Grammar Notes and Mini-Lessons

Mr. BeckettGrammar Notes and Mini-LessonsWarm-upComplete Exercise A, #1-5 on page 264. Just write down words that need to be capitalized.Common Nouns vs. PROPER NOUNSCommon Nouns: any one of a group of persons, places, things, or ideas.

Proper Nouns: a particular person, place, thing, or idea. Capitalization: Common vs. Proper NounsCommon Nouns: DO NOT CapitalizeProper Nouns: CAPITALIZEriverpresidentstreetschoolcollege/universitystatedog Allegheny RiverPresident ObamaDivision StreetWoodland Hills High SchoolUniversity of PittsburghPennsylvaniaSnoopyYou DO NOT need to capitalize the following:Short prepositions of less than five letters in, on, with, to

Coordinating conjunctionsand, but, so, for, or, nor, yet

Articlesa, an, theCapitalization: Initials and AbbreviationsCapitalize initials in names and abbreviations that come before OR after names.

Examples:J.D. RockefellerDr. Suzi CohenLouis J. HalleSr. GarciaPracticeComplete #1-10 on Exercise 1, pages 268-269. Write down words that need to be capitalized or need to be made lower case. Three sentences are correct. Day Two PracticeWarm up: Complete Ex. A, #6-10, pgs. 264-265.Practice: Complete Ex. 1, #6-10, pg. 269. (Two sentences are correct)North, South, East, West?DO NOT capitalize directionCAPITALIZE Specific RegionsI am going to head south at the river.Its just north of Pittsburgh.As soon as you see the gas station, go east on Route 10.Im from the South

People from the North scare me.

The East Coast beaches are better than the West Coast beaches.We get a lot of oil from the Middle East.Special Events, Holidays, and Calendar ItemsCapitalize the following:Special Events:the Boston Marathonthe All-Star Gamethe Iowa State FairHolidays:Valentines DayEarth DayCalendar Items:FridayMarchDo not capitalize seasons.PracticeExercise 2, page 272, #1-10. One sentence is correct.ApostrophesThe possessive case of a noun shows ownership, or possession. To form the possessive case of most singular nouns, add an apostrophe and an s.Examples:the mayors deskthe evenings paperthe buss wheelSteves problem

Apostrophes (cont.)For a singular common noun ending in s, add both an apostrophe and an s if the added s is pronounced as a separate syllable.Examples:The actresss costumesThe classs teacherThe dresss sleevesThe platypuss tailApostrophes (cont.)To form the possessive case of a plural noun ending in s, add only an apostrophe:Examples:Two birds feathersThe Garzas patioAll three cousins vacationThe Girl Scouts uniforms

Apostrophes (cont.)For a name or noun ending in s, add only an apostrophe if the name has two or more syllables and does not sound awkward.

Examples:Mrs. Rawlings carTexas governorthe species characteristicsPractice: Day OneComplete Review A, pgs. 359-360. #1-10.

Write down the words that need apostrophes with the apostrophe in the right place.Warm up PracticeReview B, pg. 360-61, do #s 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10. Also, one sentence is correctPossessive PronounsYou DO NOT need an apostrophe with the following possessive pronouns:SingularPluralmy, mineour, oursyour, yoursyour, yourshis, her, hers, itstheir, theirsPracticeComplete Exercise 3, pgs. 362-363, #1-10.

ContractionsThe apostrophes in contractions show letters, words, or numerals have been left out:Common Contractions

Who is..whosshe will.shellThere istheresI amImCould have..couldveyou are..youre1999..99we had..wedOf the clockoclockshe has.shesLet us..letsLisa isLisasI wouldIdIs not.isntCannotcantwill not..wont

PracticeReview C, pg. 363, #1-10.

Review C, pg. 363 #11-20

PluralsUse an apostrophe and an s to form the plurals of numerals, symbols, all lowercase letters, some uppercase letters, and some words referred to as words. Examples:Most cursive us and Us look similar.I used too many sos in my paper.These 2s look like 7s.The author has confused @s with &s.

