More Grammar and SuchDS 014 Fall 2010

8/27/2010

On Today’s AgendaSign-in10 item quiz on grammar handout from

WednesdayCartoonComma Splices and Fused SentencesSubject-Verb AgreementSentence FragmentsDangling and Misplaced ModifiersJournal

Quiz1. What is it that “describes the

ways in which English words are combined to form meaningful and acceptable sentences”?

2. What two levels does grammar work on? (Hint: One is the “building block” of the other.)

3. Tell me two of the four things your handout says that grammar does not include.

4. A prepositional phrase begins with what type of word?

5. Why would using “SAT Test” be incorrect?

6. Linking two independent clauses with a comma is called a _________.

7. What is wrong with the following question? Has everyone received their grades?

8. Rewrite the question from number 7 to make it correct.

9. A sentence that is too long and should be broken down is called a _____________.

10. Rewrite the following sentence to make it correct: Dave and me are going to play basketball.

Cartoon!Make sure you write what you mean!

Comma Spliceshttp://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cxierBNFvcCan be fixed by adding:

And, but, for, nor, or, so, yet after the comma (to name a few), or

A semicolon, orA semicolon plus however, therefore, moreover,

thus, consequently (etc.), orA period.

Comma Splices (cont.)Incorrect

The game was over, the crowd refused to leave.

Correct

The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave.

The game was over. The crowd refused to leave.

The game was over; however, the crowd refused to leave.

Fused (Run-On) SentencesThis happens when you have two independent clauses

with nothing in between them.These are similar to comma splices but without the

comma.The same methods can be used to fix Fused or Run-On

Sentences.Can be fixed by adding:

And, but, for, nor, or, so, yet after the comma (to name a few), or

A semicolon, orA semicolon plus however, therefore, moreover, thus,

consequently (etc.), orA period.

Fused (Run-On) Sentences (cont.)Incorrect CorrectI didn’t know which job I

wanted I couldn’t decide.

I didn’t know which job I wanted. I couldn’t decide.

I didn’t know which job I wanted because I couldn’t decide.

“Buddy” exercisePair upOne person will be the “recorder,” the other

will be the “reporter.”Go through the Comma Splices and Fused

Sentences exerciseDiscuss how to fix the problems.Recorder=writes down what the pair decides.Reporter=reads the answer when called.Turn it in for credit after exercise.

Subject/Verb AgreementSingular PluralSingular nouns,

pronouns, and nouns that cannot be counted (news, time and happiness) take verbs with singular endings I chew.Water drips.Time flies.You laugh.The news is dull.

Plural nouns and pronounces take verbs with plural endingsWe know.The cups are cleanThey stretch.The stamps stick.

What if you have a hard time finding the subject?Sometimes it may be difficult to identify the

subject because it is “buried” in many other words, such as prepositional phrases.

Almost everyone at the party last night brought a gift.

What about those pesky either/or subjects?When the subject words are joined by any of

these words--either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also—the verb agrees with the closest subject word.

Either sun or light clouds are in the forecast today.

Neither the orchestra members nor the conductor is ready for the concert tonight.

Fragmentshttp://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHUvzjIniUYA sentence fragment is an incomplete

sentence (it doesn’t have at least one subject and a complete verb).The week on the beach with sun.Wondered if the choice was wise.

How could we fix the two fragments above?

Handouts and HomeworkPurdue handouts on subject verb agreement

and fragmentsOne-page exercise sheets on each

Turn in on Monday

(What mistakes did I make on this page?)

JournalWrite at least one page on your thoughts on

the first week of this class and your others.What has surprised you the most?What have you had the most trouble with?What are you looking forward to coming up?What are you most dreading coming up?Can you think of anything you may need to ask

in the upcoming week?