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Language Studies and Academics Parts of Speech 1
Language Studies and Academics
Parts of Speech
1
Parts of Speech - Quick Review
Noun Pronoun
Verb Preposition
Adjective Conjunction
Adverb Interjection
Person, place, or thing
Action or state of being
Describes a noun
Describesa verb
Replacesa noun
Shows a relationship(in place or time)
Connecting words
Short exclamation inserted in sentence
Kinds of Sentences
Declarative – makes a statement – Your order is ready.
Interrogative – asks a question – Has Mona stopped by yet?
Imperative – gives a command– Please stir the soup.
Exclamatory – expresses strong emotion– What a game that was!
– I’m so sad!
?
!
Verb Function:
Action or State
Verbs can also describe states of being.
The verb ‘to be’ is the most common example:(be, being, is, was, has been, etc.)
to appear to seem to taste to feel
to sound to become to look to grow
Verbs often describe actions.
walk walking drive drove eat had eaten
Verbs as States of Being - Examples
• It is good to drive carefully.
• John looks pale.
• The judge seemed fair.
• The weather has become very warm.
• That event was so much fun!
• My sister sounded angry.
Language Studies and Academics
Subjects + Predicates
6
Subjects & Predicates
Subject•Names the person, place, or thing about which something is said.
Predicate
Tells what the subject does, or
what is done to the subject.
Example
sat down abruptly.
(complete predicate)
The man in the brown coat
(complete subject)
Find the complete subject and predicate in the sentence below. (click to reveal)
Simple Subject Simple Predicate
Now find the simple subject and predicate. (click to reveal)
Language Studies and Academics
Clauses
9
Independent Clause = complete sentence
Dependent Clause = sentence fragment
A clause is a word group that contains a subject and verb, but may or may not express a complete thought.
What is a Clause?
Independent ClauseIndependent Clause Dependent ClauseDependent Clause
Expresses complete thought.
Stands alone.
Works as simple sentence.
Expresses complete thought.
Stands alone.
Works as simple sentence.
Does not express complete thought.
Cannot stand alone.
Relies on another word group.
Does not express complete thought.
Cannot stand alone.
Relies on another word group.
Note: a dependent clause might also be called a subordinate clause
A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb BUT… does not express a complete thought.
Dependant Clauses
Examples:
Since I came here
When we go home
Before Mohammed writes a test
After the Land Cruiser rolled down the dune
Examples:
Since I came here
When we go home
Before Mohammed writes a test
After the Land Cruiser rolled down the dune
These clauses DEPEND on other word groups to form full sentences.These clauses DEPEND on other word groups to form full sentences.
Notice how the first word makes
these clauses dependent: since, when, before etc.
Language Studies and Academics
Apostrophes
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Apostrophe - 2 main uses1. CONTRACTION: shows omission of letters
• Have not = haven’t• I will = I’ll
2. POSSESSION: shows ownership
• The umbrella that belongs to Mark. [Mark’s umbrella]
• The toys possessed by children. [children’s toys]
Note: The ’s goes with the owner or possessor. What follows is the person or thing possessed.
Singular owner
• Always add ’s - even if the singular word ends in “s”.Example: car’s tires; James’s hat;
Plural owner
• If the word ends in “s” , just add an apostrophe ’ Example: ladies’ coats
• If the plural word does not end in “s” , you must add ’s– children’s coats
Apostrophe - Possession
Apostrophe – Other Uses
Indefinite pronouns Form possessive by adding ’sAnybody+ ’s = anybody’s no one + ’s = no one’s
Indefinite pronouns Form possessive by adding ’sAnybody+ ’s = anybody’s no one + ’s = no one’s
Abbreviated Dates Show the omission of numbers in a date
class of ’98 (= 1998) a ’72 Land Cruiser (= 1972)
Abbreviated Dates Show the omission of numbers in a date
class of ’98 (= 1998) a ’72 Land Cruiser (= 1972)
Irregular Plurals Form plural of letters, figures and words used as items
silent e’s two 6’s her thank you’s
Irregular Plurals Form plural of letters, figures and words used as items
silent e’s two 6’s her thank you’s
Language Studies and Academics
Commas
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Comma - Uses
1. Separate items in a series (words, phrases, clauses)
The souq vendor sold watches, necklaces, and earrings.
Rashid rushed into class, sat in a seat, and wrote in his notebook.
The paramedic showed when long splints are used, how they are applied, and how to recognize if they are too tight.
The souq vendor sold watches, necklaces, and earrings.
Rashid rushed into class, sat in a seat, and wrote in his notebook.
The paramedic showed when long splints are used, how they are applied, and how to recognize if they are too tight.
Words
Phrases
Clauses
Comma - Uses
2. Set off introductory material (word, phrase or clause)
Luckily, Sherry applied the brakes and avoided a car accident.
After the evening meal, Ali went for a ride.
When you leave school, you must remember to study before the next day’s class.
Luckily, Sherry applied the brakes and avoided a car accident.
After the evening meal, Ali went for a ride.
When you leave school, you must remember to study before the next day’s class.
Word
Phrase
Clause
Comma - Uses
3. To set off nouns of direct address
Hamad, listen to the words.
Class, stay seated.
Hamad, listen to the words.
Class, stay seated.
4. To set off words that interrupt sentence flow
The chicken sandwich, topped with lettuce and tomatoes, was very tasty.
His presentation was, I believe, the best given today.
The chicken sandwich, topped with lettuce and tomatoes, was very tasty.
His presentation was, I believe, the best given today.
Comma - Uses
5. Before a conjunction to join 2 independent clauses
Sam closed all the windows, but the thunderstorm never arrived.Sam closed all the windows, but the thunderstorm never arrived.