PracticeReview D, pg. 364, #1-10.CHOMP CHOMP Grammar PracticeIn Google, type in Chomp Chomp GrammarClick on the link to the siteScroll down to and click on ExercisesScroll down to Apostrophes, and click on Interactive Exercise OneComplete the exercise.

Titles: Quotations or Underline?Place quotations around shorter works ():Examples:ArticlesEssaysShort StoriesPoemsSongsEpisodes of TV SeriesChapters and Other Parts of Books or PeriodicalsTitles (cont.)Underline or italicize longer worksExamples:Books/NovelsPeriodicals (Magazines, Newspapers, etc.)Long PoemsPlaysFilms/MoviesTelevision SeriesLong Musical Works and RecordingsWorks of ArtShips/BoatsTrainsAircraft and SpacecraftPractice with Titles: Write down the titles and either underline them or place quotes around them.Have you ever read Money Hungry, the novel by Sharon Flake?The fifth episode in the TV series The African Americans is titled The Harlem Renaissance.The Idea of Ancestry is a great poem from Etheridge Knights poetry collection Poems from Prison.

Practice with Titles: Write down the titles and either underline them or place quotes around them.Have you ever read Money Hungry, the novel by Sharon Flake?The fifth episode in the TV series The African Americans is titled The Harlem Renaissance.The Idea of Ancestry is a great poem from Etheridge Knights poetry collection Poems from Prison.

My father always swore by Newsweek, but my mother always preferred U.S. News & World Report.The space shuttle The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after its launch, and it was replaced by the space shuttle Endeavour in 1992.I read an article about the movies The Incredible Hulk and Spiderman 3 in the magazine Entertainment Weekly.

Practice with Titles: Write down the titles and either underline them or place quotes around them.My father always swore by the magazine Newsweek, but my mother always preferred U.S. News & World Report.The space shuttle The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after its launch, and it was replaced by the space shuttle Endeavour in 1992.I read an article about the movies The Incredible Hulk and Spiderman 3 in the magazine Entertainment Weekly.

Practice with Titles: Write down the titles and either underline them or place quotes around them.My all-time favorite poems by Robert Frost are The Road Not Taken and Nothing Gold Can Stay, the last of which is featured in the movie based on S.E. Hintons novel The Outsiders.One of my favorite TV shows, Disaster Chronicles, ran an episode called Volcanoes in ItalyWe went to see Andy Warhols famous work of art, Skulls, then we went to see the play Our Town.In ninth grade, we read the story The Most Dangerous Game out of our anthology, Glencoe Literature: The Readers Choice.Practice with Titles: Write down the titles and either underline them or place quotes around them.My all-time favorite poems by Robert Frost are The Road Not Taken and Nothing Gold Can Stay, the last of which is featured in the movie based on S.E. Hintons novel The Outsiders.One of my favorite TV shows, Disaster Chronicles, ran an episode called Volcanoes in Italy.We went to see Andy Warhols famous work of art, Skulls, then we went to see the play Our Town.In ninth grade, we read the story The Most Dangerous Game out of our anthology, Glencoe Literature: The Readers Choice.Practice with Titles: Write down the titles and either underline them or place quotes around them.Titles reviewIn this months Entertainment magazine, I read the article Summer Box Office: 10 Winners and 10 Losers, which discusses the summer films Iron Man 3, Fast & Furious 6, Smurfs 2, and White House Down.Entertainment, Summer Box Office: 10 Winners and 10 Losers, Iron Man 3, Fast & Furious 6, Smurfs 2, and White House Down.More Titles PracticeThis year, well probably read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.The article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette was entitled One Dies in Wilkinsburg House Fire.The Ballad of the Landlord and Cross are two very good poems by Langston Hughes.Homer the Father is a great episode of the series The Simpsons.

