Grammar of the Day

Language of the Day Lessons

# 1 Dangling Modifier

Ex: Vigorous and full of milk, the farmer milked his best cow.
Common Fix: Vigorous and full of milk, the farmer's best cow was his pride and joy.
Explanation: In the first sentence, vigorous and full of milk was intended to modify cow but instead modifies the farmer. In the second, we've moved the cow to a position where it is modified by the proper phrase.

# 2 Sentence Fragment due to Improper Verb Form

Ex. The essence of superstition, more often than not, being a protection against some form of evil.
Common Fix: More often than not, the essence of superstition is as a protection against some form of evil.
Explanation: In the fragment, the subject of the sentence, The essence of superstition, has no verb because the writer used an improper form of the verb to be, being. All we had to do to fix this was to change the verb from the present progressive form, being, to the present form, is.

# 3 a lot

Ex. It's going to take alot of effort to make this work.
Common Fix: It's going to take a lot of effort to make this work.
Explanation: Simple: a lot is two words.

# 4 Classic sentence fragment

Ex. After the game this weekend.
Common Fix: After the game this weekend, we are all going out for pizza.
Explanation: After the game this weekend is not a sentence or even a complete thought--indeed, it is dependent upon some more information before it makes any sense, which is why we call it a dependent clause (specifically, in this case, a prepositional phrase). All we did to fix it is add the complete thought.

# 5 Comma after introductory clause

Ex. After the game this weekend we are all going out for pizza.
Common Fix: After the game this weekend, we are all going out for pizza.
Explanation: There should be a comma after any introductory clause of four or more words. Such is the case with After the game this weekend. Frankly, I prefer a comma after any introductory clause and will mark your paper as needing correction in any case. Most teachers, though, will let you follow the "Four Word Rule."

# 6 Who for people please

Ex. Mayor Guiliani is a man that comes through when others need him most.
Common Fix: Mayor Guiliani is a man who comes through when others need him most.
Explanation: Mayor Guiliani is a human being and should be addressed as such. Remember, people are who, animals and things are that.

# 7 Parallel Structure

Ex. He liked to fish, hunting, and to golf.
Common Fix: He liked to fish, to hunt, and to golf. OR He liked fishing, hunting, and golfing.
Explanation: Whenever you have parts of a sentence or sentences that are all alike in importance and type, you should express them in the same form, especially when they are in series. As you will see later, you can even do this with entire sentences or even paragraphs.

# 8 it's vs. its

Ex. Its about time that darn car met it's end.
Common Fix: It's about time that darn car met its end.
Explanation: Simple. It's is the contracted form of it is or it has; its is the possessive form of it.

# 9 Comma Splice

Ex. Love is difficult to define, many philosophers and poets have tried to no avail.
Common Fix: Love is difficult to define: many philosophers and poets have tried to no avail. You could also use a period, semi-colon, or dash according to your needs.
Explanation: The phrases Love is difficult to define and many philosophers and poets have tried to no avail are each independent clauses or complete sentences. Therefore, you cannot join them with a comma. The most likely fixes are indicated above, but be alert for future lessons on even more ways to fix this problem.

# 10 Comma Splice

Ex. It is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark.
Common Fix: It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark. OR It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark.
Explanation: Once again, we have tried to join two independent clauses (complete thoughts or sentences) with a comma. Here, we have fixed it in two common ways. The first, simply creating two separate sentences, works very well since we have two balanced sentences - it's almost parallel structure. In the second, we used a semi-colon because each statement is of equal importance. Can you think of other possibilities?

# 11 Parallel Structure

Ex. The three most challenging tasks of the # are getting out of bed, to eat a decent breakfast, and making it to school on time.
Common Fix: The three most challenging tasks of the # are getting out of bed, eating a decent breakfast, and making it to school on time. OR The three most challenging tasks of the # are to get out of bed, to eat a decent breakfast, and to make it to school on time.
Explanation: Here, we simply need to make the similar elements of the sentence sound and look the same. I prefer the -ing forms over the to-verb forms, how about you?

# 12 Comma Splice

Ex. Before school this Thurs#, we need to grab some donuts, then, we'll be ready for the party.
Common Fix: Before school this Thurs#, we need to grab some donuts; then, we'll be ready for the party. OR Before school this Thurs#, we need to grab some donuts. Then, we'll be ready for the party.
Explanation: Just a variation on the same old problem, this writer has mistakenly joined two sentences (the first one with a dependent clause by the way!) with a comma. As you can see from the fixes, addressing this problem is getting to be easy for us! The question is: are you getting better at seeing where the sentences are in this type of run-on?

