43rd class

Brad Johnson Engl 81, 43rd class

REVIEW

I. RUN–ON SENTENCES AND THE USE OF THE COMMA

What is a run-on sentence? This is a sentence that goes on without punctuation.

What is a comma splice? This is the use of a comma to separate two independent clauses.

It is always incorrect to use a comma splice. When two sentences (independent clauses) need a separation, use a band-aid: comma fanboy, semicolon, or period.

A. Example:

Incorrect: The television sitcom was interrupted for a special news bulletin and I poked my head out of the kitchen to listen to the announcement.

Correct: The television sitcom was interrupted for a special news bulletin, and I poked my head out of the kitchen to listen to the announcement.

Corrected sentence: place comma before and. This is a comma fanboy (,f).

Remember: There are 7 coordinating conjunctions. These are called

fanboys. The word, “fanboys” is a word that helps you remember them. The fanboys are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Always place a comma before the fanboy.

Every time you see a comma, ask: is it an introductory phrase or svo, svo. This is a comma splice, which is always incorrect.

B. Example:

Incorrect: Our boss expects us to work four hours without a break, he wanders off to a vending machine at least once an hour.

Correct: Our boss expects us to work four hours without a break. He

wanders off to a vending machine at least once an hour.

Check to see if you have a svo (subject, verb, object) to the right and left. If a comma separates two independent clauses (ic) as in the incorrect sentence above, this is a comma splice. Fix this by using a period, semi-colon, comma fanboy. In the corrected sentence, a period (.) was used after “break”. You could also use a semi-colon (;) or a comma fanboy (,fanboy).

C. Example:

Incorrect: By late afternoon the bank had closed its front doors for the day I moved my car into a long line waiting to use the bank’s drive-in window.

Correct: By late afternoon the bank had closed its front doors for the day, so I moved my car into a long line waiting to use the bank’s drive-in window.

The incorrect sentence is a run-on. It was corrected using a , f. You could also use a semi-colon or a period after day.

D. Example:

Incorrect: In the grimy bakery window, cobwebs were in every corner, a rat was crawling over a birthday cake.

Correct: In the grimy bakery window, cobwebs were in every corner, and a rat was crawling over a birthday cake.

In this sentence, look at the commas. Is there an svo to the right and an svo to the left? A comma splice exists in this sentence. The comma splice is after corner. There should be a semicolon, period, or comma fanboy after corner. This sentence was corrected by using a period.

Suggestion: Take out the prepositional phrase in this sentence: “in the grimy bakery window”,

Ask: Who did what first: cobwebs.

What did these do: were in every corner

Ask: Who did what next: rat

What did the rat do: was crawling

Solution: These are two independent clauses because there is a subject and verb in each clause. These clauses need to be separated with a period, semi-colon, or comma fanboy.

E. Example:

Incorrect: Our class wanted to do something for the earthquake victims, we sent a donation to the Red Cross.

Correct: Our class wanted to do something for the earthquake victims, so we sent a donation to the Red Cross.

Suggestion: Go right to the comma. Is there an svo before the comma? Is there an svo after the comma? Now decide to use a period, semi-colon, or a comma fanboy.

F. Example:

Incorrect: The boys dared each other to enter the abandoned building

then they heard a strange rustling noise coming from the murky interior.

Correct: The boys dared each other to enter the abandoned building, but then they heard a strange rustling noise coming from the murky interior.

Note: the word “then”. Something had to happen before the word then – maybe a new complete idea or an interrupter. Correct this sentence by using: comma fanboy. Always remember that then is not one of the fanboys. Put a period if not sure. Never put a comma before the word then.

II. FRAGMENTS

A. Example:

Incorrect: We both began to tire. As we passed the halfway mark in the race. But whenever I’d hear Reggie’s footsteps behind me. I pumped my legs faster.

Correct: As we passed the halfway mark in the race, we both began to tire, but whenever I’d hear Reggie’s footsteps behind, I pumped my legs faster. We is the subject. Began is the verb. To tire is an infinitive

Correct: We both began to tire as we passed the halfway mark in the race.

