grammar and punctuation 2

  • Semicolons: Helping Sentences Talk Together

    • A semicolon is like a special connector that helps sentences hang out together.

    • When Can We Use Semicolons?

    • If you have two complete sentences that are best friends (related), you can use a semicolon!

    • Example: "Mary studies every night for 2 hours; she gets very good grades."

      • Here, studying helps Mary get those good grades!

  • Good Examples of Semicolon Usage

    • Example 1: "Mike studies only 5 minutes a week; he worries about his next report card."

      • Worrying is related to how Mike studies, so the semicolon works!

    • Example 2: "Tara rarely studies; however, she does well on tests."

      • This example shows how sometimes people can succeed even if they don't study much.

  • Bad Examples of Semicolon Usage

    • Unrelated Stuff:

    • "I stayed up late last night; I like chocolate cake."

      • These sentences are not connected, so no semicolon here!

    • Lists are Not Friends:

    • "She likes authors; for example, Stephen King and Nora Roberts."

      • This part is a list, not a full sentence, so the semicolon cannot be used.

  • Using Semicolons in Lists

    • If you have a list with lots of commas, semicolons help you keep things clear!

    • Example: "On Thursday, he had eggs, bacon, and toast for breakfast; a sandwich and soup for lunch; and spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread for dinner."

    • The semicolons help separate each meal clearly.

  • Run-On Sentences: When Sentences Get Too Friendly

    • A run-on happens when two sentences are squished together without the right connectors.

    • Types of Run-ons:

    • Comma Splice: Only a comma is between two sentences.

      • Example: "Jaden traveled with a group to Europe, they visited France and Italy."

    • Fused Sentence: No punctuation to help separate!

      • Example: "Jaden traveled with a group to Europe they visited France and Italy."

  • How to Fix Run-ons

    • Use a Subordinating Word: Change one sentence to a part of the other by using words like "when."

    • Fix: "When Jaden traveled with a group to Europe, they visited France and Italy."

    • Make Two Separate Sentences: Just add a period!

    • Fix: "Jaden traveled with a group to Europe. They visited France and Italy."

    • Use a Semicolon: If the second sentence makes it clearer!

    • Fix: "Jaden traveled with a group to Europe; they visited France and Italy."

    • Add a Coordinating Word with a Comma: Use words like "and" or "but".

    • Fix: "Jaden traveled with a group to Europe, and they visited France and Italy."

  • Criteria for Combining Sentences with Semicolons:
    * A semicolon can be placed between 22 complete sentences where a period could otherwise have been used.
    * Relevance Requirement: The second sentence must have a direct relationship to the first sentence.

  • Correct Examples of Semicolon Usage:
    * Example 1: "Mary studies every night for 22 hours; she gets very good grades."
    * Reasoning: Mary's grades are likely a result of her study habits, establishing a clear connection between the two sentences.
    * Example 2: "Mike's study is about 55 minutes per week; he worries about his next report card."
    * Reasoning: The semicolon correctly joins two complete sentences where the second explains a consequence related to the first.
    * Example 3 (Comparison/Contrast): "Tara rarely studies; however, she always does well on tests."
    * Note: Semicolons are particularly effective for cases involving comparisons or contrasts, often used with words like "however."

  • Incorrect Examples of Semicolon Usage:
    * Unrelated Content: "I stayed up late last night; I like chocolate cake."
    * Reasoning: The second sentence lacks any connection to the first, making the combination improper.
    * Incomplete Sentences/Lists: "She likes popular authors; for example, Stephen King and Nora Roberts."
    * Reasoning: The portion following the semicolon is a list rather than a complete sentence.

  • Semicolons in a Series:
    * Semicolons are used in sentences containing a list when the use of commas alone would result in confusion or a lack of clarity.
    * Example Scenario: "On Thursday, he ate eggs, bacon, and toast for breakfast; a sandwich and soup for lunch; and spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread for dinner."
    * Explanation: Because the internal items in the list already use commas to separate breakfast components, lunch components, and dinner components, semicolons are necessary to show the clear separation between the three meals.

Run-on Sentences: Identification and Correction

  • Definition of a Run-on Sentence:
    * A run-on occurs when 22 or more sentences are joined incorrectly.