# 13 Sentence Fragment

Ex. He was an interesting talker. A man who had traveled all over the world and lived in half a dozen countries.
Common Fix: He was an interesting talker, a man who had traveled all over the world and lived in half a dozen countries.
Explanation: In this sentence(s), the writer accidentally split one sentence into two by placing a period after talker, essentially creating a sentence fragment out of the phrase, a man who had traveled all over the world and lived in half a dozen countries. It's easy to fix, though, by simply changing the period to a comma, which, in turn, changes the fragment into an appositive (a noun or noun phrase which renames another noun) for the sentence.

# 14 Incorrect use of numerical transitions

Ex. Firstly, courage has many meanings. <imagine a paragraph here> Secondly, the meaning of courage has changed over the past century. <imagine a paragraph here> Thirdly, courage is essential to the prosperity of a culture.
Common Fix: First, . . . Second, . . . Third, . . .
Explanation: This writer was fine in his/her desire to use numerical sequencing to organize his/her essay. However, the ly at the end of each number is unnecessary and considered rather sophomoric in academic writing. Lose the pretty ending!

# 15 Run-on (comma splice) due to incorrect punctuation with the word therefore

Ex. Friendship has proven surprisingly difficult to define, therefore, many have given up on it completely.
Common Fix: Friendship has proven surprisingly difficult to define; therefore, many have given up on it completely.
Explanation: Therefore is a common and powerful transition in writing academic essays which assert opinions and draw conclusions. However, many writers mistakenly use the word with a comma, not realizing that the phrase following the word is usually a complete sentence--which makes the sentence a comma-spliced run-on. While there are other ways to fix this error, the semi-colon is the most common and usually is the best style choice.

# 16

Comma and Sentence Tutorial

# 17

Comma and Sentence Tutorial

# 18 Run-on (comma splice) due to incorrect punctuation with the conjunctive adverb nevertheless

Ex. Eventually, it became clear we weren't going to win the game, nevertheless, we stayed and cheered our team on till the bitter end.
Common Fix: Eventually, it became clear we weren't going to win the game; nevertheless, we stayed and cheered our team on till the bitter end.
Explanation: Notice the two independent clauses the writer tried to join with the comma. Notice also that we are dealing with another word like therefore. These are called conjunctive adverbs and include the following common words: nevertheless, therefore, however, moreover, as a result, consequently.

# 19 Incorrect use of the semicolon with the conjunctive adverb however

Ex. Eventually, it became clear we weren't going to win the game. We stayed and cheered; however, until the bitter end.
Common Fix: Eventually, it became clear we weren't going to win the game. We stayed and cheered, however, until the bitter end.
Explanation: Actually, this writer was on the right track by trying to apply the semicolon with the conjunctive adverb, however. Unfortunately, in this sentence, however is not coupled with an independent clause; rather, it is being used as a transition from the first sentence and acting as an interrupter to the sentence. That's why it is surrounded by commas in the corrected version. Just be careful that you don't apply your semicolons thoughtlessly with the conjunctive adverbs.

# 20 Subtle style choices with however

Ex. It was a tough game. However, we finally found a way to win it.
Common Fix: It was a tough game. In the end, however, we found a way to win it.
Explanation: First, a minor point: I changed the finally to in the end because it just sounded better. Now, to the lesson, one that is a matter of style more than grammar. The original example is grammatically correct, but it lacks in style. This is because - connotatively - to good readers however at the beginning of a sentence really means in whatever way or to whatever extent - not the on the other hand meaning the writer wants. Consider the examples below to clarify this further.
Ex 2. However you wish to complete the task, it must be done by next Fri#.
Ex 3. However you advise her, she's still going to do things her own way.
Explanation: In these two sentences, you can see the in whatever way or to whatever extent meaning in however. When you mean it this way, then put however at the beginning of the sentence.

# 21 Pronoun antecedent agreement

Ex. Each student should complete their project by next Mon#.
Common Fix: Each student should complete his/her project by next Mon#. OR Students should complete their projects by next Mon#.
Explanation: In this sentence, each student is a singular noun and must be paired with the singular pronouns his/her. Yes, it is proper to use his/her, though if you vary from this, just be consistent. Notice that in the second fix, we simply changed the subject to plural to match the plural pronoun their. Note, too, that we had change the noun project to projects to keep the numbers consistent.

# 22 Confused usage of the homonyms there, their, and they're

Ex. Over their you will find samples of they're incredible artwork; clearly, there very talented students.
Common Fix: Over there you will find samples of their incredible artwork; clearly, they're very talented students.
Explanation: there is an adverb - John lives there. their is a possessive pronoun - I saw their new house. they're is a contraction of they and are - They're here.

