becoming a grammar guru purpose: being able to comprehend, identify, and apply grammar/parts of...
TRANSCRIPT
Becoming a Grammar Guru
Purpose: Being able to comprehend, identify, and apply grammar/parts of speech to improve all areas of writing.
To get started on your journey, click on the book below.
To Become a Grammar Guru…You will need to:
Learn and understand each part of speech’s meaning and usage
Identify each part of speech in sentences/writing
Use each part of speech properly in writing
If you think you are up for this challenge, select the thumbs up.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Let the Journey Begin
Task: To become a grammar expert you will need to learn about each part of speech and apply what you learned with practice.
Process: To accomplish your task, select a Part of Speech from the ‘Main Menu’ and make your way through all the steps. Once you have completed all the steps successfully, move on to the next Part of Speech.
Main Menu
Main MenuSelect a Part of Speech:
NOUN
VERB
PRONOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
PREPOSITION
CONJUNCTION/ PREPOSITION
Nouns: Grammar Rock Video
Step 1: Watch Me
Step 2: Begin Learning
Noun
Definition: Person, Place, or Thing
What are some other examples
of nouns?
Common Noun / Proper Noun
Definition:A General Noun
Not capitalized unless at beginning of
sentence.
Examples:mantoy
cereal
Definition: names of
SPECIFIC things or people
Examples:FranceMexicoAliceFord
Nouns as Subjects
The subject of a sentence tells whom or what the sentence is about. Nouns are often used as subjects.
Example:The girls stopped at the library. (Who stopped? The girls. The noun girls is
the subject.)
Concept CheckClick on the subject of each sentence.
The boy asked his dad for new shoes.
The adults and the children went out to dinner.
Every afternoon, the old lady takes a nap.
Finished
CORRECT!
Return to Concept Check
Sorry! Try Again.Hint: Who or what is the sentence about?
Concept Check
Plural NounDefinition:
Refers to two or more people, places, or things.
Examples:monkeyspaintersbeaches
Plural Noun GuidelinesNouns Plural Examples
Most nouns add s book, books; cup, cups; sprout, sprouts
Most nouns that end in ch, sh, s, x, or z
add es box, boxes; bus, buses; prize, prizes
Most nouns that end in a vowel and y
add s boy, boys; day, days; key, keys
Most nouns that end in a consonant and y
y becomes ies baby, babies; country, countries; spy, spies
Most nouns that end in f or fe f or fe becomes ves
elf, elves; loaf, loaves; thief, thieves
Most nouns that end in o add s kangaroo, kangaroos; piano, pianos; video, videos
Certain nouns that end in a consonant and o
add es hero, heroes; potato, potatoes; volcano, volcanoes
Some ExceptionsChange of a vowel sound when they become plural: goose, geese; man, men; mouse, mice; and tooth, teeth.Nouns that don’t change: deer, fish, sheep, and species.Old English nouns: child, children and ox, oxen.
Noun Game
Step 3: Challenge your
Noun Knowledge
Step Four: Finish Learning
Possessive NounDefinition:
Shows who or what owns a thing or a quality.
Example: Cinderella’s slipper was found by the prince.
Possessive Nouns GuidelinesForming the Possessive
of Singular Nouns Add an
apostrophe and s– Chris’s wishes– the lion’s paw– Samantha’s dress
Forming the Possessive of Plural Nouns
Plural nouns that end in s, just add an apostrophe– candles’ wax– sisters’ dresses
Plural nouns that DON’T end in s, add an apostrophe s– geese’s flight– women’s team– children’s books
Congrats!
You have made your way through ‘Nouns’ and are ready to move on
to the next Part of Speech.
Go back to the Main Menu and select ‘Verb’.
Main Menu
Verbs: Grammar Rock Video
Step 1: Watch ME
Step 2: Begin Learning
What is a verb?Expresses an action, states that
something exists, or links the subject with a word that describes or renames it.
* The verb is the most important part of every sentence. Without a verb, a sentence cannot be complete or make sense.*
Concept CheckDirections: Select the action verb in each sentence.
