Grammar Gurus SERGEANT SEMI-COLON

Transcription

1 Grammar Gurus SERGEANT SEMI-COLON The semi-colon was invented to help readers. Without it, sentences would run on and on and on and on and on and on. The semi-colon is used to separate major sentence elements of equal grammatical weight. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE WORLD IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE THE SEMI-COLON PROPERLY! IT IS YOUR MISSION TO LEARN AS MUCH ABOUT THE SEMI-COLON AND ITS USAGE AS YOU CAN! YOUR FIRST MISSION IN BECOMING SERGEANT SEMI-COLON IS TO APPLY THE FOLLOWING RULES TO THE SENTENCES PROVIDED. Rule #1 Use a semi-colon between closely related principal clauses not joined with a coordinating conjunction. EXAMPLE: Injustice is relatively easy to bear; what stings is justice. Rule #2 Use a semi-colon between items in a series containing internal punctuation. EXAMPLE: Classic science fiction sagas are star trek, with Mr. Spock, and his large pointed ears; Battlestar Gallactica, with it Cylon raiders; and Star Wars, with Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader. Rule #3 Use a semi-colon between principal clauses linked with a transitional expression. EXAMPLE: Many corals grow very gradually; in fact, the creation of a coral reef can take centuries. Transitional Expressions accordingly also anyway besides certainly consequentl y conversely finally furthermore hence however incidentally indeed instead likewise meanwhile

2 moreover nevertheless next nonetheless otherwise similarly specifically still subsequentl y then therefore thus after all as a matter of fact as a result at any rate at the same time even so for example for instance in addition in conclusion in fact in other words in the first place on the contrary on the other hand As a group correct the following sentences by adding semi-colons where you think they should be according to the rules. Once you have finished editing the sentences, match each semi-colon you added to a particular rule and explain why you chose to add the semi-colon. The Sentences: 1. The contestants came from Dubuque, Iowa Memphis, Tennessee and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. I got all dressed up for the party however, my best friend wore jeans. 3. Our school is overcrowded and consequently, a new wing will be added. 4. My father is an accountant my mother is a lawyer. 5. Berman is a difficult language to mater however, if you plan to be a scientist, you may want to study this language. 6. The roof was leaking, and the walls were sagging therefore, the Smiths hired a contractor to repair the house. 7. I've seen photos of Paris, France London, England and Rome, Italy. 8. This case bears investigation I'll put someone on it. 9. Anne is going to Japan this summer therefore, she is studying Japanese now. 10. On our vacation, we drove through San Francisco, California Salt Lake City, Utah and Jackson, Wyoming. 11. The clock on the stairs keeps perfect time its precision is remarkable. 12. Juan is an excellent math student however, he is planning to be a writer.

3 Grammar Gurus KEEPER OF QUOTATIONS The quotation marks were invented to help readers. Without it, people s words could be misused or even stolen. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE WORLD IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE QUOTATION MARKS PROPERLY! IT IS YOUR MISSION TO LEARN AS MUCH ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS AND THEIR USAGE AS YOU CAN! YOUR FIRST MISSION IN BECOMING A KEEPER OF QUOTATIONS IS TO APPLY THE FOLLOWING RULES TO THE SENTENCES PROVIDED. Rule #1 Use quotation marks to enclose direct quotations of a person s words, whether written or spoken. EXAMPLE: A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. Rule #2 Use quotation marks around the titles of short works: newspaper and magazine articles, poems, short stories, songs, episodes of television and radio programs, and chapters of books. EXAMPLE: Katherine Mansfield s The Garden Party provoked a lively discussion in our short story class last night. Rule #3 Always place periods and commas inside quotation marks. EXAMPLE: This is a stick up, said the well dressed young couple. We want all your money. Rule #4 Put question marks and exclamation points inside quotations marks unless they apply to the sentence as a whole.

