I I I n t t t r r o d u c i i i n g …
Featuring our very own Mr. Stu Dent and his teacher the grammar guru, here to help you become more enlightened students of grammar
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

3.3
3.4
By the end of English 1, students can list and define the eight parts of speech.
By the end of English 1, students can identify types of nouns (i.e. common, proper, abstract, concrete and collective) and verbs (i.e. transitive and intransitive) and speak and write using the correct forms of regular and irregular nouns and verbs.
Overview or, What are we doing and why?
Why study grammar? A valid question indeed. Is it true that I secretly want each of you to become grammarians? Not exactly, but I do want you to attain grammar nirvana— that lovely place in which you reach enlightenment on the subject. After English 1 no longer will you cower at the sight of a comma, faint from sentence fragments, perspire in front of pronouns, or convulse from conjunctions. Seriously, part of your study of
English includes understanding the structure of the language itself. Imagine trying to learn a foreign language such as Spanish or French without knowing what personal pronouns are. Understanding the structure of English enables you to become a more dynamic writer and a more curious reader.
For this grammar unit, we’ll look at all eight parts of speech but will focus on the basics of nouns and verbs—two major building blocks of sentences. By learning about these essential parts of speech, you’ll discover ways to improve your writing and your vocabulary skills.
Terms to know:
Parts of speech:
Noun

Common noun

Proper noun
Verb

Action verb o Visible o Mental
Pronoun

Antecedent
Adjective
Adverb
Preposition
Conjunction
Interjection
Note: Definitions and some sentences in this unit taken and/or adapted from Prentice Hall:
Grammar & Composition and Writers Inc.
Packet adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

Stu Dent: Grammar guru, what does the term parts of speech mean?
Grammar guru: Well, Stu the term parts of speech refers to the ways in which words are used in sentences.
Stu Dent: I see. How many parts of speech are there and what are they?
Grammar guru: Words can be used in eight different ways; thus, there are eight parts of speech: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection.
Stu Dent: Wow, that’s fascinating! What is the definition for each part of speech?
Grammar guru: You will create your very own treasure trove of valuable grammar information in the form of a manila folder. You should treat this as a prized possession, for it will hold the key to many of your grammar questions. The first jewels that will decorate it will be the definitions of each of the eight parts of speech.
Stu Dent: Where can I find the definition for each part of speech so that I may bedazzle my folder with the enlightening information?
Grammar guru: In another treasure chest of valuable information—Stu, you should know where to look. Write the answer below:
___________________________________.
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

The basics
Exercise 1: Person, place, thing, or idea
Directions: Take a close look at the underlined words in the following sentences and classify them as people (draw a stick figure), places (PL), things (T), or ideas
(I).
1.
We need a strong, new rope.
2.
Suzie, the girl at the table, wants more coffee.
3.
Springtime precedes summer.
4.
Ten spectators joined our band.
5.
Our hope rests with you, Tom.
6.
Courage is the better part of valor.
7.
Which attributes describe a good student?
8.
I lived in Germany for one magical year.
9.
The hounds chased the fox over five miles.
10.
On their way to the park, the family scared a flock of geese and watched as they all took flight to head to Mexico for the winter.
Grammar guru: Just so you know Stu, nouns have many different categories, but we’ll learn about all of the others when I come back to visit you with Nouns
(Part II). For now, we’re just going to focus on the difference between proper and common nouns. Stu, let’s see if you can find the definition to a proper noun.
Stu Dent: Of course I can. A proper noun____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

Grammar guru: Excellent work, Stu. After some practice in class, try your hand at the exercises on the next page.
Grammar guru: Before trying these exercises, write down this nifty tip for identifying nouns:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 2: Proper and common
Directions: After reading the following sentences, underline all the nouns. If the noun is a common noun, write CN above it. If it is a proper noun, write PN above it and draw three lines under the first letter of the word to show that it should be capitalized.
1.
Marvin and his family visited rome and paris last summer.
2.
Add a cup of sugar and three eggs to the batter and beat until smooth.
3.
The merry-go-round made the children shriek with delight.
4.
The poem by dylan thomas included rhyme and repeated phrases.
5.
In the movie, the mummy staggered up the stairs and down the long, dark corridor toward the treasure.
6.
High up in the tower, a lone face peered out over the moat toward scotland.
7.
The peasants gathered before the castle and demanded justice from king george.
Exercise 3: Proper and common
Directions: Review your notes on proper and common nouns and then complete the following chart by supplying the needed information.
Major category Ex. of common nouns
Person president actress
Ex. of proper nouns
Lewis and Clark
Place
Thing
Idea town restaurant language building dog love
Dr. Seuss
Canada
Washington
Nile
Saturday
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

