A Grammar Boot Camp for
Sophomores
Bad sentences are
worse than a GTS to
the face!
A. Parts of a Sentence
1.
Clauses
a) Independent Clause: has a subject and a verb and can stand on its
own
b) Subordinate Clause: has a subject and a verb but cannot stand on its
own
2.
Phrases
1. Always missing either a noun or a verb
2. Can be prepositional, participial, gerund, infinitive, appositive
After he spent the majority of his career battling in the
developmental territories of ECW and FCW, often playing to
small audiences in flea market warehouses and trailer parks, making
little money and living in the back seat of cars during extended tours
while rarely seeing his family or friends and simultaneously dealing
with painful injuries he could not afford to have treated.
OR
He won.
B. A sentence must be an independent clause. A fragment is not
an independent clause. Length is irrelevant.
Since CM Punk spent nearly 500 days as WWE Champion.
CM Punk dedicates his life to drug-free living.
Sentence or
fragment?
He has a tattoo of a Pepsi logo on his arm.
After he grew weary of his friends getting beer logos tattooed on them.
During the summer of 2012, CM Punk shocked the world when he
dropped his now iconic “pipe bomb,” during which he cruelly slandered
Vince McMahaon and the entire WWE leadership in a series of caustic
insults and observations until his microphone was cut off, yet he earned
vindication only a short month later when he beat John Cena, claimed his
WWE championship, and then promptly quit the company carrying the belt
out of the building with him.
OR
He won, it was amazing.
C. A run-on sentence consists of two independent clauses inappropriately
combined. Length is irrelevant.
CM Punk is the most successful wrestler of the modern era, he is a skillful
performer and athlete.
Fix A Run-On in One of Three Ways:
CM Punk is the most successful wrestler of the modern era; he is a skillful
performer and athlete.
CM Punk is the most successful wrestler of the modern era, and he is a skillful
performer and athlete.
CM Punk is the most successful wrestler of the modern era. He is a skillful
performer and athlete.
If you want to learn how
to use a comma, give me
a “Hell Yeah!”
A. A Comma is NOT used for “pauses” in sentences
B. A Comma is NOT used in place of periods
C. A Comma is NOT the same thing as a semicolon
People who make these
mistakes deserve a Stone
Cold Stunner. And that’s
the bottom line because
Stone Cold said so.
A. Use a comma to separate independent clauses joined by a
coordinating conjunction (known as compound sentences)
1.
2.
The coordinating conjunctions are FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO.
Be careful not to confuse compound sentences with sentences with compound
predicates.
Stone Cold Steve Austin was a prominent wrestler of late 90’s, but a series
of leg injuries shortened his career.
Stone Cold involved himself in numerous feuds with Vince McMahon and
fought in two Wrestlemania main events against the Rock.
B. When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, it must be
followed by a comma.
After Stone Cold won his matches, he generally celebrated by drinking beers in
the ring.
Because Stone Cold had a propensity for cussing and drinking on television, the
WWE used to be rated for mature audiences only.
Since Stone Cold retired and WWE inked a deal with Hasbro, the television
show has become more kid-friendly than in the past.
C. When a prepositional phrase begins a sentence, it is always
followed by a comma.
In the ring, Stone Cold was known for his rough and brawling style.
During his matches, he won using a finishing move called the Stunner.
After his retirement from wrestling, Stone Cold became a reality TV host
and hunting advocate.
Important Note:
Some English textbooks will say you only need the
comma if there are two or more prepositional
phrases. Others will say “only when needed.”
A good rule of thumb: when the rule is “optional,”
always use it.
D. Use commas to offset nonessential subordinate adjective clauses and
participial phrases in sentences.
1. Nonessential means that the information is not necessary for the remainder of the
independent clause to make sense – it is not related to the main idea of the sentence.
The wrestler who hated Stone Cold the most was HHH.
Stone Cold, enraged by corporate nepotism, refused to do advertisements for Wrestlemani a
events.
HHH, who is married to Vince McMahon’s daughter, had several main event matches against
Stone Cold.
The two icons had many feuds which fans still remember to this day.
E. Use commas to separate adjectives of equal importance when
they are used beside one another in a sentence.
1. The test to see if they are of “equal importance” is to
reverse their order. If the sentence still makes sense, their
importance is equal.
Stone Cold was an important, influential part of the WWE’s history.
Stone Cold was an influential, important part of the WWE’s history.
When you reverse the order, the sentence still makes
sense.
Thus, “equal importance.”
