riaro16 (Grammar and Punctuation The Writing Center at Empire State College Genesee Valley Center Rochester, NY GRAMMAR and PUNCTUATION 1. GRAMMAR A. AGREEMENT BETWEEN SUBJECTS AND VERBS, Confusion may arise when a writer cannot easily determine whether the subject (who or what the sentence is about) is singular or plural or when words come between subject and verb (blurring their relationship) 1. The quarterback passes. 2. The quarterbacks pass. 3. The selection of merchandise and regalia easily entices the fans. 4, The losses of players sustained by the team are enormous. As well as, together with, along with, in addition to, and simitar expressions are treated as Prepositions (words placed before a noun or pronoun to form a phrase modifying another ‘word in the sentence) rather than coordinating conjunctions; therefore, the phrases they begin do not change the number of the subject, 5. The coach, as well as his assistants, has agreed to attend the pep rally. Subjects joined by and usually take plural verbs. 6. Staubach and Morton are her favorite quarterbacks. Exception: with each or every. 7. Every man, woman, and child with a ticket has a right to a seat in the stadium. When or, either...or, or neither...nor ink the parts of a compound subject, the verb should be regulated not by all of the parts of that subject, but instead only by the last item in that subject. Thus, if the last item is singular, the verb too should be singular, 8. Neither Harvey nor Pat nor Jeff finds enough time to travel. ‘When a subject comes after its verb, be sure not to allow an earlier noun to dictate the number of the verb. 9. Shortly after the season pass holders have been offered the best seats comes the time for the occasional spectator to buy a single ticket. ‘A phrase or clause acting as a subject takes a singular verb, even if it contains plural items. 10. Having several special events at Miller Stadium is useful for encouraging the fans to tum out even during a poor season. B, PRONOUN AGREEMENT Most indefinite pronouns (pronouns that do not refer to a specific person or thing) are third- person singular in meaning, for example: anyone, each, everybody, none, no one, or something. 1. Everyone on the bus had her own footrest. htpsiwww’ose.eduhshapiolwrting_programistusonts/Handoutsimaivrammar_punctuaion xm 16riaro16 (Grammar and Punctuation 2. Each of the running backs likes his new cleats. 3. Everyone brought his or her gear to the practice. ‘An antecedent should be fully and clearly expressed, even when the reader could supply it 4, Lance was opposed to legislation that regulated guns because he felt that every citizen should have the right to keep one in order to fight against a corrupt government. 5. Agnes has realized that if a person has focus, he or she will find great success in this difficult life of ours. ©, PRONOUN CASE Nothing should be changed by the fact that there are two direct objects (words that complete the meaning of the verb by naming a receiver of the action) instead of one. 1. Multiple Direct Objects They ignored Harvey and | at the ball game. (faulty) They ignored Harvey and me at the ball game. (revised) Note: Case is always determined by what is happening inside of the clause, not by how the clause functions within the sentence as a whole. 2. "Who" vs. "Whom" You're the only coach whom | truly trust. (Never use that or which to refer to people.) Give the ticket to whoever bought it D. PARALLELISM The elements one matches in a parallel construction should be of the same kind—verbs matched with verbs, nouns with other nouns or noun-like elements, objects of prepositions with other objects of prepositions, and so forth, 1. Tillis was both consistently slow during drills and a poor receiver in the open field. (faulty) Tillis was both a consistently slow runner during drills and a poor receiver in the open Feld. (revised) 2. In that long ago era, children worked eighteen hours a day, eat almost nothing, and sleep in back alleys. (faulty) In that long ago era, children worked eighteen hours a day, ate almost nothing, and slept in back alleys. (revised) 3, They worked as either water boys or as wood gatherrs. (faulty) They worked either as water boys or as wood gatherers. (revised) E, AVOIDING SENTENCE FRAGMENTS Sentence fragments are word groups that do not form complete sentences (sentences which contain a grammatical subject and verb). Often a sentence fragment seems acceptable and makes sense within the context of the writing. In academic expository writing, though, itis good practice to avoid fragments. 