ENGLISH 1301 -- MR. CASTILLO
Table of Contents
Apostrophes, Capitals, Quotations ........................................................... 1
Essentials of Grammar ............................................................................. 4
Summary of Comma Uses ....................................................................... 6
Comma Practice ....................................................................................... 7
Comma Practice ....................................................................................... 8
Parallelism ............................................................................................... 9
Parallelism (exercise) ............................................................................... 11
Modifiers .................................................................................................. 12
Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers ............................................................ 13
Subject-Verb Agreement .......................................................................... 14
Errors in Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement ............................................... 16
Subject-Verb & Pronoun Agreement ........................................................ 17
Word Use: Confusing Words .................................................................... 18
Confusing Words Exercise Correction ..................................................... 19
Essay Guidelines ..................................................................................... 20
Terms............................................ ............................................................ 21
ENGLISH 1301
APOSTROPHES, CAPITALS, QUOTATIONS 7
Mr. Castillo
*Read this page carefully. Consult your handbook for more details.
APOSTROPHE: three main uses
1.
CONTRACTIONS - takes the place of omitted letters
I am = I'm
will not won't
you would = you'd
she will she'll
CAUTION:
it is = it's
there is - there's
DO NOT CONFUSE THESE WORDS:
they're they are; their = belonging to them
you're
you are; your = belonging to you
it's
it is; its = belonging to it
who's
who is; whose = belonging to whom
2. POSSESSION - shows that something belongs to someone or something the stereo owned by
Sarah = Sarah's stereo the spare tire belonging to the Ford = the Ford's spare tire the book
of my sister = my sister's book
CAUTION:
Use an apostrophe plus s to show possession with a singular word. the
bicycle belonging to Charles = Charles's bicycle the color of the flower - the flowerjs color
If a plural word ends in s, add only an apostrophe. Make the word plural first,
then decide about the apostrophe. the cloud's shapes, the 2 boys' skates, the
home of the Anderson family = the Andersons'home
If a plural does not end in s, add the 's. woman (singular) = women (plural) =
women's (possessive) ox (singular) - oxen (plural) = oxen's (possessive)
SPECIAL CAUTION. ' check for unusual possessions a moment's notice; a day's pay; an
hour's notice, a dollar's worth; someone else's problem; mother-in-law's love
3.
SPECIAL PLURALS (Underline the plural.)
Letters: The word contained 4 t's. (underline)
Numbers: The winning lottery ticket contained six 5's.
Words used as items, not meanings: Several likes's littered her conversation. All it's
should have a clear antecedent. Only two R.N.'s are available today. (Underline letters,
numerals, and words used as items in a sentence.)
2
CAPITALIZATION:
1. CAPITALIZE proper nouns (the name of a person or place), proper adjectives, names and first
words in sentences.
Proper Nouns
Texas
Wagner
Proper Adjectives
Texan
English
England
Greece
Wagnerian
Greek
Names and abbreviations used as names
Henry James
the Tower of London
Friday
the Dallas Opera
the Grand Ole Opry
the Great Depression
Troy High School
Chemistry 1301
the Milky Way
FBI
IBM
Christmas
CBS
Christianity
NAFTA
A. D.
2. DO NOT CAPITALIZE COMMON NOUNS
history class
high school
summer (seasons)
constellation
senior year
metropolitan area
south (direction)
QUOTATION MARKS: two main uses
1. DIRECT QUOTATIONS - to indicate the exact words written or spoken.
NOTE: A comma comes before the quotation marks.
"if you will help me," replied Mark, "then I will help you. We can be partners."
CAUTION: Do not use quotation marks with an indirect quotation. The word that often introduces
an indirect quotation.
Direct: Alley said, "My sister passed her driver's test
Indirect: Alley said that her sister passed her driver's test
2. TITLES OF SHORT WORKS - short stories, newspaper or magazine articles, song titles, poems,
single TV shows, book chapters
CAUTION: Do not put quotation marks around the titles of Ygur essays.
The article "How to Cope with Stress" appears'in the latest issue oflime magazine.
"Barn Burning" is the title of a short story written by William Faulkner
NOTE: Periods and commas always go before the quotation marks.
Semicolons and colons always go after the quotation marks.
Question marks and exclamation marks normally go before the quotation marks.
CAUTION: Underline the titles of books, magazines, newspapers, films, and television programs.
