Understanding Introductory Phrases and Clauses in Grammar
Learn how to properly use introductory words and clauses in sentences by understanding when to add commas before independent clauses. Explore examples and practice sentences from the song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. Enhance your grammar skills and create well-structured sentences with this informative lesson.
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Week 1 Introductory phrases and clauses + more Using Happy by Pharrell Williams
Grammar Lesson: Introductory words (transitions & names) and Introductory clauses (dependent clauses) need commas after them IF they appear before the independent clause in the sentence. An independent clause will have a subject (normally a noun) and predicate (a verb) and will be a complete thought. Examples: Independent clause (complete sentence) Subject in blue, predicate in green, and completion of the thought is underlined. Introductory clauses (dependent clauses) (fragments) These will most likely begin with prepositions or adverbs such as: although, because, though, after, before, if, until, etc. I like to listen to loud music. Before you play that song, [understood you] please tell me the artist. Though I ve never heard of him, I like his sound. Introductory words/Transitions Bill, will you please play that song again? Furthermore, I would like a higher volume. Note: If these phrases come AFTER the independent clause, they do not need a comma. [Understood You] Please tell me the artist before you play that song. I like his sound though I ve never heard of him.
Link to song #MentorSentenceMonday Sunshine, she is here, so you can take a break. Find the two independent clauses in this sentence. Why does sunshine have a comma after it? What makes this a well-written sentence?
#TransformItTuesday Because I m happy I feel like a room without a roof. Link to song Correct: Because I m happy, I feel like a room without a roof. Grammar Rule: You must add commas after introductory clauses and phrases IF they are in front of the independent clause. Notice that it doesn t need a comma after flipping it around: I feel like a room without a roof because I m happy. Compound/Complex: Because I m happy, I feel like a room without a roof, and nothing can hold me down. 1. Transform this sentence into a correct sentence by adding punctuation. 2. After correcting the sentence, add a comma conjunction plus another COMPLETE sentence to the end of this corrected sentence to transform it into a compound/complex sentence.
#TestPrepThursday 1. Whenever I m feeling happy, here comes the bad news. However I should probably warn you that I will be just fine. A. No change B. Remove the comma after happy C. Add a comma after you D. Add a comma after however D. Because However is an introductory word. All introductory words need a comma. 2. Nothing can bring me down because my level is too high. If you feel like happiness is the truth, will be just fine. A. No change B. Add a comma after down C. Add a subject to make the 2nd sentence a complete sentence D. Remove the comma before will C. Because Will be just fine nor If you feel like happiness is the truth are complete sentences. You can t have an introductory clause paired with an incomplete sentence.
Link to song #FiguresOfSpeechFriday Because I m happy, I feel like a room without a roof. Sunshine, she is here, so you can take a break. Personification: Giving inanimate objects human characteristics. Simile: the comparison of one thing to another thing of a different kind using like or as to make the description more vivid. 1. Decide which figure of speech is being used in each clause. 2. Decipher the deeper meaning of each sentence.
Week 2 Ways to combine sentences + more Using Float On by Modest Mouse
Grammar Lesson: To avoid run-on sentences, you must combine two independent clauses by using a comma conjunction (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So FANBOYS) or a semicolon. You can also separate the independent clauses by using a period and starting a new sentence. Examples: Semi-colons Comma Conjunctions I am learning to play the guitar, but it is very hard for me to memorize the chords. If I knew how to play the guitar well, I would sign up for the talent show; that would be an amazing experience. I love listening to music, but I hate to dance. Notethat you don t need a comma when the conjunction isn t followed by a complete sentence. I love listening to music and dancing.
#MentorSentenceMonday Link to Song Why do you think the writer changed the original lyric car to ride? I backed my ride into a cop car the other day, but he just drove off; sometimes life is ok. Why do you think the writer chose to combine the last sentence with a semi- colon rather than another comma conjunction? Imagine this sentence broken into 3 different sentences. How would it sound? I backed my ride into a cop car the other day. He just drove off. Sometimes life is ok. What makes this a well-written sentence?