Sally listens to her favorite song.
Craig hits the baseball over the fence.
The bluebird in the tree sings beautifully.
The football team dashes out of the locker room.
Finished
Bull’s Eye! You’re Correct.
The verb is what the subject does.
Return to Concept Check
Incorrect.Don’t give up though, keep
trying.
Remember that a verb is what the subject does.
Concept Check
Direct ObjectThe noun or pronoun that
receives the action of the verb.
Snow covered the mountain. The police closed the road.
The words mountain and road receive the action of the verbs. Mountain and road are
the direct objects of the verbs.
Recognizing Direct Objects
To find the direct object in a sentence: Ask what or whom after the verb. The word that answers what or whom is the
direct object.
Workers removed the snowdrifts. (Removed what? snowdrifts)
They cleared the roads and bridges. (Cleared what? roads and bridges)
Linking/Helping VerbsLinking Verbs: Connect the subject of a
verb to additional information about the subject.
Yes, I am on time. (emphasizes state of being)
My skates are fast. (links skates with fast)Helping Verbs: Appear with action verbs,
“helping” them tell time.I was studying French when I visited Paris.I might play soccer after school today. Common Linking/Helping Verbs: am, are,
were, being, is, was, be, might, should, will
Verb GameStep 3: Test your verb
Knowledge so far.
Step Four: Finish Learning
Verb TensesTENSE DEFINITION VERBS
ExamplesSentence EXAMPLE
Present Tense Something is happening now or being now
is, am, areAdd –s or –
es
She explores the country.
Past Tense Something happened in the past
was, wereAdd -ed
She explored the country.
Future Tense Something that is about to happen
will She will explore the country.
Present Perfect Tense
(Perfect = Past)
Action that began in the past and continues into the present or that occurred in the recent past. (present past)
have or has +
(verb+ed)
She has explored the country.
Past Perfect Tense
(Perfect = Past)
Action that happened before the action in the past. (past past)
had + (verb+ed
or en)
She had explored the country.
Verb Tense Game
Finished
It’s the END of VERBS.Before you head back to the ‘Main Menu’ though, quiz
your VERB knowledge.
CLICK To
START
MainMenu
Pronoun: Grammar Rock Video
Step 1: Watch ME
Step 2: Begin Learning
PronounPronounA word that takes the place of A word that takes the place of
a noun.a noun.
Noun=Bobby Pronoun = He
Subject PronounSubject Pronoun
I, you, he, she, it ,weI, you, he, she, it ,we, and , and theythey are subject pronouns. are subject pronouns.
Use these pronouns as subjects of a Use these pronouns as subjects of a sentence or after linking verbs.sentence or after linking verbs.
I hula hoop for
fun.
They are arm
wrestling.
Frankie traveledwith her and me.
Object PronounsObject PronounsThe pronouns The pronouns me, you, him, her, me, you, him, her,
it, usit, us and and themthem are object are object pronouns.pronouns.
Use them as objects of the verb Use them as objects of the verb or as objects of a preposition.or as objects of a preposition.
Frankie met them at the airport.
Concept CheckConcept CheckTake the interactive quiz. You must get 11 Take the interactive quiz. You must get 11 out of 13 correct to move on. You may take it out of 13 correct to move on. You may take it as many times as necessary. as many times as necessary.
Finished Quiz
Possessive PronounsPossessive Pronouns
Possessive Possessive pronouns are pronouns are used to show used to show ownership or ownership or belonging.belonging.
SingularSingular PluralPluralmy, minemy, mine our, oursour, ours
your, yoursyour, yours your, yoursyour, yours
his, her, his, her, hers, itshers, its
their, theirstheir, theirsMy balloo
n.
