Saint Joseph School Cornet Chahwan

English Department

Grammar Explanation Booklet

Grade 4

2021-2022

Table of Contents

Sentences Kinds of Sentences 3 Subjects and Predicates 4 Simple Subjects 5 Simple Predicates 6 Compound Sentences 7 Correcting Run-on Sentences 8 Nouns Common and Proper Nouns 9 Singular and Plural Nouns 10 More Plural Nouns 11 Singular and Plural Possessive Nouns 15 Verbs Action Verbs 16 Present Tense 17 Past Tense 19 Future Tense 20 Linking Verbs 21 Main Verbs and Helping Verbs 22 Progressive tense 24 Irregular Verbs 27 Adjectives What’s an Adjective? 30 Articles (a, an, the) 31 Demonstrative Adjective 32 Comparing with Adjectives 33 Good and Bad 35 Adverbs What is an Adverb? 36 Comparing with Adverbs 37 Good and Well 38 Prepositions What is a Preposition 39 Pronouns Subject Pronouns 40 Object Pronouns 42 Possessive Pronouns 44

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Unit 1

Lesson1 Kinds of Sentences

Learn A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.

- It has a subject and a predicate.

Example: My brother reads books.

There are four kinds of sentences. 1- A declarative sentence makes a statement. It ends with a period (.). - Dorothy has a dog named Toto. - The Cowardly Lion is afraid of everything. 2- An interrogative sentence asks a question. It ends with a question mark (?). - Does Dorothy have a dog (?). - Wizard, can you help us? 3- An imperative sentence gives a command. It ends with a period (.). - Go home. - Please, go home. 4- An exclamatory sentence shows strong feelings. It ends with an exclamation mark (!). - What a calm dog you have! - Oh, it is so cute! Every sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark. The end punctuation you use depends on the kind of sentence you write.

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Lesson 2 Complete Subjects and Predicates

Learn A simple sentence expresses a complete thought.

- It has a subject and a predicate.

The subject tells whom or what the sentence is about. The white cat ran in the garden. It ran in the garden. Snowy ran in the garden.

The predicate tells what the subject does or is. The white cat ran in the garden. It ran in the garden. Snowy ran in the garden.

The complete subject includes all the words in the subject part of the sentence. The complete predicate includes all the words in the predicate part of the sentence. The complete subject or complete predicate can be one word or more than one word.

Complete Subject Complete Predicate

Our newborn baby

cries.

He

makes delicious pancakes.

My grandmother and grandfather

help me with my homework.

All English teachers

are professionals.

The school’s librarian

handed us new books.

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Lesson 3 Simple Subjects

Learn The simple subject is the most important word in the complete subject. The simple subject tells exactly whom or what the subject is about. Sometimes the subject of a sentence is just one word. Sometimes it is a name. Then the simple subject and the complete subject are the same. Most of the time, however, the simple subject is part of the complete subject. In the chart below, the simple subjects are shown in boldface.

Complete Subject Complete Predicate

My English teacher

wanted me to read a book.

The book

was about Ernest Hemingway.

Ernest Hemingway

lost his youngest child.

He

published seven novels.

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Lesson 4 Simple Predicates

Learn The simple predicate is the most important word in the complete predicate. The simple predicate tells exactly what the subject does or is. Sometimes the predicate of a sentence is just one word. Then the simple predicate and the complete predicate are the same. Most of the time, however, the simple predicate is part of the complete predicate. In the chart below, the simple predicates are shown in boldface.

Complete Subject Complete Predicate

Jeita Grotto

is in Lebanon.

Everyone

read.

All of them

looked for a boat.

We

ran around the area.

Many scientists

inspect the Grotto.

Our family

planned for a trip.

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Lesson 5 Compound Sentences

Learn A simple sentence has one subject and one predicate. It expresses one idea. The Louvre Museum is in France.

