Transcript Grammar Review +English Prep

English 3 - Comp
Mrs. Bolinger

Must agree in NUMBER
◦ Generally, nouns ending in ‘s’ are plural and verbs
ending in ‘s’ are singular: brothers know, student
sings, etc.
◦ The number of a subject is not changed by a phrase
following the subject:
 One of the kittens is stuck in a tree.
 The ring set with rubies was stolen from the jeweler.
 Mary, along with her sisters, takes piano lessons.
1. If subjects are joined by and, they are
considered plural.
Ex. The quarterback and the coach are
having a conference.
2. If subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb
should agree with the closer subject
Ex: Either the actors or the director is at
fault.
Ex: Either the director or the actors are at
fault.


Pronouns also must agree in NUMBER
These pronouns are SINGULAR:
◦
◦
◦
◦

Anybody/one
Somebody/one
Everybody/one
One
These are PLURAL:
◦ several, few, many, both

Exceptions:
◦ none
-
no one
Each
Either
Neither
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Three-quarters of the students (is, are) against
the detention policy.
Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief
administrator (is, are) going to have to make a
decision.
Either the chief administrator in this hospital or
the physicians (is, are) going to have to make a
decision.
Kara Cannon, together with her teammates,
(present, presents) a formidable opponent on
the basketball court.
Everyone selected to serve on this jury (has,
have) to be willing to give up a lot of time.
End day 1

Subjects joined by ‘and’ take a plural verb if
they name more than one thing:
◦ Poetry and prose are different in form
◦ Lucille Clifton and Leslie Silko are writers

Warning: If the compound subject names one
object, it is still singular:
◦ Bacon and eggs is a delicious breakfast.
◦ Romeo and Juliet is a well known play.

Single subjects joined by ‘or’ and ‘nor’ are
singular:
◦ Every Saturday, Gail or Joe gets/get the car washed.
◦ Either Jamie or Sue run/runs the 5k this weekend.

If varied subjects are joined by ‘or’ and ‘nor’
then agree with the subject closer to the verb:
◦ Neither the singers nor the accompanist has/have
memorized the music.
◦ Either cookies or cake is/are for dessert.
◦ Either cake or cookies is/are for dessert.

Collective nouns are generally singular if they
refer to one group:
◦ Committee
◦ Audience

flock
family
class
fleet
club
team
Titles are singular:
◦ Great Expectations is by Charles Dickens.
◦ Romeo and Juliet is read in English 1

Words stating an amount are usually singular:
◦ Ten dollars is a lot for a movie ticket.
◦ Twenty minutes was given for the task.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is/are a
popular Disney movie.
Fifteen pounds is/are a lot of weight to lose.
Measles is/are not common anymore due to
immunizations.
Neither the captain nor the coach
plan/plans to attend the pep rally.
Jeff and Sally is/are going to prom together.
The hammer or the nails was/were left at
the work site.
End day 2

What are they?

Pronouns take the place of a noun:
◦ I, me, we us, you
◦ He, she, him, her, they, them, it

Antecedent
◦ The noun that the pronoun refers to

Must agree in GENDER
◦ Mrs. Smith loves to talk about her sons.
◦ Steve was shocked at his surprise party.
◦ The snake swallowed its prey whole – yuk!

If the antecedent can be masculine or
feminine, you can pick one or use both.
◦ Anyone going on the field trip needs to bring his or
her lunch.
◦ Everyone going on the field trip needs to bring his
lunch.


Pronouns also must agree in NUMBER
These pronouns are SINGULAR:
◦ Anybody/one
- no one
◦ Somebody/one
- Each
◦ Everybody/one
- Either
◦ One
- Neither
- One of the boys left his helmet on the bus.
- Everybody who is interested can submit an
application.

These are PLURAL:
◦ several, few, many, both

Pronouns joined by and are plural
◦ Kim, Laura, and Steve donate their time at the food
bank.