#TransformItTuesday Link to Song We ll float on good news is on the way. Correct: We ll float on; good news is on the way. Or We ll float on, and good news is on the way. Or We ll float on. Good news is on the way. Grammar Rule: We ll float on and Good news is on the way are two independent clauses that must be combined using a semicolon, comma conjunction, or separated with a period to avoid run-on sentences. Compound/ Complex sentence example: Though we are having hard times, we ll float on; good news is on the way. 1. Transform this sentence into a correct sentence by adding punctuation. 2. Next, rewrite this compound sentence to transform it into a compound/ complex sentence.
#TestPrepThursday A. Because the conjunction, or, doesn t need a comma when it doesn t combine two independent clauses. Despair when faced with a setback isn t an independent clause. 1. 1. A. No Change B. Add a comma before or C. Add a comma after or D. Add a comma before when Resilient people don t give in to anger or despair when faced with a setback. Instead, they tap into a greater purpose to bounce back stronger than ever. Highly resilient people know that they will experience failures and tragedies but they have habits in place to overcome these inevitable setbacks. 2. A. No Change B. Add a comma before and C. Add a comma before but D. Add a comma before and and but 2. C. Because the conjunction, but, is combining an independent clause with another independent clause. See above for why you don t need a comma with and.
#FiguresOfSpeechFriday He took every last dime with that scam; it was worth it just to learn from his sleight of hand. Link to Song Even if things get heavy, we ll all float on alright. Idiom: An expression whose meaning is not predictable based on the individual meanings of the words that make up the phrase. Metaphor: A non-literal representation of a way to vividly describe something. 1. Decide which figure of speech is being used in each clause. 2. Decipher the deeper meaning of each sentence.
Week 3 Parallel Structure + more Using Three Little Birds by Bob Marley
Grammar Lesson: All things in a list must follow the same grammatical pattern to form parallel structure. If the list is combined into one sentence, each item must be separated by a comma. Examples: Parallel Structure: Parallel Structure Sentence: V adj N V Music gives life to the soul. I love to try new instruments, play adj N N V adj Dance offers movement to the heart. fresh music, and learn fancy chords. Instruments deliver sound tothe mind.
#MentorSentenceMonday Link to song You need to rise in the morning and smile with the sun. Why don t you need a comma here? How are the words in this sentence parallel? What makes this a well-written sentence?
Link to song #TransformItTuesday Three little birds landed on a doorstep sang about a message and flew. Correct: Three little birds landed on a doorstep, sang about a message, and flew to a pier. Grammar Rule: All word parts of the list must be parallel and separated by commas. Complex: Because it was summer, three little birds landed on a doorstep, sang about a message, and flew to a pier. 1. Transform this sentence into a correct sentence. 2. After correcting the sentence, add a introductory clause in front of the corrected sentence to transform it into a complex sentence.
#TestPrepThursday 1. A. No Change B. Add a comma after worry and change knack of planning to knack to planning. C. Change knack of planning to knack to plan D. Add a comma after worry and change knack of planning to knack to plan D. Because you need to separate the list with a comma and you must change knack of planning to match with to learn and to worry. According to research, it is natural for us to worry. Studies suggest that there is an evolutionary link between our tendency to worry our ability to learn, and our knack of planning. There is a link between high intelligence and low anxiety. 1. 2. A. No Change B. Add a comma before and C. Add a comma after and D. Change anxiety to a noun A. Because the sentence is parallel with matching adjectives and nouns. 2.
#FiguresOfSpeechFriday Link to song Singin sweet songs Hint: This is technically a literary device and not a figure of speech, but like the answer to this, I want to keep my title FiguresofSpeechFriday The little birds are saying, This is my message to you Alliteration: Repetition of letters or sounds at the beginning of words Personification: Giving inanimate objects human characteristics, or technically Anthropomorphism which means giving human characteristics to animals. 1. Decide which figure of speech is being used in each clause. 2. Decipher the deeper meaning of each sentence.