1. Acceptable Sentence Fragments Whose books will be bummed? Certainly not theirs! htpsiwww’ose.eduhshapiolwrting_programistusonts/Handoutsimaivrammar_punctuaion xm 26riaro16 (Grammar and Punctuation And now for a brief glance at the new Lexus ES 300, These sorts of constructions do not sound ungrammatical by the fact that they function as complete sentences. The lack of a subject and verbs makes for a consciously stylistic, informality or a sense of transition from one idea to another. 2. Unacceptable Sentence Fragments ‘Most chipmunks gather maple seeds. Which fallin June. Kyle didn't break a single egg. Even though he dropped a dozen cartons down the stairs, ‘An unacceptable sentence fragment usually sounds Ike @ continuation of the pre\ sentence. F, AVOIDING DANGLING MODIFIERS ‘A dangling modifier is one that cannot sensibly modify-that is, qualify or limit the meaning of, any word in its sentence. 1. Passing the stadium, the fanaticism was rampant. (faulty) When we passed the stadium, the fanaticism was rampant. (revised) 2. When leaving the parking lot the crash was sudden. (faulty) When we left the parking lot, the crash was sudden. (revised) 3. When nearly dry, Sara can hop over the creek from rock to rock. (faulty) When the creek is nearly dry, Sara can hop over it from rock to rock. (revised) 4, Since she was very nervous, the pill did not alter her mood. (faulty) Since she was very nervous, Liza did not have her mood altered by the pill. (revised) Il, PUNCTUATION ‘A. SEMICOLONS Use the semicolon to separate main clauses (word groups containing a subject and a verb, and which stand alone or could stand alone) not joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet). Its best for bringing together and contrasting two independent clauses that could stand alone as sentences. Never use a semicolon as a colon, Do not use a semicolon where you could put a period and start a new sentence. 1. Busses in Terra Haute are clean, efficient, and quiet; they are also an economical ‘means of transportation, 2. He is stil carving surfboards atthe age of ninety; he is stil the fines. Do nat use a semicolon to link subordinate clauses or phrases to main clauses. 3. Doubting his decision to end things; Mark tried to make up with Penelope. (faulty) Doubling his decision o end things, Mark tried to make up with Penelope. (revised) 4. The mayor finally dropped out of the election; because it was clear that his challenger would win, (faulty) The mayor finally dropped out of the election, because it was clear that his challenger would win, (revised) Use the semicolon to separate main clauses joined by a conjunctive (or a sentence) adverb. htpsiwww’ose.eduhshapiolwrting_programistusonts/Handoutsimaivrammar_punctuaion xm 36riaro16 (Grammar and Punctuation accordingly however otherwise also indeed still besides instead then consequently moreover therefore furthermore nonetheless thus hence 5. We should improve our technology; otherwise, we'll find ourselves with no profit, not just less. 6. The movie examines the glory of hockey, its grace, its challenges; however, in attempting this, the director brings in too many plot twists, drags in superfluous characters, and telegraphs the ending with his maudlin script Use the semicolon to separate items in a series if they are long or contain commas. 7. We hired a butler who comes well recommended; a maid who is so efficient that she also does our shopping; and a chauffer who also serves as our gardener. B, COLONS Use the colon to introduce a statement or figure. A colon can mark a formal introduction. It helps to place emphasis upon, and to introduce directly, the clarifying detail, illustrative example, itemized series, or formal quotation. 1. The coach taught us three things: (1) how to run with greater mobility, (2) how to block more effectively, and (3) how to read passing routes. 2. Immediately after faling off the ladder, the contractor shouted to his boss: "OSHA is ‘my ally —; and your worst enemy!” 3. The Johnsons had only one regret in lite: they never traveled to Spain. Do not allow a colon to disconnect sentence elements that belong together, such as a verb and its object, a preposition and its object, or an infinitive and its object. 4. The trainer began harping on: the receivers, the offensive linemen, the quarterback, and the second string kicker. (faulty) The trainer began harping on the receivers, the offensive linemen, the quarterback, and the second string kicker. (revised) Use the colon to separate subiitles and titles, the subdivisions of time, and the parts of, biblical citations, 5, 2002 Comic Book Price Guide: An Updated Catalogue 6, Anton Webom: Portrait of a Tragedy 7, 6:30 a.m,, 12:45 p.m. 8, Exodus 7:3-27 cc. COMMAS Use the comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, and sometimes, yet, so, and for) linking main clauses. 