Download Grammar: Keys to being successful writers

Grammar:
Keys to being successful writers
Clauses
Sentence fragments
Commas
Phrases
Clauses
group of words containing a
Subject and a Verb and is used as
a part of speech
• Types
– Independent
– Dependent (subordinate)
Independent clauses
can stand alone.
• When removed from its sentence, an
independent clause makes complete
sense.
• It was a hot, sunny weekend, and all the
beaches were packed.
– 2 independent clauses joined with a
conjunction
Dependent (Subordinate) clause
• Cannot stand alone because it is an incomplete
thought.
• Still has a subject and verb, just doesn’t make sense
without the independent clause
These are relative pronoun clauses and are also
dependent clauses
• Whoever knows the song may join in. (essential so
no comma)
• We sang “Green Grow the Lilacs,” which is my
favorite song of the West. (nonessential so use
commas)
Conjunction Junction
• Independent clauses can be joined with
conjunctions (FANBOYS)
– For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
• Dependent clauses may begin with
subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns
Examples:
When I arrived at the bus stop, the bus was
driving off.
Whoever is in charge of the store must make the
deposit at the bank.
Subordinating Conjunctions
After
Although
As
As if
As long as
As though
Because
Before
If
In order that
Provided that
Since
So that
Than
Though
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Wherever
Whether
While
****MEMORIZE
THESE!!!!!!!!
Punctuating Dependent Clauses
• When the dependent clause begins the
sentence, (like in this one) the comma comes
right after the clause.
• If you don’t use a comma here, you create a
Run On sentence
• You only need to use a comma after a
dependent clause when it begins a sentence.
(when it begins a sentence is the dependent
clause…notice there is no comma b/c it
comes in the middle of the sentence)
Types of Sentences
•
•
•
•
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex
Simple sentences
(See Spot run! Go Spot go!)
• One independent clause and no
subordinate clauses
• Great literature stirs the imagination.
• I. I. I. I.---a series of independent clauses
Compound sentences
• Two or more independent clauses but no
subordinate clauses
• Great literature stirs the imagination, and it
challenges the intellect.
• Great literature stirs the imagination; moreover, it
challenges the intellect.
***Conjunctive Adverbs are used when joining two
independent clauses of equal importance. One does
not depend on the other. These are punctuated with ;
conj. adverb ,
I,conjunction
I;conjuct.adverb,
Conjunctive adverbs
• List of conjunctive adverbs
• Video on conjunctive adverbs
Complex sentences
• One independent and at least one
dependent clause
• Great literature, which stirs the
imagination, also challenges the intellect.
ID
D, I
I,D,I
Compound-complex sentence
• Two or more independent clauses and at
least one dependent clause
• May also use a conjunctive adverb
• Great literature, which challenges the
intellect, is sometimes difficult; moreover,
it is also rewarding.
I,D,I; conj. adv, I
Phrases
group of words NOT containing a
subject AND a verb
• Types of phrases
– Prepositional
– Participle
– Gerunds
– Infinitive
– Appositives
– Absolute
Prepositional Phrases
• uses preposition and noun
– Adjective---prep. phrase modifies noun or
pronoun
• Tucson has been the locale of many Westerns.
• Answers who, what or how many
– Adverb---prep. phrase modifies verb, adj. or
adv.
• Tina exercises with care. [how does she exercise]
• Tina exercises before breakfast. [when she
exercises]
• Answers how, when, where, to what extent or why
Appositive (interrupter)
noun or pronoun, often with
modifiers, set beside another noun
or pronoun to explain it further
• My brother’s car, a sporty red hatchback
with bucket seats, is the envy of my
friends.
• They can also be found at the beginning or
end of a sentence.
***Notice, an appositive is always set off by
commas before and after the appositive.
Infinitive Phrase
verb form that begins with to used
as a noun or modifier
• To leave would be rude.
• No one wants to stay.
• Democrats expect Barack Obama to win
the Presidential election.