Pronoun or Contraction?Pronoun or Contraction?People often confuse the possessive forms of some People often confuse the possessive forms of some
pronouns with the contractions they resemble:pronouns with the contractions they resemble:
its – it’s your – you’re their - they’reits – it’s your – you’re their - they’re
The dolphin enjoys The dolphin enjoys its its freedom. (possessive pronoun)freedom. (possessive pronoun)It’sIt’s free to roam the ocean. (contraction: free to roam the ocean. (contraction: it isit is))
May I sign May I sign youryour yearbook? (possessive pronoun) yearbook? (possessive pronoun)You’reYou’re very polite. very polite. (contraction: (contraction: you areyou are))
The team donated The team donated theirtheir time. (possessive pronoun) time. (possessive pronoun)They’reThey’re playing for charity. (contraction: playing for charity. (contraction: they arethey are))
Concept CheckConcept Check
Since a dolphin is a mammal, it must frequently Since a dolphin is a mammal, it must frequently make make ((its, it’s) way to the surface for air or it will way to the surface for air or it will drown.drown.
Some tuna companies were accidentally Some tuna companies were accidentally trapping dolphins in trapping dolphins in ((their, they’re) nets. nets.
In response to consumer concerns, some companies In response to consumer concerns, some companies have changed have changed ((their, they’re) policies and are using new fishing methods.
In addition, In addition, ((their, they’re) labeling labeling ((their, they’re) tuna cans as “dolphin safe”.
ConceptCheck
Complete
Correct!!!!Correct!!!!
ConceptCheck Finished
Sorry, that’s not Sorry, that’s not correct.correct.
Try again and think about what you Try again and think about what you just learned in the previous slides just learned in the previous slides
about pronouns.about pronouns.
ConceptCheck
We-UsWe-Us Pronouns PronounsWeWe is always the subject form; is always the subject form; usus is is
the object form. the object form. To decide whether To decide whether wewe or or usus is correct, is correct,
say the pronoun alone with the verb.say the pronoun alone with the verb.
((We, UsWe, Us) students performed in a play.) students performed in a play. (Subject form: (Subject form: WeWe perform) perform)
The director asked (The director asked (we, uswe, us) actors to ) actors to bow.bow. (Object form: Asked (Object form: Asked usus))
Who-WhomWho-Whom Pronouns Pronouns Interrogative pronouns used to ask Interrogative pronouns used to ask
questions.questions.WhoWho is the subject form, and is the subject form, and whomwhom is is
the object form.the object form.
WhoWho will play the lead? will play the lead? ( (Who Who is the is the subject of subject of will playwill play.).)
WhomWhom do you see? do you see? ( (WhomWhom is the direct is the direct object of object of do seedo see.).)
From From whomwhom do we buy tickets? do we buy tickets? ( (WhomWhom is is the object of the preposition the object of the preposition fromfrom.).)
Who-Whom TricksWho-Whom Tricks
Trick: Replace Trick: Replace who/whomwho/whom with with he/himhe/him
Examples:Examples: WhoWho called? called? HeHe called. called.
WhomWhom did you call? did you call?I called I called
himhim..
Practice – Who, Whom, WhosePractice – Who, Whom, Whose
Finished
Antecedent PronounsAntecedent PronounsThe noun or other pronoun for which the pronoun The noun or other pronoun for which the pronoun
stands.stands.
JeffJeff went to work today and brought went to work today and brought his his lunch. lunch. ((JeffJeff is the antecedent of is the antecedent of hishis.).)
BillyBilly and and Bob Bob went to school. After, went to school. After, theythey went to went to soccer practice. soccer practice. ((BillyBilly and and BobBob are the are the antecedents of antecedents of theythey.).)
The antecedent usually appears before the The antecedent usually appears before the pronoun. Sometimes, as in the second pronoun. Sometimes, as in the second
example, the antecedent is in the sentence example, the antecedent is in the sentence before it.before it.
