Download Grammar Review

Grammar Review
Hyphens –yes, they are necessary
 They are used to avoid ambiguity.
*A male who is over six feet tall is
not a small businessman, he is a
small-business man.
 If you use a two-word phrase as an
adjective, it should be hyphenated.
*Because the swing vote can decide
elections, we study swing-vote
patterns.
Commas following introductory
words, phrases, and clauses
 Use a comma to set off introductory
words, phrases, and clauses from the
main part of a sentence.
 The comma keeps a reader from
accidentally attaching the
introductory portion to the main part
of the sentence and having to go
back and reread the sentence.
 Before setting up the computer,
John read the instruction manual
carefully.
More Examples
 Like an excited child, Sarah tore open
the wrapping paper to see her gift.
 Jill Johnson, the newest member
of our team, has more than ten
years of experience in the field.
 As soon as the paint dries, we can
apply another coat.
 Worried, I tried to reach him on
the phone again.
Using semi-colons before
adverbial conjunctions
 However, therefore, moreover,
consequently, nevertheless, hence
 Adverbial conjunctions are used to
connect two independent clauses
(complete sentences).
 Place a semi-colon before the
adverbial conjunction and a comma
after.
 Pete went fishing today; however,
John went fishing yesterday.
More Examples
 Amy was president of the club;
therefore, she had the final say in
decisions.
 Bob got arrested for criminal
speeding; moreover, he was
obnoxiously drunk.
Passive and Active Voice
 When the subject of the sentence
performs the action, this is called
Active Voice.
My grandfather took me to my
first horse show.
 When the subject of the sentence is
the recipient of the action, this is
called Passive Voice.
I was taken to my first horse
show by my grandfather.
The Passive and Active Voice
 Writers write books.
–Active Voice
 Books are written by writers.
–Passive Voice
Be forceful; use the active voice.
Allow the subject to overpower the object.
 I made a mistake. –Active
 Mistakes were made by me. -Passive
1984 Orwell Point
Parallel Structure
Writers should employ
parallel structure in order to
clarify ideas. Force your
language to “march in step”
as this linguistic discipline
contributes to clarity.
The trick is to repeat an
introductory word before each
phrase or verb or noun in
parallel:
I love to woo, to wed, to wander.
I am in love, in wedded bliss, in
heaven.
Examples of Unparallel
Structure
 I like reading, drawing, and
to paint.
 I learned quickly what it
meant to be responsible,
independent, and most
importantly, to prioritize.
Apostrophes
-let’s show some respect
A sign in a London park reads,
“Giant Kid’s Playground”
Why is this large play area
always empty?
(Because everyone is scared of
the giant kid.)
Apostrophes indicate possession in
singular nouns
 The boy’s hat
 The First Lord of the Admiralty’s door
When the possessor is plural, but does
not end in an “s”, the apostrophe
similarly precedes the “s”.
 The children’s playground
 The women’s movement
When the possessor is a regular plural,
the apostrophe follows the “s”.
 The boys’ hats (more than one boy)
 The babies’ bibs
Apostrophes also indicate time or
quantity
 In one week’s time
 Four yards’ worth
 Two weeks’ notice
Apostrophes Indicate the Omission
of Figures in Dates
 The summer of ’68
 Class of ‘09
Apostrophes indicate the omission
of letters
 We can’t go to Jo’burg (We cannot go
to Johannesburg)
 I could’ve done that (could have)
Its, It’s, Its, It’s –NO MORE MISTAKES!
 It’s your turn (It is your turn)
 It’s very cold (It is very cold)
 Good food at its best
 The dog ate its dinner
Apostrophes indicate the plurals of
letters and words
 How many i’s are there in Mississippi?
 What are the do’s and don’t’s of Cactus
Shadows High School?
Errors Everywhere
 “Trouser’s Reduced”
 “Coastal Cottage’s”
 “Next Week’s Lesson: Nouns and
Apostrophe’s!”




“Freds’ Restaurant”
“Ladie’s Hairdresser”
“Dear Mr. Steven’s”
“XMA’S TREES”
More Errors
 “Student’s Entrance”
 “Member’s May Ball”
 “Citizens Advice Bureau”
 “Mens Toilets”
 “Childrens’ Education”
 “Men’s Coats”
Challenging Apostrophes
According to Fowler’s Modern English
Usage, “possessive modern names
ending in “s”, require an “s” after the
apostrophe.”
 Keats’s poems
 Alexander Dumas’s The Count of
Monte Cristo
 St. James’s Square
Challenging Apostrophes
According to Fowler’s Modern English
Usage, “possessive ancient names
do not require an “s” after the
apostrophe.”




Archimedes’ screw
Achilles’ heel
Jesus’ disciples
Moses’ tablets
What is the difference between a
modern and ancient name?
an⋅cient
–adjective 1. before the end of the
Western Roman Empire (476 A.D.).
Quick Review
1. The cat played with the toy belonging to
it.
The cat played with _______ toy.
2. The votes of four members changed the
outcome of the election.
Four ____________ votes changed the
outcome of the election.
Quick Review
3. The wipers on your car need to be replaced.
Your __________ wipers need to be replaced.
4. The girlfriend of her brother drives a truck.
Her ___________ girlfriend drives a truck.
5. We heard the voices of the children clearly in
the lounge.
We heard the __________ voices clearly in the
lounge.
Quick Review
6. The husbands of the sisters have lunch together every
Monday.
The __________ husbands have lunch together every
Monday.
7. The report, supported by the accounts of two witnesses,
proves he did not commit the crime.
The ___________ report, supported by two accounts, proves
he did not commit the crime.
8. The flavor of the bread was improved when he put butter
on it.
The ___________ flavor was improved when he put butter on
it.
9. The guess of anybody is as good as mine.
___________ guess is as good as mine.