grammar+and+punctuation+guide


 * Grammar and Punctuation Guide**

A **preposition** is a word that introduces a noun or a pronoun. The **object of a preposition** is the noun or pronoun directly following the preposition.
 * Prepositions** (Memory trick: Prepositions are anywhere a cat can go!)

Example: My daughter ran (by the door.) The boy (in the hall) slipped on the water.

The cat ran (about the house.) (In late December) we get two weeks off.

about around beyond on under above at down over unto across before for past up after behind from through upon along below in to within amid between into throughout among by off toward
 * Prepositions:**

Others that do not fit the cat memory tool: but (meaning except) of during concerning with without

1. The cat ran around the house. 2. He slipped in the window. 3. Under the table rested the kittens. 4. The cat hid within the ruffles of the table cloth.

**Steps to determining the main parts of a sentence:** Step 1: Place parenthesis around the prepositional phrases. Step 2: Cross off the following articles (adjectives): a, an, the. Step 3: Locate the verb by asking yourself //what is the action of the sentence.// Label the verb with a V. (If there does not seem to be any action, check to see if the verb is a linking verb. Step 3: Locate the subject of the sentence by asking yourself //who or what plus the verb.// The answer is the subject. Label the subject with an S.


 * **Action Verbs:** run, hike, play, fall

smell, seem, grow, become, appear, sound, taste, feel, get, remain, stay, look, turn
 * Linking Verbs:** is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been

should, would, could, will, shall, can, may, might, must ||
 * Auxiliary Verbs:** is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been, do, did, does, has, have, had,

Practice: S V 1. The math teachers rode pink bicycles (around the school).

2. Coach White received the most votes for Coach of the Year.

3. The FFA students planted flowers in front of the school at 2:30 p.m.

4. On Valentine’s Day, Billy gave Susie a dozen roses in the hallway.

**Clauses** A **clause** is a group of related words that has both a subject and a predicate/verb. (a phrase never has both)

An **independent clause** is a clause which makes up a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. An **independent clause** makes up a **simple sentence**. S V Example: (In the early morning,) John shoveled the driveway.

A **dependent clause** cannot stand alone as a sentence and begins with a **subordinating conjunction. Dependent clauses** leave the reader hanging. They are sentence fragments. SC S V Example: Since John shoveled the driveway. (Fragment)

after if until although since when as than because though whenever before unless whether where whatever while
 * Subordinating Conjunctions:**

as if as long as as much as as though in order that inasmuch as provided so that

**Simple Sentences** A simple sentence is made up of one independent clause. It may contain a single or a compound subject. It may have a single predicate/verb or a compound predicate/verb. Examples: My back aches.

My teeth and my eyes hurt.

My memory and my logic come and go.

I must be getting over the hill.

**Compound Sentences**
 * Compound** sentences consist of **two independent clauses** . The clauses must be joined in one of the following ways:


 * A comma and a coordinating conjunction:** Energy is part of youth, and I have lots of it.


 * A semicolon:** It couldn’t be my fault; I take good care of myself.


 * A semicolon, conjunctive adverb, and a comma:** Energy is part of youth; however, I am exhausted.


 * Coordinating Conjunctions:** (Remember the FANBOYS!)
 * f** or **a** nd **n** or **b** ut **o** r **y** et **s** o

consequently therefore otherwise furthermore thus likewise however hence nevertheless moreover meanwhile for example in fact
 * Conjunctive Adverbs** :

**Complex Sentences** A complex sentence contains one independent and one or more dependent clauses. They are joined in the following ways:


 * A comma is used if the dependent clause comes first.**
 * Example:** //If I’m not in a hurry,// I take long walks.


 * No comma is used if the dependent clause comes at the end of the sentence.**
 * Example:** I take long walks //if I’m not in a hurry.//

**Compound-Complex Sentences**

A Compound-Complex Sentence contains two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

Example: If I am not in a hurry, I take long walks; however, if I am in a hurry, I take short walks.