Pronouns joined by or / nor are singular and
match the closer antecedent.
◦ Either Sally or Jim brought his camera.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
A person should not expect too much from
friends.
Amazon.com sent Jack and Ray the books
ordered.
Nancy or Gina will stay after school so that
can help decorate the room.
Several of the prisoners refused to eat
food.
Each of the seals caught the fish that were
thrown to
.
Neither person apologized for
mistake.
One of her brothers used to think
could get
away with anything.
Everyone needs
own copy of the notes.
End day 3

Pronouns can be:
◦ Nominative– used as the subject of a clause
◦ Objective – direct or indirect objects of objects of
prepositions
◦ Possessive – to show ownership
We will deal with these only in terms of usage
problems.
These include: I, we, you, he, she, it, they
They are used in two ways:

The SUBJECT of a sentence

After a “to be” verb (such as is, am, was,
were, be, etc.)
◦ She and they passed the test.
◦ The winner should have been he.
 (He should have been the winner.)
◦ (On the phone): “Is Jessica there?” “This is she.”
 (because she is speaking.)







You and ____ will go to the library today.
My cousins and ____ have research to do.
Either Terry or ____ choose a different topic.
Did you and ____ decide to go to the movies
on Saturday?
The chairperson of that committee is ____.
The only guys who auditioned for the part
were Joe and ____
The winner has to be ____.
These include: me, us, you, him, her, it, them
and are used as:

Direct objects (answer who or what):

Indirect objects (answer to or for who/what):

Objects of prepositions:
◦ The visitors surprised her.
◦ He helped us boys with our homework.
◦ My kids baked me a cake.
◦ We’ll practice with you and them.
(You do not have to be able to label these uses!)
End Week 2, day 1

Nominative
◦I
◦ we
◦ He, she
◦ They
Use when subject
or after “to be” verbs:
is, am, are, was, were…

Objective
◦ me
◦ us
◦ Him, her
◦ them
Use when not
nominative. 
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
While in Mexico, my grandmother, Uncle Luis,
and I/me visited the Oaxaca Valley.
The state of Oaxaca is where they/them were
born.
Luis was amazed to find sturdy homes where all
of we/us thought would be bamboo houses.
My relatives and I/me drove to several cities.
Grandmother pointed out some painted
woodcarvings to Uncle Luis and I/me.
I decided my souvenir purchase would be
they/them or some landscape paintings.
We all enjoyed the trip, but the person who had
the most fun was definitely I/me!
End 2/3
If the idea in the sentence is not complete,
finish it in your head to select a pronoun.
This generally occurs with than or as.
Note how the pronoun changes the meaning
of the sentence!



Jim likes Sue better than I (like Sue).
Jim likes Sue better than (he likes) me.
Did you practice as much as she (practiced)?
1.
2.
Larry can sand the floors better than I/me.
The teacher’s explanation baffled Sam as
well as I/me.
3.
Is Elizabeth younger or older than he/him?
4.
We have known Lucy longer than she/her.
5.
You are more idealistic than he/him.
6.
7.
Their children are even smarter than
they/them.
The trip exhausted them more than we/us.

Who is nominative.
Use it when you would
use he or she.
◦ Mr. Smith is a teacher
who likes his
students. (He likes
students.)
◦ Can you tell me who
that player is? (He is
that player.)
He/She = WHO

Whom is objective.
Use it when you would
use him or her.
◦ Mr. Smith is a teacher
whom students like.
(His students like
him.)
◦ She is a student
whom I rarely see. (I
rarely see her.)
Him/Her = WHOM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I wondered who/whom was knocking so late.
My sister, to who/whom I sent the package,
lives in Kansas City.
It was Napoleon who/whom invaded Spain in
1808.
Maureen finally guessed who/whom it was.
I visited with Mr. Wills who/whom was
weeding his garden.
6.
She is a musician who/whom I respect.
7.
Who/Whom are you taking to the ballgame?
End February 20- Stop
here for Grammar Quiz #1
A Non-essential (non-restrictive)
clause or phrase contains info that
isn’t needed to understand the main
idea of the sentence.
Non essentials are set off by commas.

Lydia Cabrera, who was born in Cuba, wrote
many books about African-Cuban culture.
Lydia Cabrera wrote many books about
African-Cuban culture.


Lee rephrased the question.
Lee, noticing my confusion, rephrased
the question.
Did the Senate hearings have a large viewing
audience?
Did the Senate hearings, which were
televised, have a large viewing audience?
An essential (restrictive) clause or phrase contains
info that is needed to clearly understand the
main idea of the sentence.
These are NOT set off by commas



The students who won the election were called
to the office.
Those participating in the blood drive should eat
a good breakfast.
Material that is quoted verbatim must be cited in
a Works Consulted page.
Think of essentials as “need to know” info;
Non-essentials include “nice to know” info.
My brother Mike lives in Seven Pines.
essential - if I have multiple brothers, then I
need to know which one
My brother, Mike, lives in Seven Pines.
non-essential – if I only have one brother, his
name isn’t needed

That is used when essential information is
included in a sentence:

The side of the house that faces north needs to be
painted. (The side of the house is essential.)