More Titles PracticeThis year, well probably read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.The article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette was entitled One Dies in Wilkinsburg House Fire.The Ballad of the Landlord and Cross are two very good poems by Langston Hughes.Homer the Father is a great episode of the series The Simpsons.

More Titles PracticeOne of the most famous ships in history is the Titanic, but many dont realize that the Lusitania is also very famous.The best songs off of Ice Cubes famous album The Predator are Wicked, Check Yo Self, and It Was a Good Day.In history class, we watched the documentary movie on Charles Lindbergh called Lucky: The Story of Charles Lindbergh. The movie included shots of his famous plane Spirit of St. Louis, which he flew from New York to Paris.

More Titles PracticeOne of the most famous ships in history is the Titanic, but many dont realize that the Lusitania is also very famous.The best songs off of Ice Cubes famous album The Predator are Wicked, Check Yo Self, and It Was a Good Day.In history class, we watched the documentary movie on Charles Lindbergh called Lucky: The Story of Charles Lindbergh. The movie included shots of his famous plane Spirit of St. Louis, which he flew from New York to Paris.

More Titles PracticeSome of the most famous paintings ever created were Mona Lisa, The Starry Night, and the Scream, but unfortunately none of these are displayed in Pittsburgh at the Andy Warhol Museum or the Carnegie Museum of Art.Steve Craftons famous essay, Shakespeares Finest, discusses William Shakespeares three famous plays Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Othello.The ESPN article Peytons Place discusses how quarterback Peyton Manning has transformed the Denver Broncos into one the NFLs finest. It appears in ESPN magazine.

More Titles PracticeSome of the most famous paintings ever created were Mona Lisa, The Starry Night, and the Scream, but unfortunately none of these are displayed in Pittsburgh at the Andy Warhol Museum or the Carnegie Museum of Art.Steve Craftons famous essay, Shakespeares Finest, discusses William Shakespeares three famous plays Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Othello.The ESPN article Peytons Place discusses how quarterback Peyton Manning has transformed the Denver Broncos into one the NFLs finest. It appears in ESPN magazine.

Test Review: CapitalizationI wouldnt mind moving to washington d.c., but I really want to move somewhere very far south of pittsburgh, pa.Again, georgetown university is tempting, but i might be more happy in the south with a warmer climate.Ideally, I would like to move to a university that is close to the atlantic ocean, and maybe the university of miami or florida university might be good choices for me.

Test Review: CapitalizationWashington D.C., Pittsburgh, PAGeorgetown University, I, SouthAtlantic Ocean, University of Miami, Florida University

Test Review: Capitalization (cont.)No matter what I decide for a school for this fall, I better at least get out of allegheny county and head north, south, east, or west.Regardless of where I go, my parents want me to get a degree that would give me the title of an m.d. like dr. smith, our family friend.By valentines day, I plan on making my final decision. If I wait until easter or memorial day, even, there might not be room for me.Test Review: Capitalization (cont.)Allegheny CountyM.D., Dr. SmithValentines Day, Easter, Memorial DayTest Review: ApostrophesThe armys supplies were cut off at dawn. All the soldiers faces showed despair at hearing the news.The soldiers just completed five days worth of fighting. General Smiths pride in them could not be any stronger.The leaders pride, though, nor any of the General Clarks speeches, could prevent the soldiers eventual fate.

Test Review: Apostrophesarmys, soldiersdays ,SmithsLeaders, Clarks, soldiersTest Review: Apostrophes (cont.)Dont take your time getting to class, for goodness sake! Hurry, because you cant miss any material if you want to get As and not Bs or Cs!Whose turn is it? I know its not mine and I know youve already taken your turn.The actresses dressing room was so full that they had to take some of their clothes to the towns thrift store. The thrift stores owner was very excited because they mostly had childrens clothing and needed some adult clothing.Test Review: Apostrophes (cont.)Dont, goodness, cant, As,Bs, Csits, youveactresses , towns, stores, childrensTest Review: TitlesOswald Rivers novel Fire and Rain and Tim OBriens short story Ambush are about the Vietnam War.Out of their list of 500 greatest songs, Rolling Stone picks Otis Reddings song Respect and Bob Dylans song Like a Rolling Stone in the top five.The last episode of The Walking Dead was called Infected.Test Review: TitlesFire and Rain, AmbushRolling Stone,Respect, Like a Rolling StoneThe Walking Dead , InfectedTest Review: Titles (cont.)We went to the New York Museum of Art to see the famous paintings Guernica by Picasso and Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.They have made a movie about the Apollo 13 space shuttle trip. It starred Tom Hanks, who now stars in the movie Captain Phillips.