Thus, use a comma.
Stone Cold was the first prominent wrestler to achieve mainstream success
since Hulk Hogan.
Stone Cold was the prominent first wrestler to achieve mainstream success
since Hulk Hogan.
When you reverse the order, the sentence does NOT
make sense.
Thus, NOT “equal importance.”
Thus, do NOT use a comma.
• Use commas for items in a series
• Stone Cold’s greatest matches were against The Rock, HHH, and
Kurt Angle.
• Use commas for items that interrupt a sentence
• Kurt Angle is, I think, now dealing with some drug problems.
• Use commas after direct address
• Vince McMahon, will you let me become a professional wrestler?
• Use commas when identifying some geographical locations
• Monday Night Raw is visiting Baltimore, Maryland, in February.
• Use commas to set off appositive phrases.
• Many fans suspect that Brock Lesnar, another attitude-era legend,
will return by that time.
I can’t be seen by you…
…I mean…
You can’t see me
A. Verbs have many tenses.
Present Active
Play
Eat
Present Progressive
Is Playing
Is Eating
Present Perfect active
Have Played
Have Eaten
Present Perfect Passive
Has Been Played
Has Been Eaten
Present Perfect Progressive
Have Been Playing
Have Been Eating
Past Active
Played
Ate
Past Progressive
Was Playing
Was Eating
Past Perfect Active
Had played
Had Eaten
Past Perfect Passive
Had been played
Had Been Eaten
Past Perfect Progressive
Had been playing
Had Been Eating
Future Active
Will Play
Will Eat
Future Progressive
Will Be Playing
Will Be Eating
Future Perfect Active
Will Have Played
Will Have Eaten
Future Perfect Passive
Will Have Been Played
Will Have Been Eaten
Future Perfect Progressive
Will Have Been Playing
Will Have Been Eating
B. When writing about literature (such as summarizing plot or
analyzing significance), you are ALWAYS to use verb forms in the
present tense.
C. When writing about the life of an author or summarizing
historical information, you are always to use verb forms in the past
tense.
The champ wants you to
look at the paragraph on
the following slide.
Holden established himself as an unreliable narrator early in
The Catcher in the Rye. As Holden, the first person narrator and
protagonist, introduced himself to his reader, he described his situation
as one wherein he was institutionalized. He refused to talk about his
childhood and simply said that he was “run down.” He proceeded to
admit that he was someplace to “take it easy” and that his brother
“visits [him] practically every week end” (Salinger 3). Holden’s
avoidance of truth and vague description of his circumstances suggested
that, from the start, he was unwilling to be honest with his reader. The
author established a sense of distance between the audience and
speaker that pervaded the entire novel. Salinger, who also struggled
with psychological problems, likely related to Holden’s disillusionment
and paranoia.
Holden establishes himself as an unreliable narrator early
in The Catcher in the Rye. As Holden, the first person narrator and
protagonist, introduces himself to his reader, he describes his
situation as one wherein he is institutionalized. He refuses to talk
about his childhood and simply says that he is “run down.” He
proceeds to admit that he is someplace to “take it easy” and that
his brother “visits [him] practically every week end” (Salinger 3).
Holden’s avoidance of truth and vague description of his
circumstances suggest that, from the start, he is unwilling to be
honest with his reader. The author establishes a sense of distance
between the audience and speaker that pervades the entire
novel. Salinger, who also struggled with psychological problems,
likely related to Holden’s disillusionment and paranoia.
A. Sentences using action verbs can be constructed in the ACTIVE
or PASSIVE voice.
B. In the active voice, the performer of the action appears prior
to the verb, and the passive voice, the order is reversed.
John Cena defeated Alberto Del Rio. (active)
Alberto Del Rio was defeated by John Cena. (passive)
C. ALWAYS USE THE ACTIVE VOICE in academic writing.
D. Whenever possible, ALWAYS USE ACTION VERBS in academic
writing.
The championship was won by John Cena, and he was cheered by the fans.
John Cena won the championship, and the fans cheered for him.
John Cena is the most popular wrestler of the modern era.
John Cena earns the adulation of more fans than any other performer in the
modern era.
John Cena’s motto is “Hustle, Loyalty, Respect.”
John Cena’s personifies his motto of “Hustle, Loyalty, Respect.”
After being beaten by the Rock at Wrestlemania last year, revenge will be Cena’s
after the Royal Rumble is won by him this year.
After the Rock beat John Cena at Wrestlemania last year, John Cena vowed
revenge and will earn another opportunity after winning the Royal Rumble this
year.