***Don’t confuse the to with the infinitive with
the to of a prepositional phrase
Participle Phrase
verb form that can be used as an
adjective
• Verbal may end in –ing or –ed.
• Removing his coat, Jack rushed to the
river bank.
• Style Academy Video
Absolute Phrase
• Contain a noun or pronoun and participle
as well as modifiers
• Do not directly modify any specific word in
the sentence BUT rather modify the entire
sentence as a whole
• Always set off by commas or dashes
Gerund Phrase
verb form ending in –ing that is
used as a noun
• Walking is a healthful exercise.
• Writing that thank-you letter was a good
idea.
Online Practice
Quick Write: Using the picture below, compose an
entry that enhances the imagery using the
following phrases: participial, gerund, infinitive,
appositive, and prepositional
• Holding a small child in her arms, the
worried woman looked to the distance.
Smiling was a rare occurrence for her
these days, but to say she was depressed
would be ironic. Her children, frail from a
lack of nutrition, remain alive, which eases
her through her days.
Differences between a phrase
and a clause
The Comma
• Why can I never remember if I need a
comma or not?
• Well, the human brain can only retain 7+/2 bits of information and there are several
comma rules and sub-rules
• So let’s review when we need a comma…
• Items in a Series
• Between independent clauses when a
conjunction is used.
• Set off nonessential clauses or participial
phrases
• Introductory elements
• Interrupters
• Dates and addresses
• Salutations
• After a name followed by Jr., Sr., PhD.,
etc…
Items in a Series
• 3 or more items need commas
• Do put a comma before the and at the end
of the list of items (Oxford Comma)
She had been to Paris, Rome, and Madrid
• Separate 2 or more adjectives preceding a
noun
She is a creative, intelligent executive.
Joining 2 Independent clauses
(2 complete sentences)
• Use a comma and conjunction
• Comma always comes before the
conjunction
The first chapter is slow-moving, but the rest
of the story is full of action and suspense.
Subordinating Conjunctions
After
Although
As
As if
As long as
As though
Because
Before
If
In order that
Provided that
Since
So that
Than
Though
Unless
Until
When
Where
Wherever
Whether
While
Whenever
****MEMORIZE
THESE!!!!!!!!
When these begin a sentence, the comma comes after the clause.
When these are in the middle of a sentence the comma comes before the
conjunction.
Exceptions to the rule---typically, because, since, or when in the middle of a
sentence need no comma
WARNING
• When there are simply 2 verbs (like in a
compound sentence) DO NOT use a
comma
The teacher called my parents and left a
message on the voicemail.
***Notice: there is not a second subject so
there is not a second independent clause
Nonessential Elements
• If part of the sentence (phrase or clause) is
nonessential to the meaning of the sentence, it
is considered an interrupter and should be set
off by commas
Carla Harris, who was offered scholarships to
three colleges, will go to Vassar in the fall.
• BUT, if the phrase/clause is essential to
clarifying the meaning, you do not use a
comma
New Orleans is the city which interests me most.
Introductory Elements
• Use a comma after Well, yes, no, why,
when they begin a sentence
• After a participial phrase
– Giggling like a child, he wrapped the last
present.
***Notice---do not confuse a gerund that ends
in –ing acting as a subject with a participial
phrase. Gerund has no comma after it.
– Painting my room was hard but fun.
• If more than one prep. phrase starts a
sentence, use a comma
• More examples
– After the game we all went to eat ice cream.
– With athletes in training, injuries are common.
Interrupters
• Use with appositives
– An interview with John McCain, the
Republican nominee for President, will appear
Sunday in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, our
local paper.
Conventional uses
• Dates and addresses
– Write to me at 6161 Center Grove Road, Edwardsville,
Illinois, 62025, after the first of the month.
• When only the month and day or month and year
are used, DO NOT use a comma.
• After salutation
– Dear Ms. Haskins,
• After a name that has Jr., Sr., etc..
– Peter Grundel, Jr.
– Lorraine Henson, Ph.D.
The Comma Song