# 23 misspelling of definitely

Ex. That concert was definately one of the best I'd ever seen.
Common Fix: That concert was definitely one of the best I'd ever seen.
Explanation: Of course, this is a misspelling. But, it indicates more than that: it shows the writer does not truly understand the meaning or origin of the word. Finite is at the heart of the meaning of definitely - meaning a limited set or number. The word definitely is based on this word and means having distinct or certain limits; free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity. This kind of misspelling can really bring your understanding and intelligence under scrutiny. Can you think of other words that do this? Turn them into me for 5 points extra credit each.

# 24 imply vs. infer

Ex. Athleticism infers physical fitness. Since she was an athlete, we implied she was physically fit.
Common Fix: Athleticism implies physical fitness. Since she was an athlete, we inferred she was physically fit.
Explanation: Imply means to suggest a meaning connotatively or subtly. Infer means to figure out the connotative or subtle message in the speaker's/writer's message. These meanings are absolute and not interchangeable.

# 25 try to vs. try and

Ex. We decided to try and meet after the game.
Common Fix: We decided to try to meet after the game.
Explanation: We commonly get lazy with the try to phrase, slurring it into try and. Think of it this way: you really won't be doing the trying and the meeting separately, one after another. They are essentially the same act, accomplished at the same time. This is another one of those little items by which people will judge your intelligence and command of the language.

# 26 run-on due to missing comma with coordinating conjunction

Ex. After their breakup last weekend, none of his friends will give Sheri the time of # but all of her friends seem completely fine with Tom.
Common Fix: After their breakup last weekend, none of Tom's friends will give Sheri the time of #, but all of her friends seem completely fine with Tom.
Explanation: Just a little review of how to use the comma-coordinating conjunction pattern with a compound sentence.

# 27 tense shift

Ex. We finally made it to the party after midnight. Still, we are very happy we made it at all.
Common Fix: We finally made it to the party after midnight. Still, we were very happy we made it at all.
Explanation: This is one of the most common and annoying errors writers make. In the first sentence, the tense of the verb is established with the past tense verb, made. Then, in the second sentence, the writer switches to the present tense verb, are. The fix is easy: we just change the are to the past tense, were.

# 28 cannot vs. can not - style lesson

Ex. He can not be at the meeting this afternoon.
Common Fix: He cannot be at the meeting this afternoon.
Explanation: It is more common and accepted to write this as cannot. If you choose to write it as two separate words, can not, it will place an emphasis on the not: He can not be at the meeting this afternoon. Keep this mind for special cases.

# 29 tense shift

Ex. He is truly enjoying his fish; then, he suddenly puked all over the waiter.
Common Fix: He is truly enjoying his fish. Oh no, now he's puking all over the waiter. OR He was truly enjoying his fish; then, he suddenly wretched all over the waiter.
Explanation: Once again, the annoying tense shift has bitten our writer. In this case, there are two ways to fix it as in the examples above. Notice that in the first fix, we changed the second sentence to present tense to match the first, but in the second, we changed the first sentence to past to match the tense of the second.

# 30 where, were, & we're

Ex. No one knew were we we're, prompting Steve to whine, "Where hopelessly lost!"
Common Fix: No one knew where we were, prompting Steve to whine, "We're hopelessly lost!"
Explanation: Where, were, and we're are commonly confused by writers, either because they don't understand the words or they just get careless. It's really pretty easy: where is a pronoun of place; were is the past tense of are, and we're is the contraction of we are.

# 31 tense shift

Ex. The # was like a thousand diamonds sewn into a beautiful sky. Every piece of grass fit perfectly together as if every seed were strategically placed to complement the others. The clouds rolled gently past my eyes, gleaming in the almost too-bright sun. The # seemed so serene. I dig my toes into the sand and leaned my head back to look up at the never-ending sky.
Common Fix: The # was like a thousand diamonds sewn into a beautiful sky. Every piece of grass fit perfectly together as if every seed were strategically placed to complement the others. The clouds rolled gently past my eyes, gleaming in the almost too-bright sun. The # seemed so serene. I dug my toes into the sand and leaned my head back to look up at the never-ending sky.
Explanation: This is yet another tense shift from a recent student writing. Notice how it is embedded deeply in a long passage but sticks out like a neon sign blinking "I'm a mistake." Yikes!

# 32 SAT analogies and vocabulary

Embedded in Lesson Plan for 4/5.

# 33 Vocabulary

Create a meaningful sentence for each of the following. You may use the common alternative form of the word if desired.

abstruse (adj) difficult to understand
adhere (v - intransitive*) to stay attached
altruism (n) selfless love (altruistic - adj)

*An intransitive verb is a verb that does not take take an object; in other words, you can't do that verb to another object or person. A simple intransitive verb would be sleep. A person can sleep but you can't sleep something else - a sentence like I sleeped Steve yesterday would be non-sense. As you will see later, this clears up a lot of the confusion when you have to decide between who and whom, or she and her, etc.

# 34 Vocabulary