Sometimes two simple sentences contain related ideas. You can combine these sentences to make a compound sentence. Use a connecting word such as and, but, or or to join the sentences. RELATED SENTENCES

The Louvre is a historic monument in France. It is best known for being the home of the Mona Lisa. COMPOUND SENTENCE

The Louvre is a historic monument in France, and it is best known for

being the home of the Mona Lisa. RELATED SENTENCES

The Louvre topped the list of most-visited art museums in the world in 2020. The museum was closed for 150 days in 2020, due to Covid - 19 pandemic. COMPOUND SENTENCE

The Louvre topped the list of most-visited art museums in the world in

2020, but the museum was closed for 150 days in 2020, due to Covid - 19

pandemic. RELATED SENTENCES

Would you like to go to the museum? Would you rather go to an island? COMPOUND SENTENCE

Would you like to go to the museum, or would you rather go to an island? The connecting words and, but, and or are called coordinating conjunctions. A comma (,) always goes before the conjunction in a compound sentence.

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Lesson 6 Correcting Fragments and Run-ons

Learn A fragment is an incomplete sentence. The subject or predicate might be missing. To correct this kind of fragment, add a subject or a predicate. FRAGMENT Ate a piece of cake. SENTENCE My brother ate a piece of cake. Add a subject.

FRAGMENT The cake. SENTENCE The cake is for my brother. Add a predicate

A run-on sentence is two complete sentences that run together. One way to correct a run-on sentence is to make two separate sentences. Another way is to make a compound sentence. RUN-0N

She likes to dance she wants to be a dancer. CORRECTED SENTENCE

She likes to dance. She wants to be a dancer. two separate sentences CORRECTED SENTENCE

She likes to dance, and she wants to be a dancer. compound sentence

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Unit 2 Lesson 8

Common Nouns and Proper Nouns Learn A noun is a word that names a person, place, or thing. A common noun names any person, place, or thing. The boy found a zoo at the far end of the park. A proper noun names a specific person, place, or thing. It can be one word or more than one word. John found London Zoo at the far end of Regent’s Park. Each important word in a proper noun begins with a capital letter.

Common Proper

Person

doctor Dr. Charles

Place

river Colorado River

Thing

car Jaguar

Ideas such as fear, greed, destruction, love, and anger are called abstract nouns. You cannot see or touch them, but they are still nouns. Abstract nouns are always common nouns.

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Lesson 9 Singular and Plural Nouns

Learn Nouns can be singular or plural. A singular noun names one person, place, or thing. A plural noun names more than one person, place, or thing. SINGULAR I invited a friend to my birthday party. PLURAL I invited ten friends to my birthday party. Follow these rules to make plural nouns.

- Add -s to most singular nouns.

SINGULAR fruit dog tree bed

PLURAL fruits dogs trees beds

- Add - es when a singular noun ends in s, ss, ch, sh, or x.

SINGULAR lens class church ash fox

PLURAL lenses classes churches ashes foxes

- When a singular noun ends in a vowel and y add - s.

SINGULAR toy monkey birthday

PLURAL toys monkeys birthdays

- When a singular noun ends in a consonant and y, change the y to i, and add -es.

SINGULAR baby berry beauty

PLURAL babies berries beauties

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Lesson 10 Irregular Plural Nouns

To form the plural of nouns that end with f or fe, change the f to v and add es. For others simply add s. For nouns ending with ff, add only s.

- f to v-add es

SINGULAR loaf leaf shelf wife knife

PLURAL loaves leaves shelves wives knives

- fe/ff/f – add s

SINGULAR giraffe safe sheriff handcuff

PLURAL giraffes safes sheriffs handcuffs

SINGULAR gulf roof proof chef

PLURAL gulfs roofs proofs chefs

If a singular noun ends with a vowel and o, add s to make the noun

plural.

SINGULAR radio studio

PLURAL radios studios

If a singular noun ends with a consonant and o, add s or es. SINGULAR piano tomato PLURAL pianos tomatoes

Some nouns have special plural forms. They do not become plural

according to the regular rule. SINGULAR child foot tooth man ox

PLURAL children feet teeth men oxen

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Some nouns have the same singular and plural nouns. SINGULAR deer moose sheep trout PLURAL deer moose sheep trout Foreign word add s SINGULAR taco burrito avocado sombrero PLURAL tacos burritos avocados sombreros Abbreviation add s SINGULAR photo auto typo kilo PLURAL photos autos typos kilos Related to music add s

SINGULAR piano solo cello soprano PLURAL pianos solos cellos sopranos

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Changing Sentences from the Singular to the Plural

Example: The woman takes her child to a park. The women take their children to parks.

