Download Common Problem: Being Chased by the Grammar Dragon

Slaying the Grammar Dragon
Professor Gary Wilson
1. Sentence fragments: Either the subject or verb is missing, or the ‘wantabe’ sentence is a subordinated (dependent) clause.
Although there was little doubt on the question of his ability to write. (The
conjunction “although” makes this a subordinate (dependent) clause). Not Good!
Better: Although there was little doubt on the question of his ability to write, Robert
still had to write his final essay. (Independent clause completes the sentence)
Within his own mind. (Incomplete sentence: just a prepositional phrase with no
verb).
Better: Within his own mind, he understood the power of the written word. (The
italicized independent clause makes a complete sentence).
2. The ‘dreaded’ comma splice: writers put a comma after an
independent clause where, at least, a semicolon, period, exclamation or
question mark should belong.
I will be going to the Writing Center tomorrow, I hope to review all of my essay’s
draft.
Need to place a semicolon (;) or period (.) after tomorrow (between the two
independent clauses)
3. Fused sentences—Where’s the punctuation!
I reviewed my essay at the Writing Center with Susan she was very helpful and
friendly and knew a great deal about essays. (Put a period (.) after ‘Susan’; start a
new sentence beginning with ‘She.’
4. Run-ons: Too many linked phrases and clauses!
Slaying the Grammar Dragon 2
The Writing Center’s staff helped me on my last essay during the 45 minutes I was
there and I learned how to overcome my sentence clarity issues and some grammar
issues also which proved to be very beneficial. PLEASE STOP! Wow!
Better: The Writing Center’s staff help me on my last essay. During the 45 minutes I
was there, I learned to overcome my sentence clarity issues, as well as some grammar
issues. I benefited greatly from this tutorial session.
5. Pronoun Reference Errors: Pronouns must ALWAYS agree with
their noun antecedents (nouns always appear in a sentence before the
later pronoun which takes the place of the noun) in person, gender and
number.
The Writing Center helps students whenever they can. (Wrong! Writing Center is a
singular noun, so the pronoun ‘they’, which is plural, should be ‘it.’
Jennifer and Becky left their New Century Handbook at Chili’s last week, but she
found it. (Wrong! ‘She’ is a singular pronoun; since Jennifer and Becky is a plural
subject, the pronoun should be ‘they.’)
6. Who or whom—that or which?
Whom ordered the queso dip? (Wrong! Who is only the subjective pronoun; whom
is always the object of a verb or preposition)
Jennifer called whom at the Writing Center? (Correcto! Whom is the object of the
verb called.)
To whom shall I send my favorite recipe? (Correcto! Whom is the object of the
preposition ‘to.’)
Bill met whom on his trip to the Writing Center? (Correcto again! Whom is the
object of the verb ‘met.’
That and which refer to people, animals, things or events. Use that for clauses
essential to the meaning of the sentence. (No commas needed for essential ‘that’
clauses)
Slaying the Grammar Dragon 3
The morning that I went to the Writing Center helped change my attitude about
writing college essays. (Correct!)
Use which in less important (non-essential) clauses in sentences. Enclose which
clauses within commas.
The Writing Center, which is located on the second floor of the new “L” Building,
helps students improve their writing. (Correct! The which clause is not essential to
the overall meaning of the sentence.)
Which is correct? You and I are going to the Writing Center later today.----or---You and me are going to the Writing Center today. Between you and me, we are both
going.------or------Between you and I, we are both going. Why???????????
7. Compound subjects: connected ‘and’, ‘neither/nor’ and ‘either/or.’
(These require more “faith” in grammar rules).
Neither Jennifer nor Bill write their essays without outlining them first. (Wrong!
The verb should be singular (writes) since the verb in either/or and neither/nor
compound subject construction agrees with the word that follows or-or-nor.
Bill and Jennifer are now going to the Writing Center at least twice a week to improve
their writing skills. (Correct! Why? Because two or more nouns joined by the
coordinating conjunction ‘and’ means the subject and verb are PLURAL) HURRAY!
8. Only the correct word will do (Word Choice):
He will perambulate down the sidewalk. (Uh?) Better: He walks down the sidewalk.
She’s not going to English class today. (Contractions are slang) Better: She is not
going to English class today.