3
Exercise: Correct all errors in capitalization.
For our vacation this Summer, our family decided to travel West. I told my parents, "let's do
something different this year." I had just graduated from High School, so I wanted to see something
new to me, such as native American architecture. Also, since I was enrolling in College in the fall, i
wanted to spend some time with Mom and Dad. Besides, such a trip could be of value in a future
Geology class. We decided on a 2 week trip to new mexico and arizona. After packing clothes,
camping gear, cokes, food, nintendo, and frisbee in our ford, we prepared to leave early the next day,
at about 5 a.m. Little did we suspect that a surprising adventure awaited us in the Deserts of The
West. We would experience cowboy, spanish, and indian cultures from the past and the present.
What a trip!
Exercise: Read this paragraph carefully. Correct all errors relating to the correct use of
apostrophes and quotation marks. Add the marks where they are needed and remove
unneeded marks.
Trying to remember past conversations can be confusing. For example, my brother told me, you can
borrow my new sweater. However, now I cant remember what day he needs it back. I dont even
recall the date the conversation occurred! Similarly, last month I was invited for dinner at my
grandmas house, but, not remembering the exact time, I arrived very early and yelled I hope Im not
too late, Grandma. She smiled and asked Are you already hungry? I just smiled. A smile is really a
guys best defense. Then yesterday my mom asked me to pick up my sisters at The Childrens'
Museum. Its a wonder that I arrived on schedule. The girl's were outside playing with friend's. When
we walked into the house,- my mom clapped.- Im- so proud she said that I can depend on you. Dont
worry I replied. It's all in a days work! Well, she seemed to be happy. However, I'll have to try to
remember conversations. Either that or I'll have to be ready to leave at a moments notice.
4
ENGLISH 1301 - ESSENTIALS OF GRAMMAR - Mr. Castillo
Name
Date
Listen carefully as I discuss these grammar items with you. Complete this sheet as I discuss these
items! If you have a question, interrupt me at any point!
1.
2.
3.
Any group of words containing a
is called a
There are
types of
(1) The
can be a sentence by
(2) The
cannot be a sentence by
To be a sentence, it must be attached to an
The
and a
begins with a
THE MOST COMMON SUBORDINATORS ARE:
AFTER, BEFORE, SINCE, UNTIL, WHEN, WHENEVER, WHILE, AS, BECAUSE, THAT, SO THAT, IN ORDER THAT,
IF, UNLESS, ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH, THOUGH, WHERE, WHEREVER, RATHER THAN
The above words are subordinators; only when they appear in FRONT of a subject and a verb!
TROUBLESOME SUBORDINATORS: WHO, WHICH, THAT. If one of these words appears in front
of verbs, then these words are BOTH subjects AND subordinators.
EXAMPLES: who won the race; which was selected; that landed in the field
4.
If a clause DOES NOT BEGIN with a subordinator, then the clause is automatically an
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE. If a clause DOES BEGIN with a subordinator, then the clause is
automatically a DEPENDENT CLAUSE. SO, LOOK FOR A SUBJECT AND A VERB: THEN LOOK
FOR ONE OF THESE SUBORDINATOR WORDS.
5. If a sentence DOES NOT CONTAIN AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE, then the group of words is
called a FRAGMENT!
6. If you want to join two INDEPENDENT CLAUSES, you must use ONE of these two methods: 1.
Put a comma PLUS a
between the two clauses. The coordinators
are AND, BUT, OR, NOR, FOR, SO, YET.
7. Put a
between the two independent clauses.
IF YOU DO NOT WRITE INDEPENDENT CLAUSES IN THESE WAYS, THEN YOU WILL HAVE
A RUN-ON SENTENCE. JUST THINK: NO MORE FRAGMENTS OR RUN-ONS!!!!
5
Each coordinating conjunction has a specific meaning that establishes the relationship between the ideas in a coordinate
sentence.
COORDINATORS:
MEANING OF THE COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Conjunction
*COORDINATORS*
and
but
for
nor
or
so
yet
Meaning
also, in addition to
however
because
an additional negative
an afternative
therefore
nevertheless
Function
to join
to contrast
to show cause
to make the second element
negative
to show more than one possibility
to show result
to contrast
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE +, COORDINATOR + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE = COMPOUND SENTENCE
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE +; INDEPENDENT CLAUSE = COMPOUND SENTENCE
SUBORDINATORS:
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THEY IMPLY
*SUBORDINATORS*
Time after, before, once, since, until, when, whenever,
Reason or Cause
while
Result or Effect as, because
Condition
in order Mat, so that
Concession
if, even if, provided that, unless
Location
although, eventhough, though
Choice where, wherever
rather than, than, whether
SUBORDINATOR + SUBJECT AND VERB = DEPENDENT CLAUSE
Notice how a change in the subordinatinq conjunction can change your meaning.
