Mastering Grammar: From Subject-Verb Agreement to Run-On Sentences

Mastering Grammar

From Subject-Verb Agreement to Run-On Sentences

Subject-Verb Agreement

• Subject and verb must agree in number (singular or plural).
• Use singular verb with singular subject and plural verb with plural subject.
• Exceptions: collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and phrases starting with 'one of'.
• Watch out for tricky subjects like 'each', 'every', 'either', 'neither'.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Trivia: Did you know that tricky subjects like 'each', 'every', 'either', and 'neither' are exceptions to the rule of subject-verb agreement? These subjects are singular and require a singular verb, even though they may seem plural. Keep this in mind when constructing your sentences!

Multiple Choice

The silly puppy, already afraid of its

own shadow, spend a large amount of

time hiding.

Which correction should be made to this

sentence?

• Delete the comma after shadow.

• .Change spend to spends.

• Change puppy to puppies.

• Change its to it's.

Multiple Choice

The weather on the coast appear to be good this weekend.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• Insert has before appear.

• Change appear to appears.

• Change on to through.

• Insert a comma after weather.

Multiple Choice

The teachers, trying to keep the students entertained after a very long day at

school, offers fun review activities every afternoon.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• Change offers to offer

• Change activities to activity's.

• As it is.

• Insert a comma after fun.

Quoting Direct Speech

• Use quotation marks to indicate direct speech.

• Begin each new speaker's dialogue on a new line.

• Use a comma before the closing quotation mark when the speaker tag comes after the quote.

• Use a comma before the quote when the speaker tag comes before the quote.

• If the speaker tag is in the middle, place a comma before and after the speaker's tag. Do not capitalize the second part of the sentence.

Multiple Choice

"I can't go today," I said "because I have a doctor's appointment."

What change should be made to the sentence?

• Delete the comma after today

• Add a comma after said

• Capitalize because

• Change a to an

Multiple Choice

"What do you mean" I asked my teacher in a confused voice.

What correction should be made to the sentence?

• Add a question mark after mean

• Delete the quotation mark after mean

• Capitalize teacher

• Change the period to a question mark

Multiple Choice

"Lightning has always interested people," explained Mrs. Worthington "and many people are scared of it."

What correction should be made to the sentence?

• Change interested to interest

• Add a comma after Worthington

• Capitalize and

• Change the period to a question mark

Using Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so, for, yet, nor) can be used to fix run-on sentences. They connect two independent clauses, creating a compound sentence. Remember to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Example: 'I love to read books, and I enjoy watching movies.'

Coordinating Conjunctions:

To connect two independent clauses. Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two independent clauses to form a compound sentence. They include words like and, but, or, and so. Remember to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction!

Using Semicolons to Fix Run-On Sentences

• A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are incorrectly joined together without proper punctuation.
• A semicolon can be used to separate two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
• Example: I love to read; it helps me relax.
• Remember to avoid using semicolons to join dependent clauses or to separate items in a list.

Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence is a sentence that has multiple independent clauses. It is grammatically incorrect and lacks proper punctuation. Run-on sentences can be too long and confusing for readers. To avoid run-on sentences, use appropriate punctuation and break long sentences into shorter ones. Remember, clear and concise writing is key to effective communication.

Using Periods to Fix Run-On Sentences

• Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are incorrectly joined together without proper punctuation.
• To fix run-on sentences, use periods to separate the independent clauses into separate sentences.
• Example: The cat is black it is also very fluffy. -> The cat is black. It is also very fluffy.

Open Ended

Correct the run-on sentence below

We wanted to go to the store we decided to stay home.

Correcting This Sentence

​3 methods

We wanted to go to the store, but we decided to stay home.

We wanted to go to the store. We decided to stay home.

We wanted to go to the store; we decided to stay home.

Open Ended

All the parents came to our school play they all liked it.

Correct the run-on sentence.

Correcting This Sentence

​3 methods

All the parents came to our school play, and they all liked it.

All the parents came to our school play. They all liked it.

All the parents came to our school play; they all liked it.