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Grammar Study GuideGrammarNounsA noun is a person, place, thing, or idea.A common noun is a general name for a person, place, or thing, or ideas, for example: school, club, and book. Common nouns do not use capital letters.A proper noun is the name of a particular one, for example: Stone Hill Middle School, Cartooning Club, Hunger Games, a book. Proper nouns are always capitalized.3679190401955Sample test questions - Directions: Choose the answer that includes all of the nouns in each sentence.Lena hit the ball into the stands.Lena, ball, standsBall, stands Lena, hit, ball, standsOur class is learning to speak Spanish.Class, speak, SpanishClass, SpanishSpanishFragments Sentence fragments are errors that make your writing difficult to understand. A fragment is part of a sentence that is written as if it were a complete sentence. A fragment is missing a subject, a predicate, or both.Sample test questions - Directions: Choose the answer that identifies each group of words.The cool damp caverns blow the plete sentencefragmentrun-onThe first game of the plete sentencefragmentrun-onCompound Sentence PartsA compound subject is made up to two or more subjects that share the same verb. Likewise, a compound verb is made up of two or more verbs that share the same subject. These are joined by a conjunction such as and, or, or but.Sample test questions - Directions: Choose the answer that correctly identifies the boldfaced words in each sentence.The handyman painted and papered all pound subjectCompound verbThe restaurants and beaches were crowded with tourists. Compound subjectCompound verbPronounsA pronoun is a word that is used in place of a noun or another pronoun. The word that a personal pronoun refers to is called its antecedent. Personal pronouns change their forms depending on how they are used in a sentence. Each pronoun has three cases: subject, object, and possessive. Be sure to check how a pronoun is being used in each sentence. 3388995443865Sample test questions - Directions: Look for errors in the sentences. When you find an error, mark the letter of the line containing the error. If there is no error, fill in the last answer space. Can Sam and me rake your leavesnext Saturday? (no error) 8.The student counciland theyare working together.(No error)The antecedent is the noun or pronoun that a pronoun refers to or replaces. Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, person, and gender.Sample test questions - Directions: Identify the antecedent of the boldfaced pronoun in each sentence. Marsha bought an antique cup and its saucer at the house sale.Marshacup saucer10. After the banquet, Carlos and Anna presented their gift to the coaches. banquetCarlos and AnnacoachesIndefinite PronounsAn indefinite pronoun does not refer to a specific person, place thing, or idea. Indefinite pronouns often do not have antecedents. Indefinite pronouns can be singular, plural, or singular or plural. Sample test questions - Directions: Underline the indefinite pronoun in each sentence. Then circle the correct verb. Everyone ( want, wants ) to buy the tickets to the upcoming talent show.Nobody ( has, have ) ever found the leprechaun’s pot of gold.VerbsA verb is a word used to express an action, condition, or a state of being. The two main kinds of verbs are action verbs and linking verbs. Action verbs tell what the subject does. Linking verbs tell what the subject is. Both kinds can be accompanied by helping verbs. A linking verb links the subject of the sentence to a word in the predicate. The most common linking verbs are forms of the verb be. The forms of be are: is, am, was, are, were, be, been.Helping verbs help the main verb express action or show time. They are combined with the main verbs to form verb phrases, for instance, “The mother has washed the laundry.”Sample test questions - Directions: Identify the answer the verb phrase in each sentence. Students will return to their classrooms after the assembly.will returnreturn toKris might plant daffodil bulb this fall. plant thismight plantIrregular VerbsIrregular verbs are verbs whose past and past participle are not formed by adding –ed or –d to the present. For instance, the past participle of these verbs is formed by adding –n or –en to the past. PresentPastPast Participlebreakliespeakstealwearbrokelayspokestolewore(have) broken(have) lain(have) spoken(have) stolen(have) wornSample test questions - Directions: Look for errors in the sentences. When you find an error, circle the letter of the line containing the error. If there is no error, circle the last answer space. A. When playing baseball,B. he broken the windowC. when the ball flew into it.D. (No error) 16. A. Nobody knew B. that the paintingC. had been stolen.D. (No error.)Verb Tenses4022725647700In writing and speaking, you use the tenses of verbs to indicate when events happen. Changing tenses indicates a change in time. If you do not need to indicate a change in time between two actions, keep the tenses of the two verbs the same. For instance, the present tenses include: I watch (present); I have watched (present perfect), or I am watching (present progressive). Refer to verb reteaching page 94 for additional information. Sample test questions - Directions: Choose the answer that