Download Grammar and Punctuation Agreement, Semi

Grammar and Punctuation
Agreement, Semi-Colon, and Comma Usage.
By: Colin Henderson, Maria Lusso, Olivia
Migliori, and Shannon Hurley
Stated Lesson Objective:
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Students will be able to integrate correct
rules of grammar and punctuation in regards
to agreement and semi-colon and comma
usage in English Composition.
Agreement
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Can be described as the relationship
between the subject and verb or the pronoun
and antecedent in a sentence.
Basic rule: If you have a singular subject, you
will have a singular verb. If you have a plural
subject, you will have a plural verb.
Good: I am a potato.
Bad: We is potatoes.
Agreement
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Collective nouns are generally singular.
This includes “everyone” and “everybody.”
Good: Everybody is bumptious.
Bad: Everybody are bumptious.
Good: The family has never been very close.
Bad: The family have never been very close.
Semi-Colons
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Connect two related and independent
clauses.
Add variety to sentence structure.
Can be used as a stylistic choice.
Good: It was below zero; Squiggly wondered
if he would freeze to death.
Bad: It was below zero; Squiggly had pizza
for dinner.
Semi-Colons
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Almost never used with coordinating conjunctions.
Exception: a list of items used with commas.
Example: This week’s winners are Herbie in Des
Moines, Iowa; Matt in Irvine, California; and Jan in
Seattle, Washington.
Often used with conjunctive adverbs such as
“therefore” and “however.”
Example: Squiggly doesn’t mind doing the extra
work; however, he would like to be thanked.
Commas
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The most versatile and misused punctuation
mark in the English language.
The Oxford or serial comma may or may not
be used, depending upon the stylistic intent
of the author.
Good: Hank likes chocolate, vanilla, and
coconut.
Also Good: Hank likes chocolate, vanilla and
coconut.
Commas
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Commas are used between commas if “and” can be
put between them.
Example: The customer was served the large,
succulent steak.
Beware of comma splices (connecting two
independent clauses with only a comma).
Commas are needed to separate nonessential
elements from the rest of the sentence.
Example: My father, an ex-detective, stayed curious
and investigative throughout his retirement.
Practice Activity and Review
Q and A
Citation
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Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for
Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty.