The Dirty Dozen of the SATKeystone Exam Preparation

The Dirty Dozen of the SAT/Keystone Exam Preparation

What is the “Dirty Dozen? ” �Twelve language skills and/or errors commonly tested on the SAT exam.

Which Skills are Included? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. The Run-on Sentence The Sentence Fragment Error in the Case of a Noun or Pronoun Subject / Verb Agreement Pronoun / Antecedent Agreement Verb Tense Subjunctive Mood Adjective Comparison (best vs. better) Adjective / Adverb Confusion Dangling Modifiers Parallel Structure Diction (word choice) Error (affect vs. effect)

Why do we study these? (…besides the fact that our brain thirsts for knowledge, Mr. Stadnycki) �Introduction to some complex grammatical issues we’ll discuss later �Awareness of possible testing questions �Repeated exposure is best

Set One The Run On Sentence The Sentence Fragment Parallel Structure

Reviewing Independent Clauses …and coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)

Review: What’s an independent clause? �A series of words that contains a subject and a verb. �It must also exist as a complete thought. • I went to the grocery store. • I bought candy corn.

Linking Independent Clauses �I went to the grocery store. �I bought candy corn. �I went to the grocery store, and I bought some candy corn. • Related independent clauses can be linked by a comma and coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

F. A. N. B. O. Y. S. Coordinating Conjunctions �For (because) �But �And �Or �Nor �Yet (however) �So (when it means “as a result”)

Run-on Sentences

Run-on Sentences � Example 1: • We went to see Prometheus in theater I had some popcorn covered in delicious, greasy butter. � Problem: � We have two independent clauses linked in one sentence with no evidence of where one ends and the next begins. � Example 1: • We went to see Prometheus in theater I had some popcorn covered in delicious, greasy butter.

Run-on Sentences � Example 2: • The Avengers was a perfect mix of action and humor and we went back to see the movie again and again. � Problem: � We have two independent clauses linked by a conjunction with no comma � Example 2: • The Avengers was a perfect mix of action and humor and we went back to see the movie again and again.

Run-on Sentences �Explanation: • Run-ons are sentences that combine or “fuse” two independent thoughts together without necessary punctuation. �Why is this a problem? 1. Run-on Sentences confuse readers because they’re often unclear.

Fixing Run-on Sentences �Rule 1: • If the independent clauses are unrelated, place a period in between the independent clauses to create two sentences • We went to see Prometheus in theater. I had some popcorn covered in delicious, greasy butter.

Fixing Run-on Sentences �Rule 2: • If the independent clauses are related, use a comma and coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) to link the two sentences together. �Example 2: • The Avengers was a perfect mix of action and , humor and we went back to see the movie again and again.

Fixing Run-on Sentences � Rule 3: • Semicolons are acceptable punctuation to join independent clauses. The semicolon means that both independent clauses are related. • However, comma and coordinating conjunction are a better form of connection because the semicolon is less clear about how the clauses are connected. � Example 2: • The Avengers was a perfect mix of action and humor we went back to see the movie again and again. ;

Example of a GREAT note �Leadership: • Kay does not exhibit patience, but he does exhibit strength, age, and physical qualities. Kay is the physical leader. Wart is the mental leader. • Whenever something goes wrong for Kay, he wants to change the plans (give up). Not a good leadership trait.

Sentence Fragments

Subject/Verb Relationships �Zach ran faster than a speeding bullet. �Ed’s funny jokes always make me laugh. �When Kiana went to the store, she forgot to buy milk.

Sentence Fragments �Explanation: 1. Fragments may be missing a subject/verb relationship. 2. Some fragments might have a S/V relationship, but they don’t form a complete thought. �Why are fragments a problem? • Language is essentially built of things and the actions those things are doing. • We need the thing, we need the action, and it must make sense.

Sentence Fragments � Examples: 1. Ran faster than a speeding bullet 2. Ed’s funny jokes. 3. When Kiana went to the store. � What is the problem with each of these examples above? � Examples: 1. Ran faster than a speeding bullet 2. Ed’s funny jokes. 3. When Kiana went to the store.

Fixing Sentence Fragments �Example #1: • Ran faster than a speeding bullet �Missing a subject. �Something/someone needs to be DOING the running. • Zach ran faster than a speeding bullet. �Now, the subject is attached to a verb. �Their relationship creates a complete thought.

Fixing Sentence Fragments �Example #2: • Ed’s funny jokes. �Missing a verb �What are Ed and his sense of humor doing? • Ed’s funny jokes always make me laugh.

Fixing Sentence Fragments �Examples #3: • When Kiana went to the store. �We have a noun and a verb, so what’s wrong? �This isn’t a complete thought. • Kiana went to the store. • When Kiana went to the store, she forgot to buy milk.

Sentence Fragment Fixes �Rule for Fix: • Add a subject / predicate • AND / OR • Complete thought

Parallel Structure

Correct Parallel Structure �Examples: 1. Jon brought salty chips, crunchy crackers, and tasty dip. 2. Nate always runs fast, jumps high, and slides low. 3. Emily loves to write, to read, and to reflect.

General Rule: �Rule: Express parallel ideas in the same grammatical form.

Coordinate Ideas - Type 1 �Rule Explanation: • all of the items in a list (typically two or more) must be in the same grammatical format: �either verb, verb; noun, noun; or gerund, gerund. No mixing and matching!

Correct Parallel Structure � Examples: • Jonbrought salty chips, crunchy crackers, and tasty dip. adj. n adj. n • Nate always runs fast, jumps high, and slides low. v adv. v adv. v adv. • Emily loves to write, to read, and to reflect. inf. verb � Explanation: • Items in this list are the same grammatical format.

Incorrect Parallel Structure �Examples: • Jeremy brought salty chips, crunchy crackers, and ran home. adj. n n • Nate always runs fast, jumps high, and to slide. v adv. v adv. v inf. verb • Emily loves to write, to read, and hamburgers. inf. verb n

Non-List Parallel Structure �Complication! �The SAT loves testing two-part parallel structure because it deals with entire phrases. �Most SAT prep books don’t cover this error!

Non-List Parallel Structure �Incorrect: • President Obama called for enforcement of tobacco regulations and investigating motivations for smoking.

President Obama called for… Enforcement of tobacco regulations noun + prep + adj. + noun 1. 2. Investigating motivations for smoking. gerund + noun + prep + noun � Issue: • These sides must begin grammatically paralleled. They don’t need to be entirely identical after that. • Think of this as balancing a mathematical equation.

President Obama called for… Enforcement of tobacco regulations noun + prep + adj. + noun 1. Wrong: 2. Investigating motivations for smoking. gerund + noun + prep + noun Corrected: 2. an investigation of motivations for smoking. noun + prep + noun + prep + noun

Corrected Parallel Phrases �President Obama called for enforcement of tobacco regulations and an investigation of motivations for smoking.

Example Phrases Question (October '06 test, section 10, #14) � Acquaintances of Alex have commented that he is at once annoying because of his unpredictability but his imagination is still a delight. (A) but his imagination is still a delight (B) although he is delightfully imaginative (C) and he is delightful in his imagination too (D) while being imaginative and they are delighted (E) and delightful because of his imagination

Example Phrases Question (October '06 test, section 10, #14) � Acquaintances of Alex have commented that he is at once annoying because of his unpredictability but his imagination is still a delight. (A) but his imagination is still a delight (B) although he is delightfully imaginative (C) and he is delightful in his imagination too (D) while being imaginative and they are delighted (E) and delightful because of his imagination � Steps for Solving: 1. Break down which phrases seem to be paralleled (look 2. 3. for a signal word to tell you where the first begins). Look at the word directly past the signal word. Decide its part of speech and which answer best mirrors the beginning of that phrase.

Example Phrases Question (October '06 test, section 10, #14) � Acquaintances of Alex have commented that he is at once annoying because of his unpredictability but his imagination is still a delight. (A) but his imagination is still a delight (B) although he is delightfully imaginative (C) and he is delightful in his imagination too (D) while being imaginative and they are delighted (E) and delightful because of his imagination

Fixing Parallel Structure Issues 1. List-Style Fix: • Change all items in the series (list) so that they are in grammatically identical structures. 2. Balancing Phrases Fix: • Balance the beginning part of speech of each phrase.