Although capitalization can be confusing, it need not be. Writers INC has three entire pages of detailed information about capitalization and I suggest you consult it when you have questions. As a way to simplify things however, I have boiled down capitalization to ten basics rules. Learn them; love them; use them.
1.
Capitalize the first word of every sentence.
Look at all of these sentences as examples.
2.
Capitalize any names (including a person’s title).
Over three thousand years ago, Queen Nefertiti ruled Egypt. (vs. The queen sat majestically on her throne.)
3.
Capitalize words such as mother, uncle, or grandma when they are used as names or with names. Hint: try replacing the word with a name and see if it makes sense.
“Can I come to the store with you, Mom?” (vs. What is your mom’s first name? )
Grandma Jean is visiting us this weekend. (vs. My grandma is coming to visit this weekend.)
4.
Days of the week, months, and holidays (but not seasons).
Marie plays soccer every Tuesday during the summer.
Mike loves November because he gets to eat cranberry sauce for the entire week following his family’s
Thanksgiving feast.
5.
Historical events, periods, and documents. the Battle of Gettysburg the Renaissance the Emancipation Proclamation
6.
The first word of a direct quote (even when it follows narration).
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." - Abraham Lincoln
“Madame Forestier went to her closet with the glass doors, took out a large jewel -case, brought it, opened it, and said, ‘Ch o ose, my dear’” ( de Maupassant 187).
7.
Capitalize the first word of a title, the last word of a title, and every word in between except articles (a, an, the), short prepositions (on, over, into, etc.), and short conjunctions (and, but, so, etc.).
Cheaper by the Dozen The Old Man and the Sea To Kill a Mockingbird
8.
Capitalize continents, countries, states, towns, counties, streets, and regions but do not capitalize north, south, east, or west when used in directions.
Europe Germany Marburg Beethoven St. the Southwest (vs. Turn south at the second light.)
9.
Capitalize the names of language classes (but not others).
English Spanish French German vs. biology algebra history engineering study hall
10.
Capitalize languages, nationalities, races, and religions.
German American Hispanic Buddhism
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

Grammar guru: Stu if it’s alright with you I’d like to let Patricia T. Conner, the author of Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe’s Guide to Better
English in Plain English, introduce verbs.
Stu Dent: Of course that’s alright with me. Let’s hear it!
“The verb is the business end of a sentence, the sentence’s reason for being. That’s where the action is. Without a verb, even if it’s only suggested, there’s nothing going on, just a lot o f nouns standing around with their hands in their pockets.”
Stu Dent: Wow, that’s deep.
Grammar guru: With this in mind, let’s start learning about verbs. In this introduction, we’ll just focus on action verbs. I know you can’t wait to learn about all of the other types, but you’ll have to wait until I deem you worthy.
There are two kinds of main verbs:
1.
____________________________ 2. ____________________________
The third type of verb is called a(n)___________________________________ and their purpose it to ______________________________________________
An action verb tells what action a person or thing is performing. (Note: The performer of the action is called the subject of the verb. The subject is frequently a noun or pronoun. )
Examples:
_________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
An action verb may be one of two kinds:
________________________________ or _______________________________.
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

Examples of Action Verbs:
Exercise 1: Identifying Action Verbs
Directions: Underline the subject of each sentence and double underline the action verb. Next, specify whether the verb is a visible action verb or a mental action verb by placing a V above the verb if it expresses visible action or an M above the verb if it expresses mental action.
1.
The Concorde flies quickly across the Atlantic.
2.
For many weeks Columbus and his crew worried about reaching land.
3.
Juan dreamed of his family in Cuba.
4.
The quarterback threw a long pass.
5.
Elizabeth Kenny developed a treatment for polio.
6.
She considered warmth and exercise to be the best therapy.
7.
He remembers many events from World War II.
8.
Weeds suddenly sprouted all over our front lawn.
9.
She believed in justice and freedom for all.
10.
The Greeks created myths partially as a way to explain the unexplainable.
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