correctly identifies the boldfaced words in each sentence.Most drivers obey stop signs, thank goodness!PresentPresent progressivePast At each track event, everyone is cheering for Jeff.PresentPresent progressivec. PastAdjectives and AdverbsAn adjective is a word that describes, or modifies, a noun or pronoun. An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Adverbs answer the question how, when, where, or to what extent. Many adverbs are formed by adding the suffix –ly to adjectives. Sometimes a base word’s spelling changes when –ly is added, such as bright – brightly, simple – simply, -cozy – cozily.Sample test questions - Directions: Choose the answer that correctly identifies the adjective or adverb in each sentence.I am completely happy with my new bicycle. completelyhappynewBryan plays fast-paced games on the computer.sometimesplaysfast-pacedSubject-Verb AgreementA verb must agree with its subject in number. Number refers to whether a word is singular (naming one) or plural (naming more than one). A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb. In a sentence with a verb phrase, the first helping verb must agree with the subject, such as “The boys have been playing on a baseball field.A compound subject is made up of two or more simple subjects joined by a conjunction such as and, or, or nor. A compound subject whose subjects are joined by and usually take a plural verb.When the parts of a compound subject are joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part closest to it, such as “Either the monkey or the boys pull the light switch.” Remember, the subject of a verb is never part of a prepositional phrase. Mentally block out any words between the subject and verb. Make the verb agree with the subject --- not the prepositional phrase.3910330356235Sample test questions - Directions: Choose the verb that agrees with the subject in each sentence.The leather purses _____ on the counter at the right.isareWhen I’m real tired, even loud noises _____ keep me awake.doesn’tdon’tNeither my coat nor my boots _____ in the closet.waswereBlossoms from the apple tree _____ on the grass.is falling are fallingSome teachers from my school _____ at the food bank.volunteervolunteers 4790440-231775CapitalizationRules of Capitalize: People’s names and initials: Robert E. LeeTitles and abbreviations of titles used before names or address: Captain Hook, Ph.D.Titles of heads of state, royalty, nobility only when used with a person’s name or in place of a person’s name: Queen of England, President Obama Family relationships: Aunt Betty, Granddad PeterReligions, sacred days or writings, and deities: Christmas, Judaism, Allah DO NOT capitalize ’god’ or ‘goddesses’ when referring to figures of ancient mythology.Name of nationalities, languages, races, ethnic groups: Native American, CaucasianFirst word of every line of traditional poetry: Row, row, row your boat…First word of a direct quotation if it is a complete sentence: “Our class is reading On My Honor.” First word in the greeting and the closing of a letterFirst word, the last word, and all other important words in titles --- DON’T capitalize articles, conjunctions, or prepositions of fewer than five letters: My Side of the Mountain Geographical names, except articles and prepositions: United States of AmericaNames of planets and other specific articles in the universe: Big Dipper, SaturnRegions of a country or world and specific directions representing regions: North, South, North America --- but not general directions: We flew north to Alaska.Names of specific buildings, bridges, monuments, and landmarks: Luray Caverns, Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco)Names of specific airplanes, ships, cars, trains, and spacecraft: Santa Maria, Orient ExpressNames of organizations, institutions, stores, and companies: George Mason University, National Organizations, SonyHistorical events, periods, and documents: The Constitution, Civil War eraSpecific abbreviations: B.C., A.D., A.M., P.M.Names of months, days, and holidays but not ‘general’ seasons: Monday, Flag Day, October FestNames of special events and awards: Nacho Fest, Pulitzer PrizeBrand names of products but not a common noun that follows a brand name: Vaseline Intensive Care lotion, Crest toothpasteSample test questions - Directions: Choose the best answer in which the capital letters are used correctly. 26. A. The smell of Italian food always reminds my mother of her European trip.B. The smell of italian food always reminds my mother of her European trip.C. The smell of Italian food always reminds my Mother of her European trip. Our plans are to drive east and camp on the hudson river.HudsonEast, HudsonHudson, RiverA. “Please tell us, senator, why you voted against the bill,” said Charles Smith.B. “Please tell us, Senator, why you voted against the bill,” said Charles Smith.C. “Please tell us, Senator, why you voted against the Bill,” said Charles Smith.29. A. “Be sure to tell me,”B. said Officer Gil, C. “When we get to your street.”D. (No error.)30. A. In Greek mythology, Hera is the queen of the gods.B. In Greek mythology, Hera is the Queen of the gods.C. In greek mythology, Hera is the Queen of the gods.54102003873531. A. The Pulitzer Prize recognizes Superior writing by authors and journalists.B. The Pulitzer Prize recognizes