. On the porch, Bob waved to Mary. Mary, on the porch, waved to Bob. After the dance, Bob asked Mary to marry him. After she fainted from shock, Mary said, “Yes!”

August 19, 2014 A subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand alone as a sentence. It is also called a dependent clause. A word such as who, that, because, if, when, although, or since signals that the clause it introduces is subordinate.

Commas with Subordinate Clauses If the subordinate clause introduces the sentence, set it off with a comma. If it comes at the end, do NOT set it off with a comma. Example: Because I won the election, I am now the class president. I am now the class president because I won the election.

Use editing marks to correct the following sentences. Underline subordinate clauses twice and independent clauses once. The poem that I read aloud in class is by Maya Angelou. I dont know the student who borrowed me a pen. Since we are late for class we have to sign the tardy sheet. Finish the Sentence Composing worksheet from “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”

August 21, 2014 If a subordinate clause introduces a sentence, set it off with a comma. If it comes at the end, do NOT set it off with a comma. If two independent clauses are joined with a conjunction, use a comma before the conjunction. Example: Roberto Clemente’s lifetime batting average was.317, and he had 3,000 hits. Do NOT use only a comma to join together two independent clauses. Use a comma and conjunction, a semicolon, or a period. Example: Clemente was born in Puerto Rico in 1934; in 1972 he was killed in a plane crash. Clemente was born in Puerto Rico in 1934, but in 1972 he was killed in a plane crash.

Use the proofreading marks to correct the following sentences. Clemente helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the World Series in 1971, he got a hit in every single World Series game. When Stella Kramrisch was a young girl she and her parents moved to Vienna, Austria. She discovered her interest in art and literature, when she was a young student.

Identify the underlined parts as phrases or clauses “The times, to their eyes, must have been out of joint, and to the common folk must have seemed as insoluble and complicated as do ours today. It is not hard to see how easily many could have been led to believe that the time of confusion had been brought upon them by deep and darkling forces. …but social disorder in any age breeds such mystical suspicions” (authorial aside, The Crucible ).