Grammar

  • "grammar" is from the Greek "art of letters"
  • Note: "punctuation" is a sub-category of "grammar" <<tbd structure for separate punctuation entry or not

See:

See also:

  • Note on abbreviations
    • IC = "independent clause"
    • DC = "dependent clause"
    • SV = "subject + verb"
    • SVO = "subject + verb + object"
    • CB = College Board


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.

Template:Clause (grammar)


Grammar lesson plans

  • 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

complement or requisite phrase

  • 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


conjunction

  • conjunctions combine or coordinate words and phrases (clauses)
  • see parts of speech
The 7 coordinating conjunctions
Alphab. list FANBOYS list
and F for
but A and
for N nor
or B but
nor O or
so Y yet
yet S so

coordinating conjunctions

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

subordinating conjunctions

  • = 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

Subordinating conjunctions
after although as as if as long as
as much as as soon as as though because before
even even if even though if if only
if then if when inasmuch just as lest
now now that now when once provided
provided that rather than since so that supposing
than that though till unless
until when whenever where whereas
where if wherever whether which while
who whoever why

Introductory clauses & phrases

introductory clause

  • 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"

introductory phrase

Modifiers, qualifiers & intensifiers

Modifiers

  • modifiers change or add or "modify" the meaning of a word or sentence
  • modifiers provide or extent additional meaning to the reader
  • types of modifiers
    • adjectives
    • prepositions
      • prepositional phrases
    • adverbs
    • verbs as modifiers
      • participle phrase
  • other
    • adjective clause
    • infinitive phrase
    • adverbial clause
    • absolute phrase
    • Nouns as modifiers

Qualifiers

  • qualifiers limit, or "qualify," the meaning of a word
  • types of qualifiers:

>> to do

Intensifiers

  • 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


Sentence Diagramming