Grammar:

SENTENCES
Types of Sentences Types of Clauses
Independent Dependent Example Independent The dog ate her homework.
Simple 1 0 The cat ran under the porch. Dependent Because the dog ate her homework
The cat ran under the porch,  Clauses have a subject and a verb.
Compound 2+ 0
and the dog ran after him.  Only independent clauses can stand alone.
The cat, who is scared of  Dependent clauses start with a subordinating clause.
Complex 1 1+
dogs, ran under the porch.

Compound-
The cat, who is scared of Transitions
2+ 1+ dogs, ran under the porch, Introduce an example To compare
complex
and the dog ran after him. for example conversely
including however
Sentence Construction Errors to illustrate in contrast
Run-on Join the clauses No: It’s a beautiful day we’re going to likewise
with a semicolon the park. Introduce another item nevertheless
or a comma and first/second/third on the other hand
Yes: It’s a beautiful day, so we’re going furthermore on the contrary
conjunction.
to the park. in addition similarly
Sentence Rewrite the No: A beautiful day to go to the park. moreover
fragment sentence to form an similarly Show an exception
Yes: It is a beautiful day to go to the
independent clause. conversely
park.
Show cause however
Comma Add a conjunction. No: It’s a beautiful day, we’re going to as a result in spite of
splice the park. therefore nevertheless
Yes: It’s a beautiful day, so we’re going since sometimes
to the park. because whereas
Misplaced Move the modifier so No: Located just down the road, we
To emphasize To conclude
modifier it is next to the word love going to the park.
obviously in conclusion
being modified.
Yes: We love going to the park located certainly finally
just down the road. in fact

Punctuation
Used for . . . Example
period ending sentences Periods go at the end of complete sentences.
question mark ending questions What’s the best way to end a sentence?
exclamation ending sentences that show extreme
I’ll never understand how to use commas!
point emotion
Commas can be used to join clauses, but they must always be followed by a
joining two independent clauses
coordinating conjunction.
comma setting apart introductory and
Commas, when used properly, set apart extra information in a sentence.
nonessential words and phrases
separating items in a list My favorite punctuation marks include the colon, semicolon, and period.
joining together two independent
semicolon I love exclamation points; they make sentences seem so exciting!
clauses (never with a conjunction)
introducing a list, explanation, or
colon When I see a colon I know what to expect: more information.
definition
form contractions It’s amazing how many people can’t use apostrophes correctly.
apostrophe
show possession Parentheses are my sister’s favorite punctuation.
quotation marks indicate a direct quote I said to her, “Tell me more about parentheses.”