That phrases are NOT set off with commas

Which is used with non-essential or extra
information is presented in the sentence.


The front of the house, which faces south, needs to be
painted.
Which phrases ARE set off with commas.
Dan’s car that is parked on the street has a flat tire.
(which of Dan’s cars?)
Dan’s red car, which is parked in the garage, has a flat
tire.
(We know which car – the red one.)
The computer that I take with me when travelling is very
light.
My new computer, which I take with me when travelling,
is really easy to use.
The master bedroom, which is on the first floor, has
several windows.
The bedroom that is on the first floor has many windows.
The White River Bridge which closed today for
resurfacing will reopen in the fall.
The White River Bridge, which closed today for
resurfacing, will reopen in the fall. Non-
essential: time/reason for closing not
important
The symphony that Beethoven called Eroica was
composed to celebrate the memory of a
specific person.
The symphony that Beethoven called Eroica was
composed to celebrate the memory of a
specific person. Essential: need to know what
symphony.
The driver sitting on the side of the road had a flat
tire.
The driver sitting on the side of the road had a flat
tire. essential: which driver of many?
My car which is seven years old often doesn’t start
on cold mornings.
My car, which is seven years old, often doesn’t
start on cold mornings. non-essential: age of the
car doesn’t matter
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The dance, which was on Friday,was well
attended.
Highways that have eight lanes are built for
speed and safety.
The girl who is in the red sweater is our club
president.
Mrs. Jones, trying not to smile,offered to
help us with our stage make-up.
Their youngest daughter,loved by everyone ,
is actually not spoiled at all.
Every child enrolling in school for the first
time must fill out medical forms.


A series is a group of 3 or more items.
Use a comma to separate items, including
before and, to ensure clarity.
 Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate were
available.
 We elected our class officers: president,
vice-president, secretary and treasurer.
(3 or 4 officers?)
 We elected our class officers: president,
vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.

If all items are joined by and/or, do not use
commas
◦ I bought a tie and a shirt and a hat.
◦ Sam or Sally or Tom will call you.

Independent clauses (subject-verb groups)
are usually joined by semi-colons, but if
they are very short, commas are acceptable
◦ The wind blew furiously through the trees;
lightning flashed across the sky; thunder boomed
and rolled; rain poured down.
◦ The wind blew, lightning flashed, thunder
boomed, and rain poured down.

Use a comma to separate two consecutive
adjectives describing the same noun.
◦ That is a rough, narrow, dangerous road.
◦ An arrogant, talkative announcer annoys me.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
My favorite cousins are Bonnie , Steph , Billy ,
Joe, Calvin, and Jim.
George Washington Carver derived from the
peanut items such as ink , coffee , beauty
cream , and pigments.
She lowered her long , curled , dark eyelashes.
It was an unusual , attractive floor lamp.
A wise monkey is supposed to see no evil,
hear no evil , and speak no evil.
On the surface of the mountain are round ,
deep craters and steep, rugged mountains.

Use a comma after “extra” words such as
well, yes, no, why, etc. when they begin a
sentence
◦ No, I have not forgotten.
◦ Well, you could have gotten the homework from
teacherweb.


Use a comma after an introductory
participial phrase
Participial phrase = description starting
with an –ed or –ing word.
◦ Pausing for a moment in the doorway, the mom
waved to her son.
◦ Frightened by the noise, the pigeons flew from
the roof.
Note that the phrase precedes the word it
describes.

Use a comma after 2 or more prepositional
phrases.
◦ Near the gate at the end of the lane, Jenny set up
her lemonade stand.

Use a comma with one prep phrase as needed
for clarity.
◦ In this state taxes are comparatively low.
◦ In this state, taxes are comparatively low

Use a comma to separate interrupters or
parentheticals:
◦ He, of course, won’t be there.
◦ Everyone, even his enemies, respects him.
◦ To tell the truth, I don’t really like that show.