1. I should have been able to make the play, but I choked. 2. Mary wanted to be a dancer, but her domineering father forbade it Exceptions: htpsiwww’ose.eduhshapiolwrting_programistusonts/Handoutsimaivrammar_punctuaion xm 46riaro16 (Grammar and Punctuation © When the main clauses are short and closely related in meaning, you may omit ‘commas if the resulting sentence is clear. 3. My teeth ached and I grew numb. © Use the comma to set off introductory phrases and clauses. 4, From Toe Blake to Scotty Bowman, Montreal has produced fine hockey coaches. 5. Sitting on the sofa, | drifted into a pleasing daydream. © Acomma need not follow short introductory phrases and clauses if its omission does not create confusion, 6. By the year 1960 the planet was irreparably polluted. When a modifying clause or phrase follows a main clause, one must decide whether it ‘completes the meaning of the main clause (no comma) or adds something new (comma required). 7. A. comic book each week was all Mrs. Smith would allow Jerry to buy until he earned his own money. 8, Jerry would read the comics with a flashlight fo heighten their suspense. 9. Mrs. Smith's comic book a week demanded generosity, for which she expected Jerry to do several chores each evening. A restrictive clause is not off set by commas; it identifies and defines. When you have a non: restrictive clause modifying your subject, you must set it off with commas. RESTRICTIVE The rookie officer who allowed criminals to bribe him was fired CLAUSE from the Rochester Police Department. NONRESTRICTIVE The rookie officer, in addition to his other duties, was asked to CLAUSE make a statement at the hearing today. 10. The former kicker for the Bills, who was once the most vilified man in Buffalo, is now the coach for the local Pee Wee Team. 11. Helium balloon wrestling, which Albert told me sounds absurd, has become my favorite pastime. 12. An early NHL goalie, somebody like Serge LeFevre, played the game of hockey without any protection. 13. Every player who has a measurable amount of talent deserves a try-out. Use the comma to set off parenthetical expressions, Parenthetical expressions are explanatory or transitional phrases that interrupt the sentence structure. To be considered Parenthetical, a modifier must meet two conditions: it must be nonrestrictive in meaning and it must come between essential parts of a statement. 14. Any slugger, Limagine, feels that the stadium in which he bats might be the one where he his @ record-breaking home run, 16. Slick Willy, it seems, has come out of this as clean as Teflon, 16. These giraffes, however, are far shorter than most of their species. Use the comma to set off phrases expressing contrast. htpsiwww’ose.eduhshapiolwrting_programistusonts/Handoutsimaivrammar_punctuaion xm 56riaro16 (Grammar and Punctuation 17. Sauce is the essence of barbecue, not the gril 18, I watch only double-headers, never single games. 19, Itwas caramel, not candy com, that kept the beggars happy. Use the comma between words, phrases, and clauses forming a series. 20 Colonel Marley bought rice, tomatoes, and black beans. The comma between the last two items in a series always helps the reader to understand the two items as separate. 21. During the game, the new pitcher spit on the ball, scuffed its hide, and tore its laces. Do not use the comma to separate a subject from its verb, or a verb from its direct object, or a preposition from its object, unless the words between them require punctuation. 22 The veteran players, sat the game out this evening. (faulty) The veteran players sat the game out this evening. (revised) 23. Chalking up the sidewalk, is a favorite way for my kids to enjoy a summer day. (faulty) Chalking up the sidewalk is a favorite way for my kids to enjoy a summer day. (revised) 24, Lawrence sold, a Schnauzer to that old woman. (faulty) Lawrence sold a Schnauzer to that old woman. (revised) 26. The bats, bals, and gloves, tured out to be made from shoddy materials. (fully) The bats, balls, and gloves turned out fo be made from shoddy materials. (revised) Do nat nk two independent clauses together with a comma, This creates a comma spice 26. Proper nutrition has proven to be especially important to the athlete, diet has become ‘a common element of sports discipline. faulty) Proper nutrition has proven to be especially important to the athlete; diet has become ‘a. common element of sports discipline. (revised) 27. That dog was vicious, its barking nearly scared us to death. (faulty) That dog was vicious; its barking nearly scared us to death. (revised) htpsiwww’ose.eduhshapiolwrting_programistusonts/Handoutsimaivrammar_punctuaion xm