Set Two Subjunctive Mood Subject-Verb Agreement Verb Tense

Subjunctive Mood

Subjunctive Mood � Example: • If I were going to Wawa, I’d get a blue-raspberry Icee because they are the bomb-diggity. • If I was going to Wawa, I’d get a blue-raspberry Icee because they are the bomb-diggity. � Explanation: • The subjunctive mood “were” is used in contrary-to-fact statements (after if or as though) and in statements expressing a wish. • This is true because “was” implies past tense. Given that the subjunctive is a conditional statement (it may or may not happen), we can’t use the past tense. � Rule to Fix: • If “wish, ” “if, ” or “as though” is stated or implied, change “was” to “were. ” �Statements contrary to fact. (if, as though) �Statements expressing a wish.

Subjunctive Examples Correct or incorrect? I wish that was true. 1. • 2. • 3. • Rule: This is a “wish” statement. Was he my counselor, I’d have an easier time choosing a college. Rule: What word is implied here? If I were you , I’d save the money. Rule: This is a “contrary to fact” statement. I am NOT you. She talked as though she was my mother. 4. • 5. • Why is this not correct? Were he taller, he’d be a champion. What word is implied?

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement � Example: • He runs to the store. • They run to the store. � Explanation: • A verb agrees with its subject in number. �Singular Subjects need Singular Verbs �Plural Subjects need Plural verbs. � IMPORTANT: The number of a subject is not changed by a phrase following the subject (think prep phrase). • The sound of the violins are/is deafening. • The sound of the violins is deafening.

How to Fix: �Fix: • Identify the subject. • Decide plural or singular. • Match with the correct plural or singular verb. �Let’s practice

Singular Pronouns � The following pronouns are always singular: Each (one) Either (one) Neither (one) One Everyone Everybody No one Nobody Anyone Anybody Someone Somebody � Example: • Each (singular) of us is (singular) happy with the decision. � Helpful Tip: • Think: Use “one” to help you remember that these pronouns are singular. • Any(one)body. � Let’s Practice

Plural pronouns �The following pronouns are always plural: • • Several Few Both Many • Several (plural) of us are (plural) going to the movies. • A few (plural) of them jump (plural) into the pool. • Both (plural) groups run (plural) well. • Many (plural) of the dogs jump (plural) higher than the cats. � Let’s Practice

Singular/Plural Pronouns (Can be Both) � The following pronouns can be singular OR plural, depending on the meaning of the sentence. � Acronym: SAAMN �Some �Any �All �Most �None • These are plural if they refer to a plural word. • They are singular if they refer to a singular word. � That reference word often appears in a prepositional phrase that follows the pronoun.

S. A. A. M. N = Plural or Singular � Some: • Some (S or P) of the cargo (singular) was (singular) lost. �Depends on the word “cargo” • Some (S or P) of the books (plural) were (plural) damaged. �Depends on the word “books” � Any: • Has (Singular) any (S or P) of the paint (singular) been delivered? �Depends on the word “paint, ” which is singular. • Have (Plural) any (S or P) of the guests (plural) arrived? �Depends on the word “guests, ” which is plural.

Compound Subject Rules �Compound Subjects joined by “and” take a plural verb. �Examples: • Oscar and she (comp. singular subjects) do (plural) the gardening. • His arm and his leg (comp. singular subjects) were (plural) broken.

Compound Subjects (Con’t) �Singular subjects joined by “or” or “nor” take a singular verb. �Examples • Neither rain nor snow (comp. singular subjects) stops (sing. verb) the delivery of mail. • Neither the record nor the tape (comp. singular subjects) works (sing. verb) very well.

Compound Subjects (Con’t) � When a singular subject and a plural subject are joined by “or” or “nor, ” the verb agrees with the nearer subject. � Examples: • Neither their brother (singular) nor the girls (plural) want (plural verb) to go to the pool. �[girls want] • Either his assistants (plural) or the cook (singular) himself is (singular verb) at fault. �[cook…is]

Verb Tense

Verb Tense �All verbs have tenses. �Tense to the time of the action of the sentence or idea expressed in the sentence.

