GRAMMAR REVIEW

commas, semicolon; colon:apostrophes’ “quotation marks”

COMMA REVIEW! CAN YOU PUNCTUATE THESE CORRECTLY? WHAT IS THE RULE?

Anne to tell the truth was quite happy. The report moreover is altogether wrong. Yes I will go. After circling twice the plane landed. Strong gusty winds blew across the lake. We need crepe paper balloons and tape to

decorate. Pillager Minnesota is the best place to hunt. Brandon where did you hunt? Pete finally arrived and we started off. Graduation ceremony is Friday June 4 2010 this

year.

THE SEMICOLON; Use a semicolon to join the parts of a compound

sentence when no coordinating conjunction is used. Both sides of the semicolon will be complete sentences. Dan has finished his homework; Darcy has not begun

hers. When there are commas within items in a series,

use semicolons to separate the items. Buffalo, Annandale, and Dassel, Minnesota; Drake,

Minot, and Harvey, North Dakota have all proven to be great hunting destinations.

Use a semicolon before a word that joins the main clauses of a compound sentence. It was a sunny day; however, it was quite cool.

THE COLON :

Use after the greeting in a business letter, between numbers indicating hours and minutes, and in rations, as in 3:1 water to oil.

Use a colon to introduce a list of items. If you are trying out for the team, bring the

following things: a pair of gym shoes, your uniform, and your consent form.

LET’S PRACTICE! PUNCTUATE THIS. . .

Jon prepared dinner Brian set the table. Jon prepared dinner; Brian set the table.

Our bus leaves at 6:55 p.m. Dad’s plane will land at 7:15 p.m. Our bus leaves at 6:55 P.M. ; Dad’s plane will land at 7:15

P.M.

The snow was blinding however, the school bus arrived on time at 8:15 a.m. The snow was blinding; however, the school bus arrived

on time at 8:15 A.M.

THE APOSTROPHE TO SHOW POSSESSION OR OWNERSHIP:

To form the possessive of a singular noun, and an apostrophe and an s; or a plural noun that does not end in s. girl + ’s = girl’s men+’s=men’s man +’s = man’s children+s=children’s teacher +’s = teacher’s

To form the possessive of a plural noun that ends in s, only add an apostrophe. Pilots + ’s = pilots’ swimmers+’s=swimmers’

Use an apostrophe and an s to form the possessive of indefinite pronouns. Someone +’s=someone’s anybody+’s=anybody’s

APOSTROPHES IN CONTRACTIONS

In contractions, use an apostrophe to note the placement of the letter or letters you’re skipping:

do not = don’t (the apostrophe replaces the o of not)

should have = should’ve (the apostrophe replaces the h-a of have)

you are = you’re (the apostrophe replaces the a of are)

Common error: your is a possessive pronoun, as in your paper or your bike. You’re is always and only you are.

NEVER USE AN APOSTROPHE IN A PERSONAL PRONOUN!

ours yours its hers theirsTry to make these possessive:

coach

chris

child

clerks

women

coach’s

chris’

child’s

clerks’

women’s

“QUOTATION MARKS”

Use quotation marks at the beginning and at the end of a direct quotation.

Sarah said, “My feelings were hurt.”“Well, I can’t help that,” replied Dani.“But you took my best crayon,”

moaned Sarah. “I need that red to color in the heart for Mom’s card.”

“Hey, what will you trade for it?” asked Dani.

“Nothing! I’ll use pink,” sang Sarah, “ ’cause you stink.”

Notice how each new speaker is indented in a new paragraph!

QUOTATION MARKS FOR TITLESDO YOU USE QUOTES WITH THE FOLLOWING?

book title: magazine article: short story: movie: song: poem:

oNO - ITALICS OR UNDERLINEoYESoYESoNO - ITALICS OR UNDERLINE

oYES

oYES

The basic rule is this: long works are italicized or underlined, and short works are in quotation marks.

NOW SOME FUN WITH WORDS OFTEN CONFUSED!

hearhere

looselose

its it’s

they’retheretheir

Hear means to listen to or take notice ofHere is like there and means a place

Not fastened, not tight, freeMeans to mislay or fail to fine or keep

Shows possession by itA contraction for it is or it has

A contraction for they areMeans in a placeShows possession by them

A FEW MORE . . .weatherwhether

totootwo

youryou’re

who’swhose

definitedefiant

State of atmosphere, wind, temperature, moisture Introduces choices or alternatives

Means toward or in direction ofMeans also or extremelyIs the number

Means belonging to youContraction for you are

Contraction for who is or who hasPossessive form of who

Precise and clear in meaning, explicitOpenly and boldly resisting

Teachers are definite about defiant students who rely solely on spell check and never proofread for themselves.