Grammar Boot Camp

Transcript

1. + Some terminology !Independent clause: like a complete sentence, it has a subject and verb, and direct/indirect objects as necessary. !Dependent clause: cannot stand on its own as a sentence. Also called a subordinate clause, it requires more information to finish the thought. !Examples: !Independent: She went to the mall. !Dependent: After she went to the mall
2. + Commas !DO use a comma: !To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction !Look for: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet !Make sure the second clause is independent – not needed for the first clause to make sense. !Examples: !The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave. !Yesterday was her brother’s birthday, so she took him out to dinner.
3. + Commas !DON’T use a comma !After the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows !Look for: a clause that does not stand alone as a sentence !Also look for: conditional words such as because, although/even though, if, since, unless, etc. !Examples ! She was late because her alarm clock was broken. ! You ought to see a doctor if you are ill
4. + Commas !DO use a comma: !After introductory clauses, phrases, or words !Look for: After, although, as, because, if, since, when, while !After common introductory words: !Look for: Well, Yes, However, !Examples: !Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late. !If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor. !However, you might not have time to do so.
5. + Commas !DO use a comma: !On each side of a clause/phrase/word not essential to the meaning of a sentence !Ask yourself: If you leave it out, does the sentence make sense? Can you move it to another place in the sentence? !Examples: !The class, which I enjoy, is at 2:30 pm. !The assignments for the class, on the other hand, can be tedious. !The information I learn, however, is valuable.
6. + Commas !DO use a comma !Between coordinate adjectives !Look for: two adjectives (or adjectival phrases) that describe the same noun. !Ask yourself: Can the adjectives be reversed? Can you write “and” between the adjectives. !Examples: !It was a long, cold winter. !They had a happy, joyful reunion.
7. + Commas !DON’T use a comma !Between non-coordinate adjectives !Look for: two adjectives (or adjectival phrases) that describe the same noun. !Ask yourself: can the adjectives be reversed? Can you write “and” between the adjectives. !Examples: ! He drove a white Ford pickup truck. ! She enjoyed basking in the warm summer sun.
8. + Commas !DON’T use a comma !Between two verbs or verb phrases in a compound sentence !Between two nouns or noun phrases in a compound subject or object !Look for: and !Examples: !I went to class late and didn’t pay attention to the teacher. (compound sentence) !The book I read last week and the movie I watched last night were both very good. (compound subject) !I advised her to read the book and watch the movie. (compound object)
9. + Semicolons !Use a semicolon to link two independent clauses without connecting words !Look for: two clauses that could stand on their own as sentences. !When you use a coordinating conjunction, use a comma: !Look for: And, but, for, or, nor, so, yet !When you use a conjunctive adverb, use a semicolon before and a comma after. !Look for: However, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless, thus, etc.
10. + Semicolons in practice ! I am going home, and I intend to stay there. ! I am going home; I intend to stay there. ! I am going home; moreover, I intend to stay there.
11. + Relative pronouns !That vs. which ! Restrictive clauses (“that”) modify, focus and limit ! Non-restrictive clauses (“which”) do not limit the words they modify !The lawnmower that is in the garage needs sharpening. ! We have more than one lawnmower. Only the one in the garage needs sharpening. !The lawnmower, which is in the garage, needs sharpening. ! We have only one lawnmower. It's in the garage and needs sharpening.
12. + Relative pronouns !That vs. which ! Restrictive clauses (“that”) modify, focus and limit ! Non-restrictive clauses (“which”) do not limit the words they modify !The lawnmower that is in the garage needs sharpening. ! We have more than one lawnmower. Only the one in the garage needs sharpening. !The lawnmower, which is in the garage, needs sharpening. ! We have only one lawnmower. It's in the garage and needs sharpening.
13. + Passive and active voice !Active voice is just more exciting. ! Mistakes were made by the president. ! The president made mistakes. !Passive voice is wordier, which is less efficient. ! She was bitten by the dog. ! The dog bit her. !Passive voice should be used sparingly. Don’t use passive voice. ! To emphasize the object or direct object (usually contextual) ! Children were harmed by the defective toys.
14. + Subject-verb agreement !The prime offender: companies !Incorrect: IBM told their employees about the layoffs. !Correct: IBM managers told their employees about the layoffs. !Correct: IBM told its employees about the layoffs. !American English: companies, teams are singular !American: The baseball team is on the road this week. !British: The baseball team are on the road this week. !So – if you get a job in the UK, companies are plural (they).
15. + Misplaced modifiers !The young girl was walking the dog in a short skirt. !The girl wears the skirt, not the dog! !Re-order modifiers: The young girl in a short skirt was walking the dog. !I saw a student in my class writing a paper. !Was the student writing the paper in class? Or just working on the paper at Starbucks when I went to get my latte? !Re-write to clarify: At Starbucks, I saw one of my students writing a paper; While I was teaching, I noticed one of my students…
16. + Dangling modifiers !Modifier phrases are associated with the closest noun. !Incorrect: Having recently bought it, I carried my new iPad everywhere. ! Check for modifying phrases at the beginning of your sentences. ! If you find one, underline the first noun that follows it. (That's the one that is being modified.) ! Make sure the modifier and noun go together logically. If they don't, chances are you have a dangling modifier. ! Rewrite the sentence. !Correct: I carried my iPad, which I had recently purchased, everywhere.