9. Misplacing modifiers and phrases in sentences. (Do this and you will
create ‘muddled’ and confusing sentences)
Slaying the Grammar Dragon 4
10. Misplace modifier: The gymnast soaked the ankle he sprained in ice water.
(The gymnast sprained his ankle in ice water?) Better: The gymnast soaked his
sprained ankle in ice water.
11. Dangling phrases: When swimming laps in the pool, the dog always followed
his owner, Bill. (Who is doing the swimming here? confusing, to say the least!)
Better: When Bill swims laps in the pool, his dog always follows along side of him.
12. PUNCTUATION! (Watch out!) PAY CLOSE ATTENTION!
‘Yellow Light’ in a sentence—The Comma
a. After an introductory phrase or clause in a sentence. Having worked all
night on her essay, Jennifer reviewed it at the Writing Center to check her essay
organization.
b. Separate clauses joined by conjunctions—as, and, but, for, or, nor, so.
Jennifer loved to write essays, so she major in English and minored in history.
c. Set off a phrase that describes or modifies a noun or phrase in a
sentence. George W. Bush, the current President, was also the former
Governor of Texas.
d. Separate words in a series or lists. Jennifer says that to be an effective
writer, one must have a good word processor, a quiet place to think, and soft
music playing in the background.
e. Set off a less important clause in a sentence. Use commas with “which”
(non-essential) clauses. Baseball caps, which are relatively inexpensive,
protect the hair on rainy days.
f. Direct addresses in sentences. You better not be late for English class,
Robert! Robert, hurry up and find your English essay!
g. NEVER, NEVER separate a subject from its verb or a verb from its
object in a sentence. Bad: Jennifer, wrote fast on her computer. Bad:
Jennifer wrote, her essay quickly.
Slaying the Grammar Dragon 5
h. Separate names, titles, cities, states and countries. Frisco, Texas.
London, England. Dr. Ellipses, Chair of the English Department, wrote five
books on using prepositions last year.
‘Flashing Red Lights’—The Semicolon
a. The 99%/1% rule to follow. 99% of the time semicolons are placed
between closely connected independent clauses in a sentence. Jennifer wrote
her essay in three; it took Bill six hours to complete his.
b. 1% of the time, semicolons are used to separate a lengthy list of items
that already includes commas. The CCCC English Society’s new members
are Jennifer Fast, president; Bill Slow, vice president; and, Kristin Krackle,
treasurer.
Directional Sign Ahead—The Colon
a. Colons signal that an explanation, list, or long quotation is coming up in a
sentence.
List: The Java Jump Café’s menu includes the following items: espresso
coffee, bagels, waffles, and fruit.
Direct quotations or when a complete sentence follows the colon: When it
comes to writing essays, I believe in this saying: “Always visit the Writing
Center on campus.” Our goal is clear for this semester: Visit the Writing
Center for help on each writing assignment.
Taking Detours—Dashes and Parentheses
a. Parentheses add information in sentences which enclose information
that is not essential. Take your essay assignment materials (hard copy draft,
diskette, and written instructions) to the Writing Center for each appointment.
b. Dashes—more formal—they add information and get the reader’s
attention. Dashes emphasize words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence.
Slaying the Grammar Dragon 6
The campus Write Site—an excellent place to receive writing assistance—is
open five days a week.
c. A hyphen is made with one of these marks - Hyphens are used to separate
compound words, adjectives and nouns (e.g., the student was fully-clothed whe
he jumped into the fountain on campus) and are not interchangeable with
dashes which are two marks --.
Quotation Marks enclose dialogue, poems, songs, radio and TV
shows, and articles.
a. Around direct quotations in a sentence: “You must revise your essay at
least twice,” noted Jennifer.
b. Around the title of a poem: Blake’s poem “Tyger” contains beautiful
imagery and symbolism.
c. Periods and commas are always placed inside quotation marks. Bill said
to me,”I will never finish my essay on time unless you turn down the TV.”
d. Colons and semicolons are always placed outside quotation marks.
Jennifer is definitely not an “amateur”; she really knows how to write essays.
e. Question marks (?), exclamation mark (!) and dashes (--) are place
inside or outside quotation marks. The rule: question marks, exclamation
points, and dashes are placed outside the quotation marks when they refer to the
whole sentence.
Example: You better do an immediate backup on your disk with “Safe-Save’!
Now . . . take a deep breath! You are O.K. You are now catching on to some really
important aspects of writing and grammar. You have just slayed the Grammar
Dragon! Good for you!