GRAMMAR RULES!Grammar by Mary Ann Hudson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

CAPITALIZATION

Proper Nouns and Common Nouns

Capitalize proper nouns specific places, people, or things

Mississippi River, Troy University, 123 Salem StreetGovernor Bentley, Aunt LoreneCivil War, the Bible

Do not capitalize common nouns general places, people, or things

a river, a college, the street I live on the governor, my aunta war, a book

Titles Before People’s Names

Capitalize a person’s title when it is used before or in place of his or her name Doctor Jackson ; Professor James I asked Mom to pick me my after softball practice.

Do not capitalize a title when it is used after a possessive pronoun or alone my coach; the biology professor I asked my mom to pick me my after softball

practice.

Quotations The first word of a quoted

sentence should be capitalized but not the first word of a quoted phrase. My brother said, “Your floppy hat

makes your face look like a ball.” My mom advised me not to wear

“that floppy hat.”

Interrupted Quotations Capitalize the second part of an

interrupted quotation only if it begins a new sentence. “My newborn daughter is just as

beautiful,” she sobbed, “as we dreamed she would be.”

“My newborn daughter is just as beautiful as we dreamed she would be,” she sobbed. “Life is going to be so exciting!”

Title and Subtitles No matter the genre (book, article,

poem, movie, etc…), capitalize the first and last words and all other important words in the title.

Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), and prepositions (with, for, from, by, at, in, of, to).

COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS

Commonly Confused WordsAccept/Except

Accept – to receive willingly Except – excluding

Did everyone in the class accept his excuse except me?

Commonly Confused WordsAffect/Effect

Affect – verb; to change Effect – noun; a result

Effective political officials can positively affect the whole country.

Commonly Confused WordsA lot

allot; alot; a lot Those girls have a lot of nerve!

Could’ve, Should’ve, Would’ve could HAVE, should HAVE, would HAVE,not could OF, should OF, would OF

Commonly Confused WordsIts, It’s

Its – possessive pronoun It’s – contraction for “it is” or “it has”

You know it’s going to be a long day when your car overheats its engine on the way to school.

Commonly Confused WordsThan/Then

Than – used to compare Then – used to indicate a time sequence

I got depressed when I realized that my niece is taller than I am; then, I remembered that most people are.

Commonly Confused WordsTheir/There/They’re

Their – possessive There – tells where They’re – contraction for “they are”

They’re in there taking their exams.

Commonly Confused WordsTo/Too/Two

To – tells direction Too – also or excessively Two – the number

You need to give two dollars to Sophie. Give her the lunch box, too. I will carry her book bag because she has too much to carry with her two hands .

Commonly Confused Words

Who’s/Whose Who’s – contraction for “who is” or “who has”

Whose – possessive

Who’s watching whose video?

Commonly Confused WordsYour/You’re

Your – possessive You’re – contraction for “you are”

You’re going to have to use your own car.

Commonly Confused WordsSince/Sense

Since – indicates a time span

Sense – five senses, common sense

Jane sensed more stress in Paul ever since he came back from New York.

Commonly Confused WordsThrew/Through

Threw – past tense of the verb “throw”

Through – preposition

Colton threw his football through the goal post.

Commonly Confused WordsA/An

A – used before consonant sounds

An – used before vowel sounds

An RN student will have a heavy class load.

A registered nursing student will have an awfully hard schedule her first semester.

Commonly Confused Words

Ever/Every Ever – at all times; at any time

Every – each Have you ever wondered if the dolphins come close to shore every day?

Commonly Confused WordsDefinitely

Not definantly Not definately Not defiantly – (which means acting

against authority)

Behaving defiantly to your parents will definitely get you grounded!

Commonly Confused WordsRight/Write

Right – opposite of left; correct Write – verb

My best friend was right! It is important to write down all the math formulas.

Commonly Confused Words

Allowed/Aloud Allowed – with permission Aloud - verbally

The children weren’t allowed talk during class aloud.

NUMBER USAGE

Number UsageSpell out numbers when:

You can do so in one or two wordseight; twenty-seven; three thousand

Hyphenate any number between twenty-one and ninety-nine

They begin a sentenceOne hundred thirty instructors attended the

webinar.We invited 125 guests to the retirement

party.