Indefinite PronounsIndefinite PronounsRefer to an identifiable but not specified Refer to an identifiable but not specified
person, thing, or amount.person, thing, or amount.Conveys the ideal of ALL, ANY, NONE, or Conveys the ideal of ALL, ANY, NONE, or
SOME.SOME.Common indefinite pronouns: Common indefinite pronouns: all, another, all, another,
any, anybody, anyone, anything, each, any, anybody, anyone, anything, each, everybody, few, many, nobody, none, one, everybody, few, many, nobody, none, one, several, some, someoneseveral, some, someone
Challenge: Indefinite PronounsChallenge: Indefinite Pronouns
How many words can you make by How many words can you make by combining the left column with the right?combining the left column with the right?
any/anany/an bodybodyeveryevery oneonenono thingthingsomesome otherother
Congrats!Congrats! You’ve made it through Pronouns. Try the You’ve made it through Pronouns. Try the final practice below before moving on to final practice below before moving on to
Adjectives.Adjectives.
Main Menu
Grammar Rock Video: Adjectives
Step 1:Watch Me
Step 2: Learn
What is an adjective?
A word that describes a noun or pronoun.
Examples: glorious day
colossal building tacky sweater
ADJECTIVE NOUN
What is an adjective? An adjective answers the questions:
What kind?The rocket ship shot up in the sky.
(What kind of ship? rocket ship) Which one?Did you see those children playing in the snow?
(Which children? those children) How many?Several cars were involved in the accident.
(How many cars? several cars)
Concept Check
Practice IdentifyingAdjectives by
Playing this Game
Finished
Article Adjectives Articles are special adjectives. They
point out one specific person, place, thing, or idea.
a, an, and the
Aden wished upon the falling star.
Adjectives in Comparison
Comparative Adjectives Compare two things
Golden Delicious apples are sweeter than Granny Smith apples.
Superlative Adjectives Compare more than two things
Red Delicious apples are the sweetest apples at the market.
Forms of Adjectives in Comparison
Adjective Comparative Form
Superlative Form
Hot Hotter Hottest
Ripe Riper Ripest
Creamy Creamier Creamiest
Spicy Spicier Spiciest
For Short Adjectives: Add –er for Comparative and –est for Superlative
Forms of Adjectives in Comparison
Adjective Comparative Form
Superlative Form
Fragrant More fragrant Most fragrant
Well-done More well-done Most well-done
Flavorful More flavorful Most flavorful
Delicious More delicious Most delicious
For Longer Adjectives: Add more for Comparative and most for Superlative
FYI Use only one form of comparison at a
time. Do not use more and –er together, or most and –est together.
Steak is the most easiest meat to barbecue.
Steak is the easiest meat to barbecue.
INCORRECT
CORRECT
Helpful Hint Almost all adjectives of three or
more syllables use more and
most when comparing.
Some Forms Are Different
Some adjectives will change to a different word when in comparative and superlative forms.
Adjective Comparative Form
Superlative Form
Good Better Best
Bad Worse Worst
Concept checkChoose the correct form of the adjectives in each
sentence.
(1) Michigan’s weather is (colder, more cold) than South Carolina’s.
(2) Obama was the (more popular, most popular) of all the candidates that ran for president.
(3) The Italian chef makes the (most tastiest, tastiest) pasta I have ever consumed.
(4) Ashley is the (bravest, most brave) person I know.
Finished
That’s Right!
Nice Job!
ConceptCheck Finished
Sorry!
You’re so close.Take a closer look.
ConceptCheck
You’re Almost Done!Before moving on to Adverbs, practice your Adjective
knowledge one last time.
PRACTICE
MainMenu
Grammar Rock Video: Adverb
Step 1:Watch Me
Step 2: Learn
What is an adverb?
Describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
Describing a Verb The graduates waited anxiously.
Describing an Adjective The ceremony was nearly over.
Describing another Adverb The graduates smiled very happily.
Answers the Questions . . . HOW?
Frank recklessly flew the plane.(How did he fly the plane? recklessly)
WHEN? Tricia went shopping with her friends yesterday.
(When did she go shopping? yesterday) WHERE?
Jeff grilled the hamburgers outside.(Where did he grill the hamburgers? outside)
To What Extent? Erin answers the question quite eagerly.