After you have been-checked in,- you cannot leave the security area without a pass. (time limit)
Because you have been checked in, you cannot leave the security area without a pass. (reason)
Unless you have been checked in, you cannot leave the security area without a pass. (condition)
Although you have been checked in, you cannot leave the security area without a pass. (concession)
6
SUMMARY OF COMMA USES - Mr. Castillo
1
Comma plus a coordinator (conjunction) to join simple sentences: and, or, but, for,
nor, so, yet.
EXAMPLE: It rained today, yet the picnic is still scheduled.
2.
To separate three or more items in a series
EXAMPLE: We tugged, pushed, tilted, and lifted the heavy crate.
3.
Introductory elements (ending in -ing, -ed, or to + a verb) or opening adjective or
opening prepositional phrase
EXAMPLE: To win this game, they will have to score quickly. Excited by the score,
the fans yelled. Running up the hill, the child tripped. Ancient, the old man became
tired.
4.
To prevent misreading
EXAMPLE: Inside, the house was quiet. On Monday, night schedules are posted.
5.
To separate parenthetic exr)ressions from the rest of the sentence
EXAMPLE: We agreed, nevertheless, to try the plan. I will, however, help you.
6.
Appositives (rename or restate or identify)
EXAMPLE: Mr. Anderson, our speaker for the evening, was interesting.
7.
Contrasted elements
EXAMPLE: The catcher, not the pitcher, made the error. Sam, but not Bill, survived.
8.
Opening Transitions (in addition, as a result, next)
EXAMPLE: However, I don't want it. In addition, please call me.
9.
Direct address (the person being spoken to)
EXAMPLE: I believe, sir, that you are correct.
10.
Separate dates and addresses
EXAMPLE: On May 5, 1991,1 will move to 11 West First, Waco, TX 76218, for 8
months.
11.
Mild interjections and yes and no
EXAMPLE: Oh, I didn't see you standing there. Yes, that is what I need.
12.
Tag questions
EXAMPLE: It's true, isn't it? You are going, aren't you?
13.
In quotations
EXAMPLE: "Over that mountain," Bob said, "lies a beautiful valley."
14.
Conjunctive adverb (after a semi-colon in a compound sentence)
EXAMPLE: We went to the mountains; however, we did not camp overnight.
15.
Adjectives which follow the nouns
EXAMPLE: The contest, long and boring, seemed endless.
16.
To separate clauses which describe (non-restrictive)
EXAMPLE: Mrs. Dobbs, who won the contest, owns a cafe.
(Restrictive clauses identify) The man who witnessed the accident testified.
7
Name
Date
ENGLISH 1301 - COMMA PRACTICE - Mr. Castillo
In the blank, write the number of the comma use indicated in your "Summary of Comma Uses" sheet.
Write NC in the blank if no comma is needed. Some are used more than once.
1.
The customer at the next table complained loudly so the waiter called the manager.
2.
Knowing that she had little time Janet increased her pace.
3.
My uncle willed me his personal property his house and his car.
4.
The first witness a woman named Tracy remembered vivid details.
5.
Ilya did not understand English; moreover he was not familiar with our customs.
6.
As a matter of fact only one applicant out of every 500 was selected.
7.
Moesha on the other hand was approved.
8.
The final decision so far as we know has not been determined.
9.
1 had $25 yet I could not afford to eat there.
10.
Claus Ver Doon my favorite actor sent me an autographed picture.
11.
"You light me up" sang Cowboy Billie Jo "when you plug me in."
12.
This order was sent on May 14 1996 to Box 1106 Dallas TX 70412 by UPS.
13.
The child was hungry wasn't he?
14.
1 think Madam President that the motion is out of order.
15.
To complete the outfit Monica selected a necklace.
16.
Well why didn't you say so.
17.
Celia unlike Alice enjoys entering dance contests.
18.
Mrs. Anderson the winner of the Chili Cook-Off last year was not awarded the blue ribbon.