Test Review: Titles (cont.)Guernica, Mona LisaApollo 13, Captain Frank

Subject/Verb AgreementCommon Problems with SentencesHe think we should spend more time on grammar.They goes to whatever school they wants to.The coach in charge of the players look angry.Each of the players want to go to college.Singular vs. PluralSingular: a word that refers to one person, place, thing, or idea.Plural: a word that refers to more than oneSingularvideochildIthiefherselfPluralvideoschildrenwethievesthemselvesPracticeExercise 1, pg. 110, #s 1-20.Write s if it is singular and p if it is pluralSubjects and verbsSingular subjects take singular verbs. s vJake attends college. s vThat boy delivers newspapers.

Plural subjects take plural verbs. s vThey attend college. s vThose boys deliver newspapers.Helping verbsThe first helping verb agrees in number with the subject.Jake is attending college.They are attending college. A boy in my class has been delivering newspapers.Two boys in my class have been delivering newspapers.Exercise 2, pg. 111, #1-19.Write down the correct verb you would use.PracticeSubject Verb Agreement (cont.)The number of a subject usually IS NOT determined by a word in a phrase or clause that follows the subject. s clause vA book of poems is on the shelf. s clause vThe dinosaurs from the Jurassic Period include the Seismosaurus.PracticeExercise 3, pg. 112, #1-10.Write down the subject and the correct verb (see the example). Write down the subject and verbEach of the girls (brings/bring) her own music.Neither of the workmen (takes/take) safety precautions.Both of the sisters (takes/take) Karate classes.Few of the animals willingly (leaves/leave) their natural habitat.One of the parakeets always (harasses/harass) its owner.

Write down the subject and verbEach of the girls (brings/bring) her own music.Neither of the workmen (takes/take) safety precautions.Both of the sisters (takes/take) Karate classes.Few of the animals willingly (leaves/leave) their natural habitat.One of the parakeets always (harasses/harass) its owner.

Write down the subject and verb.Many of the players (stretches/stretch) before practice.Several of the girls (walks/walk) home after school.All of the water (has/have) melted; it (is/are) pooling in the valley.Most of her cooking (tastes/taste) good. In fact, it (is/are) delicious. Most of the dishes she cooks (tastes/taste) good. Write down the subject and verb.Many of the players (stretches/stretch) before practice.Several of the girls (walks/walk) home after school.All of the water (has/have) melted; it (is/are) pooling in the valley.Most of her cooking (tastes/taste) good. Most of the dishes she cooks (tastes/taste) good. Write down the subjects and verbs. USE THE CHARTSeveral of the men (was, were) tired after only two minutes of running.One of the assistants (has, have) to handle all the calls for Dr. Smith.Either of the assistants (runs, run) errands while the other (handles, handle) the calls.Both of the assistants (receives, receive) good pay for the job.

Write down the subject and verb. USE THE CHART for help.Nobody who comes into the office (waits, wait) very long to see Dr. Smith.Many of the patients (sees, see) Dr. Smith before waiting five minutes.None of the patients (is, are) unhappy with the assistants work.

New Problem with Subject/Verb AgreementThe cars and the trucks (go/goes) quickly on the parkway.Steve and Stacy (is/are) going to the movies.Neither Steve nor Stacy (is/are) going to the movies.The coach or the players (is/are) responsible for the loss.The students or the teacher (is/are) the first to class.Compound SubjectsSubjects joined by and usually take a plural verb. s s vHer brother and her uncle are teachers. s s vBoth the scout and the counselor were helpful guides.

