Noun

A noun is a person, place or thing. Examples: Matthew House Discipline Children Complaints Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 31 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 59 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 49 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/730/01/

Pronoun

A pronoun takes the place of a noun. Examples: She Me Him Our Anyone What Who Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 32 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 60 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 50 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/730/01/

Pronoun case is the form a pronoun takes depending on its role in the sentence. Subjective (nominative) pronouns: the subjects of the sentence or the ones performing the action. Examples: He, I, we, who Objective pronouns: the objects receiving the action. Examples: Him, me, us, whom Easy test to use if the pronoun is with another noun (like a name in the four examples): Delete the name, leaving only the pronoun and see whether the sentence still makes sense. Examples: Example one Correct: Tom and I went to the game. (I went to the game.) Incorrect: Tom and me went to the game. (Me went to the game.) Example two Correct: The inspector approached Alyssa and me. (The inspector approached me.) Incorrect: The inspector approached Alyssa and I. (The inspector approached I.) Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 85 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 84 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 71
Use the word “who” when referring to the subject of the sentence. Use the word “whom” when referring to the object of the sentence. Simple test: rephrase the sentence to replace who with he or she and whom with him or her. Examples: Example one Correct: The child who ate the ice cream had a tummy ache. (He ate ice cream.) Incorrect: The child whom ate the ice cream had a tummy ache. (Him ate ice cream.) Example two Correct: Whom did you speak with? (I spoke with him.) Incorrect: Who did you speak with? (I spoke with he.) Example three Correct 1: Give to whomever. (Give to him.) Correct 2: Give to whoever comes. (He comes. ) Example three is a little bit different. In the second part of example three, the phrase “whoever comes” is acting as the complete object of the preposition to so should be considered first as “whoever comes” instead of “give to whoever.” Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 88 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 88 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 74 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/645/01/ http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/who-versus-whom
Verb

A verb describes the action or state of being of the sentence’s subject. Examples: He caught the stick. Describe this. I ran. She is nice. Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 19 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 45 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 39 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/730/01/

Adjective

An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun. It usually answers these questions: • Which one? • How many? • What kind? Examples: Mark ate the rotten pie. Mark ate the delicious pie. Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 35 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 64 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 53 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/730/01/

Adverb

An adverb modifies another adverb, verb or adjective. It usually answers the questions how, when, where, why and/or for what purpose. Examples: She quickly ate her pizza. Keegan drove on Monday. Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 38 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 66 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 56 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/730/01/

Conjunctions

A coordinating conjunction balances words, phrases and clauses. The most common coordinating conjunctions are as follows: For And Nor But Or Yet So (FANBOYS is an acronym often used to remember the coordinating conjunctions.)

Examples:

He ate pizza and drank soda.

She was sure the ice cream salesman charged too much, but she paid anyway.

Additional resources:

“When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 42

“When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 71

“When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 60

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/730/01/

A subordinating conjunction is used to join clauses of unequal weight. Some common subordinating conjunctions are as follows: After Although As As if Because Before How If Since So Through Unless While Examples: I’m not mad at you because I like you. Although Sally and Jeff were friends, they wouldn’t sit on the same bus seat together. Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 42 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 71 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 60
Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs and help balance a sentence. Some of the more common correlative conjunctions are as follows: Both/and Either/or Neither/nor Not only/ but also Whether/or Example: Correct: Neither Jake nor the teachers were excited for the pep rally. Incorrect: Neither Jake or the teachers were excited for the pep rally. Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 43 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 72 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 61
Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that have some linking qualities and provide assistance with transition between independent clauses. (See entry on independent clauses.). Conjunctive adverbs are not actual conjunctions, so they cannot link a sentence together, but they can provide good transitions between sentences or ideas. Common conjunctive adverbs: Accordingly Consequently However Moreover Nevertheless Therefore Examples: Correct: I would like to go to the party; however, Dad broke the car, so I can’t. Incorrect: I would like to go to the party, however, Dad broke the car, so I can’t. Correct: Alan wanted pizza. Therefore, we went to the store and bought some. Correct: David cleaned the house. I, however, stayed in bed with the flu. Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 44 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 72 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 61
Compound modifiers
Words that work together to modify other words are called compound modifiers. Insert a hyphen between these words to show their connection when they precede the word they are modifying. These words would not give the same meaning if separated. No hyphen is needed when one part of the modifier is “very” or an adverb ending in “-ly.” Examples: Correct: The one-year journey tired the young couple. Correct: The journey lasted one year. Correct: Robert Downey Jr. is a very rich man. Correct: The sparsely spotted cheetah looked different than the others. Incorrect: The one year journey tired the young couple. Incorrect: The journey lasted one-year. Incorrect: Robert Downey Jr. is a very-rich man. Incorrect: The sparsely-spotted cheetah looked different than the others. Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 117 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 115 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 97 “Associated Press Stylebook” Punctuation: hyphen https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/576/01/
When an age modifies a noun or pronoun (see correct 1), use hyphens between the number and “year,” and between “year” and “old.” When the age is describing the subject (see correct 2 and 3), no hyphens are used. When an age replaces the noun or pronoun and acts as the suject or object of the sentence (see correct 4), use hyphens between the number and “year,” and between “year” and “old.” Examples: Correct 1: The 12-year-old boy fell asleep. Correct 2: The boy, who is 12 years old, fell asleep. Correct 3: The boy is 12 years old. Correct 4: The 12-year-old fell asleep. Incorrect: The 12 year old boy fell asleep. Incorrect: The boy, who is 12-years-old, fell asleep. Additional resources: “Associated Press Stylebook” ages
Dangling and misplaced modifiers
Modifiers are words that add detail or meaning to a sentence. They are sometimes used in a way that causes confusion about what is actually being modified. In the incorrect portion of the example below, it sounds like the smell was driving down the freeway, when it was really Joe who was driving down the highway. This is called a dangling modifier because the thing the phrase is modifying is not stated in the sentence. Example: Incorrect: Driving down the freeway, the smell of the skunk reached my nose. Correct: Driving down the freeway, Joe smelled a skunk. Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 145 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 133 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 117 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/2/1/36/
Modifiers are words that add detail or meaning to a sentence. They are sometimes used in a way that causes confusion about what is actually being modified. In the incorrect version of the example below, it sounds like the coach (instead of his runners) was exhausted beyond belief. This is called a misplaced modifier because it is modifying the wrong word. Example: Incorrect: Although exhausted beyond belief, the coach ordered the runners to complete another lap around the track. Correct: Although the runners were exhausted beyond belief, the coach ordered them to complete another lap around the track. Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 145 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 133 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 117 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/2/1/36/
Subject agreement
Be sure to always look at what word the pronoun is referring to. (This word is called the antecedent.). Make sure that the number of the antecedent and the pronoun match. Everyone (singular antecedent) = each one person His or her (singular pronouns) = to one person Their (plural pronoun) = to multiple people (Using their is incorrect when the antecedent is singular.) Example: Correct: Everyone wanted his or her picture taken with the celebrity. Incorrect: Everyone wanted their picture taken with the celebrity. Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 78 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 83 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 70 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/595/01/
The verb explains what the subject of the sentence is or is doing . Make sure the verb reflects the same number as the subject it is referring to. In the case of a sentence with the two subjects being separated by the word “or,” use the verb that matches the subject closest to the verb. (Example 3) Examples: Example one Correct: She has a peach. Incorrect: She have a peach. She (singular) = to one person Has (singular) = to one person/thing Incorrect: Have (plural)= to more than one person/thing Example two Correct: The elves fill Santa’s bag. Incorrect: The elves fills Santa’s bag. Elves (plural) = more than one Fill (plural) = more than one doing the action Incorrect: Fills (singular) = one doing the action Example three Correct: The girl or her brothers need to pick up the car. Correct: The girl’s brothers or the girl needs to pick up the car. Incorrect: The girl or her brothers needs to pick up the car. Incorrect: The girl’s brothers or the girl need to pick up the car. Brothers (plural) = more than one Need (plural) = more than one The girl (singular) = one Needs (singular) = one thing Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 70 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 76 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 63 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/599/01/ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/2/1/38/
Possession
An apostrophe is used to show possession (or omission of a letter or part of a word). Add ’s to the end of a singular possessive noun (Ex. 1). Add ’s to the end of a singular common noun that ends in “s,” unless the next word begins with “s” (in which case you would leave it off the possessive noun) (Ex. 2). Add only an apostrophe to a proper noun that ends in “s” (Ex. 3). Add only an apostrophe to a plural noun that ends in “s” (Ex. 4). Add ’s to the end of a plural noun that does not end with “s” (Ex. 5). Add ’s to the end of a compound construction (Ex. 6). Examples: Ex. 1: Mark’s game president’s office Ex. 2: boss’s evaluation boss’ speech Ex. 3: Charles’ toy Ex. 4: cameras’ flashes Ex. 5: children’s beds Ex. 6: mother-in-law’s cookie sheet Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 119 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 116 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 98 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/621/01/
If two nouns have joint possession over one thing, make the noun closest to the thing have the correct possession (Ex. 1) If two nouns (David and Jerry) have separate possession over the same noun (DVD collections), make both have their possessive forms (Ex. 2). Examples: Ex. 1: Mary and John’s sofa Ex. 2: David’s and Jerry’s DVD collections Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 118 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 100 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/621/01/
It’s = It is Its = the possessive form of “it” Who’s = who is Whose = the possessive form of “who” Examples: It’s strange how the monster and its hoard never leave the cave. “Who’s counting?” asked the man whose wedding was fast approaching. Additional resources: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/621/01/
Clauses
An independent clause has a subject and a verb. It expresses a complete idea and can stand on its own. Example: Sam watched a movie. Additional resources: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/598/01/
A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but can’t stand on its own as it is not a complete idea alone. Example: While in the living room, Sam watched a movie. Additional resources: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/598/01/
Nonrestrictive clauses are surrounded by commas and can be removed without losing the meaning of the sentence. Examples: The game, which started earlier in the day, continued late into the night. (The game continued late into the night.) Linda, who ate before she came, declined the dinner offer. (Linda declined the dinner offer.) Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 103 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 100 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 86 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/645/01/
Restrictive clauses do not have commas and would change the meaning of the sentence if removed. Examples: The man who is wearing the brown coat is your target. (The man is your target, but what if there are several men around?) The tanker that exploded is sitting at the bottom of the ocean. (The tanker is sitting at the bottom of the ocean. Which tanker?) Additional resources: “When Words Collide” Seventh Edition, pg. 103 “When Words Collide” Eighth Edition, pg. 101 “When Words Collide” Ninth Edition, pg. 86 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/645/01/
Appositive

 

Appositives are nouns/ pronouns or noun/pronoun phrases that rename other nouns.  They are offset by commas.

Simple test to know if it is an appositive: Can you replace the initial noun with the appositive?

Examples:

Ex. 1: Sally, the mayor’s wife, explained why she left the Navy.

(The mayor’s wife explained why she left the Navy.)

Ex. 2: She decided to invite John, her ex-boyfriend, to the party.

(She decided to invite her ex-boyfriend to the party.)

Additional resources:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/596/01/