Grammar Basics

Grammar & Punctuation Basics

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Follow these rules for clear and correct writing.

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​1. Follow Capitalization Rules

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• Capitalize all proper nouns, proper adjectives, and the pronoun “I.” 

• Do NOT capitalize common nouns and common adjectives

​Examples of Correct Capitalization

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NOTE: All proper nouns and adjectives below are capitalized, but the common nouns and adjectives are lower-case.

• My dad is an accountant.

• Please ask Dad if he borrowed my Russian deodorant.

• My mom loves Italian cars, and my grandpa loves Mexican food.

​2. Avoid Fragments (Frag)

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Every sentence that you write must express a complete thought and must contain at least one independent clause (one subject-verb combination that can stand alone).

• FRAGMENT/INCORRECT: Mr. Robel is tired. Because he stayed up all night doing homework.

  CORRECT: Mr. Robel is tired because he stayed up all night doing homework.

3. Avoid Run-On Sentences (ROS)

A run-on sentence (ROS ) is two independent clauses with no punctuation joining them at all.

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• To fix a ROS, usually you can place a period where one independent clause ends and the next independent clause begins.

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  RUN-ON: I thought the ride would never end my eyes were crossed, and my fingers were numb.

  CORRECT: I thought the ride would never end. My eyes were crossed, and my fingers were numb.

​Avoid ROS - Part 2

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If the two independent clauses are related, you can also join them with a semicolon (;) in place of a period.

• ROS: Almost no one goes out to eat there anymore it is simply too expensive.

  CORRECT: Almost no one goes out to eat there anymore; it is simply too expensive.

​4. Use commas to join 3 or more items in a series

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• INCORRECT: My cousin sent me a pair of ice skates a fishing pole and a tool set.

• CORRECT: My cousin sent me a pair of ice skates, a fishing pole, and a tool set.

​Always use the Oxford Comma (directly before the "and") to avoid misunderstandings.

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• INCORRECT: She took a photograph of her two best friends, the president and the vice president. (It sounds as if the speaker’s two best friends are the president and the vice president.)

  CORRECT: She took a photograph of her two best friends, the president, and the vice president. (She took a photograph of four people.)

​Another necessary Oxford comma...

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• INCORRECT: I admire my parents, Lady Gaga and Colin Kaepernick. (It sounds as if the speaker’s parents are Lady Gaga and Colin Kaepernick.)

• CORRECT: I admire my parents, Lady Gaga, and Colin Kaepernick. (The speaker admires four people.)

5. Avoid the Indefinite “IT”

In formal writing, don't use the indefinite IT, which doesn't clearly stand for anything. CUT this unnecessary "it" and instead give the sentence a CLEAR SUBJECT.

• INCORRECT: In Max Steele's short story "The Cat and the Coffee Drinkers," it focuses on a year in Miss Effie Barr's kindergarten.

• CORRECT: Max Steele's short story "The Cat and the Coffee Drinkers"  focuses on a year in Miss Effie Barr's kindergarten.

6. Don’t use the word “quote” when writing about textual evidence.

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  AVOID using the word "quote" as a noun in your essays. Instead, use a more precise noun, such as "evidence," "scene," "passage," "event," "action," "statement," "detail," "description," etc.

• INCORRECT: This quote reveals that Miss Effie decides not to shelter the children from the truth about Mr. Thomas.

• CORRECT: This conversation reveals that Miss Effie decides not to shelter the children from the truth about Mr. Thomas.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence below uses correct capitalization?

• My Mom asked me to make her a Bookcase for Christmas.

• My dad went swimming in the Mississippi River.

• i asked mom, but she won't let me take the Car.

Multiple Choice

Which item below is correct and does not suffer from either a fragment (Frag) or a run-on sentence (ROS)?

• I got an "A" on the test. Because I studied for five hours.

• My brother graduated from CHS last year now he goes to MPC.

• After I graduate from CHS, I plan to enroll in Cabrillo College.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence below uses commas correctly (including the Oxford comma) and expresses one clear meaning?

• I had dinner with my cousins, my tennis coach and her boyfriend.

• Maria planned her presentation, practiced it for an hour, and got an A+ on it.

• Richard asked his teammates, his sister and his brother to come to the barbecue.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence below is written correctly and avoids using the "indefinite IT"?

• "The Rights to the Streets of Memphis" focuses on a young boy's experience with fear and violence.

• In "The Rights to the Streets of Memphis" by Richard Wright, it focuses on a young boy's experience with fear and violence.

• In "The Rights to the Streets of Memphis," it is about a young boy's experience with fear and violence.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence below is the more correct one?

• When Wright declares that he "won the right to the streets of Memphis," his statement reveals that Wright has conquered his fears.

• When Wright declares that he "won the right to the streets of Memphis," this quote reveals that he has conquered his fears.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence below is completely correct and has no errors?

• My Grandma just opened a new Bank account for me. Because she wants me to save my Money.

• I asked Grandpa to help me clean the yard, build the deck, and install the hot tub.

• Is your Dad giving you a ride to the game i also need a ride.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence below is the better sentence?

• In this quote, Harvard psychiatrist George Vaillant summarizes the two ingredients for a happy and fulfilling life: "One is love. The other is finding a way of coping with life that does not push love away." 

• According to Harvard psychiatrist George Vaillant, there are two ingredients for a happy and fulfilling life: "One is love. The other is finding a way of coping with life that does not push love away."