Singular Plural

Singular noun

baby

Plural noun

babies

A baby

An Indian

A Babies

An Indians

The baby

The Indian

The babies

The Indians

She, He, It

I

has

is

was

does

this

that

its, his, her

my

They

We

have

are

were

do

these

those

their

our

Verb(s)

Plays

Verb

Play

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Changing Sentences from the Plural to the Singular

Example: Sheep are valuable animals to farmers. A sheep is a valuable animal to a farmer.

Plural Singular

Plural noun

babies

Singular noun

baby

Babies

Indians

A baby

An Indian

The babies

The Indians

The baby

The Indian

They

We

have

are

were

do

these

those

their

our

She, He, It

I

has

is

was

does

this

that

its, his, her

my

Verb

Play

Verb(s)

Plays

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Lesson 11

Possessive Nouns

Learn

A possessive noun is a noun that shows who or what has something.

Anna’s mother is an art teacher.

She displayed the students’ drawings in the exhibition.

Both singular and plural nouns can be made possessive.

To make a singular noun possessive, add an apostrophe and - s

SINGULAR Anne lady glass SINGULAR POSSESSIVE Anne’s lady’s glass’s

To make a plural noun that ends with -s possessive, add only an apostrophe.

PLURAL teachers ladies glasses

PLURAL POSSESSIVE teachers’ ladies’ glasses’ To make a plural noun that does not end in -s possessive, add an

apostrophe and -s. PLURAL men people geese PLURAL POSSESSIVE men’s people’s geese’s

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Unit 3 Lesson 12

Action Verbs Learn Every sentence has a subject and a predicate. The verb is the main word in the predicate. Often, the verb is a word that shows action. An action verb tells what the subject does or did.

Subject

Predicate

The boy

swims in the sea.

A cute brown cat

played in the garden.

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Lesson 13 Present Tense

Learn The tense of a verb tells when an action happens. The action can happen in the present, past, or future. A verb in the present tense tells about an action that happens frequently. A verb in the present tense tells about an action that is a fact or a habit (repeated action). Time Expressions used to show that the verb used is in the simple present tense. Today – Always – Usually – Often – Sometimes – Occasionally – Rarely – Never – Every day – Once a week

A present tense verb must agree with the subject of the sentence. The subject and the verb must both be singular or plural.

When the subject is a singular noun or he, she, or it, add –s to the verb.

For example: A police officer arrests criminals.

He protects and helps the public.

When the subject is a plural noun or I, we, you, or they, do not add –s to the verb.

For example: Police officers keep public order. They wear a special uniform, too.

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Lesson 14 Present-Tense

Learn Follow these rules to make a present-tense verb agree with the subject

(subject-verb agreement). For most verbs add -s wear – wears toy – toys For verbs that end in s, ss, ch, sh, zz, or x:

- Add – es when the subject is a singular noun or he, she, or it.

brush + es = brushes dress + es = dresses

Liza brushes quickly her teeth. She dresses in new clothes.

- Do not add – es when the subject is a plural noun or I, we, you, or they. The students brush their teeth before going to school. They dress in their uniform and hurry to catch the bus.

For verbs that end with a consonant and y:

- Change the y to i, and add – es when the subject is a singular noun or he, she, or, it.

try + es = tries bury + es = buries A dog tries to find a bone. It buries it in the garden.

- Do not change the y to i or add – es when the subject is a plural noun or I, we, you, or they.

Dogs try to find a bone.

They bury it in the garden.

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Lesson 15 Past Tense

Learn A verb in the past tense tells about an action that already happened. My teacher helped me with my project. I presented my project in front of a jury. Time Expressions used to show that the verb used is in the simple

present tense.

Yesterday-An hour ago-Last week-The day before-In 2021 When I was born- That day Follow these rules to form the past tense:

- Add – ed to most verbs.

ask + ed = asked

My friend asked me to help him solve a math problem.