Verb Tense • There are six major tenses: Tense Meaning of Tense Form of “to use” Present It happens regularly in the present, occurs now in the present time use Past It happened in the past, not continuing into the present used Future It is likely to happen in the future Present Perfect The action just ended Past Perfect The action happened before another past action or before some time in the past Future Perfect It will be completed before a designated time will use have used had used will have used

Verb Form � Verbs also have “form, ” of which there are three: Tense Basic Form (may add helping verb) Progressive Form (adds “to be” verb and/or helping verb) Continues to Happen Present Past Future Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect � Emphatic Form (adds form of “do”) Provides Emphasis use am using do used was using did use will be using N/A have used have been using N/A had used had been using N/A will have used will have been using N/A NOTE: Progressive is sometimes called “continuous. ”

Problems �Just as with subject-verb agreement, multiple verbs in the same sentence have to agree. �They must agree in their tense. �So, multiple verbs must align in tense or be correct based on sentence context.

Examples 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The class officers canceled the party after I made all the arrangements for it. Debbie based her decision on the old proverb that honesty was the best policy. By the time I graduate, my sister will be practicing law for five years. Even though his innocence was previously proved, he was not released as of today. If you had been here earlier, you met Maria.

Examples 1. The class officers canceled the party after I made all the arrangements for it. �The class officers canceled the party after I had made all the arrangements for it. 2. Debbie based her decision on the old proverb that honesty was the best policy. �Debbie based her decision on the old proverb that honesty is the best policy.

Examples 1. By the time I graduate, my sister will be practicing law for five years. � By the time I graduate, my sister will have been practicing law for five years. 2. Even though his innocence was previously proved, he was not released as of today. � Even though his innocence was previously proved, he has not been released as of today. 3. If you had been here earlier, you met Maria. � If you had been here earlier, you would have met Maria.

Set Three Adjective-Adverb Confusion Comparison of Adjectives (better/best) Dangling Modifiers

Adjective/Adverb Confusion

Review of Parts of Speech & Rule 1 � RULE 1: In making a choice between an adjective and an adverb, we need to determine what the word modifies. • Adjectives: noun or pronoun • Adverb: verb, adjective, another adverb � Example: • We built a raft (strong, strongly) enough to hold us. 1. Ask yourself: what word is strong/strongly referring to? 2. Really only two options: built or raft 3. Was it “built strongly” or is it a “strong raft? ” • We built a raft strong enough to hold us.

Example 2 �Examples: • Has he been studying math (regular, regularly)? 1. Again, ask yourself: what word is regular/regularly referring to? 2. Really only two options: studying or math 3. Was it “regular math” or was he “regularly studying? ” • Has he been studying math regularly?

Hey, adjectives and adverbs? We’ll be right back! We need some background.

Subjects and Predicates �Subject: • Doer of the action • Part about which something is being said �Predicate: • Same as “verb” • Predicates are the “action” of the sentence �OR • Part which says something about subject.

Subjects and Predicates Practice �He gave me this big, red jacket. �Some of your classmates will attend the play in November. �To everyone’s surprise, Jane and I were happy before she left home.

Types of Verbs �Action Verbs: • Express Action � Mr. Stadnycki threw the squeaky rat. �Linking Verbs: • Doesn’t express action. • Links subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. � I am happy. � You are a woman. � The puppy is cute.

Linking Verb Examples �Examples: • Forms of “to be: ” am, is, are, was, were, being, been, �Non-”to be” verbs that are linking: • Appear, grow, seem, stay, become, look, smell, taste, feel, remain, sound – when these words don’t have objects after them. �Eg. “It tastes good. ” or “It feels soft. ”

Examples of Sentences with Linking Verbs �Linking Verbs: • Doesn’t express action. • Links subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or identifies it. �Examples: • He is a man. • Hank Aaron looked like a true baseball player. • The passengers remained seated.

Subject Compliments �What are they? • ALWAYS follow a linking verb. • Refer to, describe, explain, or identify the subject. �Two kinds: • Predicate Nominative • Predicate Adjective

Predicate Nominative �What are they? • A noun or pronoun compliment that refers to the same person or thing as the subject. • It follows a linking verb. �Examples: • New York is our largest city. • My best friends were Agnes and she. • It is I.

Predicate Adjective �What are they? • An adjective compliment that modifies the subject of the verb. • It follows a linking verb. �Examples: • This book is dull. • His speech seemed repetitious and tiresome. • During his Power. Point, Mr. Stadnycki appeared incredibly happy.

Examples � So, let’s simplify: • Predicate Nominative: Sub + Linking Verb + N or PN • Predicate Adjective: Sub + Linking Verb + Adj � Examples: • He is happy. • The passengers were mostly men. • Hank Aaron looked pleased.