Week 4 Colons and Dashes Using Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Grammar Lesson: Though technically interchangeable in most cases use a colon (:) before a list use a dash (--) before a wait for it, wait for it explanation and as a SUPER comma when you want the pause to be dramatic. Examples: Dash Examples: There s really only one thing I m looking Colon Example: The following skills are needed for for in a good bass player passion. bass players: desire to play, willingness to practice, and drive to succeed. The best thing I ve learned from music to reluctantly narrow it down is discipline. Also notice the parallel structure in this list
Link to song #MentorSentenceMonday Sometimes I feel like my only friend is the city I live in The City of Angels. Why is The City of Angels capitalized? Why does the writer choose a dash instead of a comma? What makes this a well-written sentence?
#TransformItTuesday Take me to the places I love Las Angeles New York and Miami Link to song Correct: Take me to the places I love: Las Angeles, New York, and Miami. Grammar Rule: Use a colon before lists and separate lists with commas. Complex: Since I want to travel more, take me to the places I love: Las Angeles, New York, and Miami. 1. Transform this sentence into a correct sentence. 2. After correcting the sentence, add a introductory clause in front of the corrected sentence to transform it into a complex sentence.
#TestPrepThursday 1. A. No Change B. socialize she still does but C. socialize, she still does but D. socialize she still does, but Fareeda prefers to be alone. When she was little, her mother used to constantly nag her to socialize, she still does: but Fareeda says that she is pro-solitude. However studies show that social contact whether wanted or not provides protection against the onset of mental health problems. B. Because this phrase must be separated from the main sentence since it can stand along, and B is the only option that completely does that. 1. 2. 2. A. No Change B. Add a comma after however C. Add a comma after however and add dash after not D. Add a dash after not C. Because you need a comma after introductory words, and whether wanted or not needs to be separated from the main sentence.
#FiguresOfSpeechFriday Link to song City of Angels This is the translation of Las Angeles, but why did the writer choose these words instead? How does the connationof angels fit with the song s theme? I drive on her streets..she s my companion..she knows who I am. Personification: Giving inanimate objects human characteristics, or technically Many answers work, but here is one: He feels like a ghost in a busy city, and the word angel adds to this ghostly feeling. 1. Decide which figure of speech is being used in each clause. 2. Decipher the deeper meaning of each sentence.
Week 5 Appositives + more Using Electric Feel by MGMT
Grammar Lesson: Appositives give more information about the subject of a sentence. If appositives are extra information that can be removed from the sentence, they are set aside by commas. Examples: Appositive in the Appositive at the middle of the sentence: start of a sentence: Paul McCartney, the lead guitarist for the A bold innovator, Paul McCartney Beatles, is a legend. started a new style of music.
Link to Song #MentorSentenceMonday I saw her, the girl of my dreams, in the Amazon with voltage running through her skin. Why does the writer add in the phrase, the girl of my dreams ? Why is Amazon capitalized? What makes this a well-written sentence?
#TransformItTuesday The girl a beauty I met in the Amazon has power in her hands. Link to Song Correct: The girl, a beauty I met in the Amazon, has power in her hands. Grammar Rule: If appositives are extra information that can be removed from the sentence, they are set aside by commas. Simple: The girl I met has power in her hands. 1. Transform this sentence into a correct sentence. 2. After correcting the sentence, rewrite this sentence by transforming it into a simple sentence.
