LESSON 3

ENGLISH SKILLS: BASIC GRAMMAR

Grammar Skills: Sentence Structure

In a college setting, you should be able to identify- and be able to properly use- a few grammar basics including:

Components (Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb)

Punctuation (Comma, period, exclamation point, question mark, semi-colon, colon)

Sentence Structure: The Basic Components

As a basic review
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Noun: the thing, person, place, object, etc. Verb: the action of the sentence. Adjective: Describes the noun or kind of noun. Adverb: How it was done. Badly, Smartly, Happily Subject: The focus of the sentence. Usually a Noun or Adverb (but not always).

Predicate: Characterizes your subject. Dave reads the application. (Verb plus object).
Independent Clause: A basic sentence that makes sense; the subject and predicate can (and probably should) stand alone in a sentence.

You should be familiar and comfortable with these terms before exploring a college degree.

Sentence Structure: Basic Punctuation

As a basic review Punctuations

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Period (.): Full stop to end the sentence. Comma (,): A pause to continue the thought or sentence. Question Mark (?): To indicate a query, or sometimes to stress a questioning tone. Exclamation point (!): Stops the sentence with emphasis or attention. Semicolon (;): Connecting two independent thoughts or clauses, but still more connected than a period implies. Colon (:): Explanation, quotation, or an example of some kind follows.

You should be well familiar and comfortable with these before exploring a college degree.

Run-On Sentences and Sentence Fragments

2 things to avoid: run-on and fragmented sentences. Both should be seldom seen in a college level paper.
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Use Spell Check to help spot both before turning in a paper. Familiarize yourself with identifying both and how to correct them. Most Colleges and professors assume you wont have an issue with these!

Run-On Sentences

Two or more independent clauses that need to be defined or broken up using punctuation. I went back to the house I ran up the stairs I threw open the door.
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I went back to the house. Racing up the stairs, I threw open the door.
I went back to the house. I ran up the stairs as fast as I could. I threw open the door.

Sentence Fragments
A sentence that isnt complete and shouldnt be a sentence on its own. It doesnt contain an independent clause- usually either the subject or predicate is missing. We offer several delicious Italian dishes. Such as lasagna, chicken parmesan, mushroom ravioli.
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We offer several delicious Italian dishes! We make an incredible lasagna; a locally famous chicken parmesan; and a very tempting mushroom ravioli.

We offer several Italian dishes, including: lasagna, chicken parmesan, and mushroom ravioli.

Activity: Fix It!

1. 2.

Which of the following is a run-on sentence, and which is a sentence fragment? Fix both examples, based on what weve discussed. In Germany, during the Great War and just before the truce. I sat down I opened the book it seemed to turn to the right page.

A. B.

Articles and Preposition Basics

A few basic and common usage examples to refresh your memory. As with previous sections, college English assumes youre familiar with this! Articles: The type of Noun. Prepositions: Words that help define when and where; temporal or spatial relations in the sentence.

Articles: A, An, The

Use the for definite (unique, wholly singular) subjects and nouns.

Tom is the president of this company. Have you found the missing keys?

Use A or An for indefinite (general, unspecified, uncertain) subjects and nouns.

She ordered a salad for lunch. Do you have an objection?

Preposition Basics: Time, Place, Proximity

Time prepositions: At, On, In, Since, Before

Ive been working here since 2005. Nicole was born in 1989. Well start the test at 1:45. I was born on Brandywine St. The main office is over in Arcadia. They were driving to the club together. This is a big step toward our graduation.

Place prepositions: At, On, In

Proximity/movement Prepositions: To, Toward(s)

Commonly Confused and Misused Words

Your/Youre: Your is possessive, while Youre is you are. Our/Are: Our is again possessive, while Are is descriptive; think plural form of am, or to be.

Their/There/Theyre: Their is possessive, indicating a group. There is spatial; a place. Theyre is they are.
Than/Then: Than is comparative, for assessing two things against each other. Then is at that particular time.

Assessment 3

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Your instructor will give you the assessment information. You will have 45 minutes to complete this assessment. Ask your instructor if you have questions or require assistance with this task.

Great job!

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Overview of the next lesson! Plan ahead: What youll need to bring or plan on for next time. Feedback and questions about this lesson? Twitter account for FAQs, updates, support: https://twitter.com/SkillsReview Support and companion website: http://collegeskillsreview.weebly.com