19.
Near a small stream at the bottom of the canyon we discovered an abandoned cabin.
20.
The parachutist waved to the crowd below and tried to land on the fifty yard line.
21.
She was calling for Frank not John.
22.
May was almost over but the lake water was still cool.
23.
The crane lifted the steel girder moved it into place and reached for another
24.
1 think Bob that we should begin the project.
25.
Timmon's Creek which is normally dry flooded last week.
26.
The old house deserted and falling apart was the perfect setting for the horror movie.
8
ENGLISH 1301 - COMMA PRACTICE - Mr. Castillo
Name
Date
Score
Read the following selection. Place commas where they are needed.
Actually my friends Drenda and Tomica and I were lucky to have survived the camping trip which we took last
weekend. For some reason we decided to camp in the Lemon Valley in the mountains of Taos New Mexico
about 50 miles from the nearest telephone. When we arrived excited and tired the calendar indicated that the
date was October 27 1993 which may not be the best time to camp alone. Bill Carlton our guide for the
weekend was not able to meet us. We were left alone; however we decided that we could manage. First we
cleared a camp site set up the tent and gathered wood for a fire. In fact we thought that we were doing quite
well all things considered. To maintain our confidence we turned up the volume on the portable radio.
Sometimes things like that work don't they? We agreed having worked steadily for two hours that we were
ready for a well-deserved and needed rest. Besides we were getting hungry and the sun was setting. Drenda
the clearheaded one planned a simple menu. Tomica collect some twigs for the fire she said. By this time the
temperature not the coming darkness was beginning to seem like a problem. Wow look at the sunset I blurted.
The majestic and towering mountains seem to be our protectors as the valley darkened. Then we heard it! A
long moaning sound drifted through the trees. Tomica always the strong one laughed and said Don't worry. It's
only the wind. We agreed of course that there was no cause for alarm but our eyes were certainly wide open.
We ran inside the tent to safety. Well to make a long story short we could not leave soon enough and we were
overjoyed to see the city limits sign. Yes you can bet that our next camping trip will probably be in the back
yard.
9
ENGLISH 1301 - PARALLELISM - Mr. Castillo
In grammar, parallelism means that, in a sentence, elements that are alike in function are alike, in form. For
example, consider this sentence: The adults hid the Easter eggs behind bushes, under chairs, and in the tall grass.
The details telling where the eggs were hidden are alike in form. They are prepositional phrases. (If you need to
review prepositional phrases, consult your handbook.)
Notice how the elements are alike in form (all are prepositional phrases):
1. behind bushes,
The adults hid the Easter eggs
2. under chairs, and
3. in the tall grass.
Can you spot the elements that are not parallel in this sentence? For a vacation, the family wants to go water
skiing, a hike in the mountains, or visiting Washington, D.C. Let's rearrange the sentence this way:
1. to go water skiing
For a vacation, the family wants
2. a hike in the mountains, or
3. visiting Washington, D.C.
The three elements after "wants" (You may recognize them as direct objects) are not parallel in form. To be
parallel (or alike) in form, the elements could be written like this:
1. to go water skiing,
2. to hike in the mountains, or
3. to visit Washington, D.C.
Now all the forms are verbs beginning with "to" (infinitives). The elements do not have to begin with "to" to be
parallel; they just have to be alike in form. Other ways to write this
sentence include:
1. water skiing
The family wants
2. hiking in the mountains, or
3. visiting Washington D.C.
All are -ing forms (gerunds).
Another Examr)le:
The teacher told me
1. that I should study
2. that I should do homework, and
3. that I should schedule a conference.
All of these are parallel because they are all degendent clauses introduced by "that."
An Incorrect Example: John is an artist and who is creative.
Examine this sentence:
John
1 . is an artist (verb)
and
2. who is creative. (clause)
The two elements are not parallel in form because 1. is a verb and 2. is a clause. The sentence can correctly be
written several different ways:
• John is an artist, and he is creative. (compound sentence)
• John is an artist who is creative. (complex sentence)
• John is a man who is an artist and who is creative. (2 clauses)
10
Another Incorrect Example: His stories are interesting because of their originality, their humor, and he develops a
theme.
Examine this sentence:
His stories are interesting because
1. of their originality
2. their humor, and
3. he develops a theme.
