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Correcting Grammar

Correcting Grammar. 2.5.2014. Overview. Let’s turn to page 127 in your books. Read the following sections silently at your desk: Fragments, Run-ons and Comma Splices, Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers, Awkward Shifts in Tense; Delete wordy phrases; Then, let’s discuss.

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Correcting Grammar

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  1. Correcting Grammar 2.5.2014

  2. Overview • Let’s turn to page 127 in your books. Read the following sections silently at your desk: • Fragments, Run-ons and Comma Splices, Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers, Awkward Shifts in Tense; Delete wordy phrases; • Then, let’s discuss.

  3. Why care about grammar & punctuation? • Shoot Ben! • Vs. • Shoot, Ben! • If you cook Ben will do the dishes.

  4. What is a sentence?

  5. What is the subject and predicate of the following: • He speaks German only when he is working.

  6. If you understand subject/predicates… • You can punctuate most sentences correctly using 5 rules. • Rule 1: A comma goes after a (long) introductory clause. You have to help your readers find your subject; so, you should put a comma before that subject starts. • Even though I really wanted to finish my homework, I fell asleep instead. (Where’s the subject? Where does the comma go?

  7. Rule 2 A period or semi-colon separates sentences. • I’m glad we finished the first unit; I can’t wait to start the second unit. • OR • I’m glad we finished the first unit. I can’t wait to start the second unit.

  8. Rule 3 Use a comma between sentences joined with the words “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” “so.” A tip to remember this is that these words spell the following acronym (FANBOYS). • I’d like to do my homework, but I have too many phone calls to make. • Remember: If the above sentence didn’t have the word “but” in it, it would be a run-on. You would have to separate it with a semi-colon or period. • I’d like to do my homework; I have too many phone calls to make. • Exception: FANBOYS not separating two complete sentences.

  9. Rule 4 Use a semi-colon and comma with transitional expressions between complete sentences. • I’m lazy in the morning; therefore, I set five alarm clocks.

  10. Rule 5 You also want to avoid dangling modifiers, which can make your writing sound goofy. • Example: I was spending a late night on the lake in my rowboat with Sarah. Rowing across the lake, the moon rose over the water. • This makes it sound like the moon is rowing! • Correction: Rowing across the lake, we saw the moon rise over the water.

  11. Avoid Wordiness Also be aware of wordinesswhen it doesn’t add to your story. • “for the purpose of informing” = to inform • blue in color = blue • winter months = winter

  12. Which vs. That • Hint: The word “which” almost always needs a comma. The word “that” almost never does. • The light green turtle, which was my favorite, needed a new home. • The dark green turtle that he bought was ugly.

  13. Shifts in Tense • Lastly, in your narratives, try to remain in the same tense. • The class listens intensely; then, they talked loudly. • The class listened intensely; then, they talked loudly.

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