The WWE Championship has been won by John Cena 10 times, but he was not
a champion at all this year.
John Cena is a supporter of the US military, and his participation in the annual
Tribute to the Troops is admired by many fans.
More Make-A-Wish opportunities have been granted by John Cena than by any
one else in history, and many suffering young people’s lives were touched by
Cena’s dedication.
Teamwork
matters in
grammar too.
The TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS of grammar.
A. Within a sentence, a writer must be certain to maintain what is
called parallel structure.
B. Parallel structure refers to a writer’s obligation to make sure
words, phrases, and clauses within a sentence are all in the
same form.
Look at this sentence: what is the problem?
Mick Foley and the Rock, known as the “Rock ‘N Sock
Connection,” were famous for incredible skills on the
microphone, having worked matches of legendary quality, and
they were always willing to put their bodies on the line.
Mick Foley and the Rock, known as the “Rock ‘N Sock
Connection,” were famous for incredible skills on the
microphone, having worked matches of legendary quality, and
they were always willing to put their bodies on the line.
Notice how the list in the sentence’s predicate
consists first of a prepositional phrase, then
of a participial phrase, and then is finally an
independent clause.
Mick Foley and the Rock, known as the “Rock ‘N Sock
Connection,” were famous for their incredible skills on the
microphone, their matches of legendary quality, and their reckless
lack of self-concern.
Mick Foley and the Rock, known as the “Rock ‘N Sock
Connection,” earned renown for dazzling audiences on the
microphone, putting on matches of legendary quality, and putting
their bodies on the line.
Mick Foley and the Rock, known as the “Rock ‘N Sock
Connection,” are regarded because they were unmatched on the
microphone, they put on matches of legendary quality, and they
consistently put their bodies on the line.
The talented Mick Foley has been hit with barbed wire, lit on fire,
and the Undertaker threw him from a cage.
After losing an ear, the rock hitting him with a chair 30 times, and
inhaling a tooth, Mick Foley retired in 2005.
• The Rock, whose career lasted much longer, often found success
by cheating, lying, and he often betrayed his friends.
• He later turned “face,” meaning good, and created incredible
moments such as his epic match with Hulk Hogan at
Wrestlemania, his long feud with HHH, and making frequent use
of sexually lewd innuendos.
Hulkamania is
going to run wild
on your writing!
A. In academic writing, a quote must ALWAYS be “tagged,”
meaning it is introduced in some way and not merely dropped
into a paragraph.
Hulk Hogan’s early success came primarily from his status as a
role model for younger viewers. “Drink your milk and take your
vitamins.” Children found his positive attitude and seeming
super strength appealing.
Hulk Hogan’s early success came primarily from his status as a role
model for younger viewers. He is known for frequently saying,
“Drink your milk and take your vitamins.” Children found his positive
attitude and seeming super strength appealing.
Hulk Hogan’s early success came primarily from his status as a role
model for younger viewers. “Drink your milk and take your vitamins,”
he frequently said. Children found his positive attitude and seeming
super strength appealing.
Hulk Hogan’s early success came primarily from his status as a role
model for younger viewers. “Drink your milk,” he frequently said,
“and take your vitamins.” Children found his positive attitude and
seeming super strength appealing.
B. Commas appear prior to a quote unless the quote is
functioning as part of a sentence. Notice the difference:
Hulk Hogan often said, “What are you gonna do, brother,
when these 24-inch pythons run wild on you?”
Hulk Hogan often referred to his opponents as “brother” and
warned that his “24-inch pythons” might “run wild” on them.
C. Punctuation appears inside of quotation marks unless a
parenthetical citation is provided; the punctuation appears after a
citation.
In 1995, Hogan left the WWE and remarked, “It was the
money that really got to me.”
In 1995, Hogan left the WWE and remarked, “It was the
money that really got to me” (LaBar 13).
D. A final note: when using quotations as part of dialogue in creative writing,
you must start a new paragraph every time the speaker changes.
As the big event arrived, Hulk and Rock found themselves standing eye to eye as bitter
enemies. Months of verbal jabbing, media scrutiny, and physical confrontations culminated in one
epic match. Staring into Hulk’s eyes, the Rock said, “Know your role, and shut your mouth.”
“Listen brother, Hulkamania’s about to run wild on you,” Hulk replied.
“Time to retire, Jabroni,” the Rock responded.
“We’ll see about that,” Hulk said. The bell rang, and the match promptly began with a
series of jabs and chops.