  • Types of Run-on Sentences:
    * Comma Splice: This occurs when 22 or more sentences are run together with only a comma separating them.
    * Example: "Jaden traveled with a group to Europe, they visited France and Italy."
    * Fused Sentence: This occurs when 22 or more sentences are run together without any punctuation whatsoever.
    * Example: "Jaden traveled with a group to Europe they visited France and Italy."

  • Strategies for Fixing Run-ons:
    * Option 1: Adding a Subordinator: Transform one sentence into a dependent clause using words like "When."
    * Correction: "When Jaden traveled with a group to Europe, they visited France and Italy."
    * Option 2: Using a Period: Separate the clauses into two distinct sentences.
    * Correction: "Jaden traveled with a group to Europe. They visited France and Italy."
    * Option 3: Using a Semicolon: Replace the comma or empty space with a semicolon.
    * Note: This only works if the second sentence explains or expands upon the first.
    * Option 4: Using a Comma and Coordinator: Join the sentences using a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and."
    * Correction: "Jaden traveled with a group to Europe, and they visited France and Italy."

  • Practice Exercise: Riley's Front Yard:
    * Problem Sentence: "Riley wanted to add color to the front yard she planted roses."
    * Subordinator Fix A: "Since Riley wanted to add color to the front yard, she planted roses."
    * Subordinator Fix B (Middle Placement): "Riley planted roses because she wanted to add color to the front yard."
    * Period Fix: "Riley wanted to add color to the front yard. She planted roses."
    * Optimization: Using a period can create choppy writing; this can be improved with transition words, such as: "As a result, she planted roses."
    * Semicolon Fix: "Riley wanted to add color to the front yard; she planted roses."
    * Comma/Coordinator Fix: "Riley wanted to add color to the front yard, so she planted roses."

Agreement: Pronouns, Antecedents, and Subject-Verb Relationships

  • Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement:
    * An Antecedent is the specific word that a pronoun replaces.
    * Example: "Sarah went camping and fishing. She caught 33 large trout."
    * Pronoun: "she"
    * Antecedent: "Sarah"

  • Indefinite Pronouns:
    * Most indefinite pronouns are singular, regardless of their plural connotation.
    * Common Indefinite Pronouns List: include oneone, anyoneanyone, someonesomeone, everyoneeveryone, nobodynobody, anybodyanybody, somebodysomebody, everybodyeverybody, nothingnothing, anythinganything, somethingsomething, and everythingeverything.
    * Incorrect Sentence: "Everyone in the class are ready for the test."
    * Corrected Sentence: "Everyone in the class is ready for the test."
    * Explanation: Think of "everyone" as "every single one."

  • Agreement in Point of View:
    * Pronouns must agree with the words to which they refer in terms of perspective.
    * Incorrect: "When somebody plays with scissors, you can get hurt."
    * Corrected versions:
    * "When somebody plays with scissors, he or she can get hurt."
    * "When you play with scissors, you can get hurt."
    * "When somebody plays with scissors, they can get hurt." (Modern APA guidelines allow for the use of the singular "they.")

  • Pronoun Reference Clarity Issues:
    * Ambiguity with Person: "Eat your oatmeal because they say it's good for you."
    * Problem: It is unclear who "they" refers to.
    * Ambiguity with Closeness: "A car is by the tree. It is red."
    * Rule: Grammatically, a pronoun refers to the most recent noun (in this case, "tree"). This creates confusion regarding whether the car or the tree is red.
    * Ambiguity with Multiple Nouns: "Don't leave your backpack in the car because it might be stolen."
    * Problem: It is unclear if "it" refers to the backpack or the car.

  • Subject-Verb Agreement:
    * A verb must match its subject in number.
    * Incorrect: "The children watches the show."
    * Corrected: "The children watch the show" or "The child watches the show."
    * Prepositional Phrase Interference: Clauses placed between the subject and verb can make agreement difficult.
    * Strategy: Cross out the prepositional phrase to identify the subject-verb core.
    * Example 1: "The sweaters [in the closet] are all worn."
    * Example 2: "The cost [of the toys] was lower at another store."
    * Compound Subjects:
    * Use of "And": When subjects are joined by "and," they are treated as plural (can be replaced by "they").
    * Use of "Or": When subjects are joined by "or," the verb must agree with the subject closest to it.