These are not parallel because 1. is a prepositional phrase, 2. is a noun, and 3. is a clause. The sentence can
correctly be written several different ways:
* His stories are interesting because of their originality, their humor, and their developed theme. (nouns)
* His stories are interesting because they are original, they are humorous, and they develop a theme. (3
clauses)
Another Incorrect Example: The book was dull, too many pages in length, and could not be understood.
Examine this sentence:
The book was
1. dull
2. too many pages in length, and
3. could not be understood.
The sentence is not parallel because 1 . is an adjective, 2. is a noun, and 3. is a verb. The forms are different. The
sentence can correctly be written this way.
* The book is dull, long, and confusing. (3 adjectives)
Read about correlatives in your handbook. The words that follow the correlatives must be parallel in form.
An Incorrect Example:
You may travel either by train or there is a plane.
Examine this sentence:
You may travel
1. either by train
or
2. there is a plane.
Either ... or ... is a correlative; therefore, the words that follow each part of the correlative must be parallel in form.
This sentence is not parallel because 1. is a prepositional phrase and 2. is a clause. The sentence can correctly be
written two ways:
• You may travel either by train -or by plane. (prepositional phrases)
• You may travel by either train or plane. (nouns)
SUMMARY
Parallelism makes writing clear and effective. As you can tell, you must carefully, examine your work
after it is written. This examination (called revision) is the only way to insure that you have correctly
encoded your intended message. With practice, you will be able to recognize and to correct unparallel
sentences. For further explanations, examples, and exercises, consult your handbook.
ENGLISH 1301 - PARALLELISM - Mr. Castillo
Read the following sentences carefully, underline any words that are not parallel. Above the sentence,
rewrite only the underlined section. You do not have to rewrite the entire sentence.
1.
The thief rushed out of the bank, across the street, and he ran into the crowd.
2.
Popular exercises include aerobics, jogging, and lift weights.
3.
She enjoys films with strong characters and which have considerable action.
4.
I became a life guard to meet new people, to earn my college tuition, and to save lives.
5.
We have two choices: to pay the claim or we can go to court.
6. The solution to the city's budget deficit is increasing taxes or to eliminate some services.
7.
The model was tall, attractive, and had intelligence.
8.
The bowl was filled with crisp apples, juicy oranges, and bananas that were ripe.
9.
The carpenter needed a hammer, nails, and a piece of rope.
10.
11.
12.
The class teaches students communications, to perform mathematical functions, and how to process
records.
The customer ordered a cup of coffee, omelette, and water.
The supervisor said that overtime was authorized and the job must be completed today.
12
ENGLISH 1301 - MODIFIERS - Mr. Castillo
MODIFIERS add details, so the modifier must be as close as possible to the word(s) described.
Examples:
the red wagon
the broken glass
the running water
the confessed killer
the tools in the drawer
the boxes which had been scattered
If the modifier is misused, two modifier errors can occur:
ERROR 1: MISPLACED MODIFIER
MISPLACED:
when the modifier is misplaced in the sentence and thus modifies the wrong word
The police found the gun in the clumpster which was used in the crime.
*To correct the error, move the modifier as close as possible to the word(s) modified.
CORRECTED: In the dumpste , the police found the gun which had been used in the crime.
*Be sure that your modifier is placed where you intend to place it. He almost earned $50. (He
did not earn anything.) He earned almost $50. (He did earn an amount close to $50.)
ERROR 2: DANGLING MODIFIER
when the modifier has no word(s) to modify in the sentence
DANGLING: Walkinq across the bridge, the sunset was beautiful.
(Who was walking across the bridge? What does walking across the bridge modify?)
*To correct the error, add to the sentence so that the modifier has a word or words to modify.
CORRECTED:
As the tourists were walking across the bridge, the sunset was beautiful.
CORRECTED:
Walking across the bridge, the hikers thought the sunset was beautiful.
CORRECTED:
The sunset was beautiful to the lovers walking across the bridge.
'-*When you revise your paper, check your modifiers. Move modifiers that are misplaced and rewrite
modifiers that are dangling.
13
ENGLISH 1301
DANGLING AND MISPLACED MODIFIERS - Mr. Castillo
Read the following sentences. Undeffine each dangling modifier, each misplaced modifier, and each coffect
modifier In the space below the sentence, correct the dangling and misplaced modifiers.
1.
Swinging the baseball bat as fast as possible, the pitch was still a strike. (Who is swinging the bat?)