( To what extent did she answer eagerly? quite)
PRACTICE- Identifying Adverbs
Finished
CLICK HERE to BEGIN•Complete at least
the first three quizzes before moving on.
ADVERBS IN COMPARISON
Adverb Comparative Superlative
Close Closer Closest
Fast Faster fastest
Short Adverbs: Comparative = -er Superlative = -est
Example:
My ears get cold fast. In fact, my ears get cold faster than my hands. My nose gets cold fastest of all, though.
ADVERBS IN COMPARISON
Adverb Comparative Superlative
Slowly more slowly
most slowly
smoothly more smoothly
most smoothly
Adverbs ending in -ly: Comparative = more Superlative = most
ADVERBS IN COMPARISON
Adverb Comparative Superlative
well better bestmuch more most
little less least
Some adverbs change completely to form the comparative and
superlative.
PRACTICEClick on the correct comparing adjective.
(1) Each year, many women search for the product that will color their lips (more better, better) than before.
(2) Cosmetics manufacturers have used some of the (more surprisingly, most surprisingly) strange ingredients imaginable.
(3) For one thing, lipstick spoiled (faster, fastest) than the products made today.
(4) Also, the coloring agent used (more commonly, most commonly) then was made from dried and crushed insects.
(5) Today, fish scales make lipsticks glisten (more brightly, most brightly) than ever before.
Adjective or Adverb?
Sometimes an adjective or adverb is misused because the speaker didn’t recognize which part of speech was
needed. Analyze carefully. REMEMBER:
An ADJECTIVE describes a noun or pronoun.
An ADVERB describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
To determine which one, try this method:
Sentence: Becca sings (good, well).Problem: Is the needed word an adjective
or adverb?Question: Would the word answer the
question how, when, where, or to what extent?
Answer: It tells how Becca sings?Solution: The word well, an adverb, should
be used to describe the verb sings.
Adjective or Adverb?
successful
well
good
hard
late
careful
quickly
carefully
PRACTICEDecide on an adjective or adverb to complete each sentence.
I can't understand. You speak too (quick, quickly). Click for ANSWER =
He drives very (careful, carefully). Click for ANSWER =
He's a very (careful, carefully) driver. Click for ANSWER =
I got up (late, lately) this morning. Click for ANSWER =
Tom tries very (hard, hardly ) when he plays tennis but Martin always wins. Click for ANSWER =
I bought a new CD player yesterday. It sounds very (good, well). Click ANSWER =
I recognize him but I don't know him very (good, well). Click for ANSWER =
They have a very (successful, successfully) business. Click for ANSWER =
Adjective or Adverb Game
Click to Play
Finished
Using NegativesNever use a double negative when you write or
speak. A negative is a word that has the meaning
“no”. Common negatives: no, none, not,
nothing, never If two of these words are used together =
double negativeExample:
I won’t never go sky diving. INCORRECT I won’t ever go sky diving. CORRECT
I will never go sky diving
CONCEPT CHECK
Take the quiz below. Try all three levels and shoot for score of 80% or better. You may try as many times as necessary.
Made an 80% or better, Ready
to Move On.
YOU REACHED THE END!
To finish your explorations on adverbs, take this quick quiz.
Remember you need to get an 80% to move on to the next Part of Speech.
Take the quiz as many times as necessary.
MainMenu
Grammar Rock Video: Prepositions
Step 1: Watch Me
Step 2: Learn
What Is A Preposition?• Definition: It joins a noun or
pronoun to the rest of the sentence.
• Some examples: to, from, in, on, after, until
Samantha rushed through the door.
She was tardy for class.
Prepositions• Prepositions refer to THREE things:
(1) Location (on, under, in)EX: The mouse is on the table.
(2) Timing (before, after, during)Ex. Eddy went hiking before dusk.
(3) Directions (from, toward to)Ex. We traveled toward the ocean.
Test Your Knowledge Which word is a preposition?Which word is a preposition?
Click the answer.Click the answer.
The pizza in the oven is mine.
pizza in oven mine
Finished
RIGHT!