Subject Compliment Or Object? � I threw the ball at Marco. � Marco looked very happy � I am the type of man that wants attention. � I have been angry about that for years. � He ran all the way home from the basketball game.

Adjective or Adverb Rule 2 �Rule 2 a: Linking verbs, especially the verbs of sense (taste, smell, feel, etc. ) are often followed by an adjective. �Rule 2 b: Action verbs are often followed by an adverb.

Examples with Linking Verbs �I am happy. �The only pilots on the plane were kind. �The dinner tasted wonderful. • The dinner tasted wonderfully. �Everyone felt happy. • Everyone felt happily. �She looked sleepy • She looked sleepily in my direction.

Special Attention: �Bad vs. Badly • Bad is an adjective. Badly is an adverb. �She felt bad/badly. �She smelled bad/badly. �He threw the ball bad/badly. �Well and Good • Good is an adjective. Well is an adverb. �I feel good/well. �I am doing good/well. �She sang good/well.

Comparison of Adjectives

Explanation �Comparison refers to the change in form of adjectives and adverbs when they are used to compare the degree of the qualities they express. �There are three degrees of comparison. • Positive (big or anxious) • Comparative (bigger or more anxious) • Superlative (biggest or most anxious)

Comparatives vs. Superlatives � Use the comparative form when comparing two things. • I am taller than she. • Oranges are sweeter than pears. � Use the superlative form when comparing three or more things. • I am the tallest student in the classroom. • Among Darth Vader, Darth Sidious, and Darth Stadnycki, I am the Darthiest.

Practice 1. One of the three branches of the armed services, the Air Force has been the (most/more) favored in recent years. 2. Although both Laura and Ted wrote on the same topic, Laura’s paper was (longer/longest). 3. Which of the twenty-eight is the (most/more) popular? 4. The doctors tried both penicillin and sulfanilmide; the penicillin proved to be the (more/most) effective drug. 5. Gail is the (most/more) capable of the twins. 6. I chose this book because it was the (shorter/shortest) of the three.

Dangling Modifiers

Correct Use of Modifiers �A modifying phrase or clause must clearly and sensibly modify a word in the sentence. • Example: Carrying a heavy pile of books, Meghan tripped on the step. • The object/person “Carrying a heavy pile of books” is directly after that modifying phrase—Meghan.

Dangling Whoosie-Whats'its? �A modifier is said to “dangle” when there is no word that the phrase or clause can sensibly modify. • Example: Carrying a heavy pile of books, her foot caught on the step. • Logic: What is “carrying the heavy pile of books” in this sentence? Her foot? Not likely.

Easy Fixes Add a word the phrase can sensibly modify: 1. • 2. Carrying a heavy pile of books, she caught her foot on the steps. By placing a subject in the modifying phrase. 1. While she carried a heavy pile of books, her foot caught on the step.

Dangling Modifier Practice 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Coming up the front walk, the bouquet in the picture window looked beautiful. Left alone in the house, the thunderstorm terrified him. Enormous and architecturally striking, everyone is impressed by the new building. When selecting a college, the social life seems to interest some students more than education. After considering the proposal for several hours, it was rejected by the council.

Misplacd Modifier Errors � Finally, writers can sometimes confuse readers by placing modifiers in a way that it can appear to modify two different words. Which is being modified is unclear, and it creates confusion. • Example: Mary said during the meeting Jo acted like a fool. � Problem: • Did Mary say this during the meeting… • …or did Jo act like a fool during the meeting?

How do we fix that? • Example: Mary said during the meeting Jo acted like a fool. �Move the modifying phrase closer to the item it should modify. • During the meeting, Mary said Jo acted like a fool. �OR • Mary said Jo acted like a fool during the meeting.

Practice 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The Simpsons gave a toy robot to one of their children with a bullet-shaped glass head and flashing red eyes. Pounding the piano keys with all her might, the chords of the prelude resounded through the concert hall. The waiter brought us ice cream in glass bowls which started melting almost immediately. We saw a herd of sheep on the way to our hotel. To succeed in college, a great deal of time must be spent studying.

