GRAMMAR BOOT CAMP – KNOW THESE OR BE PREPARED FOR PUSH-UPS! (just kidding, sort of)

VERBS:

1. The VERB of a sentence is what is happening. This can be an action or a state of being. WE UNDERLINE VERBS TWICE.

Sample: My mom had expected a catalogue in the mail today. (what did somebody do? Had expected!)

2. We mark action verbs AND helping/being verbs (see back of this page for the HELPING VERB RAP – it’s why “had” got underlined)

3. Remember to SKIP adverbs like “very” “not” “always” “never” and those pesky “-ly” adverbs.

Sample: We should have already recognized his talent and ability.

SUBJECT (remember not EVERY noun is the subject!):

1. The subject of the sentence is NOT who/what the sentence is about (somebody might have told you that before). The subject is the who/what that is DOING the action – performing the VERB.

Sample: The freshman and her little sister are still waiting for their ride. (verb first – what action? are waiting. WHO are waiting? “Freshman” and “sister”)

2. We underline simple subject(s) ONCE.

3. NOTE – we ONLY mark the simple subjects. DO NOT underline any adjectives or articles before the subjects (so “the” and “her little” don’t get underlined).

PHRASES, PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

A phrase is any group of words containing a NOUN or a VERB, but NEVER BOTH.

1. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

a. ALWAYS start with a preposition – see page L125 in the grammar book.

b. ALWAYS end with a noun or pronoun (so they won’t ever contain……)

c. Can be ANYWHERE in a sentence, including back to back with other prep phrases.

d. NEVER contain the SUBJECT or VERB of the sentence. Because of this, find the prep phrase first, then go on to the verb and subject.

e. We put Prep Phrases in ( ) (prep … noun/pronoun)

Sample 1: The leaves on that tree in the middle of that field are already turning colors.

Sample 2: Before the end of this class you should ask for the names of two of your neighbors.

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER AND TRY THESE. Remember to mark ( ) FIRST, VERBS SECOND, SUBJECTS THIRD.

1. We did not get our real schedules until this morning during first block.

2. After school I must go to the office and request a Chemistry textbook.

3. Of the movies from this summer Prince of Persia was not my favorite.

4. At this point in time the best department store in our mall is Macy’s.

THE HELPING VERB RAP: Learn this and you’ll never have to solo for the class…


AM

IS

ARE

WAS

WERE

BE

BEING

BEEN

HAVE

HAS

HAD

DO

DOES

DID

MAY

MIGHT

MUST

CAN

COULD

SHALL

SHOULD

(clap)

WILL

WOULD

-HUH-