Two things are related to each Two things are related to each otherother
by the preposition!by the preposition!
Finished
Try Again!
Click here to try again
Test Your Knowledge Which word is a preposition?Which word is a preposition?
Click on the answer.Click on the answer.
The girl by the door is my sister.
girl by door my
Finished
CORRECT!Two things are related to each other
by the preposition!
Finished
Nope, not quite.
Click here to try again
Test Your Knowledge Test Your Knowledge Which word is a preposition?Which word is a preposition?
Click on the answer.Click on the answer.
The runners raced around the track.
runners around the track
Finished
Nicely Done!Two things are related to each other
by the preposition!
Finished
Ohhh, you were close.
Click here to try again
Let’s look again at the Let’s look again at the sentences you practiced with.sentences you practiced with.
The pizza in the oven is mine.
The girl by the door is my sister.
The runners raced around the track.
Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional Phrasesin the oven
by the door
around the track
These are prepositional These are prepositional phrases. Prepositional phrases phrases. Prepositional phrases
start with a preposition and start with a preposition and end with the object of a end with the object of a
preposition.preposition.
Object of a Preposition
The object of a preposition•must be a noun or a pronoun•always comes at the end of a prepositional phrase
Example: The cookies are in the oven.
Oven is a noun that ends the prepositional phrase. Oven is the object of the preposition.
Test Your Knowledge Identify the
prepositional phrase. (Click the answer.)
I sat with my mom.
I sat with
with my
with my momFinished
Congratulations!
You found the
prepositional phrase!
Well done!Finished
Sorry, that’s not right.
Remember: a prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun.
Try the question again!
Test Your Knowledge Identify the prepositional phrase.(Click on the answer.)
After gym class, we got a drink.
After gym
After gym class
After gym class, we
You’re Right!
You found the
prepositional phrase!
Well done!Finished
WRONG!
• Remember: a prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun.
Try the question again!
The End of Prepositions!Just one more thing…. Before you head back to the Main Menu,
Practice you acquired knowledge of Prepositions.You need to score a 80% or better to move on. Take as many
times as necessary.
QUIZTIME!
MainMenu
Grammar Rock: Conjunctions
Step 1:Watch Me
Step 2: Learn
ConjunctionDefinition: A word that connects words or
groups of words.
For, and, but, or, norConjunctions join words together:
Katie and Josh went to the movies.
Conjunctions join phrases and sentences:They couldn’t decide on a scary movie or a thriller.
Conjunctions and Commas When do you use a comma with conjunctions?
Do NOT use a comma when you combining words.Ex: Davey and Kay went to dinner.Ex: Are we going to King Street or Market?
USE a comma BEFORE a conjunction when you are combining sentences.Ex: Us students received a silent lunch, and then
we received a detention.Ex: They will not be going on vacation this year,
nor will they be going anywhere out of state.
Practice Conjunctions
SELECTME
NEXT
Grammar Rock: Interjections
Step 3:Watch Me
Step 4: Learn
Interjection
Definition: A word or short group of words used to express feeling.
Examples: Ouch! Oh Wow!Interjections expressing STRONG
emotion = exclamation point (!)Ouch! I fell!
Interjections expressing MILD emotion = comma (,)
Oh, I’m not afraid.
PRACTICEClick on all the conjunctions and interjections.
Ugh! I cannot wait for summer to be here! This winter has been too long and cold. Neither the snowmen building nor the skiing interests me anymore. Oh, how I long to wear sandals and go to the beach again. Or to be able to feel the radiant sun on my face would make me happy. So…come soon summer, but don’t get too hot on us this year.
Finished
Wow! Way to Go!You have learned about all of the
Parts of Speech.Lets test your knowledge to see just
how well you know each one.Remember, you want to score a
80% or higher. If you struggle, you may need to go back and review.
Click Here to Begin
Finished
Tick Tick TickNow for the ultimate test.
Take the quiz below and see how fast you can identify the
Parts of Speech. Click on the timer to begin the quiz.
(The timer starts when you select the first answer.)
MainMenu