Compound Subjects (cont.)Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb. s s vMarcelo or Donna knows the address. s s vNeither our phone nor our doorbell was working.Compound Subjects (cont.)Plural subjects joined by or or nor take plural verbs. s s vThe Wilsons or the Campbells live there. s s vNeither cardinals nor finches come to the birdfeeder.Compound Subjects (cont.)When a singular subject and plural subject are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject closer to the verb. s s vEither Harry or his aunts are planning the party. s s vNeither the potatoes nor the roast is done.PracticeExercise 6, pg. 119, #1-10SKIP #8Review: Subject/Verb AgreementGeneral Subject/Verb Agreement:The members of the team (is/are) in the living room.The man who lives behind my neighbors (takes/take) mail from us.The team of players (is/are) ranked number two in the country.Review: Subject/Verb AgreementGeneral Subject/Verb Agreement:The members of the team (is/are) in the living room.The man who lives behind my neighbors (takes/take) mail from us.The team of players (is/are) ranked number two in the country.Review: Subject/Verb AgreementCompound Subjects: Gabriel and Octavia (has/have) won prizes for singing.My parents and the coach (thinks/think) I have potential to go pro.Sean or Mark (is/are) going to win the competition.

Review: Subject/Verb AgreementCompound Subjects: Gabriel and Octavia (has/have) won prizes for singing.My parents and the coach (thinks/think) I have potential to go pro.Sean or Mark (is/are) going to win the competition.

Review: Subject/Verb AgreementCompound Subjects: (continued) The parents or the coaches (drives/drive) the players to the game.Adrienne or my cousins (gets/get) to ride the roller coaster with me.The appetizers or the dessert (makes/make) me most excited about a meal.

Review: Subject/Verb AgreementCompound Subjects: (continued) The parents or the coaches (drives/drive) the players to the game.Adrienne or my cousins (gets/get) to ride the roller coaster with me.The appetizers or the dessert (makes/make) me most excited about a meal.

Review: Subject/Verb AgreementSubject Indicators (use chart):Each of the players (feels/feel) tired after running for an hour straight.Nobody from the newspapers (gets/get) access to the players after the game.Several of the players (leaves/leave) the stadium two hours after game time.

Review: Subject/Verb AgreementSubject Indicators (use chart):Each of the players (feels/feel) tired after running for an hour straight.Nobody from the newspapers (gets/get) access to the players after the game.Several of the players (leaves/leave) the stadium two hours after game time.

Review: Subject/Verb AgreementSubject Indicators (use chart):Many of the cities (loses/lose) power quickly when a storm comes.None of the tar (is/are) stuck to his new Air Jordans.All of the church members (donates/donate) money every Sunday.

Review: Subject/Verb AgreementSubject Indicators (use chart):Many of the cities (loses/lose) power quickly when a storm comes.None of the tar (is/are) stuck to his new Air Jordans.All of the church members (donates/donate) money every Sunday.

Final Review: Subject Verb AgreementThe pieces of pizza (is/are) way too small for me.A bowl of Doritos (goes/go) pretty quickly in my house.The coach of the players (is/are) angry with his team.The members of the church (is/are) hosting a bake sale.

Final Review Part Two: Use ChartSomebody on the bus (was/were) whistling.Neither of the books (has/have) an index.Few of these jobs (sound/sounds) challenging.Both of her parents (has/have) offered us a ride.Most of the candy (is/are) melted.Most of the CDs (belongs/belong) to me.

Final Review: Part ThreeDrew or Steve (is, are) going out for a pass.Neither the quarterback nor wide receiver (hears, hear) the referees whistle.The principal and band director (was, were) proud of the performance.The tight end or the running backs (is/are) most responsible for helping protect the quarterback on this play.Neither the fans nor the players parents (was/were) making enough noise.