The KISS Grammar Book



Book 9

of the

KISS Grammar Books

© Dr. Ed Vavra

Revised Nov. 11, 2014

KISS Instructional Materials are available for free at .

Welcome and Introduction 2

Unit 1 – Review 3

Annual Review and Usage 3

Pronouns as Predicate Nouns 4

Ex. 11 - Adapted from The Mother Tongue, Book II 4

Unit 4 - Studies in Noun Absolutes 5

Vocabulary, Style, Reading, & Writing 5

Ex. 13 - “Abou Ben Adhem” by Leigh Hunt 6

Needs Directions 6

Unit 7 - Vocabulary (1) 7

Abstract and Concrete Words and Phrases 7

Ex. 1 - 7

Synonyms and Antonyms 8

Ex. 2 - Synonyms from English for Use 8

Ex. 3 - Antonyms from English for Use 9

Unit 11 - Vocabulary (2) 10

Ex. 4 – JfF: Alternatives for “Said” —Tom Swifties (#1) 10

Welcome and Introduction

Unit 1 – Review

Annual Review and Usage

Pronouns as Predicate Nouns

|The Superscription |[pic] |Ex. 11 - Adapted from |

|from the Cross | |The Mother Tongue, Book II |

|by Simon Vouet | |by George Kittredge and Sarah Arnold |

|(1590 - 1649) | |Boston, Ginn & Company, 1903, 105. |

Formal and Informal Speech

When I get home from work, I do not open the door and say “It’s I.” Like most people, I say, “It’s me.” “It’s me” is informal, colloquial language. But in formal writing, I use “It’s I.” We adjust our language to our audience and purpose. In formal speaking and writing, a predicate noun is equal to the subject—in person, number, and case. Thus, in formal language, pronouns used as predicate nouns should usually be the same as those used as subjects.

Directions:

1. Put parentheses ( ) around each prepositional phrase.

2. Underline every subject once and every finite verb twice, and label complements.

3. Explain why the pronouns are not in objective case.

1. “Who’s there?” “It’s I!”

2. I wish to see Mr. Smith. Are you he?

3. “Do you know John Anson?” “Yes, that’s he!”

4. See that poor fellow! I shouldn’t like to be he.

5. “I asked to see your sons. Are these they?”

“Yes, these are they. Shall I tell you their names?”

6. “It’s she! There she is!” cried the children eagerly.

7. Yes, it was he, -- the famous admiral.

8. I wish it hadn’t been I who broke the window.

9. If that is the rich Mrs. Blank, I shouldn’t like to be she.

10. “Who’s there?” “It’s we.” “Who are you?”

11. The best grammarians in the village are we four girls.

Unit 4 - Studies in Noun Absolutes

Vocabulary, Style, Reading, & Writing

Ex. 13 - “Abou Ben Adhem” by Leigh Hunt

Needs Directions

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw within the moonlight of his room,

Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold.

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And, to the presence in the room, he said,

“What writest thou?” The vision raised its head,

And, with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord!”

“And is mine one?” asked Abou — “Nay, not so,”

Replied the angel. Abou spake more low,

But cheerly still; and said — “I pray thee, then,

“Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.”

The angel wrote and vanished. The next night

It came again, with a great wakening light,

And showed the names whom love of God had blest;

And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest!

From: Open Sesame! Poetry and prose for school-days Vol I. by Bellamy, Blanche (Wilder) "Mrs. F.P. Bellamy,"; Goodwin, Maud Wilder, Boston, Ginn & company, 1899.

Unit 7 - Vocabulary (1)

Abstract and Concrete Words and Phrases

Ex. 1 -

Synonyms and Antonyms

|Joachim Retires |[pic] |Ex. 2 - Synonyms from English for Use |

|to the Sheepfold | |Book Three |

|by | |by John H. Beveridge, Belle M. Ryan, & William D. Lewis |

|Giotto di Bondone | |Philadelphia, 1926: |

|(1267-1337)  | |The John C. Winston Company, 173. |

Synonyms are words that mean almost the same thing. You will find that no two synonyms have an identical meaning. There is always a shade of difference in meaning. The two meanings, however, must be almost the same.

Write as many synonyms as you can find for these words:

|look |little |brave |

|help |big |pretty |

|annoy |timid |work |

Of what value are synonyms to you in writing?

A. Write the following sentences in as many ways as you can by substituting as many synonyms for the italicized words as possible.

1. A pretty little girl ran to meet us.

2. He will not be able to fill the position because he is ignorant.

3. Mr. Burroughs compelled the laborer to finish his work before leaving.

4. He purchased the equipment at the stationery store.

5. An ancient tower defends the gate.

B. Write all the synonyms you can find for “said” in a short story in your reader.

C. Synonyms for “said” may express the speaker’s feeling or condition, as:

“Where am I?” he moaned.

“Just try it,” he grumbled.

Write ten synonyms for “said” that show different feelings or conditions of the speaker.

|Saint Francis |[pic] |Ex. 3 - Antonyms from English for Use |

|Giving his Mantle | |Book Three by John H. Beveridge, |

|to a Poor Man | |Belle M. Ryan, & William D. Lewis |

|by | |Philadelphia, The John C. Winston Company, 1926. |

|Giotto di Bondone | | |

|(1267-1337)  | | |

Antonyms are words that mean the opposite of each other. Write antonyms for the following words:

|enemy |beautiful |good |first |

|brave |clever |doubt |late |

|earn |day |dark |give |

Antonyms are valuable in writing when two characters or things are being contrasted. Insert the antonyms in these contrasts:

1. John is very clever, but his cousin is rather _______________ .

2. Try the apples. They are sweet, but the plums are _______________ .

3. This merciful ruler was followed by a very _______________ one.

4. Why does he eat such _______________ food when there is so much that is delicious and wholesome?

5. I believe that Mr. Price will grant my request this term even if he did _______________ it last year.

Unit 11 - Vocabulary (2)

|Freedom From Fear |[pic] |Ex. 4 – JfF: Alternatives for “Said” |

|Poster 1943 | |—Tom Swifties (#1) |

|by | | |

|Norman Rockwell | | |

|(American, 1894-1978) | | |

“Tom Swifties” are named after the Tom Swift series of book by Viktor Appleton. The author worked hard to replace the commonplace “said.” In these statements, the verb that replaces “said” is a pun on what is said. An example is

“I might as well be dead,” Tom croaked.

Directions:

Number your paper from one to ten, and from the list below write the verb that creates a pun in each of the following sentences.

1. “I’m losing my hair,” Tom __________.

2. “You must be my host,” Tom __________.

3. “I didn’t look at all!” Tom __________.

4. “I’d like to eat seventeen cakes,” Tom __________.

5. “There’s no need for silence,” Tom __________.

6. “This wind is awful,” __________Tom.

7. “Use your own toothbrush!” Tom __________.

8. “I want a motorized bicycle,” Tom __________.

9. “I need an injection,” Tom __________in vain.

10. “It’s time for the second funeral,” Tom __________.

|allowed |peeped |

|moped |pleaded |

|guessed |bawled |

|rehearsed |blustered |

|bristled |agreed |

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