Sunday, September 19, 2010

Junior Grammar Notes - 9/14

 YOUR and YOU’RE
•       ‘You’re’ refers to ‘you are.’
•       ‘Your’ shows ownership.

Comma Tip #1
•       Use commas to set off introductory words and phrases that describe the subject or tell when, where, how, or why the main action of the sentences occurs.
•       While the snow was falling, we drank hot chocolate by the fire.  [When]
•       Slowly, she became aware of the severe problem. [How]
•       To ace the test, John needed to study. [Why]
•       Pen poised in anticipation, Logan waited for the test to be distributed. [Describes subject]

Comma Tip #2
•       Use commas before a coordinating conjunction that join two independent clauses (parts) in a compound sentence.
•       Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet
•       Independent clauses: two clauses that can stand alone (subject and verb are present)
•       The show started at last, and the crowd grew quiet.
•       He saw the cake sitting on the counter unattended, so he took it and ran.
•       We can go the movie tonight, or we can go the concert.
•       My students in England said aluminium, and I said aluminum.

Comma Tip #3
•       Use commas to separate items in a series (three items or more NOT two).
•       Use commas to separate more than one adjective that describes a noun
•       All the cafeteria’s vegetables—broccoli, green beans, peas, and carrots were cooked to a gray mush.
•       I bought shoes, a shirt, socks, and trousers.
•       He used yellow, green, and blue to color his picture.
•       They are sincere, talented, and inquisitive researchers.
•       The long, twisting, muddy road led to a shack in the woods.

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