- If a verb ends in e, drop the e and add – ed.

raise + ed = raised

After organizing a cake sale, my friend and I raised a big amount of money.

- If a verb ends in a consonant and y, change the y to i, and add – ed.

carry + ed = carried

We carried the money to a poor family.

- For most verbs that end in one vowel followed by one consonant, double the consonant, and add – ed.

plan + ed = planned

My friends and I planned for the cake sale a year ago.

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Lesson 16

Future-Tense Verbs

Learn

A verb in the future tense tells about an action that will happen.

The action has not occurred yet. Use the special verb will to form the

future tense.

Time Expressions used to show that the verb used is in the simple

present tense. Tomorrow-In an hour -Next month-Soon-The day after-Later this evening-Then My relatives will arrive from London next week. My family and I will invite them to our house several times. The present, past, and future tenses are called simple tenses. They tell about action that happens now, in the past, and in the future. PRESENT Mr. Albert usually applies for a job visa. PAST Mr. Albert applied for a job visa last week. FUTURE Mr. Albert will apply for his job visa tomorrow.

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Lesson 17 Linking Verbs

Learn A linking verb links the subject of a sentence with other words that tell about the subject. A linking verb does not show action. A dolphin is a marine mammal. Dolphins are fast sprinters. Different forms of the verb be are often used as linking verbs. Use the form of be that agrees with the subject of the sentence.

Forms of be Subject Present Past

singular noun he, she, it

is was

plural noun you, we, they

are were

I am was

The shallow bay is big. It was an appropriate place for dolphins. Those are spinner dolphins. They were in the shallow water to socialize. I am interested in dolphins. I was so excited to read a book about them.

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Lesson 18 Main Verbs and Helping Verbs

Learn A verb can be more than one word. In this kind of verb, the most

important word is the main verb. The helping verb usually works with the main verb to tell when the action happened. The helping verb always comes before the main verb. The photographers are working today. They have adjusted their cameras. They will process their images as quickly as possible. The main verb and the helping verb form a verb phrase. In the verb

phrases above, the main verbs are working, adjusted, and process. The helping verbs are are, have, and will.

Here are some common helping verbs. am was has is were have are will had The verbs can, may, must, and should are called modals. These verbs are also helping verbs. can play may dance must sing should study

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Lesson 19 Using Helping Verbs

Learn The past tense is often formed by adding -ed to a verb. Another way to

show a past action is to use the helping verbs has, have, or had with the past-tense form of the main verb.

Our grade has published a school newspaper. The students have worked hard on it. We had studied newspapers in social studies for weeks. Be sure to use the helping verb that agrees with the subject of the

sentence.

Subject Present Past

singular noun he, she, it

has

had

Plural noun I, you, we, they

have had

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Lesson 20 Progressive Forms of Verbs

Learn You have learned about the present, past, and future verb tenses. Each

of these tenses has a progressive form. The progressive form shows that an action is ongoing.

Present Progressive The present progressive form shows ongoing action that is still

happening when the words are written. To form the present progressive, use the helping verb am, is, or, are with the – ing form of the main verb.

Rules to adding (-ing)

1- For words that end in a silent (not pronounced) -e, drop the -e and add -ing.

Example: smile → smiling take → taking

2- For one-syllable words that end in consonant-vowel-consonant (except x and w), double the last letter and add -ing. Examples: sit → sitting run → running

3- For most other words (including words that end in -y), add -ing with no changes. Examples: rain → raining send → sending play→ playing study→ studying

We use the present continuous or the present

progressive with time expressions such as: now, at the moment, at present, today, tonight, this morning/afternoon/evening, and this week/month/year.

Today, I am carrying my luggage to the car. The taxi driver is waiting for us now. We are traveling this morning.

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Past Progressive

- The past progressive form shows ongoing action that was happening until another action occurred. So, the past progressive tense is used to show that a longer action was interrupted in the past. To form the past progressive, use the helping verb was or were with the – ing form of the main verb.

I was fixing my room as my mom came in.

When we were preparing ourselves to leave, our friend rang the doorbell.

PAST PROGRESSIVE SIMPLE PAST

- The past progressive tense is used to show an ongoing action at a certain moment in the past.