Use a comma for direct address:
◦ Mrs. Bolinger, may I go to my locker?
◦ That question, Jeff, was already answered.
◦ Let’s go eat, Grandma.
End here 3/12
Another option to combine 2 independent
clauses is the semi-colon.
Use a semi-colon WITHOUT one of the
FANBOYS
The musical begins at 7:30 on Friday; we will
meet for dinner at 5:30.

Sometimes you may want to add a transition
word with you semi-colon. (conjunctive
adverb)
◦ Sally does great with her homework and class
discussions; however, she has trouble with tests.
◦ I made other plans for Friday night; anyway, I’ve
already seen that movie.
◦ I made other plans for Friday night; I’ve already
seen that movie anyway.

You decide if you need a comma after the
transition word depending on if you hear a
pause.
End 3/28

To make lists
◦ Here’s the grocery list: eggs, milk, juice, bread, and
fruit.
◦ Don’t forget: clean the kitchen, do the shopping,
and bathe the dog.

Or to separate one idea from the one which
follows.
◦ I know what to do with that cake: eat it.
◦ I’m soaking wet: I forgot my umbrella.

A colon can be used to separate two
independent clauses when
◦ a) the second clause is directly related to the first
clause (not just vaguely related)
◦ b) when the emphasis is on the second clause.

Examples:
◦ It’s been snowing for three days straight: The roads
around here aren’t very safe for driving.
◦ The library is very quiet tonight: I’ll get a lot of
work done.


An independent clause is followed by a colon
if the dependent clause is directly related to
the independent clause.
The dependent clause should clarify or give
more information about the independent
clause.
◦ There is a cure for all your ills: chocolate.
◦ The teacher spoke firmly to her students: “Please do
not throw paper airplanes or spitballs at the back of
my head!”

PLURALS
◦ If a noun does not end in s, make plural by adding s
dog  dogs
◦ If a noun does end in s, make plural by adding es
boss bosses
◦ Never make plural by adding apostrophe s (’s)
◦ The rules holds for family names and proper nouns
•
•
•
•
The
The
The
The
Smiths are going on vacation.
Kellys bought a new house.
Robertses are going on vacation.
Joneses like to go bowling.
If you don’t like these, change the sentence:
The Jones family likes to go bowling.

To make most singular nouns possessive, add
apostrophe and s (’s)
◦ The dog’s collar is leather. (one dog)

For a plural noun ending in s, add only the apostrophe
◦ The dogs’ collars are leather. (more than one dog)

For plural nouns not ending in s, add apostrophe and
s (’s)
◦ The women’s department is on this floor.

These rules are true with family names and initials
used as a name (FDR).
•
•
•
•
Charles’s friends met him at the game.
Mr. Jones’s car is in the garage.
The Smiths’ house is blue.
The Joneses’ cars are Toyotas.

Possessive pronouns do NOT have apostrophes!
◦ Her’s Their’s Your’s It’s = WRONG!! (It’s = it is)

In a compound word or group, add apostrophe
to the end:
◦ Father-in-law’s hat
◦ Rose and Denise’s idea

Add the number of apostrophes for each thing
owned.
◦ Josh’s and Parker’s rooms (each have their own)
◦ Josh and Parker’s Wii (they share one)

Use possessives for time and amounts
◦ A week’s vacation
◦ A dollar’s worth
Ended here Week 3-Day 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
It is her’s.
Women’s department
That boys’ radio
Who’s is it?
Fly’s wings
Five dollar’s worth
Mice’s tails
Childrens’ program
No ones’ fault
San Jose’s industries
A Buddhist’s beliefs
Leaves’ color
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Jeff’s and Joey’s room
Soldiers’ rations
It’s shiny surface
That is their’s.
Sister in laws’ house
Churches’ spire
The Siouxs’ land
A horses’ hooves
Mom’s and Dad’s cars
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1. Sam’s
Party of Julie and Sam
2. Babies’
Clothes of babies
Jobs of my brothers-in-law 3. Law’s
4. Week’s
Pay for two weeks
5. Gentlemen’s
coats of the gentlemen
6. Birds’
Singing of the birds
7. Board’s
8. Players’
Plans of the school board
9. Month’s
Victory of the players
10.Dentist’s
Delay of six months
Bills of the dentist and doctor and doctor’s