6. To set off a direct quotation from rest of sentence
The carnival worker yelled, “Step right up and win a prize!”The carnival worker yelled, “Step right up and win a prize!”
7. To set off appositives
The instructor, Mohammed Al Ali, spoke to the students.The instructor, Mohammed Al Ali, spoke to the students.
Comma
8. For various everyday material
Dates - January 6, 2008
Place Names / addresses - Doha, Qatar
Openings/closings of letters - Sincerely,
Numbers - QR 2,000
Dates - January 6, 2008
Place Names / addresses - Doha, Qatar
Openings/closings of letters - Sincerely,
Numbers - QR 2,000
9. To avoid confusion (although no rule may apply)
Outside the class was noisy. or Outside, the class was noisy.
Outside the class was noisy. or Outside, the class was noisy.
Language Studies and Academics
Semi-Colons and Colons
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Revised June 2008 23
Semi-colon
1. To join the parts of a compound sentence if no coordinating conjunction is used.
Aisha seemed preoccupied; she answered questions abruptly.
2. Before a conjunctive adverb that joins the clauses of a compound sentence
I was tired; however, I finished my studying.
3. To clarify a sentence that has several commas or within a series
I have lived in London, England; Paris, France; and Doha, Qatar.
Revised June 2008 24
Colon - uses
• To introduce a list of items
I need three things at the store: cereal, rice, and milk.
• After a business letter greeting
Dear Mrs. Mohammad: Dear Sir:
• Between numerals showing hours and minutes
7:30 A.M. 10:35 P.M.
(Note: Content before colon should be an independent clause)
Language Studies and Academics
Capital Letters
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Capital Letters - Uses
First word in a sentence or direct quotation
– Today is a school day.
– “We know that today is a school day”, said Fahad.
Names of persons and the pronoun “I”
– Khalid and I are in the same program.
DO - use capitals when titles are used as names
Mother and Father are going to the wedding.
DON’T - use capitals if such titles are preceded by possessive.
My mother and father are going to the wedding.
NOTE
Capital Letters - Uses
Titles used with people’s names
– I like Mr. Smith’s tie.
– I think Dr. Badran is on duty today.
Titles of very high importance, even without a name
– The Emir announced that Qatar is moving quickly into the next century .
Capital Letters - Uses
Names of geographical places– South America; Africa; (continents)– the Pacific Ocean; the Aegean Sea (bodies of
water)
Sections of geographical places– The North of Qatar is quite interesting.
Note: Do not capitalize directions of the compass (EG: Al Khor is north of Doha.)
Note: Do not capitalize ‘the’ if not part of the name
Capital Letters - Uses
Names of weekdays, months, and holidays
– Monday, March, Independence Day,
Races, languages, nationalities, and religion
– Oriental, Japanese, Qatari, Muslim
Names of commercial products
– Tide, KFC, Oakley, Max,
Capitals
• books
• magazines
• newspapers
• articles
• songs
• stories and poems
• films and TV shows
• papers that you write
Book title: The Merchant of Venice
Chapter title: Chapter 6,
“Capitalization”
Magazine: Middle East Women
Newspaper: The Gulf Times
Book title: The Merchant of Venice
Chapter title: Chapter 6,
“Capitalization”
Magazine: Middle East Women
Newspaper: The Gulf Times
Capitalize the titles of:
Capitals
• companies • associations• unions• clubs• religious groups • political groups• other organizations
Company: Mannai
Association: World Health
Organization
Club: Al Sadd Sports Club
Company: Mannai
Association: World Health
Organization
Club: Al Sadd Sports Club
Capitalize the names of…
Capitalization - other uses• Names of school subjects (when followed by
number)
Business Communication 1241; business communication
Note: The names of languages are always capitalized. English, Arabic, Chinese
Business Communication 1241; business communication
Note: The names of languages are always capitalized. English, Arabic, Chinese
• First word of each item in an outline
• Introduction
• Findings
• Recommendations
• Introduction
• Findings
• Recommendations
Language Studies and Academics
Numbers
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Numbers – Common RulesUse written form if it requires two words or less.
one hundred or sixty-two one hundred or sixty-two
BUT: Be consistent - when using numbers in a series.
After the storm, maintenance workers unclogged 46 drains,
removed 123 broken tree limbs, and rescued 3 kittens.
After the storm, maintenance workers unclogged 46 drains,
removed 123 broken tree limbs, and rescued 3 kittens.
Use numerals if it requires more than two words.
3,325 3,325
If some numbers in a sentence/paragraph require more than two words, use
numerals for all.
Numbers - more rules
Use numerals for dates, times, addresses, percentages, degrees, decimals, page numbers, and chapters of a book.
In April, 2007, our address was 26 University Street.
The class in room 318 is working on algebra problems.
In April, 2007, our address was 26 University Street.
The class in room 318 is working on algebra problems.
Do not start a sentence with a numerical form.
Three per cent of the classes were missed by Sara.
Sara missed 3% of the classes.
Three per cent of the classes were missed by Sara.
Sara missed 3% of the classes.
Language Studies and Academics
Subject-Verb Agreement
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Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject must match the verb (predicate)
Basic Rule:– Singular subject = singular verb
“The child (want/wants) her mother.”
– Plural subject = plural verb
“The children (want/wants) their mother.”
Subject-Verb Agreement
Some more basic rules:– Verb agrees with subject when verb comes first
“There (is/are) many ladies at Chanel.”
– Words that come between the subject + verb do not change this requirement
“The stain on your thobe (come/comes) from the coffee you drank earlier today.”
Subject-Verb Agreement
And then there are some exceptions!
(see worksheet)