Exercise 2: Practice with Action Verbs
Part 1 Directions: Add verbs (and other words you might need) to the nouns and noun phrases below to form a complete and correct sentence. (Hint: Ask yourself, “What did he, she, or they do?) Double underline the verb in the sentence you write.
Example: team of archeologists/ruined city
The team of archeologists surveyed the ruined city of Petra.
The team of archeologists uncovered the ruined city of Petra.
The team of archeologists looked awestruck upon the ruined city of Petra.
The team of archeologists were amazed by the ruined city of Petra. (to be verb)
1.
Chef Lois/five-course meal
2.
Three-year-old boy/supermarket
3.
Television reporter/exiled queen
4.
Sally and Sandy/soccer camp
5.
the Greek gods/mortals
Part 2 Directions: In the blank, write an action verb that means approximately the same thing as the one in parentheses, but is more precise and vivid.
1.
Jeanette ____________________________ a rare, antique watch.
(got)
2.
The exhausted explorers ______________________ out of the jungle.
(walked)
3.
The wizard ________________________ the ancient words.
(spoke)
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

Grammar guru: Stu, before we get started with pronouns, there are some important words you need to know.
Stu Dent: Bring it on, guru; I’m ready!
Grammar guru: Here we go!
Pronoun: A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun or group of words acting as a noun. In English, there are five kinds of pronouns: personal,
demonstrative, relative, interrogative, and indefinite. This year, we’ll focus on personal pronouns and demonstrative pronouns.
Antecedent: An antecedent is the noun (or group of words acting as a noun) for which a pronoun stands.
Examples: 1. My brother opened his present.
2. My father opened his present first. He felt he couldn’t wait any longer.
3. Trying to make the team is hard work. It takes hours of practice every day.
4. Although he tried and tried, Mark was unable to flap his arms fast enough to fly.
The most common pronouns are called ______________________________ because they refer:
1.
to the person speaking,
2.
the person spoken to, or
3.
the person, place, or thing being spoken about.
Depending on whom or what a personal pronoun refers to, it is called a firstperson, second-person, or third person pronoun.
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

First Person
Second Person
Singular Plural
Third Person
Exercise 1: An important purpose of personal pronouns
Directions: Without pronouns, writing becomes ridiculously redundant. Read the following sentences and rewrite them on notebook paper, changing some of the nouns to pronouns to make the sentences less repetitive.
1.
When Fred goes to the bank and sees the cute brunette teller behind the counter, Fred’s hands start shaking so badly Fred can hardly hold Fred’s wallet.
2.
Lina ecstatically exclaimed, “Lina just got an A on Lina’s English essay!”
3.
Juggling a soccer ball takes a great deal of skill. Juggling a soccer ball requires lots of practice to master.
Exercise 2: Identifying the antecedent
Directions: Circle each personal pronoun and draw an arrow to its antecedent.
1.
Since she is known as a fine soprano, Lucy was offered a part in the concert.
2.
The zoo also includes among its residents a roller-skating parrot.
3.
James tried to reach the doctor, but she was not in her office.
4.
The Smiths said that they would volunteer some of their time to bake their famously delicious cranberry muffins.
5.
“Mary, would you please pick some daisies from my backyard?” asked
Ruth.
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

Or “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Aristotle
Stu Dent : Grammar guru, I feel so enlightened after learning all of these fantastic grammar concepts but let’s be honest, no one is going to stop me on the street and ask me to identify a proper noun.
Grammar guru : You’re right Stu. It’s all about what you do with this knowledge. Think about language as a puzzle; you’ve just learned about certain pieces of the puzzle but puzzle pieces by themselves aren’t all that interesting. It only becomes interesting when you put it all together. In our case this means using your knowledge of these grammar pieces when you speak, write, or read. In order to see how well you can put the puzzle together, let’s try some exercises with all of the pieces at once. Think you’re up for that?
Stu Dent: I think so. Let me try some.
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006

Exercise
Now that you know the basics of nouns, verbs and pronouns, can you …?
Ex. reviewing all parts
10 sentences
Part 1: review the definitions of all eight parts of speech
2: single underline all nouns
2.1: Identify all nouns in bold as | P, T, or I
3: capitalize all proper nouns
4: double underline all verbs and
4.1: write M or V above all verbs
5: in a different color, single underline all pronouns
Stu: So, Grammar Guru what’s the point of all of this?
Guru: Well Stu, although it is highly unlikely that someone will stop you on the street, …
Guru: Well Stu, we’ve been focusing on one part of grammar at a time. Usually the only time one looks at just a piece of the puzzle is in a language class. However, when you put together all of the pieces, you suddenly have knowledge that extends to limitless areas of knowledge.
Stu: Huh?
Guru: Think about it like this: outside of school walls, no one is going to come up to you and ask you whether president is a proper or common noun. It is also highly unlikely that someone would stop you to ask, “Pardon me, do you happen to know what time it is?” and then follow with the question, “But first, can you tell me the subject of that sentence?”
The importance then Stu, is to be able to use this knowledge naturally.
CUT??
Jessica Spangler 2011; adapted from Cynthia Kolanowski 2006