Transcript ACT Grammar Review SP16 - Mrs. Bannecker`s Web Page

English 3 - Comp

Subject = the doer of the action in a sentence
◦ A noun or pronoun

Verb = the action or state of being
Circle the subject(s) and underline the verb(s).
 The jet engine passed inspection.
 I like cake, and he likes ice cream.
 He is trying to leave.
 Please bring me some coffee.
◦ Tricky! The subject of this one is (you).

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.
If subjects are joined by and, they are
considered plural.
Ex. The quarterback and the coach are
having a conference.
If subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb should
agree with the subject closer to it.
Ex: Either the actors or the director is at
fault.
Ex: Either the director or the actors are at
fault.


Indefinite Pronouns also must agree in
NUMBER
These pronouns are SINGULAR:
◦
◦
◦
◦

Anybody/one
Somebody/one
Everybody/one
One
These are PLURAL:
◦ several, few, many, both
-
no one
Each
Either
Neither

Some indefinite pronouns depend on the
sentence:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Some of the food was eaten.
Some of the apples were eaten.
All of the furniture looks comfortable.
All of the chairs look comfortable.
Any of these students is qualified.
Any of these students are qualified.
None of the cartons was full. (not one was full)
None of the cartons were full. (no cartons were full)
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 Dwarves 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

Must agree in GENDER
◦ Mrs. Bannecker loves to talk about her son.
◦ 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 his or her
application.

These are PLURAL:
◦ several, few, many, both

Nouns joined by and are plural
◦ Kim, Laura, and Steve donate their time at the food
bank.

For nouns joined by or / nor , the pronoun
matches 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.)
Use only Nominative Pronouns to fill in the
blanks.
 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!)

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 Day 2
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 March 2
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. The place of her birth
is nice to know info.


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. (Which students?)
Those participating in the blood drive should eat
a good breakfast. (Who should eat?)
Material that is quoted verbatim must be cited in
a Works Consulted page. (Which material?)
Think of essentials as “need to know” info;
Non-essentials include “nice to know” info.
My brother Tim lives in Creve Coeur.
essential - if I have multiple brothers, then I
need to know which one
My brother, Tim, lives in Creve Coeur.
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 when 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.
End Day 1


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.
(without the comma-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 if not by
a conjunction, 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.
Vs.
◦ 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.
HINT: If you can do either of the following, you need
the commas:
◦ You can insert “and” between the adjectives.
◦ You can rearrange the order of the adjectives.
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
the website.


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 in the beginning of the sentence.
◦ Near the gate at the end of the lane, Jenny set up
her lemonade stand.

Use a comma with one prepositional phrase if
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. Bannecker, may I go to my locker?
◦ That question, Jeff, was already answered.
◦ Let’s go eat, Grandma.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
White, fluffy cumulus clouds dotted the sky.
My father, a well-known physician, addressed
the medical society.
Yes, Mrs. Bannecker ,I will always look at my
feedback on turnitin.com from now on.
It is necessary, however, to maintain a healthy
weight.
My parents, who were born there, visited
Scotland every summer.
That dress, which has a floral print, belongs
to the woman next door.
End Day 2


CLAUSE – a word group that contains a verb
and its subject and is used as part of a
sentence
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE – contains a subject &
a verb and a complete thought.
This means it can stand alone as a sentence.
◦ The bell rings to start class every day at school.
◦ He stood straight and tall with confidence on the
day of his competition.
SIMPLE SENTENCE – contains one independent
clause.
Mrs. Bannecker loves her job most of the time.
I want to see a movie next weekend but don’t
have a babysitter. (1 clause – 1 subject)
Mr. B and I want to see a movie and go to dinner.
(1 clause – compound subject and compound
verb)
COMPOUND SENTENCE – contains two or more
independent clauses
I want to see Sweeney Todd, but I have to find
a babysitter first.
I want to see Sweeney Todd but have to find a
babysitter first. (only 1 subject=1 clause)
Coordinating Conjunctions –
used to connect independent clauses
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
S + V , CC S + V
The freshmen are reading Jekyll & Hyde. The
juniors are starting The Great Gatsby.
The freshmen are reading Jekyll & Hyde, and
the juniors are starting The Great Gatsby.
Rachel and Alicia look a lot alike. Rachel wears
glasses.
Rachel and Alicia look a lot alike, but Rachel
wears glasses.
I’m going to work at the library this weekend. I
need more evidence for my argument paper.
I’m going to work at the library this weekend,
for I need more evidence for my argument
paper.
I need more evidence for my argument paper,
so I’m going to work at the library this
weekend.
Jack didn’t do his homework. The boys didn’t
pick up their rooms. They may not watch tv.
The boys didn’t pick up their rooms, nor did
Jack do his homework.
Jack must do his homework, or he may not
watch tv.
The boys didn’t pick up their rooms, nor did
Jack do his homework, so they may not watch
tv.
End 3/28
Another option to combine 2 independent
clauses is the semi-colon.
Use a semi-colon WITHOUT one of the
FANBOYS
The movie 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.
◦ 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.
COMPLEX SENTENCE – contains an independent
clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
The subordinate clause is made less important
(dependent) with the use of a subordinate
conjunction.
I got a 3.0 first semester.
I was invited to the PNH dessert bar.
Because I got a 3.0 first semester, I was invited
to the PNH dessert bar.
I was invited to the PNH dessert bar because I
got a 3.0 first semester.
Punctuation rules:
SC S + V , S + V.
If the subordinate clause precedes the
independent clause, a comma is needed between
the clauses.
S + V SC S + V.
You add no punctuation when the subordinate
clause follows the independent clause.
Subordinate Conjunctions
NOTE that this list is NOT
exhaustive.
For cause & effect 
• Because
• Since
For intention 
• In order that
• So that
For condition 
• Although
• As if
• As though
• Even though
• If
• Unless
For time relation 
 As
 While
 As soon as
 When
 Before
 Until
 Whenever
 After
 Since
For location 
 Where
 wherever
The curtain call began.
The audience broke into applause.
As soon as the curtain fell, the audience broke
into applause.
The audience broke into applause when the
curtain fell.
REMINDER: EITHER a subordinate conjunction
OR a comma will go between the clauses – but
not both!
Sam is happy to babysit for the Smith kids.
Mrs. Smith always has a full fridge.
Since Mrs. Smith always a has a full fridge, Sam
is happy to babysit for the Smith kids.
Sam is happy to babysit for the Smith kids
since Mrs. Smith always has a full fridge.
He is always broke at the end of the month.
He makes over a thousand dollars a week.
Even though he makes over a thousand dollars
a week, he is always broke at the end of the
month.
He is always broke at the end of the month
even though he makes over a thousand
dollars a week.
End Day 2

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 hold 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
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