2.
The children brought wild flowers to the ladies from the forest. (Are the ladies from the forest?)
3.
Having to study all night, a few hours sleep was refreshing. (Who studied all night?)
4.
To end the strike, a meeting was called by the mediator. (What does "To end the strike" modify?)
5.
By exercising several times a week, one's health can improve. (Does health exercise?)
6.
When sleeping, dreams can entertain you. (Do dreams sleep?)
7.
The patrol found the missing child lying on a cot with a broken leg.
8.
Having found the missing report, the search was stopped by the clerk. (What does "Having
found the missing report" modify?)
9.
1 want a computer for my secretary with increased capacity.
10.
While fishing in the lake, many mosquitoes bit the contestants. (Do mosquitos fish?)
11.
As a grandmother, her love for all her grandchildren must be equal. (is love a grandmother?)
12.
1 only owe you $10.
14
ENGLISH 1301 - SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT - Mr. Castillo
*In the PRESENT TENSE, VERBS must agree with SUBJECTS in NUMBER (meaning singular or
plural) and in PERSON. If the subject is third person singular (pronouns he, she, it), the present
tense verb ends in -s.
First Person
Second Person
Third Person
SINGULAR
I write
you write
he writes
she writes
it writes
Carol writes
PLURAL
we write
you write
they write
advertisers write
EXCEPTIONS: am, is, are, was, were, has, have
I am
you are
he, she, it is
*
*
we are
you are
they are
I was
you were
he, she, it was
we were
you were
they were
To ensure agreement, find the SUBJECT and the VERB when you revise your paper.
Be careful when words come between the SUBJECT and the VERB or when the SUBJECT
and VERB are INVERTED.
The box is ready. The ;-o-x,-not the bags, is ready. The box, which was correctly addressed, is
lost in the mail. There is the box, waiting to the be shipped.
Subjects joined by and are almost always plural.
Mark's quick smile and his sense of humor have made him popular.
If subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject closer to the verb.
Neither the judge nor the contestants were satisfied with the results.
If the judge or the lawyers are late, the trial cannot continue.
If the lawyers or the judge is late, the trial cannot continue.
Official passes or proper identification is required for entry to the backstage area.
15
AGREEMENT: SUBJECTS AND VERBS: A singular subject requires a singular verb. A plural subject
requires a plural . Find the subject and the verb.
1
AGREE IN NUMBER (present tense)
The teleghone Lino. The telephones ring.
SUBJ VERB
2.
OVERLOOK INTERVENING WORDS (Find the subject and the verb.)
The telephone, not the door bell, ring.
SUBJ
3.
SUBJ VERB
VERB
SUBJECTS JOINED BY "AND" (These subjects are plural; use a plural verb.)
The telephone and the door bell 6M often.
PLU SUBJ using AND
4.
VERB
SUBJECTS JOINED BY EITHER-OR / NEITHER-NOR (The verb agrees with the
subject that is closer to the verb.)
Neither the door bell nor the telephones drig.
SING SUBJ closer to VERB
5.
INDEFINITE PRONOUNS ARE SINGULAR (These will cause trouble because in
speaking, people use the plural.)
Each airl should bring her ticket.
SUBJ
6.
PRON
INVERTED SENTENCES (Find the subject of the sentence.)
Out of the clouds shines a bright sun.
VERB SUBJ
7.
LINKING VERBS (agree with subject, not with the words that follow)
The winning recipe is cherries and cream.
SUBJ VERB
8.
9.
WHO, WHICH, and THAT AGREE WITH ANTECEDENTS.
She is one of the people who support me. "ONE OF THE" REQUIRES A PLURAL.
She is the only one of the group who supports me. "THE ONLY ONE OF THE"
REQUIRES A SINGULAR.
TITLES AND FEATURED WORD (These are singular.)
Hayes and Jones is my insurer.
"Workaholics" is a new word.
The Grapes of Wrath is a very descriptive novel.
AGREEMENT: PRONOUN AND ANTECEDENT: The pronoun always agrees with the antecedent in
person, number, and gender.
* The pronoun must have a dear antecedent. Both the pronoun and the antecedent must agree in number.
EXAMPLES: Each woman will have a ticket in her hand. (singular pronoun and antecedent)
ANTECEDENT
PRON
Virainia and Reba are lucky. They won the prize. (Both are plural.)