Set Four Noun and Pronoun Case Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Diction (word choice) Error

Noun/Pronoun Case

Definitions: �What is a pronoun? • A word that is used in place of a noun or of more than one noun. �Example: Mark went to Kim’s house. • Change “Mark” and “Kim’s” so that they’re pronouns. �Example: He went to her house.

Identify the Pronouns 1. Last year our school gave two photography courses; they hadn’t been offered before. 2. The course that I took dealt with the ways in which people perceive their environment. 3. You can prove to yourselves how blind all of us become to our surroundings. 4. Your possessions may look unfamiliar to you, and a few of them may seem totally alien.

Identifying Pronouns 1. Last year our school gave two photography courses; they hadn’t been offered before. 2. The course that I took dealt with the ways people perceived their environment. 3. You can prove to yourselves how blind all of us become to our surroundings. 4. Your possessions may look unfamiliar to you, and a few of them may seem totally alien.

Cases of Nouns and Pronouns �Nouns and pronouns in the English language are said to display case according to how they function in the sentence. • Fuctions: �Subject, Object, Possession

Pronoun Case Chart: Singular 1 st 2 nd 3 r d Nominativ e I Objectiv e me Possess ive my, mine you your, yours he, she , it him, her, it his, her, hers, its

Pronoun Case Chart: Plural Nominative Objective Possessive 1 st we us our, ours 2 nd you your, yours 3 rd they them their, theirs

Nominative Case (Subjective Case) �A subject of a sentence is in the nominative case. • The Nominative case is also called the “SUBJECTive” case �Examples: • I like classical music. • He and she sold the tickets. • They traveled around the world.

REMEMBER!!! �Nominative = Subject • If the pronoun is playing the role of a subject, we’re in the nominative case.

Nominative Case Practice 1. (Me, I) talked to Tiffany about going to the mall on Friday. 2. (Me, I) gave the ball to them. 3. (Us, We) arrived around fivethirty.

Nominative Case Practice 1. (Me, I) talked to Tiffany about going to the mall on Friday. 2. (Me, II) gave the ball to them. 3. (Us, We) arrived around fivethirty.

Objective Case �All objects are (surprise!) in the objective case. �Includes both direct objects and indirect objects. • When our puppy fell asleep, I gave him to her. �Also includes objects of prepositional phrases.

Objective Case Practice � Coach Mendez gave (they/them) a pep talk. � Evan surprised (they/them). � Uncle Raymond took (I/me) to (she/her). � His mother built (he/him) a footlocker. � Mr. Botti gave (we/us) posters of the solar system. � The ranger guided (we/us) to the camp.

Objective Case Practice � Coach Mendez gave (they/them) a pep talk. � Evan surprised (they/them). � Uncle Raymond took (I/me) to (she/her). � His mother built (he/him) a footlocker. � Mr. Botti gave (we/us) posters of the solar system. � The ranger guided (we/us) to the camp.

Nominative AND Objective in Compound Subjects/Objects � To help you choose the correct pronoun in a compound object, take out the other person and try each form of the pronoun separately in the sentence. � Our neighbor gave Diana and (I , me) a job for the summer. • Our neighbor gave I a job for the summer. • Our neighbor gave me a job for the summer. � Our neighbor gave Diana and me a job for the summer.

Nominative Hint: Compound Subjects � Compound Subject: • Amy and Mark went to the store. • Amy and (me, I) like to dance. � When trying to choose the correct pronoun in a compound, take out the other person and try each form of the pronoun. � Amy and (me, I) like to dance. • …me like to dance. • …I like to dance. � Amy and I like to dance.

Special Issues in Pronoun Case 1. Predicate Nominatives 2. Appositives with Pronouns 3. Elliptical Clauses with Pronouns 4. Gerunds with Pronouns

Predicate Nominatives Sub-Topic for Pronoun Case

Predicate Nominatives �A predicate nominative is in the nominative case. Example: • The last one to leave was he.

Examples (Pred. Nominative) � It is (I, me) who answered the phone. � Do you think it may have been (they, them)? � The fastest runners are (she, her) and (I, me).

Examples (Pred. Nominative) � It is (I, me) who answered the phone. � Do you think it may have been (they, them)? � The fastest runners are (she, her) and (I, me).

Pronouns with Appositives Sub-Topic for Pronoun Case

What is an Appositive? � Apposition means “next to” something. � Sometimes a pronoun is followed directly by a noun that identifies the pronoun. • We students are happy. � The second noun is called an appositive.

