Final Exam ReviewBeginning Writing

SENTENCEHas a subject and a verbExpresses a complete thought (does not need

a mama)

Example: The can ran up a tree to get away from the dog.

CLAUSES: TWO TYPESIndependent Clause (aka sentence):

Has a subject and verbCan stand by itself Expresses a complete thought

Example: The cat ran.

CLAUSES (cont.)Dependent Clause

Has a subject and verbCannot stand by itself (does not make sense on

its own)Is an incomplete thought

Example: Although the cat climbed the tree

PHRASESA group of words that function as a unit

Does not contain both a subject and verb

There are many types of phrases:

The following are the major types

Noun PhraseA group of words functioning as one noun

Example 1 : The cat in the treeExample 2: The black cat

Verb PhraseA group of words functioning as one verb

Example 1: am learningExample 2: has been sitting

Prepositional PhraseA group of words a group of words that links

a sentence’s subjects and verbs to other parts of the sentence.

It contains a preposition and an object and may contain modifiersIt locates things in time

Example: in the morningIt positions things in space

Example: by the libraryIt indicates direction

Example: Around the corner

Examples of Prepositional PhrasesAround the cornerAfter dinnerOn the tableTo the mallIn an hourBefore schoolThrough the doorwayUnder the bedAbove the ground

COMMAS: 4 USESUSE 1: To insert information into a sentence

that isn’t necessary to the sentence’s meaning

Example: Bob, who is somewhat shy, is well liked by everyone.

Example: My neighbor, Mrs. Jones, is very nosy.

COMMAS: CONT.Use 2: to link clauses to other parts of a

sentence Use with coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) to

join 2 or more independent clauses

Example: I like to swim in the lake, but I wouldn’t want to swim in a pond.

Use to join dependent clauses that begin a sentence to the rest of the sentence

Example: After we left the party, we went to eat at Denny’s.

COMMAS: cont.Use 3: To separate 3 or more items in a series

Example 1: I bought apples, oranges, and bananas at the store.

Example 2: When classes end, I need to finish my Christmas shopping, wrap presents, and pack for my trip.

COMMAS: cont.Use 4: After introductory words and phrases

Example 1: Before dinner, we need to wash our hands.

Example 2: Hey, can you pass the butter?

Example 3: Whenever it gets cold, my knees hurt.

SemicolonsUse a semicolon between two related,

independent clauses Example: Bob is good at math; he plans to

study accounting. Spaghetti is cheap; I buy it a lot.

Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverbExample: I hired a tutor for my English class;

thus, I got an A. Example: Bob usually gets up at 6:00; however,

today he is off work and can sleep in.

Avoiding Run-On SentencesA run on happens when you fuse two or more

independent clauses without the necessary punctuation or coordinators.Example: I worked hard in class I earned a good grade.

s v s v This contains TWO independent clauses (two simple

sentences) with no punctuation or no coordinating conjunction.

How to fix it? Step 1: check for 2 independent clauses Step 2: check that the clauses are separated by a

coordinating conjunction and a comma, or by a semicolon.

Comma SplicesThis occurs when you separate independent

clauses with a comma without a coordinating conjunction. Example: The rain came down hard, the river

filled with water.How to fix it?

You MUST use either a semicolon instead of the comma OR you must add a coordinating conjunction. The rain came down hard; the river filled with

water.OR

The rain came down hard, and the river filled with water.

SubordinationWhen using a dependent clause to begin a

sentence, use a comma after the dependent clause (the clause that is subordinate to the main clause)Ex: After the party was over, we went home to

watch a movie.When using a dependent clause at the end of

a sentence, don’t use a comma.Ex: We went home to watch a movie after the

party was over.

FragmentsA sentence fragment is a group of words that

looks like a sentence and is punctuated like one but is not.

It may:Be missing either a subject or a verbnot make a complete statement

Example: Because parents with small children want a car with room for a car seat, a stroller, diaper bags, and toys

Example: For example, the controversy over air bags

Correcting FragmentsStep 1: Check to make sure each group of

words that looks like a sentence contains a subject and a verb

Step 2: If you find a subject and verb, check to make sure the group of words makes a complete statement.

If your “sentence” fails either of the above tests, add the missing components.

ModifiersAdjectives

Describe nouns (people, places or things) green tree tall man Short, chubby dog

AdverbsDescribe verbs or adjectives

Ran quickly Drove erratically Very scary bear

Subject-Verb AgreementSubjects and verbs must agree in number

Use singular verbs with singular subjects Ex: Nicole runs out of the house every morning

because she’s late.

Use plural verbs with plural subjects Ex: They run with their track team.

Problems with S-V AgreementCollective nouns:

In general, use singular verbs when the subject is a collective noun (one that refers to a group of people acting as a whole) The audience laughs at the comedian. The team plays at home this week. Everyone has his own preferences.

Changed word order: sentences beginning with here or thereThere are crumbs on the floorHere are your books and pencils.

Pronouns and AntecedentsChallenge: his, her or their?

In the following sentences, tell whether you’d use his, her or their as the antecedent.

Everybody in the store was talking on _____ phone. All of the people in the cooking contest prepared

_____ best dishes. Nobody brought____ coat, even though it was cold

outside. Neither of your cousins was able to give you ___ help

with your math homework.

PossessivesUse an apostrophe to show ownership

Singular possessive = ‘sThe rabbit’s furMike’s car

Plural possessive = s’Students’ booksKids’ bikes

PluralsExcept in special cases, to make a noun

plural, add –s or –esShoe -> shoesBag -> bagsFlash -> flashes

REMEMBER: ’s shows ownership S makes things plural