Grammar and Usage ReviewEnglish III Cobb

Run-On Sentences—

An independent clause is a group of words that could function as a complete sentence. A run-on sentence is one in which independent clauses have been run together without punctuation (a period, semicolon, or comma), without a conjunction and a comma, or without a subordinating conjunction.

Example: The concert seemed unending it lasted almost until midnight. (run-on)

Correct-- The concert seemed unending; it lasted almost until midnight. (punctuation)

Ex. Lynn moved from Minneapolis her job was transferred (run-on)

Correct—Lynn moved to Minneapolis when her job was transferred. (subordinating conjunction)

Ex. We got some gas then we headed off to Omaha. (run-on)

Correct – We got some gas, and then we headed off to Omaha (comma and conjunction)

1. The puppy chewed on everything she ruined my shoes and toys in a matter of a few hours.

2. Samantha needs a few more days to finish the report it is more involved than she anticipated.

3. Jenny looked for a bank that offered a better interest rate on her investment.

Comma Splices-

A comma splice is a type of run-on in which a comma is used in place of a semicolon to join two independent clauses without a conjunction.

Ex. Henry lives across the street, he has been there for 25 years. (comma splice)

Correct—Henry lives across the street; he has been there for 25 years. (semicolon)

Correct—Henry lives across the street, and he has been there for 25 years. (comma and a conjunction)

4. Mary heads the search committee, John is the recorder.

5. Sid gave demonstrations all summer long, he returned in the fall.

6. Emily enjoys biking, she has been riding every weekend this year.

Capitalization Rules:

  • Capitalize the first words of sentences and lines of traditional poetry.
  • Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation, if it is a complete sentence. Do not capitalize a direct quotation if it is a sentence fragment.
  • Capitalize the pronoun I.
  • Capitalize the first, last and all other important words in titles, including verbs; but not conjunctions, articles, or prepositions with fewer than five letters.
  • Capitalize North, South, East, and West when used as sections of the country, but not as compass directions.
  • Do not capitalize names of seasons.

Directions: Cross out the lowercase letter and write the capital letter above it in each word that should be capitalized in the following sentences.

  1. my mother asked, “when are you leaving?
  2. we are driving north to canada this spring.
  3. on my father’s nightstand, i saw a copy of a book called traveling to the end of time.
  4. the president referred to the incident as “an issue of the utmost importance for national security.”
  5. the group from europe speaks a number of languages: german, spanish, and french.
  6. will the festival be on the last saturday in june or right before mother’s day?

Comma Rules:

  • To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more.
  • Use commas before or surrounding the name or title of a person directly addressed.

Example:Will you, Aisha, do that assignment for me?

  • Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year and after the year.
  • Use a comma after phrases that begin a sentence.

Example:To apply for this job, you must have previous experience.

  • When starting a sentence with a weak clause, use a comma after it. Conversely, do not use a comma when the sentence starts with a strong clause followed by a weak clause.

Examples:If you are not sure about this, let me know now.

Let me know now if you are not sure about this.

  • Use a comma to separate two strong clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction--and, or, but, for, nor.

Example:I have painted the entire house, but he is still working on sanding the doors.

  • Use a comma when beginning sentences with introductory words such as well, now, or yes.

Insert commas where necessary in the following sentences.

  1. Tipping dangerously close to the water our sailboat became unstable until Paul shifted his weight and slacked off on the mainsail.
  2. In the well-stocked gallery on our little boat I can prepare simple or elaborate meals while you sail.
  3. Do you know Brian why the North Pole has such a cold climate?
  4. The cat having been left alone all weekend complained loudly when its owners returned.
  5. Many of the colleges are attractive but they are also very expensive.

Rules for Semicolons and Colons:

  • Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.

Examples:Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.

I have paid my dues; therefore, I expect all the privileges listed in the contract.

  • Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as namely, for example, or that is do not appear.

Example:You may be required to bring many items: sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing.

  • Use a colon instead of a semicolon between two sentences when the second sentence explains or illustrates the first sentence and no coordinating conjunction is being used to connect the sentences.

Example:Garlic is used in Italian cooking: It greatly enhances the flavor of pasta dishes.

Insert punctuation (commas, semicolons and colons) where needed in the following sentences.

  1. The British Crown Jewels include the following St. Edward’s Crown the Scepter and the Coronation Ring.
  2. A stone must be hard enough to last a long time only stones ranking seven or higher on Mohs’ Scale will wear well.
  3. Edgar Allen Poe uses many literary techniques “Poe’s use of allusion analogy rhyme and rhythm is amazing.”
  4. Ken wants to be a teacher therefore he plans to major in education in college.
  5. He quoted Isaac Singer “When you betray somebody else you betray yourself.”

Problem and Easily Confused Words

Pay VERY CLOSE ATTENTION to the words you use in your writing. A tell-tale sign of a lack of editing and revision is the use of the wrong homonym or verb in your writing.