4 EXAMPLE: Contrary to tradition, bedtime at my house is marked by Mommy, can I tell you a story now? EXAMPLE: Have you heard the old proverb Do not climb the hill until you reach it? As a group correct the following sentences by moving or adding quotation marks according to the rules. Once you have finished editing the sentences, match each quotation you added or moved to a particular rule and explain why you chose to add or move the quotation marks. The Sentences: 1. Mary is trying hard in school this semester, her father said. 2. No, the taxi driver said curtly, I cannot get you to the airport in fifteen minutes. 3. I believe, Jack remarked, that the best time of year to visit Europe is in the spring. At least that's what I read in a book entitled Guide to Europe. 4. My French professor told me that my accent is abominable. 5. She asked, Is Time a magazine you read regularly? 6. Flannery O'Connor probably got the title of one of her stories from the words of the old popular song, A Good Man Is Hard to Find. 7. When did Roosevelt say, We have nothing to fear but fear itself? 8. It seems to me that hip and cool are words that are going out of style. 9. Yesterday, John said, This afternoon I'll bring back your book Conflict in the Middle East; however, he did not return it. 10. Can you believe, Dot asked me, that it has been almost five years since we've seen each other? 11. A Perfect Day for Bananafish is, I believe, J. D. Salinger's best short story. 12. Certainly, Mr. Martin said, I shall explain the whole situation to him. I know that he will understand.

5 Grammar Gurus AGENT APOSTROPHE The apostrophe was invented to help readers. Without it, we would have incredible difficulty showing possession through writing. Not to mention contractions! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE WORLD IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE THE APOSTROPHE PROPERLY! IT IS YOUR MISSION TO LEARN AS MUCH ABOUT THE APOSTROPHE AND ITS USAGE AS YOU CAN! YOUR FIRST MISSION IN BECOMING AGENT APOSTROPHE IS TO APPLY THE FOLLOWING RULES TO THE SENTENCES PROVIDED. Rule #1 Use an apostrophe to indicate that a noun is possessive. EXAMPLE: I sat down behind the lawyer s desk. Rule #2 If the noun does not end in s, add - s. If the noun is singular and ends in s, add - s. If the noun is plural and ends in s, add only -. EXAMPLE: Thank you for refunding the children s money. EXAMPLE: Lois s sister spent last year in India. EXAMPLE: Both diplomats briefcases were stolen. Rule #3 To use an apostrophe to show joint possession, use s with the last noun only. To show individual possession make all nouns possessive. EXAMPLE: Have you seen Joyce and Greg s new camper? EXAMPLE: Hernando s and Maria s expectations of marriage couldn t have been more different.

6 Rule #4 In contractions the apostrophe takes the place of the missing letters. It s = it is, Can t = cannot. EXAMPLE: It s a shame that frank can t go on the tour. As a group correct the following sentences by moving or adding apostrophes according to the rules. Once you have finished editing the sentences, match each apostrophe that you have added or moved to a particular rule and explain why you chose to add or move the apostrophe. The Sentences: 1. Samantha borrowed Julies pencil. 2. Tina, Lucy, Laura and Pat were playing. Jamie crept up and kicked the girls ball. 3. Its my birthday today. Its my mums birthday as well. 4. He got his ball out. Greg kicked it really hard and it went through Miss Lomas window. 5. I didnt hear what the teacher said so I couldnt do the work. 6. Were going to Spain on holiday. Im going to take James camera. 7. I told Bob th t he shouldnt steal but he still took Lucys apple. He hid it in his sisters coat. 8. My two brothers were playing with their toys. I asked my mum if I could play with my brothers but she said I couldnt. 9. My dads hobby is swimming. Were going to the swimming baths on Friday and Im allowed to wear my big brothers goggles. 10. Youre not coming to my party. I dont want you to spoil my party like you did James.

