Grammar

1. Grammar Gerunds/Participles/Colons

2. Gerunds and Gerund Phrases • A gerund is a verb form ending in –ing that is used as a noun. Gerunds, like nouns, can be used as subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions. • Gerund as subject: Walking is a good exercise for the body. • Gerund as predicate nominative: I take walking seriously. • Gerund as indirect object: I give walking a high priority in my life. • Gerund as object of preposition: I find in walking a haven from stress.

3. Gerunds • A gerund phrase contains a gerund and all of the words related to the gerund. Gerunds may have modifiers and complements. • Gerund phrase: Living in a foreign country is an enlightening experience. (The gerund phrase is the subject of the verb is. The prepositional phrase in a foreign country modifies the gerund Living.)

4. Gerund practice • Underline the gerund phrase in each sentence below. Then identify its use in the sentence. Write S for the subject, PN for predicate nominative, DO for direct object, IO for indirect object, or OP for object of the preposition. • 1. One of the most exciting experiences my family ever had was adopting my baby brother. • 2. Translating from Chinese to English is a rare and valuable skill. • 3. The coach was praised for treating each of her players with respect. • 4. Emilio taught Cajun cooking in an adult education class.

5. Participles • A verbal is a form of a verb that is used as a noun, and adjective, or an adverb. A verbal phrase consists of a verbal and its modifiers and complements. One kind of verbal is the participle. A participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective. All present participles end in –ing, and most past participles end in –d or –ed. • Participial phrase: Shaking with cold, the swimmer clambered out of the water. (Shaking with cold modifies the noun swimmer)

6. Participles • Do not confuse a participial phrase with a verb phrase. • Participial phrase: Marked with pawprints, the manuscript arrived at the publisher’s office. (Marked with pawprints modifies the noun manuscript.) • Verb phrase: The kitten was marking the manuscript with pawprints.

7. Participle practice • Each of the following sentences contains a participial phrase. Underline the phrase once and the noun or pronoun it modifies twice. • 1. Clearing his throat, the tenor began his rehearsal. • 2. The cabin, stocked with food and blankets, was a welcome sight to the hikers. • 3. Moving with grace and stealth, the Siamese cat was stalking the mouse. • 4. Shared with the children of the village, the sandwiches became a letter of introduction for the missionaries. • 5. Checking her hair in the dressing-room mirror, the actor mouthed the opening words of her speech.

8. Colons • Use a colon to mean “note what follows.” For example, use a colon before a list of items, especially after such expressions as as follows and the following. • Examples of plays be Eugene O’Neill are as follows: The Hairy Ape, Desire Under the Elms, and Long Day’s Journey into Night. • Do not use a colon before a list that serves as a direct object or an object of a preposition. • Direct object: We served fish, a salad, and yams. • Object of preposition: I have lived in Peru, New York, and Tyler, Texas.

9. Colons • Use a colon between independent clauses when the second clause explains or restates the idea of the first clause. • The weather was perfect for sailing: The sky was clear, the wind was strong and constant, and the bright sunlight kept us warm. • Use a colon between the hour and the minute (2:30), between chapter and verse of Biblical references (Exodus 1:2), between a title and a subtitle (CharlesDrew: Surgeon and Teacher), and after the salutation of a business letter (Dear Mr. DeSoto:).

10. Colon practice • Insert colons where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is correct, write C. • 1. Hikers need the following sturdy boots, light clothing, and a waterproof jacket. • 2. The text of the pastor’s sermon was Genesis 3 1-21. • 3. The actor gave me advice Learn your lines, be on time, and don’t get emotional. • 4. My paper was entitled “The Rain Forest Harvest of Shame.” • 5. You should take the 3 32 train to Columbus, where you’ll catch the 5 07 to Dayton.

11. Colons practice • Two colons are missing, two colons that do appear should be removed, and there is one spelling error. • Dear Ms. Lipinski Job openings at our store include: stockroom assistant, salesclerk in the linens department, and secratery to the appliance manager. If you are interested in applying for any of these positions, please come to my office tomorrow at 9 30 for an interview. I feel that you have the qualities we at Albright Stores look for in our employees. • Yours Truly: • Roberto D. Vasco

12. Transitions and transitional phrases • Transitions are words that show chronological, spatial, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, and order of importance relationships among ideas. Groups of words that function in this way are called transitional phrases. • Chronological: At last I went to the artisans. • Spatial: Outside the courtroom, people speculated about the verdict. • Comparison and contrast: …whereas I, who am probably in danger… • Cause and effect: Accordingly, I went to one… • Order of importance: Above all, I shall…

13. Transitions practice • Identify the transitional word or phrase in each item below. Then, indicate the kind of relationship it reveals. • 1. They have done me no harm, although they did not mean to do me any good. • 2. Then I went to another who had still higher pretensions to wisdom. • 3. After the politicians, I went to the poets. • 4. Whereupon I made another enemy. • 5. Still, I have a favor to ask them.