Number Usage Use digits:

When a number cannot be expressed in one or two words (670; 20,333)

In addresses (765 East Three Notch Street) In dates (December 25, 2015; the 1920s) In decimals and fractions (30.6; 3 ½) Parts of written works (chapter 6; page 123) Percentages (65 percent; 65%)

PARALLELISM

In a Series or List Parallel = same grammatical form

nouns: Please get bread and milk at the store.

same-tense verbs: The football coach told us to run, walk, and then

jog the length of the football field. –ing verbs:

Reading and writing your notes are good study tools.

infinitive phrases: I promised my dad to clean out the garage, to take

out the garbage and to mow the lawn.

In a Series or List Singing, smiling, and to laugh are important

for good mental health. Singing, smiling, and laughing are important for

good mental health.

She is a terrible welder because she skips classes, performs welds improperly, and her work ethic is poor. She is a terrible welder because she skips

classes, performs welds improperly, and , and lacks work ethic.

On a Resume Headings and verbs should be

parallelJune 2011-present Welder, Shaw Industries

Repair and install storage tanksJuly 2008-May 2010 Machine operator, Caterpillar

Operated front end loader and supervised crew.

April 2005-June 2008 Cashier, IGAWorked at register and bagged groceries.

Job titles are parallel nouns

Parallel present-tense verbs because applicant is currently employed

Parallel past-tense verbs because applicant is no longer employed at these jobs

PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Antecedent = the person, place, or thing to which the pronoun refers.

Grandpa took his car out of the shop.

George, Henry, and Susan turned in their report.

His, him, her, and one refer to singular nouns.

Their, them and people refer to plural nouns.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Pronouns and antecedents must agree in number

Singular: A welder must perform (their/his or her) best to get a

good job. A president should inspire citizens to believe in

(them/him or her). Plural:

Welders must perform (their/his or her) best to get a good job.

Presidents are people who can inspire citizens to believe in (them/him or her).

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Indefinite pronouns are considered singular

Someone sent (their/his or her) letter to the wrong address.

Everyone in fitness class completed (their/his or her) mile run.

Each of the dogs (are/is) doing (their/her) great in training.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Repeatedly using “his or her,” “him or her,” and “one” sounds awkward.

Everyone in yoga did his or her best.All of the yoga students did their best.

One must study properly to pass his or her NUR103 class.

NUR103 students must study properly to pass the nursing class.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Ambiguous reference occurs when the pronoun could refer to more than one antecedent

After I connected the VCR to the television, it exploded.

After I connected the VCR to the television, the VCR exploded.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Use “you” only when referring to

your reader

Use “who” or “whom” (not “that”) when referring to people

PRONOUNS

Pronouns Replace people’s names:

I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours, they, theirs, you, your, yours, he, him, his, she, her, hers

Think back to the Me/I trick My nephew always tags along with my friends and (me/I).Pretend no one else is in the list

Pronouns The toddlers were excited to eat

(my/mine) and your cupcakes.

(Us/We) students get tired of school, too!

(They/Them) and their younger sister cheer for Auburn.

Pronouns You and (her/she) should work on

the research paper together.

(Your/You) and her welding beads are good quality.

(Her/She) and George have finished the Electronics exam.

REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

Reflexive Pronouns Take the place of nouns when they do

something to themselves end in –self (singular) or –selves (plural)

MacKenzie registered herself for MTH101.

Daulton and Colton was singing to themselves.

Reflexive PronounsYES!!!Myself

YourselfYourselvesOurselves

ThemselvesHimselfHerselfItself

NOOOOOOOO!!

HisselfOurself

TheirselfTheirselves

SENTENCES ANDPUNCTUATION

Dependent vs. Independent Clauses

A dependent clause usually begins with a subordinating word and does contain at least one subject and verb. When I was eighteen. After I finish washing and waxing the car.

An independent clause contains a subject and a verb, but it also expresses a complete thought. I loved playing Monopoly. I plan to watch a movie.

Dependent clauses and independent clauses can be combined. I loved playing Monoploy when I was eighteen. After I finish washing and waxing the car, I plan to watch a movie.

Sentence Fragments A fragment occurs when a dependent clause begins with a

subordinating word and is NOT attached to an independent clause. I am planning on living at the beach. Because I like the sound of the

waves. If you have this type of fragment, you have two options to correct it:

1. Attach the dependent clause to a related independent clause: I am planning on living at the beach because I like the sound of the

waves. Because I like the sound of the waves, I am planning on living at the beach.

