sentence sense the comma rules! reigns!. overview sentence building jargon the basic types of...

Sentence SenseSentence Sense

The Comma Rules!

Reigns!

OverviewOverview

Sentence building jargonThe basic types of sentencesWhat NOT to doThe Comma RulesThe Semicolon

Every sentence must have these three things

Every sentence must have these three things

SubjectVerbComplete idea

Grammar TalkGrammar Talk

PhraseClause

A bunch of words with NO subject or verb

A bunch of words with a subject and verb.

Clauses come in many types

Clauses come in many types

Independent Can stand alone. Can be called a sentence.

Dependent Cannot stand alone.Not a sentence because they

DEPEND on an independent clause.

Dependent clauses have specific names depending

on their function

Dependent clauses have specific names depending

on their functionNoun clauses act as nouns.Adjective clauses act as adjectives.

Adverb clauses act as adverbs.

We need to know the grammar talk to use commas and other

punctuation correctly.

We need to know the grammar talk to use commas and other

punctuation correctly.

The comma rules!

How do we use independent and

dependent clauses in sentences?

How do we use independent and

dependent clauses in sentences?There are three

types of sentences.

Do you know their names?

Simple1 independent clause

Simple1 independent clause

The Grand Canyon is in Arizona.It is one of the most visited national parks in the country.

Compound2 or more independent

clauses

Compound2 or more independent

clausesIt is one mile deep, and it is over 200 miles long.

Mario will visit in May, but Erin isn’t going until September.

Complex1 independent clause and

at least 1 dependent clause

Complex1 independent clause and

at least 1 dependent clauseWhile they were there, they hiked a

lot.They had to carry a lot of water

because the temperature reached 100 degrees.

The trail, which was created by Indians, leads to the Colorado River.

Coordinating conjunctions“Little words”

Coordinating conjunctions“Little words”

F A N B O Y S For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, SoThese words are used to combine two things: independent clauses, nouns, or verbs

Use a comma to combine two independent clauses

Subordinating conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions

When, while, after, Although, because, since, before, etc.

These words often begin dependent clauses

Use a comma at the end of an introductory clause.

Relative Pronounsaka Adjective Pronouns

Relative Pronounsaka Adjective Pronouns

WhoWhichThat

WhomWhoseWhat

The Most Common Relative Pronouns

The Most Common Relative Pronouns

Who = people onlyWhich = things onlyThat = either

Nelson Mandela, who had been the most widely known figure in the struggle against apartheid, became the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

South Africa, which is located at the southern most region of Africa, has experienced a different history from other nations in Africa due to its early immigration from Europe and the strategic importance of the Cape Sea Route.

No Comma before THATNo Comma before THAT

The country that thrived on the trans-Sahara trade is Guinea-Bissou when it was part of the Mali empire.

Burkina Faso hosts a popular Pan-African film festival that attracts filmmakers from across the continent.

,THAT,THAT

The Republic of Congo, whose capital lies directly on the equator, is 2/3 rainforest.

The diamond mines of Angola, whose value cannot be overestimated, employ thousands.

Whose does not always pertain to people

Whose does not always pertain to people

Conjunctive Adverbs or transition words – “big

words”

Conjunctive Adverbs or transition words – “big

words”therefore, however, consequently, as a result, moreover, furthermore, namely, similarly, on the other hand, overall, in conclusion.

These words are set off on both sides with punctuation.

Transition words can go in the beginning, middle, or

end.

Transition words can go in the beginning, middle, or

end.Therefore, we should review our work frequently.

We should, therefore, review our work frequently.

We should review our work frequently, therefore.

Combining SentencesCombining Sentences

Sentences can only be combined one of two ways:

With comma and a FAN BOYS

OrWith a semicolon

CompoundI I

I I

I I;

Complex

I (interrupted)

I D

D I,

D

Your turn, then compare

Your turn, then compare

Write four sentences: one simple, one compound, and two

complex (one with a subordinating conjunction and

one with a relative pronoun

The Guide to Grammar and Writing


Look at the second oval on the right. Click on the drop down

arrow and choose 170+ Interactive QUIZZES.

Try # 64: Types of Sentences

http://grammar. ccc.commnet.edu/

grammar

Bad (incorrect) sentencesBad (incorrect) sentences

Run-on – 2 independent clauses combined with no punctuation. Also called a fused sentence.

Comma splice – 2 independent clauses combined with only a comma.

Fragment – Not a sentence. Missing a subject, verb or complete idea.

What’s the problem?What’s the problem?

As for African Americans themselves, in Montgomery.

They showed the world that they could organize brilliantly and work courageously to reach their goals.

The old passivity was gone an exuberant new sense of dignity and destiny replaced it.

The news from Greensboro hit home for a whole generation of black students, the pictures on TV of the Greensboro sit-in galvanized many of them into action.

In the first two weeks after Greensboro.

There were sit-ins against segregation laws in fifteen other southern cities, by April, it was seventy-eight cities, and by year’s end, 70,000 people had taken part in demonstrations.





Try # 68: Fragments and Run-ons

http://grammar. ccc.commnet.edu/grammar

The comma rules The comma rules SeriesCompound sentenceIntro word, phrase, clauseExtra info (appositive)QuotesDouble adjectives and Misc.

Every day on the computer I check my email, use PowerPoint, and revise excel sheets.

Using a computer makes my work easier, but I still seem to have a lot to do.

Personally, I couldn’t live without a computer

In the beginning, I had trouble working with the mouse.

Although I’ve learned a lot, I’ve discovered that there’s always more to know about computers.

Mr. Attey, one of the computer teachers, has been very patient working with the students.

He always says, “practice makes perfect.”

It has been a long, difficult process at times.

The SemicolonThe Semicolon

Your friend

The Semicolon has two uses

The Semicolon has two uses

#1To combine two closely related sentences

Access helps to collect and arrange information; it’s a database program.

#2To combine “monster lists”

Last year, Fatima visited Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Conakry, Guinea; Dakar, Senegal; and Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Introducing…Introducing…

The Colon

The ColonThe Colon

The colon introduces something: a word, phrase, or even a complete sentence.

It only goes where a period could go.

For exampleFor example

Mikey would only eat one thing for breakfast: Cherrios.

He hated everything: eggs, waffles, juice.

He only made one demand: “Give me Cherrios!”

--The Dash----The Dash--

Sets off items when a comma is inappropriate.

It also adds drama because it draws attention.

For exampleFor example

Michael Jordon – the greatest living basketball player of the world – is my son’s idol.

He was not corrupted by money – unlike many of his contemporaries.





Try # 85: Punctuation




Look at the bottom left oval. Click on the drop down arrow and choose PowerPoint

Presentations. Review this lesson by studying the following PowerPoint

Presentations: Clauses: Essential Building Blocks, The English House of Commas,

Your Friend the Semicolon, and any others that strike your fancy.


Congratulations!Congratulations!

You are now well on your way toward becoming a

better writer.

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