Here are some common problem words.

Possessive Words / Contractions
Its
Your
Whose / It’s (It is/It has)
You’re (you are)
Who’s (who is)

There Their They’re

There is an adverb telling where an action or item is located. / Their shows possession. / They’re is a contraction for they are.

1. Call her when ______time to go to lunch. (Its/It’s)

2. The company is known for ______attention to their clients. (Its/It’s)

3. ______ball field becomesa muddly mess when ______rainy. (Its/It’s)

4. Don’t forget ______umbrella when you leave the house in the morning. (Your/You’re)

5. ______scheduled to meet with the new client tomorrow morning. (Your/You’re)

6. ______scheduled to arrive in London next week. (There/Their/They’re)

7. If ______is lost, they might have to go shopping over ______before ______able to

go to ______meeting. (There/Their/They’re)

Commonly Misused Words A-Z

Words that are similar are sometimes misused.
a, an: Use a in front of words that begin with a consonant or “yew” sound. Use an in front of words that begin with any other vowel sound.
a house, a university, an animal, an honor
a lot, alot: There is no such word as “alot.” A lot should always be two words or avoided completely.
There are a lot of new computer products on the market.
a while, awhile: A while is made up of an article and a noun. Awhile is an adverb.
Let’s think for a while, then we’ll continue awhile with the lesson.
accept, except: Accept is a verb meaning “to receive” or “to agree to.” Except can be a verb, though it is often used as a preposition meaning “but.”
I accept your explanation that footballs fly straight, except in high winds.
affect, effect: Affect is a verb meaning “to influence.” Effect can be a noun meaning “result” or a verb meaning “to accomplish.”
Artificial lighting can affect the nutritional cycle of plants. (verb)
Artificial lighting can have an undesirable effect on plants. (noun)
Exposure to both daylight and darkness effects good health in plants. (verb)

Exercise 1: CIRCLE the correct term within.

Ex. Their kitchen has (alot, a lot) of modern conveniences.

  1. Do not use emergency exits, (accept, except) in case of a fire.
  2. Blue-screen matting is a common special (effect, affect) in television and movies.
  3. Mr. Chen will be coming back to his office in (a while, awhile), if you’d like to wait.
  4. The track coach will not (accept, except) applications submitted after the first of the year.
  5. Matthew was studying the cause and (affect, effect) of historical events.
  6. We waited at the restaurant (a while, awhile) before going out into the cold.
  7. Jules was working on (an, a) history paper when I called.
  8. Does committing too many fouls (effect, affect) the score?
  9. It should take less than (an, a) hour to complete this test..

all ready, already: All ready means “completely ready.” Already means “by this time.”

Ex: Matthew was all ready to perform his gymnastics routine.

Janice was already capable of reading college-level textbooks.

beside, besidesBeside means “at the side of.” Besides means “in addition to.”

My dog likes to curl up beside me.

There are other things in life besides television.

could of, might of, must of, should of, would of: The preposition of is incorrect here; use the helping verb have instead.

The loud noise might have startled the dog.

farther, further: Use farther to refer to a physical distance. Use further to refer to degree or time.

Ex: We traveled farther today than we did yesterday.

We will discuss this topic further at our next meeting.

in, into:Use in to mean “inside.” Use into to indicate movement from outside to a point within.

Meet me in the cafeteria.

I’m going into the cafeteria.

lay, lie: Lay means “to put” or “to place.” Lie means “to recline” or “to be positioned.”

Lay your cards on the table.

My dog likes to lie in the sunshine.

loose, lose: Loose means “free” or “not fitting tightly.” Lose means “to have no longer” or “to fail to win.”

These new shoes are too loose.

Don’t lose your ticket.

than, then: Than is a conjunction. Then is an adverb.

Cats are more agile than dogs.

Layna was a young girl then.

Exercise: Write CORRECT if the word fits, or circle the correct one in the parentheses.

  1. The architect was already to present his design to the construction company.______
  2. The fire had already raged out of control when the emergency vehicles arrived.

______

  1. (Besides, Beside) human-made pollutants, gases, steam, and ash from volcanoes contribute to air pollution.
  2. (Besides, Beside), scientists can predict weather by studying the troposphere.
  3. The tornado that hit Illinois in 1925 must of been the worst in history.______
  4. There was no way this killer storm could of been prevented.______
  5. May animal species face extinction in the wild.______
  6. We put our cans, bottles, and newspapers in the recycling bin.______
  7. A tiger may (lay, lie) its catch in a protected spot.
  8. A tiger senses it should (lay, lie) in the shade.
  9. To thrive within their environments, animals have tools and instincts they cannot (loose, lose).
  10. Thirty years ago, cars were about 25% heavier (than, then) they are now.