If you begin a sentence with a subordinating word like I did here, place a comma before the independent clause.

2. Remove the subordinating word: I am planning on living at the beach. I like the sound of the waves.

Sentence Fragments, continued…

Fragments also occur if a clause is simply missing a subject or a verb. If the sentence is missing a subject, add one.

Just tried to change the channel. I just tried to change the channel.

If the sentence is missing a complete verb, add one.The welding course becoming difficult until my instructor demonstrated the weld procedure.

The welding course was becoming difficult until my instructor demonstrated the weld procedure.

Comma Sense

Parenthetical Information and Interrupters Provide extra explanation which could be

removed from the sentence without affecting its meaningMy nephew, who is in seventh grade, is a huge

Alabama fan.The man in the red baseball cap waved frantically.By exercising thirty minutes per day, of course,

people can greatly improve their health.If you eat ice cream every night, however, you still

may not lose weight.

Comma Sense Coordinating Conjunctions

(fanboys) for and nor but or yet so

Comma Sense Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) can

join independent clauses with a comma placed before the conjunction I love this kind of music, but my parents

hate it. We can go to the park, or would you

rather go to the mall? She is clothed with strength and dignity,

and she laughs without fear of the future. She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.

Comma Sense Direct address

Class, your attendance has been great! I have to admit, Shane, that I did not see that coming!

Between adjectives telling what kind when you could use the word “and” Melissa is a talented, graceful dancer. That old blue car is a clunker.

Separate words or phrases that might be mistakenly joined when they are read.

Comma Sense Commas set off introductory words or phrases

Adverbs (How? When? How often? Where? To what extent?)Surprisingly, she left quietly rather than causing a

scene.Every time I see a cute kid, I remind myself how

awesome it is to sleep through the night.In the syllabus, you will find the grading criteria.

Prepositional Phrases (function as adverbs)From time to time, we all get discouraged.With enough caffeine, you can accomplish anything!

Comma Sense Yes or No

Yes, you do have to clean your room before you can leave. Interjections

Oh, I didn’t know he was going with us. Wow, that escalated quickly.

Tag questions You haven’t lived here long, have you?

Addresses Send donations to Human Rights Campaign, 1640 Rhode Island Avenue,

Washington, DC 20036. Places

I lived in Montgomery, Alabama, for almost three years. I lived in Montgomery for almost three years.

Dates December 21, 2012, was not the end of the world afterall. January 1 is the busiest day of the year at most gyms.

Comma Practice1. My brother who acts like a complete idiot got a

scholarship but I did not!

2. September 11 2001 is one of those days we will always remember. I was attending class in Auburn Alabama.

3. Every now and then we all need restful quiet days.

4. Josh I need Tylenol a magazine and some water and you need to hurry.

Colons: HB78 Colons are used for the following purposes:

To emphasize what follows the colon After reflecting on the past year, I have learned one

valuable lesson: never take a single day for granted! To abruptly introduce an explanation, a list, or

a quotation She also voices some common concerns: “The product

should be safe, easily accessible, and low-priced.” You learned a few things today: time management,

organization, and communication skills. You learned a few things today, including time

management, organization, and communication skills. You learned a few things today, such as time

management, organization, and communication skills.

Semi-colons; HB-67 Can replace a period if the two sentences (independent

clauses) are closely related I only have terrifying memories of that place; I never want to go back

there again.

Can separate two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb + comma I only have terrifying memories of that place; therefore, I never want

to go back there again.

Should be used between items in a list that includes commas Marcus has three siblings: Lillie, Matthew, and Lorrie. Marcus has three siblings: Lillie, who was in the Air Force;

Matthew; and Lorrie, who was a surprise to their parents and is three years old.

Run-On Sentences (Comma Splices and Fused Sentences)

Commas (alone) =

Periods, semi-colons, and conjunctions =

Run-On Sentences (Comma Splices and Fused Sentences)

Comma splice – when independent clauses are joined with only a comma My instructor is obsessed with correcting run-on

sentences, she claims we will benefit from her obsession.

Fused sentence – when independent clauses are joined with nothing at all My instructor is obsessed with correcting

run-on sentences she claims we will benefit from her obsession.

Correcting Run-On Sentences

1. Separate the independent clauses with a period.

My instructor is obsessed with correcting run-on sentences. She claims we will benefit from her obsession.

2. Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

My instructor is obsessed with correcting run-on sentences, but she claims we will benefit from her obsession.

