Grammar

Grammar

Note: "punctuation" is a sub-category of "grammar" <<tbd structure for separate punctuation entry or not

See:

List of word parts of speech & their grammar rules for list of commonly used words, their parts of speech categories, and the rules governing their use
Parts of Speech for grammar and usage rules on word categories
Punctuation
SAT Writing

Sentence

a complete thought that contains at a minimum a subject (or an implied subject) and a verb
- i.e., "I shop." = a complete sentence
sentence complexity is created around the core Subject Verb Object by adding:
- clauses
- modifiers
- phrases
- prepositions
- etc.

Understanding sentence cores & how to build out ideas into complex sentences
- students are to write a series of three or four simple statements of fact.
  - such as,
    - I like dogs.
    - I have a dog.
    - My dog's name is Dudu.
    - Dudu is fun to play with.
  - students are then to combine these thoughts two at a time by employing sentence parts such as pronouns, conjunctions, and subordinating conjunctions, such as:
    - "Since I like dogs, I have one."
    - "My dog's name is Dudu, and she is fun to play with"
  - then combine those sentences/ ideas into a single, complex sentence:
    - - Since I like dogs, I have one named Dudu who is fun to play with"
Language and the law:
Create courtroom scenario in which precision or imprecision in words, syntax, and grammar would change the outcome of the case
- such as the classic example of leading a witness, "Did you see the glass?" (as opposed to, "Did you see any glass?")
- Legal Writing Teaching Assistant: The Law Student's Guide to Good Writing (kentlaw.edu) from Chicago-Kent College of Law, by Prof. Marc Grinker
- Prof. Grinker reviews grammar and writing from a legal perspective
- offers examples of the need for precision in language and downfalls of poor usage and incorrect grammar

a word, phrase or clause that is necessary, or required, to complete an idea or sentence
- complements are not separated from the main clause by punctuation

= combine independent clauses (clauses that can stand as sentences on their own)

= conjunctions that "subordinate" or turn an independent clause into a subordinate clause, i.e., a sentence that cannot stand on its own
= create a need for additional information and sets up or adds to the information that follows in the dominant or main clause
- ex.: "The dog played with his toy every day until it wore out" can be phrased using a subordinating conjunction, as per:
- "Until it wore out, the dog played with his toy every day."
  - "Until it wore out" is not a complete sentence or thought

Click EXPAND for partial list of subordinating conjunctions

provides information or context to set up a dominant clause
= a dependent clause (does not stand as a complete sentence)
usually begin with a subordinating conjunction
- ex. "If you want to do well on the test, use the study guide"

>> to do

enhance or strengthen the meaning of a word
- (opposite of qualifiers which limit the meaning of a word)
intensifiers are adverbs (which modify verbs and adjectives), such as "he ran very fast" or "he was very late"
intensifiers can also act as adjectives in order to intensify an noun,
- as in "a total lie"
types of intensifiers:
- positive intensifiers:
  - very, extremely, absolutely, greatly, totally, highly, particularly, seriously, etc.
- negative intensifiers:
  - never, at all, dangerously, never, etc.
- intensifiers that can be both positive or negative:
  - awfully, completely

Sources for modifiers, qualifiers & intensifiers