Grammar Notes
Prepositions • Definition: shows the relationship (such as direction, time, or placement) between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. • Clarification Statement: words that define what the relationship is between the noun and another word in the sentence • Types: • Location: tells the relationship between the noun and the place (mountain) • Time: tells the relationship between the noun and the time (clock)
Capital Letters • Rules: • First word in a sentence • First word in dialogue or a direct quote • The major words and first word in a title • Names (titles when attached to a name or in place of a name) • Days of the week, month, holidays • Specific locations, cities, and street names • Countries, languages, and nationalities • Racial and ethnic groups • Specific religions
Commas • FANBOYS: place a comma before the conjunction ONLY if it is a complete sentence after the conjunction. • F = for • A = and • N = nor • B = but • O = or • Y = yet • S = so
Commas • Common Rules: • Dates: • Place a comma after the day • Place a comma after the year if it is in the middle of the sentence • Don’t use a comma if there is no day of the month • Places: • Place a comma after the city • Place a comma after state or country if in the middle of the sentence • Items in a Series: three or more items listed together need to be separated with commas
Commas • Common Rules: • Addressing a Person Directly: commas bracket the name if you are talking to the person – not about the person • Introductory Words and Phrases: place a comma after an introductory, or transitional, word or phrase – finally, unfortunately, luckily, of course, however, in the end, first, second, next, also, in contrast, for example, in the meantime • Dependent Clauses: place a comma after a dependent clause (a phrase that needs more information) – if, when, as, although, whenever, before, after, since, unless, until, whatever, while
Commas • Common Rules: • Nonessential Interrupting Words or Phrases: commas bracket the words that are not necessary to the sentence – could be taken out of the sentence and still be a sentence • Follow-up Elements: place a comma before the afterthought WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE THE COMMA OUT!!!
Comma Splices • Definition: two main clauses connected with a comma • Clarification Statement: two complete thoughts, or sentences, with a comma between them • What to do to fix it: • Break it into sentences • Keep the comma and add a conjunction • Use a semicolon
Run On Sentences • Definition: two independent clauses run together without correct punctuation • Clarification Statement: two sentences combined without the right punctuation • What to do to fix it: • FANBOYS: place a comma before the conjunction • Comma Splices: separate the sentences with a period • Rambling Sentences: separate it into several sentences
Fragments • Definition: lacks a subject or a verb, or does not make a complete thought • Clarification Statement: not a full sentence or thought • What to do to fix it: add more information to make a complete thought • Common Problems: introductory phrases, add-on phrases, coordinating conjunctions
Wordy Sentences • Definition: contains many unnecessary words; feels watered down • Clarification Statement: words used that do not add information to the sentence • What to do to fix it: take out or replace the unnecessary words • Common Wordy Phrases: “it was”, “who once said” “due to the fact that”, “for the purpose of”, “in the near future”, in my own personal opinion”, “in spite of the fact”
Awkward Sentences • Definition: doesn’t sound right, usually due to confusing and/or awkward structure • Clarification Statement: it doesn’t work; slow down or stumble over the words or the meaning • What to do to fix it: no one way to fix it; develop an ear for what sounds right • What is this subject doing? • What is this sentence about? • Mixed Sentences: starting out in one sentence pattern and ending with a different sentence pattern
Shifts in Time – Verb Tenses • Definition: shifting the timeframe in the writing • Clarification Statement: keep the same verb tense throughout the writing (past, present, future) • What to do to fix it: change the verb tenses so they all agree; they are all either past, present, or future and not mixed up together • When discussing literature, use the present tense