OR: As we passed the halfway mark in the race, we both began to tire.

Suggestion: Read from bottom to top, backwards. Read out loud and you will hear the mistakes.

Remember: Subordinating conjunctions lead to fragments. A list of subordinating conjunctions is found on p. 357 in the textbook. Know these. They can be dangerous: watch these words.

B. Example:

Incorrect: With three German shepherds. My nightmare is to be trapped in a hot air balloon. Such as fear of heights and fear of dogs. I have a few phobias.

Correct: I have a few phobias such as a fear of heights and a fear of dogs. My nightmare is to be trapped in a hot-air balloon with three German shepherds.

Suggestion: Whenever you see “such as” or “which”, do not start sentences with these words or phrases.

C. Example:

Incorrect: Whenever it rained hard enough to create a “river” there. We used to sail paper boats down the groove. Except for a wide groove in the center. The alley behind our house was flat.

Correct: The alley behind our house was flat except for a wide groove in the center. Whenever it rained hard enough to create a “river” there, we used to sail paper boats down the groove.

OR: Whenever it rained hard enough to create a river there, we used to sail paper boats down the groove.

III. SUBJECT AND VERBS

A. Example:

During the American Revolution, some brides rejected white wedding

gowns and wore red as a symbol of rebellion.

To find the subject, remove the phrase: “during the American Revolution”. This is an introductory phrase and does not contain a subject or verb.

Suggestion: Look at prepositional phrases, Chapter 32, “Prepositions” p. 445, in your textbook. Prepositional phrases give time, location, place. When trying to find the subject, remove the entire prepositional phrase, not just the preposition.

Agreement of subject and verb

When trying to find the subject and the verb, make a question into a sentence.

B. Example: Where (is, are) Victor and Marie going? Victor and Marie (is, are) going where.

When the question is changed to a sentence, the subject and the verb can easily be found.

Note: Be careful of which, who, that. They are appositives. See p. 310 in the textbook.

C. Example:

Incorrect: A tree which fell onto our house in the middle of the night.

Correct: A tree which fell onto our house in the middle of the night caused great damage.

A tree which fell onto our house in the middle of the night crushed the roof.

Suggestion: Take out “which”. To complete the idea, finish the sentence with a consequence. In the correct examples, “crushed” and

“caused” describe the consequence.

D. Example:

Incorrect: A man who eats ice cream in the morning.

Correct: A man who eats ice cream in the morning is a man after my own heart.

In the incorrect example, “ A man who eats ice cream in the morning” is not a complete sentence. Take out “who”. “Who” makes this sentence a fragment. Now change these words to make a sentence.

IV. PRONOUNS

There are object, subject, and indefinite pronouns.

Indefinite pronouns are always singular: everybody comes, somebody comes

Note: verbs that end in “s” are singular. They are used with singular subjects: he comes, she runs, it eats, he studies, she shops, it thinks.

A. Example:

My friend told Bill and (I, me) to come skiing.

Remove names, “Bill”. Now choose the correct pronoun: My friend told

(me) to come skiing. Remember svo – subj. verb, object.

B. Example:

Each of my friends has (their/his) own bicycle.

Remove “of my friends” to find subject and verb: Each has his own bicycle.

(each is singular: remember each one).

Remember: A pronoun takes the place of the noun that went before it. His refers to each. Each is singular. Use a singular verb.

C. Example:

Somebody needs to come to my office today.

Somebody is an indefinite pronoun Remember that an indefinite pronoun is always singular and needs a singular verb.

V. PREPOSITIONS AND PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

Refer to p. 349 in the textbook for a list of prepositions.

Refer to Chapter 32, “Prepositions” p. 445, in the textbook.

FINAL GRADES

You are able to get your grades online. You are able to obtain your final test in Fall.

NO HOMEWORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Knowledge is power.” Francis Bacon

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR FINAL EXAM. STUDY HARD.

ENJOY A RESTFUL AND EDUCATIONAL SUMMER.