ANTECEDENT
PRON
16
ERRORS IN PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT
Unclear Pronoun Reference (The antecedent is ambiguous.)
INCORRECT: The singer told the conductor that he was off beat. (Does he refer to the singer or to the
conductor?)
CORRECTED:
The singer told the conductor that the singer was off beat.
CORRECTED:
The singer said, "I am off beat."
Missing Antecedent (No antecedent for the pronoun)
INCORRECT:
Before the children could get to the hot dog stand, they were sold out.
CORRECTED:
Before the children could get to the hot dog stand, the hot dogs were sold out.
INCORRECT:
INCORRECT:
INCORRECT:
Some of them escaped before the hands could repair the bulls' pens.
Some of the bulls escaped before the hands could repair the pens.
In Texas, they like football.
CORRECTED:
In Texas, the fans like football.
Unnecessary Pronoun (Do not use a pronoun which is not needed.)
INCORRECT:
In the book, it implies that income is rising.
CORRECTED:
The book implies that income is rising.
INCORRECT:
In my proposal, it reports the cost.
CORRECTED:
My proposal reports the cost.
INCORRECT:
It said in the newspaper that the incidents were unrelated.
CORRECTED:
The newspaper proposed that the incidents were unrelated.
Implied Antecedent
Carl said that his car was being repaired. This means that he needs transportation.
**In your handbook, read the section on Indefinite Pronouns. Write the indefinite pronouns in your
notebook.
17
ENGLISH 1301
SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT AND PRONOUN AGREEMENT - Mr. Castillo
Name
Date
Correct S-V Agreement errors and Pronoun errors in the following sentences. Above each sentence, write any needed
corrections in agreement. USE ONLY THE PRESENT TENSE UNLESS A PAST TENSE IS INDICATED IN THE
SENTENCE
1.
2.
3.
High on the list of things to take on the camping trip is food and insect spray.
In his dreams, hairy black spiders dangling over his face terrorizes Michael night after night.
In my report, it says that research has been conducted on that topic.
4.
Neither of the elderly actors want to play a character that murders their children.
5.
Appearing suddenly, as if out of nowhere, was two uniform officers.
6.
In New York, they have cold winters.
7.
The cookies on the baking sheet on the table needs to be baked.
8.
The plates and glass in the kitchen sink is in danger of being overtaken by some green slimy stuff.
9.
The herd of buffaloes were in the corral.
10.
A transcript or a summary are needed.
11.
Carla is the only one of those people who constantly volunteer to help the committee with its
fund-raising drives.
12.
Before James reached the counter, they ran out of popcorn.
13.
It said in the book that people are often mistaken when they try to remember their past.
14.
Many of them ate before they could prepare all of the children's plates.
15.
The solution to your testing problems seem to be better time management.
16.
A team of baseball players are expected to arrive soon.
17.
The girl told her mother that she was hungry and tired.
18.
Either the boxer or his managers wants to fight next month.
A Glossary of Usage
18
1. a--Use before words that begin with consonants: a primate; a cannon
2. an--Use before words that begin with a vowel: an orange; an enemy
3. already--by this time
4. all ready--[all] completely prepared
5. accept--receive, accept 6. except--means "to leave out" or"other than"
7. loose, lose--loose means not tight; lose means to misplace
8. a half a--use a half or half a; do not include two A's
9. had better-- write should or ought to; had better is slang
10. may be--is a verb phrase
12.
11. maybe--means perhaps
being as, being that--slang; use because or since
13.
fixing to--regional slang; avoid using this in most cases, write what you really mean to say:
fixing to leave planning to leave; fixing dinner = cooking dinner; fixed her hair combed her hair
14.
were--a past tense verb; 15. we're--we are; 16. where--a location
17. who's--means who is; 18. whose--possessive of who (Whose cat is it?)
19.
at, to--remove at the end of clauses beginning with "where": "Where are you working at?" or
"Do you know where are you going to?"
