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English B50

Learn about pronoun reference, pronoun agreement, colons, semicolons, and apostrophes in this grammar review. Practice exercises included.

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English B50

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  1. English B50 Grammar Review #2: Pronouns and Punctuation

  2. Pronoun Reference • If you have a pronoun reference problem, it means that who or what your pronoun is referring to (the antecedent is unclear). • The antecedent may be missing or too far from your pronoun. • Ethel told Lucy that her pie was wonderful. • Whose pie is wonderful? • They say the early bird gets the worm. • Who are “they”?

  3. Pronoun Agreement • A pronoun and an antecedent should agree in gender and number. • Everyone on the planet deserves clean water to drench their thirst. • “Everyone” is singular, and “their” is plural. • A student should always do their homework. • “student” is singular and “their” is plural.

  4. Practice • Working together in small groups, correct the following pronoun reference and agreement problems. • It says in the paper that the legislation passed. • Juan told Mark that his grandmother was sick. • A parent should always listen to their children. • Doctors should do his or her research carefully when selecting a treatment for a patient.

  5. Colons • There is one basic rule governing colon use: colons go after independent clauses that are introducing something. • See what I did there?  • As long as what precedes the colon can stand alone as a complete sentence, then the colon will be correct.

  6. Examples of Colon Use • It can introduce a single word • There is only one way to describe it: perfection • It can introduce a phrase • I live by one motto: never back down. • It can introduce a list • Don’t forget we need some things for dinner tonight: bread, carrots, and peas. • It can introduce a sentence • Justin Trudeau is more than just young and handsome: he is also a kind and compassionate leader.

  7. Practice • Working together in small groups, add colons to the following sentences. • If you really want to lose weight, you must do three things eat smaller portions, exercise, and drink lots of water • The cook bought eggs, milk, cheese, and bread. • The gymnasium was decorated for the holiday red, white, and blue streamers were hung from the ceiling.

  8. Semicolons • As we discussed when discussing run-ons and sentence fragments, semicolons are used to connect two independent clauses. • I won’t be able to attend the event this weekend; I have too much homework.

  9. Semicolons Cont’d • There is one additional semicolon rule, which you will likely use much less frequently. • Use semicolons to separate items in a series when at least one of those items have commas within them. • I love to bake cookies, cakes, and muffins; read horror and romance novels; and watch Face Off.

  10. Practice • Working together in small groups, add semicolons to the following sentences. • The average annual rainfall in Death Valley is about two inches nevertheless, hundreds of plant an animal species survive and even thrive there. • For anything worth having, one must pay the price the price is always work, patience, love, and self-sacrifice. • Open until midnight, the computer lab is well used.

  11. Apostrophes • Apostrophes are used to mark the missing letters in contractions. • Contractions are combinations of words. • Don’t, can’t, shouldn’t, etc. • Make sure you include these in your writing and that they appear in the correct spot—where the missing letters would have been.

  12. Apostrophes Cont’d • Apostrophes are also used to mark possession • Sheila’s purse • David’s sweater • Buster’s collar

  13. Possession • When you’re marking possession for the singular, the apostrophe goes before the “s” • Cecilia’s binder • When you’re marking possession for the plural, the apostrophe goes after the “s” • The girls’ bathroom • Some words do not take the “s” to form plural • Women • Children • Men • Treat these words like you would the singular, and put an apostrophe and then an “s”

  14. Do Not… • Use the apostrophe for possessive pronouns • Her’s, your’s, hi’s, it’s, etc. • It’s is always the contraction for “it is” • Use the apostrophe for verbs • She run’s on Thursdays. • Use the apostrophe for plurals • I have two cat’s.

  15. Only you can prevent apostrophe abuse…

  16. Practice • Working together in small groups, add apostrophes to the following sentences • The tennis players strategy was brilliant. • She couldnt have cared less. • Cholesterol plays an important role in how long we live.

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