#TestPrepThursday C. Because common symptom of lighting strikes is extra information that can be removed from the sentence an appositive set aside by commas. You don t need a conjunction in this sentence. 1. A. No Change B. achy, common symptoms of lightning strikes for C. achy, common symptoms of lightning strikes, for D. achy, common symptoms of lightning strikes, but for They both felt tingly and achy common symptoms of lightning strikes for the rest of the day. An experienced physician Dr. Smith told them that their hand- holding dispersed the electricity and saved their lives. 1. 2. C. Because An experienced physician is an appositive at the start of the sentence giving more information about Dr. Smith. You don t need a comma before and because save their lives isn t a complete sentence. 2. A. No Change B. Add a comma after physician and before and C. Add a comma after physician D. Add a comma before and
#FiguresOfSpeechFriday Plug it in/Turn me on/Voltage running through her skin Link to Song Word choice: Why does the writer choose these words? You shock me like an electric eel. Many answers work, but here is one: The writer is being clever because all of these words have a connection with electricity. Simile: the comparison of one thing to another thing of a different kind using like or as to make the description more vivid. 1. Decide which figure of speech is being used in each clause. 2. Decipher the deeper meaning of each sentence.
Week 6 Avoiding comma splices + more using Brick House by The Commodores
Grammar Lesson: Commas should never be used to splice (join) together run-on sentences or compound sentence elements. Don t use commas where they aren t needed, or it will result in a comma splice. Examples: Correct use of commas: Incorrect use of commas: Furthermore, I would like a higher volume. Being in a band is fun, and cool. Though I ve never heard of him, I like his sound. I m in a band, you should try it. I love listening to music, but I hate to dance. I love playing, singing, and drumming.
Link to Song #MentorSentenceMonday She s got everything a woman needs and knows how to use it. Why isn t a comma needed here? What makes this a well-written sentence?
#TransformItTuesday She s a brick house, ain t holding nothing back. Link to Song Correct: She s a brick house, and she isn t holding anything back. OR She s a brick house; she isn t holding anything back. Grammar Rule: Commas can t spice together two sentences. You also can t have double negatives in a sentence. Compound/Complex: Because she works out, she s a brick house, and she isn t holding anything back. 1. Transform this sentence into a correct sentence. 2. After correcting the sentence, add an introductory clause in front of the corrected sentence to transform it into a compound/complex sentence.
#TestPrepThursday 1. A. No Change B. To maintain your muscles you C. To maintain, your muscles you D. To maintain, your muscles, you To maintain your muscles, you should aim for 20 minutes of strength- training exercises three days a week. You should have one rest day in between sessions so that your muscles have time to rest, and grow. 1. A. Because To maintain your muscles is an introductory clause and needs a comma after it. 2. A. No Change B. time to rest and grow C. time to, rest, and grow D. time to, rest and grow B. Because you only use commas before conjunctions when you are combining two complete clauses. 2.
#FiguresOfSpeechFriday Link to Song She s a brick house. Metaphor: A non-literal representation of a way to vividly describe something. She is stacked; look at what a winning hand! Pun: A clever way of exposing different possible meanings of words. 1. Decide which figure of speech is being used in each clause. 2. Decipher the deeper meaning of each sentence.
Week 7 Prepositions + more using Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by The Beatles
Grammar Lesson: Certain prepositions must follow certain words. You must try to avoid ending sentences with prepositions. Keep in mind that most introductory clauses/phrases (from week one) begin with prepositions and must be punctuated correctly. Common Prepositions Above Across After At Before Below Beside Between Beyond Down Since Through To Until With Examples: Incorrect Correct Prepositions in a sentence: In order for this to work _we must fix In order for this to work, we must fix the out the beside of tune guitar and plug the of tune guitar and plug in the mic. mic in. Great extra practice link here: Prepositions
#MentorSentenceMonday Link to Song Why does the writer use the preposition in rather than on? Picture yourself in a boat on a river with tangerine trees and marmalade skies. Why isn t a comma needed here? What imagery does this word evoke? What makes this a well-written sentence?