The girl was eating spaghetti yesterday morning. My brother and I were planning for the party all afternoon. You were enjoying the sun last Sunday. She was rehearsing for the play two hours ago. VERB PHRASE TIME EXPRESSION

- The past progressive tense is used to show two actions happening at the same time in the past. The teacher was taking notes while his students were reading aloud.

While he was looking in to books, you were sitting in the living room.

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Past Progressive Forms

Positive form

Negative Form Question form

I was dreaming.

I was not dreaming. I wasn’t dreaming.

Was I dreaming?

You were going.

You were not going. You weren’t going.

Were you going?

He/She/It eating

He/She/It was not eating. He/She/It wasn’t eating.

Was he/she/it eating?

We were dancing

We were not dancing. We weren’t dancing.

Were we dancing?

They were getting food.

They were not getting food. They weren’t getting food.

Were they getting food?

The future progressive form shows ongoing action that will happen in

the future. To form the future progressive, use the helping verb will be with the – ing form of main verb.

Our class will be arranging the paintings this week.

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Lesson 21 Irregular Verbs

Learn Irregular verbs do not add -ed to show the past tense. Instead, the spelling of an irregular verb changes to form the past tense.

The spelling of many irregular verbs changes again when they are used with the helping verbs has, have, or had.

PRESENT I eat my sandwich. PAST I ate my sandwich. PAST WITH HAVE I have eaten my sandwich. There are many irregular verbs. Here are ten of them.

Present Past Past Participle Past with helping verb

has, have, or had

begin

began has, have, or had begun

bring

brought has, have, or had brought

come

came has, have, or had come

do

did has, have, or had done

eat

ate has, have, or had eaten

give

gave has, have, or had given

grow

grew has, have, or had grown

make

made has, have, or had made

say

said has, have, or had said

swim

swam has, have, or had swum

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Lesson 22 More Irregular Verbs

Learn Irregular verbs do not add -ed to show the past tense. Instead, the spelling of an irregular verb changes to form the past tense.

The spelling of many irregular verbs changes again when they are used with the helping verbs has, have, or had.

PRESENT People ride horses today. PAST People rode horses in the past. PAST WITH HAVE People have ridden horses years ago.

Present Past Past Participle Past with helping verb

has, have, or had

break broke has, have, or had broken

draw

drew has, have, or had drawn

drive

drove has, have, or had driven

fly

flew has, have, or had flown

ride

rode has, have, or had ridden

sing

sang has, have, or had sung

take

took has, have, or had taken

tell

told has, have, or had told

throw

threw has, have, or had thrown

write

wrote has, have, or had written

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Present

Past

Past Participle Past with helping verb

has, have, or had

be am, is, are

was, were been

buy bought bought

catch caught caught

choose chose chosen

cut cut cut

drink drank drunk

fall fell fallen

feel felt felt

fight fought fought

get got gotten/ got

go went gone

have/ has had had

know knew known

pay paid paid

run ran run

see saw seen

sit sat sat

sleep slept slept

speak spoke spoken

think thought thought

understand understood understood

wear wore worn

win won won

cut cut cut

shut shut shut

hurt hurt hurt

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Unit 4 Lesson 24 Adjectives

Learn

An adjective is a word that describes a noun. It can tell what kind and how many.

An adjective usually comes before the noun it describes. WHAT KIND Ryan and I spotted a beautiful swan. HOW MANY Many swans were bothered by enemies.

When two or more adjectives describe the same noun, the order in which they appear follows a pattern. Adjectives that describe number come before adjectives that describe size, shape, color, or other qualities.

Several caring swans take care of their babies. Ten white swans glide across lakes.

An adjective can also come after the noun it describes.

This usually happens when the adjective follows a form of verb be. A swan’s neck is long. A swan’s calls are loud.

`

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Lesson 25 A, An, The

Learn

The special adjectives a, an, and the are called articles. These small words come before nouns.

a menu an appetizer the waiters

The articles a and an refer to any person, place, or thing. The article the refers to a specific person, place, or thing.

Use a before a singular noun that begins with a consonant sound. My Father chose a restaurant randomly.

Use an before a singular noun that begins with a vowel sound. He wanted to try an omelette.