superior writing by authors and journalists.C. The Pulitzer Prize recognizes superior writing by Authors and Journalists.PunctuationPeriodsEnd marks for sentences: periods, question marks, and exclamation pointsUse periods after each number and letter in a list or an outline. CommasUse commas between two or more adjectives: Pocahontas was a brave, powerful woman. Use commas to set off one or more words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence: The legend, by the way, is probably false.Use commas to set off nonessential appositives; appositives are nonessential if the meaning of the sentence is clear without them: Her marriage to John Rolfe, a colonist, led to eight years of peace. Use commas whenever the reader might be confused: Before her return home, smallpox ended her life. Use a comma between the day of the month and the year. IF the sentence continues, use a comma after the year also: On November 11, 1918, the armistice was signed. Use a comma between the name of a city or town and the name of the state or country. If the sentence continues, use a comma after the name of the state or country: The zoo in Buffalo, New York, is in Delaware Park.Use commas after the greeting go an informal letter and after the closing of an informal or business letter: Dear Dad, Your son, Semicolons and ColonsUse a semicolon to join the parts of a compound sentence if you don’t use a conjunction: The night was clear; the stars were bright.When there are commas within parts of a series, use a semicolon to separate the parts: John was from Miami, FL; Rose was from Sterling, VA; and Linda was from Dallas, TX. Use a colon in the following ways:after the formal greeting in a business letter --- Dear Judge Thomas, between hours and minutes in expressions of time --- 7:30 P.M., 5257800-98425to introduce a list of items but only after nouns or pronouns --- soap, perfume, and body lotion. Hyphens, Dashes, and Parentheses Hyphens Use a hyphen if part of a word must be carried over from one line to the next. ALWAYS break the word between two syllables; each syllable must have at least two letters: lad- der, be- low.Use in compound words: self-made, great-uncle.Use in compound numbers: twenty-two, thirty-five.Use in spelled-out fractions: one-half, four-fifths.Dashes: Use dashes to show a break in thought.The Big Dipper --- if I can find it --- is in the northern sky.Parentheses: use these to set off material that is loosely related to the rest of the sentence. Orion (a hunter in Greek mythology) is also the name of a famous constellation.ApostrophesUse to form possessives, even if a word ends in s: Jeff’s backpack, James’s bookUse in contractions to show were letters have been left out: we’re, she’llUse apostrophe plus s to form the plurals of letters and words referred as words: Remember to cross the t’s. Punctuating TitlesQuotation marks: used for the titles of short works: book chapter, sort story, essay, magazine article, song, poem4217035689610Italics and underlining: used for title of longer works and for names of ships, trains, spacecraft, and individual airlines: book, play, magazine, movie, long musical selection or CD, epic poem (The Odyssey), painting, ship (U.S.S. Arizona), train, airplane or spacecraft Punctuating QuotationsDirect quotation = speaker’s exact words. Use quotations marks at the beginning and at the end of a direct quotation. “These games are fun,” said Joe.Use commas to set off the explanatory words used with a direct quotation at the beginning, middle, or end of the quotation.Joe said, “These games are fun.”“These games,” Joe said, “are fun.”Divided quotation = two parts of the quotation by explanatory words; Both parts are enclosed in quotation marks. Joe said, “These games are fun.”Don’t capitalize the second part unless it begins a sentence. “These games,” Joe said, “are fun.”Dialogue is a conversation between two speakersShow a change in speakers, make a new paragraph Sample test questions - Directions: Choose the best answer in which the punctuation is used correctly. 32. A. That bird is B. a parrot, and C. can talk. D. (No error)33. A. My grandmother was born on October 20, 1940 in Framingham, MA. B. My grandmother was born on October 20, 1940, in Framingham, MA34. A. Members of the band include: Bob Elgin, drummer, Sara Eliot, guitarist, and Jacob Henson, keyboard player.B. Members of the band include: Bob Elgin, drummer; Sara Eliot, guitarist; and Jacob Henson, keyboard player.35. A. Mr. Moore (now the principal of the middle school) was my favorite teacher.B. Mr. Moore; now the principal of the middle school; was my favorite teacher.36. A. “What time does the movie begin”? asked Dana.B. “What time does the movie begin?” asked Dana.37. A. Mark asked if he could borrow Ellen’s dictionary.B. Mark asked, “If he could borrow Ellen’s dictionary.”190506350KEY: 1. A, 2. B, 3. B, 4. B, 5. Compound verb, 6. Compound subject, 7. A, 8. D, 9. B, 10. B, 11. Everyone, wants 12. Nobody, has , 13. will return, 14. might plant, 15. B, 16. D - No error, 17. Present, 18. Present progressive, 19. completely, 20. fast-paced, 21. are, 22. don’t, 23. were, 24. are falling, 25. Volunteer, 26. A, 27. C, 28. B, 29. C, 30. A,31. B, 32. A, 33. B, 34. B, 35. A, 36. B, 37. A ................
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