Grammar Rules
Comma Rules 1-3
Homophones
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Pronoun-Antecedent
Sentence Fluency
Subject-Verb Agreement
Homophones
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Pronoun-Antecedent
Sentence Fluency
Subject-Verb Agreement
Comma Rules 1-3
Rule 1 (Items in a Series)
Definition: A comma should be used to separate three or more items in a series. Each item should also have parallel structure, or the same form.
Examples:
My favorite fruits are apples, oranges, and bananas.
He saw running cats, jogging people, and talking dogs.
Trick: There should be one less comma than the number of items. If there are three items, than there should be only two commas.
Examples:
My favorite fruits are apples, oranges, and bananas.
He saw running cats, jogging people, and talking dogs.
Trick: There should be one less comma than the number of items. If there are three items, than there should be only two commas.
Rule 2 (Two Adjectives Describing the Same Noun)
Definition: A comma should be used to separate adjectives that modify the same noun.
Example 2: I am reading an old, dusty book.
Trick 2: If you can add an ‘and’ there and it still makes sense, than this rule should be used. Be careful to take out the and afterwards though.
Example 2: I am reading an old, dusty book.
Trick 2: If you can add an ‘and’ there and it still makes sense, than this rule should be used. Be careful to take out the and afterwards though.
Rule 3 (Coordinating Conjunctions)
Definition: A comma and a coordinating conjunction should be used to separate two independent clauses. Usually these independent clauses are related.
Example: The dog started talking, and he conversed with the little boy.
Trick: FANBOYS is an acronym that stands for the different coordinating conjunctions.
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
*If you do not want to use a comma and coordinating conjunction, you could, instead use a semicolon if the two clauses are related.
Additional Information
Example: The dog started talking, and he conversed with the little boy.
Trick: FANBOYS is an acronym that stands for the different coordinating conjunctions.
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
*If you do not want to use a comma and coordinating conjunction, you could, instead use a semicolon if the two clauses are related.
Additional Information
Homophones
Definition: Different words that sound similar, but have different meanings and spellings.
Trick: There really isn't a way around this one besides just memorizing a bunch of words and their differences.
Common Examples:
its/it’s
The first is possessive (The dog had its collar.).
The second is the contraction for it is (It's a different color than I wanted it to be.).
there/their/they’re
The first is used to describe location (The phone is over there.).
The second is possessive (That is their cat.).
The last is the contraction for they are (They’re going to win first place.).
Additional Links:
A List of Common Homophones
Affect vs. Effect: This one's a pretty common slip-up, and the teachers LOVE testing it.
Trick: There really isn't a way around this one besides just memorizing a bunch of words and their differences.
Common Examples:
its/it’s
The first is possessive (The dog had its collar.).
The second is the contraction for it is (It's a different color than I wanted it to be.).
there/their/they’re
The first is used to describe location (The phone is over there.).
The second is possessive (That is their cat.).
The last is the contraction for they are (They’re going to win first place.).
Additional Links:
A List of Common Homophones
Affect vs. Effect: This one's a pretty common slip-up, and the teachers LOVE testing it.
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
These usually happen when you write too verbally. A lot of times, when you are talking, these mistakes happen, but people will understand your meaning based on your context, hand motions, tone inflection, etc. In writing, the mistake can prove fatal.
Misplaced Modifiers
Definition: These are modifiers that modify something that you did not intend to modify.
Example:
I almost failed every art class I took./I failed almost every art class I took.
Explanation: The first means that you barely passed, or almost failed, every single art class you took; you passed all of them, but not by much. The second means you failed most, or almost every, art class you took; you still passed a few of them.
Trick: These are adjectives or phrases that may be placed incorrectly. If you suspect a phrase or word is a misplaced modifier, check over the sentence and make sure the modifier is modifying whatever follows or is directly before it, depending on the circumstances. Some common ones are only, almost, scarcely, etc.
Example:
I almost failed every art class I took./I failed almost every art class I took.
Explanation: The first means that you barely passed, or almost failed, every single art class you took; you passed all of them, but not by much. The second means you failed most, or almost every, art class you took; you still passed a few of them.
Trick: These are adjectives or phrases that may be placed incorrectly. If you suspect a phrase or word is a misplaced modifier, check over the sentence and make sure the modifier is modifying whatever follows or is directly before it, depending on the circumstances. Some common ones are only, almost, scarcely, etc.
Dangling Modifiers
Definition: These are modifiers that modify a subject that is not stated in the main clause of the sentence.
Example:
Incorrect: Having arrived late for practice, a written excuse was needed.
Explanation: What arrived late for practice? There is no specified subject. By the way the sentence was phrased, the subject is "a written excuse," but "a written excuse" couldn't have arrived late for practice because it isn't a living organism!
Correction Rule 1: Having arrived late for practice, Tommy needed a written note.
Correction Rule 2: Because Tommy arrived late for practice, he needed a written note.
Correction Rule 3: Tommy needed a written note because he was late.
Trick: The following are rules you can use to fix a dangling modifier. If at
Correction Rule 1: Name the appropriate subject of the action as a subject in the main clause.
Correction Rule 2: Name the subject of the action in the introductory clause.
Correction Rule 3: Combine the phrase and the main clause.