20.
alright, all right--avoid alright because it is slang; use all right
21.
your--your is possessive; 22. you're--contraction of you are
23.
let's us--let's means let us; the second us is redundant
24.
got to--slang; use have to, has to, or must
25.
it's--contraction of it is; 26. its--possessive (belonging to)
27.
anyways, anywheres--remove the s
28.
could of, would of--slang, write could have or would have
29. reason is because is redundant; write "reason is that"
30. use to, suppose to--misspelled; write used to and supposed to
31. off of--remove the "of" 32. too=also or excessive 33. to=preposition
34. on account of--avoid; use because of or because
35. lots, lots of, alot--avoid; use many, much, a great deal, often
36. their (possessive); 37. they're (they are); 38. there (location)
39. remove the ly from "secondly" or "thirdly" (to open paragraphs)
40. cannot means canot; do not write can not as 2 words
19
ENGLISH 1301
CONFUSING WORDS EXERCISE - Mr. Castillo
Name
Date
Circle each word from our list that is not used correctly or spelled correctly. Correct each error above the
mistake.
All ready it is time for us to leave. That is, everyone is leaving accept Tom. He has to try and understand
why he cannot go. However, we will bring him a memento of the trip. Further along the semester, he maybe
able to go, being as he has progressed alright. Among the five of them, Tom is doing the best. Since he did
not loose his notebook, he knows were he keeps his materials. Whose to say if your better than he is.
Sometimes things get to rigid around here. I do not mean to imply that standards are to strict. We rely on high
standards alot so that people will be conscious of expectations. Its important that people try to do there best.
The reason is because people will rise to meet expectations. Anyways, we want people to set high principles
so that they will not be under the illusion that anything but the best is exceptable. We feel that if the standards
are explicit, then students readily will be able to recognize the standards and to understand them. Some
people do differ with the standards because they are not use to meeting high standards, or they could of
expected them. Sometimes students are like that to on account of lesser expectations in high school. Ever so
often, students do strive-to achieve their very best, but frequently alot of them do not. So, lets us do our best
so that next time we can all go on the trip. Success is meeting goals. Goals determine where a person is at.
Meeting a half a goal is not enough. Everyone can at least make a attempt to be successful.
20
ESSAY GUIDELINES
Follow these guidelines for every writing assignment in this class.
1.
Title - Write a creative title on the first line of the paper. Be creative! Do NOT write the
TOPIC of the paper. Write something reflective of the TONE of the paper.
2.
Person - Do NOT use you and I interchangeably. (I like going to the movies because you
can just relax.)
3.
Transition - You should have transition between sentences and between paragraphs. (see
handbook) Avoid using numbers such as first and second.
4.
Abbreviations - Do NOT use abbreviations EXCEPT for abbreviations that are used as a
word (NBC, IBM, CIA, Colby and Assoc., INC.).
5.
Contractions - Do NOT use contractions except in dialog.
6.
"It" - Avoid using the word "it," unless you have a clear antecedent.
7.
"There" - Avoid beginning a sentence with the word "There" or "Here" as an expletive.
8.
Apostrophe - Use apostrophes to show possession or to show contractions.
9.
10.
Symbols - Do Not use ampersands!
Strike-Overs - Do NOT hand in homework with strike-overs.
11. Thesis: one sentence containing a topic and a comment. Your thesis should make only
one point.
12. Avoid absolutes (always, never, all); use qualifiers instead (usually, seldom, most).
13. Remember that an essay is not a conversation. Avoid conversing with your reader!
21
ENGLISH 1301 - TERMS - Mr. Castillo
Learn these terms, their meanings, and their spellings.
1. Topic sentence -
tells what the paragraph is about
2. Thesis sentence -
tells what the essay is about
3. General -
a category (too broad a topic)
4. Narrowed topic -
part of a category or part of a broad topic
5. Sensory detail -
detail which appeals to the senses
6. Image -
a mental picture created through sensory detail
7. Denotation -
the dictionary meaning of a word
8. Connotation -
the emotional response to a word or words
9. Concrete -
experienced through the senses
10. Abstract -
referring to a principle, an idea, a standard, or a concept
11. Pronoun -
replaces a noun
12. Antecedent -
the noun that was replaced by the pronoun
13. Purpose -
what you plan to accomplish with your paper
14. Audience -
the person or group addressed by the essay
15. Person -
used to indicate the action of the pronoun:
1st person:
the person speaking or writing (I and we)
2nd person:
the person spoken or written to (you)
3rd person:
the person spoken or written about (he, she, it, they)
16. Idiom -
word(s) with an alternative meaning; cannot tell meaning by the
words used; not literal.
17. Cliche -
a trite, overused expression
18. Euphemism -
a nice way of saying something considered unpleasant
19. Specific detail -
an exact descriptive word