- What is a simple sentence?
2. What makes a compound sentence? Give an example.
- Simple sentences contain only one independent clause.
Ex: I kicked the ball.
watch out for mistaking simple sentences with compound sentences when either the subject or verb are compound.
Ex: Alice and I kicked the ball and ran after it. (still simple sentence but has compound subjects and verbs).
- Compound sentences contain 2 independent clauses uses a coordinator. Coordinators are: FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). NOTE* because is not a coordinator.
EX: I am very smart, yet I do not enjoy school.
- What makes a complex sentence? Give an example
2. What is a compound-complex sentence?
- Complex sentences contain an independent clause and AT LEAST one dependent clause.
EX: “I burned dinner but not the cake.” (one dependent clause). Or: Since winter is coming, I think I’ll knit a warm sweater, because I’m always cold. (two dependent clauses)
*Also, the word “because” makes the second clause dependent on the first clause, and classifies the sentence as complex.
EX: I like movies because they make me forget reality.
- Compound-complex sentences contain At least 2 independent clauses and at least on dependent clause.
EX: Tom cried because the ball hit him, and we apologized immediately.
What is a modifier?
a word that describes other words (adjectives and adverbs)
In which 3 cases do you add a hyphen between a prefix and root word?
- hyphenate prefixes before proper nouns or proper adjectives EX: trans-Siberian, mid-America.
- Hyphenate all words beginning with self- ex- and all- EX: self-made, ex-wife, all-around
- Hyphenate when it adds clarity. EX: re-cover (cover again) vs. recover (recuperate).
What is a comma splice and how do you avoid it?
when you put a comma to separate 2 independent clauses (Ex: I went to the store, it was cold.). Instead, put a comma in the middle and a coordinator like and.
What is the difference between whose and who’s?
whose = a pronoun that shows possession. Whose jacket is this?
who’s = who is. Who’s going to the game with me?
What are the 3 cases in which apostrophes are used?
- forming possessions. Ex: the women’s restroom, Mark’s cat, the children’s toys. *If you’re making a possession with a plural noun that ends in s already, put the apostrophe after the s. Ex: I graded three students’ papers.
- When indicating omission. Ex: Who’s going to the game? I could’ve done better.
- Strange plurals. Ex: I had four A’s. It was a lunch for the M.D.’s. There are more yes’s than no’s.
What are the 8 comma rules?
- Put a comma after an introductory clause or word. Ex: After reflection, he felt better.
- Use commas in lists of three or more things. Ex: I lneed apples, bananas, and grapes.
- Use commas with multiple adjectives. Ex: I had a pink, fuzzy sweater.
- Use commas with numbers over 999. Ex: The house cost $600,000.00
- Use commas with dates and addresses. Ex: November 17, 1989. 8605 Jenely Bay street, Las Vegas, NV 89178
- Use commas with quotations. Ex: My sister exclaimed, “You came home!”
- Use commas to join independent clauses (must use a coordinating conjunction {FANBOYS} too).
- Use commas for non-essential elements. Ex: My sister, a French teacher, went to France.
When do we use semicolons?
- Semicolons are used between two complete sentences that are closely related. Ex: I went to the play; my cousin was the main actor.
In what 3 cases do we use colons? What is the one rule about colons?
- Introducing lists. Ex: I need some groceries from the store: apples, bananas, and grapes.
- Introducing a single item for emphasis: Ex: After shopping for eight hours, I finally found it: The perfect sweater.
- Between two complete sentences where the second sentence is a logical consequence of the first. Ex: Jim ate pizza constantly: He gained ten pounds.
** The one rule about colons is that they must follow a complete sentence.
What are the 2 cases in which quotations must be used?
- In titles
2. Quoting exact speech.
What is the difference between awhile and a while?
Awhile is an adverb that modifies a verb. Ex: Sit awhile. He ran awhile.
A while is a noun. Ex: I waited for a while. I will call you in a while.
What are the 6 capitalization rules?
- Capitalize proper nouns and proper adjectives. Colorado, Robyn, ect. Also capitalize when you write Uncle Jack, or Grandma Nonnie, but not when you say my uncle, my grandma. Capitalize titles of things and nationalities, languages, days of the week
- Capitalize first words of sentences.
- Capitalize first word in a quotation. Ex: My sister asked, “Where are my shoes?”.
- Capitalize abbreviations like Dr.
- Capitalize “I”.
What’s the difference between everyday and every day?
Everyday is an adjective. So it only makes sense when you write something like those are my everyday shoes. Every day is for every other situation.
what is an adverb?
adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They answer one of the adverb questions:
- How (happily, really, peacefully)
- When (tomorrow, now, yesterday)
- Where (here, there, everywhere)
- Why (because he wanted it. Usually made up of more than one word Adverb clause).
- To what extent (very, too, quite, rather)