Link to Song #TransformItTuesday After she leaves follow her in a bridge from a fountain. Correct: After she leaves, follow her to the bridge in front of the fountain. Other answers will work also, but the prepositions need to make sense. Grammar Rule: Introductory clauses need commas after them when they are in front of the main clause. You also must use prepositions that make the directions clear. Compound/Complex: After she leaves, follow her to the bridge in front of the fountain, and you need to ask her out. 1. Transform this sentence into a correct sentence by adding punctuation. 2. After correcting the sentence, add a comma conjunction after the corrected sentence to transform it into a compound/complex sentence.
#TestPrepThursday 1. 1. A. No Change B. with the loss C. to the loss D. beside the loss I sympathize at the loss of creativity. It seems as though songs arrive out of nowhere, but you must have creativity to piece them together and put a beat in. B. Because at the loss isn t standard. With the loss is a standard way of forming this phrase and preposition. 2. A. No Change B. put a beat down. C. put them in a beat. D. put them from a beat. C. Because you need to avoid ending sentences with prepositions and in a beat makes more sense than from a beat 2.
#FiguresOfSpeechFriday Link to Song The girl with kaleidoscope eyes. Metaphor: A non-literal representation of a way to vividly describe something. You have your head in the clouds. Idiom: An expression whose meaning is not predictable based on the individual meanings of the words that make up the phrase. 1. Decide which figure of speech is being used in each clause. 2. Decipher the deeper meaning of each sentence.
Week 8 Pronouns 1/me and we/us + more using Mo Money Mo Problems by Puff Daddy
Grammar Lesson: Subject pronouns are used in the subject (the thing doing or receiving the action)placeof sentences and with being/linking verbs (is, was, were, been, etc.). Object pronouns are used after prepositions and in the object place (the thing being acted upon) of sentences. Examples: Object Pronouns Me and Us Subject Pronouns 1 and We I wish you would come play music with us. I am in a band, and we play everyday. We fits, not Us Between you and me, I don t like that Aaron and I are in a band too. band very much. It was I who told him about the band. Us fits, not We You should go play with Aaron and me. Trick: When you can t decide which pronoun to use in a compound phrase, cross out the phrase in your mind and replace it with WE or US. If we fits, you use a subject pronoun. If us fits, you use an object pronoun.
#MentorSentenceMonday Link to clean version I don t know what they want from me; it seems as if the more money we come across, the more problems we see. How is this sentence combined? Why is I not used here? What makes this a well-written sentence?
Link to clean version #TransformItTuesday Between you and I I call all the shots for daddy and I. Correct: Between you and me, I call all of the shots for daddy and me. OR, Between you and me, I call all of the shots for us. Grammar Rule: You must use subject pronouns in the subject place and object pronouns after prepositions and in the object place (remember to interchange us to help figure out the answer). Simple: I call all of the shots for us. 1. Transform this sentence into a correct sentence. 2. After correcting the sentence, transform this complex sentence into a simple sentence.
#TestPrepThursday 1. A. No Change B. my friends and me C. my friends and I D. my friends and me, Often, my friends and I, think that we would be happier if we had more money. Among us friends it was I who talked the most about how to make more money. 1. C. Because I is in the subject place, but you don t need a comma after it. The comma stops the flow of the sentence. 2. A. No Change B. Among, us friends we C. Among we friends, it was me D. Among us friends, it was I 2. D. Because among us friends is a prepositional phrase (introductory clause) that needs a comma after it. Also, you must use a subject pronoun after being (linking) verbs.
#FiguresOfSpeechFriday Link to clean version I m the young Harlem guy with the Goldie sound. Allusion: an expression designed to remind the reader of a prior knowledge from history, culture, or literature. *Goldie Locks- just right sound Data shows that richer people are happier than poorer people, but when wealth rises, happiness doesn t. What do you call this contrast of reasoning? Paradox: a statement that contradicts itself. 1. Decide which figure of speech is being used in each clause. 2. Decipher the deeper meaning of each sentence.
Week 9 Pronouns She/he and him/her + more using Tricky by Run DMC
