Final Exam Review

1. Final Exam Review Beginning Writing

2. SENTENCE • Has a subject and a verb • Expresses a complete thought (does not need a mama) Example: The can ran up a tree to get away from the dog.

3. CLAUSES: TWO TYPES • Independent Clause (aka sentence): • Has a subject and verb • Can stand by itself • Expresses a complete thought Example: The cat ran.

4. CLAUSES (cont.) • Dependent Clause • Has a subject and verb • Cannot stand by itself (does not make sense on its own) • Is an incomplete thought Example: Although the cat climbed the tree

5. PHRASES • A group of words that function as a unit • Does not contain both a subject and verb • There are many types of phrases: • The following are the major types

6. Noun Phrase • A group of words functioning as one noun • Example 1 : The cat in the tree • Example 2: The black cat

7. Verb Phrase • A group of words functioning as one verb • Example 1: am learning • Example 2: has been sitting

8. Prepositional Phrase • A group of words a group of words that links a sentence’s subjects and verbs to other parts of the sentence. • It contains a preposition and an object and may contain modifiers • It locates things in time • Example: in the morning • It positions things in space • Example: by the library • It indicates direction • Example: Around the corner

9. Examples of Prepositional Phrases • Around the corner • After dinner • On the table • To the mall • In an hour • Before school • Through the doorway • Under the bed • Above the ground

10. COMMAS: 4 USES • USE 1: To insert information into a sentence that isn’t necessary to the sentence’s meaning Example: Bob, who is somewhat shy, is well liked by everyone. Example: My neighbor, Mrs. Jones, is very nosy.

11. COMMAS: CONT. • Use 2: to link clauses to other parts of a sentence • Use with coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) to join 2 or more independent clauses • Example: I like to swim in the lake, but I wouldn’t want to swim in a pond. • Use to join dependent clauses that begin a sentence to the rest of the sentence • Example: After we left the party, we went to eat at Denny’s.

12. COMMAS: cont. • Use 3: To separate 3 or more items in a series • Example 1: I bought apples, oranges, and bananas at the store. • Example 2: When classes end, I need to finish my Christmas shopping, wrap presents, and pack for my trip.

13. COMMAS: cont. • Use 4: After introductory words and phrases Example 1: Before dinner, we need to wash our hands. Example 2: Hey, can you pass the butter? Example 3: Whenever it gets cold, my knees hurt.

14. Semicolons • Use a semicolon between two related, independent clauses • Example: Bob is good at math; he plans to study accounting. • Spaghetti is cheap; I buy it a lot. • Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb • Example: I hired a tutor for my English class; thus, I got an A. • Example: Bob usually gets up at 6:00; however, today he is off work and can sleep in.

15. Avoiding Run-On Sentences • A run on happens when you fuse two or more independent clauses without the necessary punctuation or coordinators. • Example: I worked hard in class I earned a good grade. svsv • This contains TWO independent clauses (two simple sentences) with no punctuation or no coordinating conjunction. • How to fix it? • Step 1: check for 2 independent clauses • Step 2: check that the clauses are separated by a coordinating conjunction and a comma, or by a semicolon.

16. Comma Splices • This occurs when you separate independent clauses with a comma without a coordinating conjunction. • Example: The rain came down hard, the river filled with water. • How to fix it? • You MUST use either a semicolon instead of the comma OR you must add a coordinating conjunction. • The rain came down hard; the river filled with water. • OR • The rain came down hard, and the river filled with water.

17. Subordination • When using a dependent clause to begin a sentence, use a comma after the dependent clause (the clause that is subordinate to the main clause) • Ex: After the party was over, we went home to watch a movie. • When using a dependent clause at the end of a sentence, don’t use a comma. • Ex: We went home to watch a movie after the party was over.

18. Fragments • A sentence fragment is a group of words that looks like a sentence and is punctuated like one but is not. • It may: • Be missing either a subject or a verb • not make a complete statement Example: Because parents with small children want a car with room for a car seat, a stroller, diaper bags, and toys Example: For example, the controversy over air bags

19. Correcting Fragments • Step 1: Check to make sure each group of words that looks like a sentence contains a subject and a verb • Step 2: If you find a subject and verb, check to make sure the group of words makes a complete statement. • If your “sentence” fails either of the above tests, add the missing components.

20. Modifiers • Adjectives • Describe nouns (people, places or things) • green tree • tall man • Short, chubby dog • Adverbs • Describe verbs or adjectives • Ran quickly • Drove erratically • Very scary bear

21. Subject-Verb Agreement • Subjects and verbs must agree in number • Use singular verbs with singular subjects • Ex: Nicole runs out of the house every morning because she’s late. • Use plural verbs with plural subjects • Ex: They run with their track team.

22. Problems with S-V Agreement • Collective nouns: • In general, use singular verbs when the subject is a collective noun (one that refers to a group of people acting as a whole) • The audience laughs at the comedian. • The team plays at home this week. • Everyone has his own preferences. • Changed word order: sentences beginning with here or there • There are crumbs on the floor • Here are your books and pencils.

23. Pronouns and Antecedents • Challenge: his, her or their? • In the following sentences, tell whether you’d use his, her or their as the antecedent. • Everybody in the store was talking on _____ phone. • All of the people in the cooking contest prepared _____ best dishes. • Nobody brought____ coat, even though it was cold outside. • Neither of your cousins was able to give you ___ help with your math homework.

24. Possessives • Use an apostrophe to show ownership • Singular possessive = ‘s • The rabbit’s fur • Mike’s car • Plural possessive = s’ • Students’ books • Kids’ bikes

25. Plurals • Except in special cases, to make a noun plural, add –s or –es • Shoe -> shoes • Bag -> bags • Flash -> flashes REMEMBER: • ’s shows ownership • S makes things plural