A noun is a person, place, or thing. [2] X Research source Example: grandma, school, pencil A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun within a sentence. Example: he, she, they Articles are special terms that proceed a noun within a sentence. The three articles are: a, an, the An adjective modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. Example: red, tall A verb is a word that describes an action or state of being. Example: be, run, sleep An adverb modifies or describes a verb. Adverbs can also be used to modify adjectives. Example: happily, wonderfully A conjunction joins two parts of a sentence together. Example: and, but A preposition is used in combination with a noun or pronoun to create a phrase that modifies other parts of speech, like a verb, noun, pronoun, or adjective. Example: up, down, of, from Interjections are words that express an emotional state. Example: wow, ouch, hey
Nouns can be: singular or plural; proper or common; collective; count or non-count; abstract or concrete; gerunds Pronouns can be: personal, possessive, reflexive, intensive, reciprocal, indefinite, demonstrative, interrogative, or relative Adjectives can be used on their own, for the sake of making comparisons, or as superlatives. Adverbs are either relative adverbs or adverbs of frequency. Conjunctions are either coordinating or correlative. Verbs can be: action verbs or linking verbs; main verbs or auxiliary/helping verbs The articles “a” and “an” are indefinite, while the article “the” is definite.
All numbers within a sentence should either be spelled out or written numerically. Do not mix and match. Correct example: I bought 14 apples but my sister only bought 2 apples. Incorrect example: I bought 14 apples but my sister only bought two apples. Never start a sentence with a number written in numerical form. Spell out simple fractions and use hyphens with them. Example: one-half A mixed fraction can be written numerically. Example: 5 1/2 Write decimals in numerical figures. Example: 0. 92 Use commas when writing numbers with four or more digits. Example: 1,234,567 Write out the numerical figure when specifying the day of the month. Example: June 1
The subject is usually a noun or pronoun, and the action is conveyed using a verb. Correct example: The dog ran. Note that the subject is indicated in italics and the action is indicated in bold print. Incorrect example: Yesterday afternoon. Expand your sentences into more complex forms after mastering this basic format.
Note that the subject is indicated in italics and the action is indicated in bold print.
Correct example: They are at school. Incorrect example: They is at school. When two singular subjects are connected with the word “and” (he and his brother), the subject becomes plural. When connected by “or” or “nor” (he or his brother), the subject is singular. Collective nouns, like “family” or “team,” are treated as singular nouns and require a singular verb.
Instead of: The dog ran. He was fast. Use: The dog ran and he was fast. Instead of: We looked for the missing book. We could not find it. Use: We looked for the missing book but could not find it.
Example: If you ask your mother, then she will take you to the store. Note, however, that it would also be correct to write: If you ask your mother, she will take you to the store. Both forms are still conditional.
Note, however, that it would also be correct to write: If you ask your mother, she will take you to the store. Both forms are still conditional.
An independent clause has its own subject and verb. As a result, it could stand as its own sentence. Note that compound sentences, as mentioned previously, consist of independent clauses. Example: She felt sad, but her friends cheered her up. Both “she felt sad” and “her friends cheered her up” could stand as separate sentences. A dependent clause is one that could not stand as its own sentence. Example: While he agreed with his brother, the boy would not admit to it. The clause “While he agreed with his brother” would not make sense a separate sentence, so it is a dependent clause.
Periods (. ) mark the end of a statement sentence. Ellipses (. . . ) indicate that a portion of text has been removed from the passage. Commas (,) separate words or word groups when a pause is necessary but a period is inappropriate. Semicolons (;) should be used in complex sentences that lack a connecting conjunction. Colons (:) are used to introduce lists within a sentence. Question marks (?) are used at the end of a sentence when the sentence asks a question. Exclamation points (!) are used at the end of a statement sentence to indicate surprise or emphasis. Quotation marks (") separate words spoken by another person from the rest of the text. Parentheses () enclose information that clarifies a preceding thought. Apostrophes (’) separate contractions and show possession.
The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in the paragraph. It is the most general sentence and introduces the idea you plan to discuss throughout the rest of the paragraph. Example: English grammar is a complex topic that covers a range of information. The supporting sentences explain the idea presented in the topic sentence with greater detail. Example: English grammar is a complex topic that covers a range of information. At the “word” level, one must learn about parts of speech. At the “sentence” level, topics like sentence structure, subject/verb agreement, and clauses must be explored. The rules governing punctuation use are also a part of “sentence” level grammar. Once a person starts writing larger piece, he or she must also learn about paragraph structure and organization. The concluding sentence summarizes the information presented in the paragraph. It is not always necessary, but you should still know how to write one. Example: English grammar is a complex topic that covers a range of information. At the “word” level, one must learn about parts of speech. At the “sentence” level, topics like sentence structure, subject/verb agreement, and clauses must be explored. The rules governing punctuation use are also a part of “sentence” level grammar. Once a person starts writing larger piece, he or she must also learn about paragraph structure and organization. All of these rules define and describe how to write English correctly. Also note that the first sentence of a paragraph should be indented a few spaces to the right of the paragraph’s left edge.
Correct example: I love my cat. He has soft, orange fur. On cold days, he likes to cuddle next to me for warmth. I think that my cat is the greatest cat ever, and I am really happy to have him. Incorrect example: I love my cat. He is orange. His fur is soft. He cuddles next to me on cold days. My cat is the greatest cat. I am really happy to have him.
Organize your essay by writing an introductory paragraph, three or more body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. The introductory paragraph must be a general paragraph that presents the main idea without providing detail. The supporting paragraphs must expand on this main idea with greater detail, and each paragraph should cover its own separate point. The concluding paragraph restates and summarizes the information presented in the essay and does not introduce any new information.
When the rules are the same, rely on the knowledge you have of your native grammar to help you with English grammar. When the rules differ, devote more time and concentration on practicing those aspects of English grammar as you study.
This does not refer to grammar books. Grammar books are helpful, of course, but the principle of this step is a different one. Read books, magazines, or other materials written in English that you enjoy. The more often you read, the more familiar you will naturally become with the way that grammar is used in word, sentence, and paragraph levels. Learning the rules of English grammar is an important step, but you will be able to put those rules into practice better if you are actually used to seeing proper grammar. If you also want to practice your speaking abilities, read out loud to engage both your eyes and your ears!
For non-native English speakers, look for classes specifically designed for students who are learning English as a secondary language. These classes are usually labeled as ESL (English as a Second Language), ENL (English as a New Language), or ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes.
As a general rule, look for Internet sources that come from educational (. edu) websites. Examples include: The Guide to Grammar and Writing by Capital Community College Foundation (http://grammar. ccc. commnet. edu/grammar/) Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (https://owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/section/1/5/)
