uth

alone

To maintain

the glamour

that is in all

of us!

To

examine

common

issues

with

grammar

in the

workplace.

To tap into

approaches for

painless ways

to approach

grammar

without

sweating!

“Grammar is a description of the way a

language works. It explains many

things. For example, grammar tells us

the order in which sentence parts must

be arranged. It explains the work done

by the various kinds of words…how

words change form according to the

way they are used.”

John Warriner

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe

Lewis Carroll

NounsVerbs

AdjectivesAdverbs

Pronouns

PrepositionsConjunctionsInterjections

he

entence

he subject may appear anywhere in a sentence.

sentence is a word group that contains a subject

and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

he subject is NEVER in a prepositional

phrase.

he words there and here may begin a

sentence but are almost never the subject.

or many sentences, finding the subject and the

verb is easier if you first cross out any

prepositional phrases.

Despite their fragile appearance, butterflies

have a great deal of stamina.

• They often fly more than one thousand miles during migration.

• Huge flocks of colorful butterflies fly from their winter home in New Mexico to places as far north as Canada.

• The migratory flight of the monarch butterfly may cover distances of close to two thousand miles.

• During the spring millions of these insects flutter across North America.

Despite their fragile appearance,

butterflies have a great deal of

stamina.

Despite their fragile appearance,

butterflies have a great deal of

stamina.

Despite their fragile appearance,

butterflies have a great deal of

stamina.

Despite their fragile appearance,

butterflies have a great deal of

stamina.

Despite their fragile appearance,

butterflies have a great deal of

stamina.

Despite their fragile appearance,

butterflies have a great deal of

stamina.

They often fly more than one

thousand miles during migration.

They often fly more than one

thousand miles during migration.

Huge flocks of colorful

butterflies fly from their winter

home in New Mexico to places

as far north as Canada.

Huge flocks of colorful

butterflies fly from their winter

home in New Mexico to places

as far north as Canada.

The migratory flight of the

monarch butterfly may cover

distances of close to two

thousand miles.

The migratory flight of the

monarch butterfly may cover

distances of close to two

thousand miles.

During the spring millions of

these insects flutter across North

America.

During the spring millions of

these insects flutter across North

America.

•It helps to identify a sentence

fragment.

•It helps in making sure the subject

and verb agree.

hy is this important?

A singular subject needs a

singular verb, and a plural

subject needs a plural verb.

Most of the time, nouns ending in –s are

plural and verbs ending in –s are singular

(verbs used with the pronouns I and you

do NOT end in –s).

The girl reads

mystery novels.

The girl reads

mystery novels.

The girl reads

mystery novels.

Tonya and her friends

are asleep.

Tonya and her friends

are asleep.

Tonya and her friends

are asleep.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

The topic of these four books is

horses.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

The topic of these four books is

horses.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

The topic of these four books is

horses.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

The topic of these four books is

horses.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

Each of the bikes has

new tires.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

Each of the bikes has

new tires.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

Each of the bikes has

new tires.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

Each of the bikes has

new tires.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

Every one of the members of

both basketball teams is

here.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

Every one of the members of

both basketball teams is

here.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

Every one of the members of

both basketball teams is

here.

Don’t be confused by plural

words that come between a

singular subject and the verb.

Every one of the members of

both basketball teams is

here.

Don’t be confused by collective

nouns. Ask whether it’s the group

as a whole or the individuals within

the group.

The football team {the team as a

whole} wants to win.

The newly married

couple is happy.

Don’t be confused by collective

nouns. Ask whether it’s the group

as a whole or the individuals within

the group.

A couple of people

were late for the

wedding.

Don’t be confused by collective

nouns. Ask whether it’s the group

as a whole or the individuals within

the group.

Pronouns beginning with “any (anyone,

anybody), no (nobody, nothing), every

(everyone, everything), and some

(something, someone)” are always

singular.

Everybody is invited.

Nothing is happening.

Someone is laughing.

Some pronouns are always plural.

These include: both, several, few,

many, and others.

The Martin girls are twins. Both

are here.

I like movies. Recently, several of

my favorites have won awards.

Some pronouns can be either plural or

singular depending on the rest of the

sentence. These include: any, more, some,

enough, all, and most.

All the cake is gone. / All the boys are gone.

None of the snow has melted./ None of the

apples are ripe.

Most of the pie was eaten./ Most of the hot

dogs were eaten.

(Has/Have) you ever

wondered how meals are

served to space-shuttle

astronauts?

(Has/Have) you ever

wondered how meals are

served to space-shuttle

astronauts?

Each of the items for the day’s

menu (comes/come) sealed in

its own container.

Each of the items for the day’s

menu (comes/come) sealed in

its own container.

To help reduce weight on

the spacecraft, many of the

foods (is/are) dehydrated.

To help reduce weight on

the spacecraft, many of the

foods (is/are) dehydrated.

At mealtime, someone in the

crew (adds/add) water to the

scrambled eggs, vegetables and

puddings.

At mealtime, someone in the

crew (adds/add) water to the

scrambled eggs, vegetables and

puddings.

All of the water mixed with these

foods (is/are) a byproduct of the

fuel cells that provide the space

craft’s electricity.

All of the water mixed with these

foods (is/are) a byproduct of the

fuel cells that provide the space

craft’s electricity.

Of course, because there

is no gravity, not one of

the beverages (is/are)

pourable.

Of course, because there

is no gravity, not one of

the beverages (is/are)

pourable.

A pronoun should agree in

both number and gender with

its antecedent.

An antecedent is the noun or pronoun to which the

pronoun refers.

Indefinite pronouns agree

with their antecedents as

well.

Anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone,

everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, someone and something are SINGULAR.

Each of the teams had its

mascot at the game.

Both, few, many, and several are

PLURAL.

Many of the actors already

know their lines.

All, any, more, most, none, and some are either SINGULAR or

PLURAL depending on how they are used.

Most of this money belongs to Mrs.

Smith. Would you take it to her,

please?

Most of these coins are rare, but I

don’t know what they are worth.

Some of the nations successfully defended _______ borders.

Neither of the sisters wanted to recite _______ lines.

Did any of the visitors forget _______ personal belongings?

One of the exhibits had _______ date changed from A.D. 1200 to A.D. 1350.

Each of the candidates bought _______ own TV air time.

Someone left _______ books behind.

Everyone who will need extra time should raise

_________ hand.

Many of these blossoms were smaller than we had expected _______ to be.

If you find a few of the pieces, Sara said she could use _______.

Each of the dolphins displays _______ own particular characteristics.

their

her

his or her

its

his or her

his or her

his or her

them

them

its

Choosing a personal pronoun?

Try adding or deleting words.

Add words:Mom cooked dinner for Brian and

for I.

(sounds wrong)

Mom cooked dinner for Brian and for me.

(sounds better)

Choosing a personal pronoun?

Try adding or deleting words.

Add words:Her went and I went to the

mall after school.(sounds wrong)

She went and I went to the mall after school.(sounds better)

Choosing a personal pronoun?

Try adding or deleting words.

Add words:She is taller than me (am tall).

(sounds wrong.)

She is taller than I (am tall).

(sounds better)

Choosing a personal pronoun?

Try turning the sentence around.

In language arts, the best students

are Tyrone and me/I.

Turn it around:

Me am the best student.

(sounds wrong)

I am the best student.

(sounds better)

Ruth Malonermalone@wcboe.org

To maintain

the glamour

that is in all

of us!

To

examine

common

issues

with

grammar

in the

workplace.

To tap into

approaches for

painless ways

to approach

grammar

without

sweating!

hankou