Pronouns with Appositives � To help you choose which pronoun to use before an appositive, omit the appositive and try each form of the pronoun separately. � (We, Us) cheerleaders practice music after school. • � Pronoun verb noun prep noun (We, Us) cheerleaders practice music after school. • Subject Appositive predicate dir. obj. prep object of prep. 1. Determine Parts of Speech 2. Determine Parts of the Sentence

Examples of Pronouns with Appositives Example 1: (We, Us) cheerleaders practice after school. We practice after school. Ask yourself: Which is right if I remove the appositive? Us practice after school. We cheerleaders practice after school. Example 2: The coach threw a party for (us, we) players. The coach threw a party for we. Ask yourself: Which is right if I remove the appositive? The coach threw a party for us players.

Elliptical Clauses Sub-Topic for Pronoun Case

Elliptical Clauses (Incomplete Constructions) I am taller than (he, him). � Sentences like these have something “missing. ” � They are referred to grammatically as “incomplete constructions. ” � You must complete them before you decide which pronoun is correct. I am taller than (he, him) is tall.

Elliptical Clauses � After “than” and “as” introducing an incomplete construction, use the pronoun case that you would use if the sentence was completed (almost always nominative). • We like Tom as much as (they, them). � Sentence should read: • We like Tom as much as (they, them) like Tom. • We like Tom as much as they.

Elliptical Examples I am taller than (he, him) _____. Bill is happier than (I, me) _____. He is as smart as (her, she) _____.

Gerunds Sub-Topic for Pronoun Case

What is a Gerund? � Gerund Definition: A word ending in –ing that is typically a verb but is acting as a noun in a sentence. • Hockey is my favorite sport. • Swimming is my favorite sport. Swimming is typically a verb. Here, it is the subject of the sentence, so it has to be a noun. � Verbs that act as nouns are called Gerunds �

Gerunds � He should swim to the other side of the pool. • (You, Your) swimming is my favorite race to watch. � He plays the saxophone better than anyone I know. • (He, His) playing is difficult when his hands are tired. Gerund Definition: � A word ending in –ing that is typically a verb but is acting as a noun in a sentence. � When a noun or a pronoun comes immediately before a gerund, use the possessive case.

Practice Let’s discuss (you, your) thinking for the position with our company. (Me, My) arriving late for class should not be a problem. (He, His) complaining about the homework will not help.

Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun Antecedent Agreement �Rule 1: A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender �Examples: • Ms. Jameson did her best. • The city is proud of its parks.

Singular Pronouns � Rule 2: • Singular pronoun (especially indefinite pronouns) must be referred to by a singular pronoun antecedent. � Examples: • The student has his own way of thinking. • Each of the women had removed her shoes. • Nobody in a position of authority had given his approval of the bill.

Two or More Singulars with “or, ” “nor, ” or “and” � Rule 3: • Two or more singular antecedents joined by “or” or “nor” should be referred to by a singular pronoun. � Example: • Neither Lynn nor Bess had her keys with her. � Rule 4: • Two or more antecedents joined by “and” should be referred to by a plural pronoun. � Example: • Lynn and Bess sat with their coats.

Practice � One out of every twenty students are dropped from the course each term. � The effect of the comics on young people are not so drastic as some believe. � Neither of the proposed bills were accepted in their entirety. � Each of the papers read in class were good. � When an employer is interviewing you, one of the first things they ask about is experience.

Practice � One out of every twenty students are dropped from the course each term. � The effect of the comics on young people are not so drastic as some believe. � Neither of the proposed bills were accepted in their entirety. � Each of the papers read in class were good. � When an employer is interviewing you, one of the first things they ask about is experience.

Practice � One out of every twenty students are dropped from the course each term. • One out of every twenty students is dropped from the course each term. � The effect of the comics on young people are not so drastic as some believe. • The effect of the comics on young people is not so drastic as some believe. � Neither of the proposed bills were accepted in their entirety. • Neither of the proposed bills was accepted in their entirety. � Each of the papers read in class were good. • Each of the papers read in class is good. � When an employer is interviewing you, one of the first things they ask about is experience. • When an employer is interviewing you, one of the first things he ask about is experience.

Diction (Super Bowl of Diction)