Correcting Run-On Sentences

3. Separate the independent clauses with a semi-colon *Semi-colons can be used alone or with conjunctive adverbs

My instructor is obsessed with correcting run-on sentences; she claims we will benefit from her obsession.

My instructor is obsessed with correcting run-on sentences; however, she claims we will benefit

from her obsession.

Correcting Run-On Sentences

4. Add a subordinating conjunctionMy instructor is obsessed with correcting run-on sentences because she claims we will benefit from her obsession.

Because she claims we will benefit from her obsession, my instructor is obsessed with correcting run-on sentences.

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

First, a little review… The verb in a sentence is:

the action taking place Mason hit his first homerun today!

the state of being am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been I was exhausted after moving furniture.

The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that is either performing the action or is in the state of being. Dinner is on the table. The price of gasoline skyrockets

occasionally.

What doesn’t match?When John and Drew was both running after the ball, they collided.

The goals I want to accomplish in the next ten years is to graduate college, get married, and start a family.

Where does your parents live?

Subject-Verb Agreement Subjects and verbs must agree in number

Singular subjects need singular verbs Trick: verb forms that match “he” or “she” are singular He run/runs. She was/were correct.

Plural subjects need plural verbs Trick: verb forms that match “they” are plural They run/runs. They was/were correct.

dance: she _________; they __________ is: she _________; they __________

Compound Subjects Subjects joined with “and” require a

plural verb Remember: verbs that match “they” are plural

My aunt and uncle (live/lives) in Montgomery.

Think “they live?” or “they lives?”Steak, chicken, and fish (is/are) the main

meat sources. Think “they is?” or “they are?”

Unless the subject is generally understood to be a single object

Macaroni and cheese is my favorite side!

Compound Subjects Subjects joined with “or” or “nor” can require either

a singular or a plural verb, depending on the subject located closest to the verb Chicken or tuna (is/are) better for you than steak.

Think “tuna is?” or “tuna are?”

Chicken and tuna (is/are) better for you than steak.

Either you or she (is/are) mistaken.

Neither the teacher nor his students (was/were) able to solve the equation.

To avoid confusion… Ignore any words between the

subject and verb The words on the page are running

together.

The price of oysters (fluctuate/fluctuates) according to seasonal demand.

Those “mayhem” commercials about insurance (is/are) hilarious!

UNNECESSARY WORDS

“Quite,” “Very,” and other Empty Words

Be concise, eliminating unnecessary words

Only use “quite,” “very,” and “really” to intensify what you say Quite hungry = famished Very unique = unique Really smart = brilliant

Empty Words Accepted by five Ivy League schools,

Jackson seems to be facing an apparently very difficult decision. 16 words

Accepted by five Ivy League schools, Jackson is facing a difficult decision. 12 words Means the same thing as the first

sentence!

There are, It is Do not start many sentences with “There are”

or “It is”; more concise and impactful ways do exist

It is necessary for Americans today to learn to speak more than one language. Americans today must learn to speak more than

one language. There are four large moons and more than

thirty small ones that orbit Jupiter. Four large moons and more than thirty small ones

orbit Jupiter.

Redundancies Eliminate words or phrases that are

unnecessary for your meaning. Painting the house purple in color will

make it stand out from the many white houses in town.

Dashing quickly into the street, the young girl was almost hit by a car.

How much wood is sufficient enough for the fire to burn all night?

Who/Whom he

shethey

himherthem

Who

Whom

Who/Whom My best friend, (who/whom) I met in sixth grade, recently

moved away. Trick: I met “she” or “her” in sixth grade.

(Who/Whom) first said that famous quote? Trick: “He” or “Him” first said that famous quote.

It was Abraham Lincoln, (who/whom) was the sixteenth president of the United States. Trick: “he” or “him” was the sixteenth president.

(Who/Whom) did you invite to come with us? Trick: I invited “they” or “them” to come with us.

Me/I If you are in a list of people, put yourself last. When trying to decide between me and I,

mentally take the other person or people out of the sentence.

My big brother and (me/I) have always loved motorcycles.(Remember to put yourself last; not “Me and my big brother…”)

My little sister always wants to hang out with my friends and (me/I).

Me/IHere is another phrase replacement trick: We = I Us = me

My family and (me/I) go to the beach every summer.

Between you and (me/I),I think he’s going to pass.