7 Grammar Gurus PROFOUNDLY PARENTHETIC Parentheses were invented to help readers. Without it, we would not be able to add thoughts of lesser importance to our writing BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE WORLD IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE PARENTHESES PROPERLY! IT IS YOUR MISSION TO LEARN AS MUCH ABOUT PARENTHESES AND THEIR USAGE AS YOU CAN! YOUR FIRST MISSION IN BECOMING PROFOUNDLY PARENTHETIC IS TO APPLY THE FOLLOWING RULES TO THE PARAGRAPH PROVIDED. Rule #1 Use parentheses to enclose supplemental material, minor digressions, and afterthoughts. EXAMPLE: After taking her temperature, pulse, and blood pressure (routine vital signs), the nurse made Becky as comfortable as possible. Rule #2 Use parentheses to enclose letters or numbers labeling items in a series. EXAMPLE: Regulations stipulated that only the following equipment could be used on a survival mission: (1) a knife, (2) ten meters of parachute line, (3) a book of matches, (4) two ponchos, (5) an E tool, and (6) a signal flare. Caution: Do not overuse parentheses! Rough drafts are likely to contain more afterthoughts than necessary. As writers head into a sentence they often think of additional details, occasionally working them in with parentheses. Such sentences should usually be revised so that the additional details no longer seem like afterthoughts. EXAMPLE: Researchers have said that five million (estimates run as high as fifteen million) Canadians have hypoglycemia. EXAMPLE: Researchers have said that from five to fifteen million Canadians have hypoglycemia.

8 As a group correct the following sentences by re-moving or adding parentheses according to the rules. Once you have finished editing the sentences, match each set of parentheses that you have added or moved to a particular rule and explain why you chose to add or move the set of parentheses. The Sentences: 1. The men in question Harold Keene, Jim Peterson, and Gerald Greene deserve awards. 2. Darwin's On the Origin of Species 1859 caused a great controversy when it appeared. 3. She requested actually she pleaded that her name be withheld. 4. This contract guarantees that we will 1 deliver the merchandise, 2 pay for all damaged goods, and 3 make you the exclusive carrier of our products. 5. I can have lunch with you tomorrow Friday. 6. I hope you are feeling better. I am sick today. 7. I smiled actually I laughed when I saw the expression on his face. 8. Your essay all nine pages of it is on my desk. 9. He finally answered after taking five minutes to think that he did not understand the question. 10. We need an emergency room physician who can 1 think quickly, 2 treat patients respectfully, and 3 handle complaints from the public.

9 Grammar Gurus COMMA COMMANDER The comma was invented to help readers. Without it, sentence parts can collide into one another unexpectedly, causing confusion and miscommunication! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE WORLD IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE THE COMMA PROPERLY! IT IS YOUR MISSION TO LEARN AS MUCH ABOUT THE COMMA AND ITS USAGE AS YOU CAN! YOUR FIRST MISSION IN BECOMING A COMMA COMMANDER IS TO APPLY THE FOLLOWING RULES TO THE SENTENCES PROVIDED. Rule #1 Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so & yet). The comma is used to join two principal clauses. EXAMPLE: Most people prefer chocolate ice cream, but I like vanilla. Rule #2 Use a comma between all items in a series. EXAMPLE: I went to the store and bought bananas, apples, and milk. Rule #3 Use a comma after an introductory word group. EXAMPLE: Near a small stream at the bottom of the valley, we discovered a fort. As a group correct the following sentences by adding, moving, or removing the commas according to the rules. Once you have finished editing the sentences, match each comma that you have added or moved to a particular rule and explain why you chose to add, move, or remove the comma.

10 The Sentences: 1. I did not want to be late so I left before my roommate got out of bed. 2. Nashville Tennessee is the largest country music center in the United States. 3. My religion professor Dr. Hawkins delivers compelling lectures. 4. After I rest I will be ready to get back into the game. 5. If I sprint from my dorm to my first class in Henderson climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator and sprint to my next class in the science building I get some aerobic exercise without running laps. 6. When I do my homework I like to have absolute quiet but my roommate wants to play music. 7. We have read short stories but have not studied plays. 8. In fact we have read a number of stories but not novels. 9. An author develops characters setting and point of view. 10. After I rest I will write some more. 11. The congregation however does not understand the doctrine. 12. My aunt Lucy a very happy person smiles all the time. 13. We should go to the store and buy some taco ingredients. 14. The oratorio was a spell-binding beautiful work of music.