Use the before both singular and plural nouns.

The waiters served the omelette within minutes.

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Lesson 26 Demonstrative Adjectives

Learn

Adjectives can tell what kind and how many. Adjectives can also tell which one. Adjectives that tell which one are called demonstrative adjectives. This, that, these, and those are demonstrative adjectives. Use this and that before singular nouns. Use these and those before plural nouns.

This car is for sale. That bike is for rental. These buses belong to my school. Those students are waiting for their bus.

This and these refer to people, places, or things that are nearby. Do not use here after this or these.

CORRECT My uncle chose this car. INCORRECT My uncle chose this here car. CORRECT These buses are the safest. INCORRECT These here buses are the safest.

That and those refer to people, places, or things that are farther away Do not use there after that or those.

CORRECT That bike is reserved already.

INCORRECT That there bike is reserved already. CORRECT Those students are on their way to school. INCORRECT Those there students are on their way to school.

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Lesson 27 Comparing with Adjectives

Learn

Adjectives can compare people, places, and things. Adjectives that compare tell how things are different from each other.

Boris is taller than Gru. Boris is the tallest of them all.

Add -er to most adjectives to compare two people, places, or things. tall + er = taller

Add -est to most adjectives to compare more than two people, places, or things. tall + est = tallest

Sometimes the spelling of an adjective changes when -er or -est is

added. If an adjective ends in e, drop the e and add -er or -est nice + er = nicer nice + est = nicest

If an adjective ends in a consonant and y, change the y to i and add -er or -est.

tiny + er = tinier tiny + est = tiniest

If an adjective ends in one vowel followed by a consonant, double the consonant and add -er or -est.

fat + er = fatter fat + est= fattest

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Lesson 28 Comparing with More and Most

Learn

The words more and most are often needed when comparing adjectives of two or more syllables.

Use more with adjectives when comparing two people, places, or things. Finding Dory is more interesting than Despicable Me.

Use most with adjectives when comparing more than two people, places, or things.

Frozen is the most interesting of them all. Do not add -er or -est to an adjective when you use more or most to

compare.

CORRECT The main hero is more responsible than his brother. INCORRECT The main hero is more responsibler than his brother.

CORRECT The princess is the most loyal character. INCORRECT The princess is the most loyalist character.

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Lesson 29 Comparing with Good and Bad

Learn

The adjectives good and bad have special forms for comparing.

Adjective Compare two Compare more than two

good better best

bad worse worst

Use better when comparing two people, places, or things. Use best when comparing more than two. Jasmine is a good princess. Snow White is a better princess than Jasmine. Cinderella is the best princess of all.

Use worse when comparing more than two people, places, or things. Use worst when comparing more than two.

Ursula is a bad character. Scar is worse than Ursula. Jafar is the worst of them all.

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Lesson 30 Adverbs

Learn

An adverb is word that generally describes a verb. Adverbs describe verbs by telling how, when, or where an action happens. Many adverbs end in -ly. HOW Roger Federer plans well. He swiftly plays a drop shot. WHEN Next, he wins the game. The CNN reporter interviews him afterwards

WHERE His fans display his posters everywhere.

This greatest tennis player will travel away.

Notice that adverbs can come before or after the verbs they describe.

Here are some adverbs that tell how. hard fast well together easily

quietly quickly badly successfully suddenly

Here are some adverbs that tell when. yesterday often always then usually next tomorrow later soon recently Here are some adverbs that tell where. here there outside below near upstairs locally everywhere ahead far

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Lesson 31 Comparing with Adverbs

Learn

An adverb can compare two or more actions.

Add -er to most one syllable adverbs to compare two actions. Tyson Gay runs faster than Yohan Blake.

Add -est to most one syllable adverbs to compare more than two

actions. Usain Bolt runs fastest of all the athletes. The words more and most can also be used with adverbs to compare.

Use more and most with most adverbs that have two or more syllables, including adverbs that end in -ly.

Use more with adverbs to compare two actions. Ronaldo plays more impressively than Neymar. Use most with adverbs to compare more than two actions. Of all the football players, Messi plays most impressively. Do not add -er or -est to an adverb when you use more or most.