Additional Links:
Grammar Bytes!: Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers: This video is a bit slow, so we recommend you watch it on double speed.
Modifier Placement Explanation
Modifier Placement Quiz I
Modifier Placement Quiz II
Example:
Incorrect: Having arrived late for practice, a written excuse was needed.
Explanation: What arrived late for practice? There is no specified subject. By the way the sentence was phrased, the subject is "a written excuse," but "a written excuse" couldn't have arrived late for practice because it isn't a living organism!
Correction Rule 1: Having arrived late for practice, Tommy needed a written note.
Correction Rule 2: Because Tommy arrived late for practice, he needed a written note.
Correction Rule 3: Tommy needed a written note because he was late.
Trick: The following are rules you can use to fix a dangling modifier. If at
Correction Rule 1: Name the appropriate subject of the action as a subject in the main clause.
Correction Rule 2: Name the subject of the action in the introductory clause.
Correction Rule 3: Combine the phrase and the main clause.
Additional Links:
Grammar Bytes!: Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers: This video is a bit slow, so we recommend you watch it on double speed.
Modifier Placement Explanation
Modifier Placement Quiz I
Modifier Placement Quiz II
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
This helps people from questioning who the he/she/it you are referring to is.
Pronoun Definition: a word that takes place of a noun or another pronoun.
Antecedent Definition: the word that a pronoun is referring to.
Pronoun Definition: a word that takes place of a noun or another pronoun.
Antecedent Definition: the word that a pronoun is referring to.
Rule 1
Definition: Pronouns and antecedents must agree in number.
Example: The boys played their best.
Example: The boys played their best.
Rule 2
Definition: Two antecedents joined by ‘and’ makes a plural pronoun.
Example: The bike and the scooter lost their wheels.
Example: The bike and the scooter lost their wheels.
Rule 3
Definition: Pronouns and antecedents must agree in gender. If it is undetermined, than "he or she" may be used; another alternative is picking either "he" or "she" and keeping this pronoun consistently throughout the rest of the essay.
*Note: Recently, the use of singular they has been rising in popularity, although we're not sure how accepting teachers will be of it.
Example: Once one enters the army, he or she must follow the rules.
*Note: Recently, the use of singular they has been rising in popularity, although we're not sure how accepting teachers will be of it.
Example: Once one enters the army, he or she must follow the rules.
Rule 4
Definition: Collective nouns are treated as singular nouns.
Example: The pride of lions ate its meal.
Example: The pride of lions ate its meal.
Trick
Get rid of any prepositional phrases you see. These just tend to confuse people on the number, gender, etc. of a noun.
Sentence Fluency
You must vary the different structures you use in your writing.
Basic Structure: Begins with a subject, followed by a verb.
Prepositional Phrase: Starts with a preposition, followed by a noun, pronoun, or group of words used as a noun. Common Prepositions: about, before, during, inside, over, above, below, except, in, through, across, beside, for, of, to, around, between, from, off, under, at, by, in, on, with
Participial Phrase: Starts with a participial (-ing verb) modified by an adverb or adverb phrase; it is used as an adjective.
Infinitive Phrase: Starts with an infinitive (to + simple verb), followed by objects and/or modifiers; it is used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
Adverbial Phrase: This includes adverbs that modify verbs, adjecives, or clauses; it is used to tell how, when, where, why and to what degree something was done.
Subordinate Phrase: This modifies or expands another phrase.
EXAMPLES:
Basic Structure: Uncle Iroh enjoys roast duck.
Prepositional Phrase: Uncle Iroh is sleeping under the tree.
Participial Phrase: Feeling sleepy, Sokka went to sleep.
Infinitive Phrase: To gain the approval of his father, Zuko hopes to capture the Avatar.
Adverbial Phrase: When Zuko realized his mistake, he decided to join the Avatar.
Subordinate Phrase: Despite not being trusted by Katara, Zuko was accepted into the group.
Basic Structure: Begins with a subject, followed by a verb.
Prepositional Phrase: Starts with a preposition, followed by a noun, pronoun, or group of words used as a noun. Common Prepositions: about, before, during, inside, over, above, below, except, in, through, across, beside, for, of, to, around, between, from, off, under, at, by, in, on, with
Participial Phrase: Starts with a participial (-ing verb) modified by an adverb or adverb phrase; it is used as an adjective.
Infinitive Phrase: Starts with an infinitive (to + simple verb), followed by objects and/or modifiers; it is used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
Adverbial Phrase: This includes adverbs that modify verbs, adjecives, or clauses; it is used to tell how, when, where, why and to what degree something was done.
Subordinate Phrase: This modifies or expands another phrase.
EXAMPLES:
Basic Structure: Uncle Iroh enjoys roast duck.
Prepositional Phrase: Uncle Iroh is sleeping under the tree.
Participial Phrase: Feeling sleepy, Sokka went to sleep.
Infinitive Phrase: To gain the approval of his father, Zuko hopes to capture the Avatar.
Adverbial Phrase: When Zuko realized his mistake, he decided to join the Avatar.
Subordinate Phrase: Despite not being trusted by Katara, Zuko was accepted into the group.
Subject-Verb Agreement
info to come