Modifiers Adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases are modifiers, words or groups of words that tell more about, or modify, other words in a sentence. Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Prepositional phrases can act as adjectives or adverbs. As Adjective Some students in my class are studying bats. As Adverb They studied in the library. To avoid confusion, place modifiers close to the words they modify. Adjective phrases usually come right after the word they modify. Adverb phrases may appear right after a verb or at the beginning of a sentence. The meaning of a sentence can be unclear if the modifier is misplaced. No: I see bats at the zoo with large ears. Yes: I see bats with large ears at the zoo. The position of only in a sentence can affect the sentence s entire meaning. Place only directly before the word or words it modifies. Example: Only he studied bats. (Nobody else studied bats.) He only studied bats. (He did not do anything except study bats.) He studied only bats. (He studied nothing else.) Directions Write adverb, adjective, or prepositional phrase to identify each underlined modifier. 1. Most bats fly quickly. 2. They eat many insects. 3. Bats usually fly at night. 4. On some nights, you can see them. 5. My friend is afraid of bats. 6. I really like them. Directions Each sentence has a misplaced modifier. Rewrite the sentence and put the phrase where it belongs. 7. Many people are scared of bats with no other fears. 8. People cannot appreciate bats who fear the dark. 9. Bats will not bite you in your hair or get tangled. Unit 6 The Truth About Austin s Amazing Bats Grammar 26
Conjunctions A conjunction is a word such as and, but, or or that joins words, phrases, or sentences. Use and to join related ideas: Deer and elk are similar animals. Use but to join contrasting ideas: That deer looks small but healthy. Use or to suggest a choice: Do deer eat more grass or tree leaves? You can use conjunctions to make compound subjects, compound predicates, and compound sentences. Place a comma before the conjunction in a compound sentence. Compound Subject No wolves or bears lived on the island. Compound Predicate The deer herd thrived and grew there. Compound Sentence The deer grew fat, and their numbers grew quickly. A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate clause to a main clause or sentence. While, because, although, and if are some examples of subordinating conjunctions. Main Clause Subordinate Clause The deer ran away because they saw us coming. Subordinate Clause Main Clause If we see them again, I will take a picture. Directions Underline the conjunction in each sentence. 1. Deer eat green plants, but these are not available in winter. 2. Deer may have to eat bark and twigs instead. 3. Too much snow or ice can keep them from grazing. Directions Underline the conjunction in ( ) that completes each sentence. 4. Did you welcome the deer, (and, or) did you shoo them away? 5. I want to photograph the deer, (and, but) I just want to watch the birds. 6. A strip mall went up nearby, (and, or) the deer lost their habitat. Directions Use the conjunction and, but, or or to join each pair of sentences. Write the new sentences. Remember to add a comma. 7. Any population must have enough to eat. It must not have too many predators. 8. Having no predators may sound good for a population. It can cause overpopulation. Unit 6 St. Matthew Island Grammar 27
Commas can clarify meaning and tell readers when to pause. Put a comma after every item in a series but the last. King Midas turned roses, porridge, and a girl into gold. The king wept, moaned, and wrung his hands. When you speak or write to someone, you may use the person s name or title. This noun of direct address is set off with a comma, or two commas if it is in the middle of a sentence. What s wrong, Father? There s not a thing, dear, for you to worry about. Appositives are noun phrases that describe another noun. They are set off by commas. Ms. Wong, my favorite teacher, received an award. Put a comma after an introductory word or phrase, such as yes, no, well, of course, or as usual. Yes, I did enjoy the story. In fact, it is my new favorite. Put a comma before the conjunction in a compound sentence. Always use a comma and conjunction when joining sentences. Yes: Carl thinks the play is great, and he likes the story too. No: Carl thinks the play is great, he likes the story too. In an address, put commas between a street and a town and between a town and a state. 28 Elm Road, Cary, IL 60013 Put a comma after the day and the date. Thursday, September 18, 2008 Commas Directions Rewrite each sentence. Add commas where they are needed. 1. Joan Mary and Wes want to turn the story into a play. 2. They will write dialogue but she will hold auditions. 3. Mr. Allen our music teacher will handle the sound effects. 4. Patty will you make the sets? 5. The sets were ready on Monday September 1 2008 in the gym. Unit 6 King Midas Grammar 28
Quotations and Quotation Marks A direct quotation gives a person s exact words and is enclosed in quotation marks ( ). Direct quotations begin with capital letters and end with proper punctuation. End punctuation is inside the closing quotation marks. Words that tell who is speaking are set off from the quotation by punctuation. When the quotation comes last in a sentence, set it off with a comma. Tony said, I love reading about the history of flight. When the quotation comes first in a sentence, a comma, question mark, or exclamation mark sets off the quotation. Have you read about dirigibles? asked Norm. When the quotation is interrupted by words that tell who is speaking, use two sets of quotation marks. Notice that words telling who is speaking are followed by punctuation. Use a comma if the second part of the quotation does not begin a new sentence. I understand, replied Tony, that they were the largest crafts ever to fly. Use end punctuation and a capital letter if the second part of the quotation does begin a new sentence. Yes, they were, added Norm. They were also quite dangerous. Quotation marks are also used to set off titles of stories, essays, poems, songs, and chapters of books. I read an essay called How Blimps Are Used in class. Directions Rewrite each sentence. Add quotation marks where they are needed. 1. Robby read a story called The Hindenburg. 2. Ms. West asked, Have you ever flown across the Atlantic? Directions Write each sentence correctly. Add quotation marks and other punctuation as needed. 3. it s a good idea she advised to get up and move around often. 4. thanks for the advice Robby said I ll take along some games and books Unit 6 The Hindenburg Grammar 29
Punctuation You have already learned about punctuation such as commas, quotation marks, and end marks. Here are some other kinds of punctuation. A colon (:) is used to separate hours and minutes in expressions of time and to introduce a list. It is also used after the salutation in a business letter. 12:00 p.m. Bring these things: pencils, pens, and paper. Dear Sir: A hyphen (-) is used in some compound words. Two common uses are numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine and compound words that are thought of as one word. a ten-year-old rider thirty-five a high-class club A semicolon (;) can be used to join two independent clauses instead of a comma and a conjunction. Ben practiced piano every day; he soon became an excellent player. Italics or underlining is used for titles of books, newspapers, magazines, and works of art. Because you cannot write italics, underline titles in your writing. Use italics or underlining for emphasis. the Los Angeles Times (newspaper) I will never finish my homework!) or the Los Angeles Times I will never finish my homework! A dash ( ) sets off information or a comment that interrupts the flow of a sentence. The shiny horn the only new thing he had ever had took his breath away. Directions Rewrite each sentence. Add the missing punctuation marks. 1. The letter began, Dear Ms. Verbic Your appointment is at 130 p.m. 2. The party it was for Grandma s sixty first birthday was to begin at 700 p.m. 3. Quentin was a well liked jazz musician he always played to large crowds. 4. The Daily News reviews three books: SuperJazz, Jazzmen, and Sweet Harlem! Unit 6 Sweet Music in Harlem Grammar 30