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Lesson 32 Using Good and Well

Learn The words good and well can sometimes be confusing.

Good is an adjective that describes a noun. Michael Phelps is a good swimmer.

Well is usually an adverb that describes a verb. Michael Phelps swims well. Well is an adjective only when it refers to someone’s health. When well

refers to health, it describes a noun. He is not well today.

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Lesson 34 Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

Learn

A preposition is a word that shows how a noun or pronoun is connected to some other word in the sentence.

Here are some common prepositions.

about at down of to

above before during off toward

across behind for on under

after below from out until

against beside in over up

along between into past upon

among beyond like round with

around by near through without A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a

preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun. When a prepositional phrase comes at the beginning of a sentence, it is followed by a comma.

My cousins and I get together over Christmas. During that cold season, we stay near the fireplace. We have dinner until midnight.

Prepositional phrases add important and interesting information to

sentences.

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Unit 5 Lesson 35

Subject Pronouns Learn

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns. A subject pronoun is used as the subject of a sentence. It tells whom or what the sentence is about.

Jack is an amazing painter. He is known for his breathtaking portraits. Jack and his wife live in California. They own a luxurious mansion. Like nouns, subject pronouns can be singular or plural.

1st person

Singular I

Plural we

2nd person you you

3rd person he, she, it they

A pronoun’s antecedent is the noun the pronoun refers to. A noun and its antecedent must agree in number. If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must be singular. If the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural. In the first sentence below, the singular pronoun it refers to the singular noun mansion. In the second sentence, the plural pronoun they refers to Jack and his wife. The mansion has a swimming pool, a tennis court, and a massive car garage. It is listed as the best in the neighborhood.

Jack and his wife feel blessed. They own a charity organization to provide help.

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Lesson 36 Pronoun-Verb Agreement

Learn

In every sentence, the verb must agree with the subject. When the subject pronoun is he, she, or it, add -s or -es to the present tense of most action verbs. If the verb ends in y, change the y to i before adding -es. He catches the bus. She carries the heavy luggage. It takes time to reach the airport. When the subject pronoun is I, we, you, or they, do not add -s or -es to the verb. I wait for boarding time. We greet the captain. You prefer the window seat. They wish us a nice flight.

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Lesson 37 Object Pronouns

Learn

An object pronoun follows an action verb. It may also follow a word such as to, in, at, of, with, during, or through. Jack and his wife bought a dog. Jack and his wife bought it. Jack and his wife wrote my sister and me a thank-you letter. Jack and his wife wrote us a thank-you letter. I enjoyed being in contact with Jack and his wife. I enjoyed being in contact with them. These are the object pronouns. Notice that the pronoun you can be singular and plural.

Singular Plural

me you

him, her it

us you

them

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Lesson 38 Using I and Me

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Be careful when you use the pronouns I and me in sentences. The pronoun I is a subject pronoun. I is used only as the subject of a sentence. I plant a seed in my garden during Spring. The pronoun me is an object pronoun. Me is used after an action verb or after a word as at, for, of, to, or with. The farmer gives me a basket of fresh fruits. The farmer walked along with me.

When you speak about yourself and another person, always name the other person first. Then follow the rules above for when to use I and me.

Farmer Joe and I walked to the car together.

My dog Rex accompanied Farmer Joe and me.

In the car, Rex and I felt the cool breeze as we drove by.

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Lesson 39 Possessive Pronouns

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A possessive noun shows who or what has something. A possessive pronoun takes the place of a possessive noun. Tom’s book is the latest version of “Charlotte’s Web”. His book is the latest version of “Charlotte’s Web”. There are two kinds of possessive pronouns. One kind is used before a noun. The possessive pronouns that can be used before a noun are my, your, his, her, its, our, and their. My book is a comic book. Your book is a sci-fi. Her book is a story of a crime. The book was found in our library. I enjoy reading their book about a puppy. The other kind of possessive pronoun is used alone. The possessive pronouns that can stand alone are mine, yours, his, hers, ours, and theirs. The comic book is mine. The interesting sci-fi book is yours. The book with the blue cover in the library is ours. The lost book is theirs.