Introductory Phrases and Clauses in Grammar

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:

Introductory words/Transitions

Bill, 

will 

you

 please 

play

that song again

?

Furthermore, 

I

would like 

a higher volume

.

Introductory clauses (dependent clauses) 

(fragments)

These will most likely begin with prepositions or adverbs such as:

although, because, though, after, before, if, until, etc.

Before

you

 play that song

,

[understood you] 

please 

tell

me the artist

.

Though

 I’ve never heard of him

,

I

like

his sound

.

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.

Independent clause 

(complete sentence)

Subject in blue

, 

predicate in green

, and 

completion

of the thought is underlined.

I 

like

to listen to loud music

.

#MentorSentenceMonday

Sunshine, she is here, so you can take a break

.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why does

“sunshine” have a

comma after it?

Find the two

independent clauses in

this sentence.

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.

D. Because “However” is an introductory word. All introductory words need a comma

.

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.

Simile: 

the comparison of one thing to

another thing of a different kind using

like or as 

to make the description more

vivid.

Personification:  

Giving inanimate

objects human characteristics.

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 

(

F

or, 

A

nd, 

N

or, 

B

ut, 

O

r, 

Y

et, 

S

o…

FANBOYS

)  or  a 

semicolon

. You can also separate the

independent clauses by using a period and starting a new sentence.

Examples:

Comma Conjunctions

I

am learning 

to play the guitar

, but 

it

is

 very hard for me

to memorize the chords.

Semi-colons

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.

Note

 that you don’t need a comma when the

conjunction isn’t followed by a complete sentence.

I

love

 listening to music 

and

 dancing.

#MentorSentenceMonday

I backed my ride into a cop car the other day, but he

just drove off; sometimes life is ok.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Imagine this sentence

broken into 3 different

sentences. How would

it sound?

Why do you think the

writer chose to

combine the last

sentence with a semi-

colon rather than

another comma

conjunction?

I backed my ride into a cop

car the other day.

He just drove off.

Sometimes life is ok.

Why do you think the

writer changed the original

lyric “car

” to “ride?”

Link to Song

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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:

Music

gives

life

to

the

soul

.

Dance

offers

movement

to

the

heart

.

Instruments

deliver 

sound 

to

the

mind

.

Parallel Structure Sentence:

I love to 

try

new

instruments

,

play

fresh

 music

,

 and 

learn

fancy

chords

.

V

V

V

adj

adj

adj

N

N

N

#MentorSentenceMonday

You need to rise in the morning and smile with the sun

.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

How are the

words in this

sentence

parallel?

Why don’t

you need a

comma

here?

Link to song

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.

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.”

A. Because the sentence

is parallel with matching

adjectives and nouns.

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.

Week 4

Colons and Dashes

Using

“Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Also notice the parallel structure in this list

#MentorSentenceMonday

Sometimes I feel like my only friend is the city I live

in—The City of Angels.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why is “The

City of

Angels”

capitalized

?

Why does the

writer choose

a dash instead

of a comma?

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.

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.

C. Because you need a

comma after introductory

words, and “whether

wanted or not” needs to

be separated from the

main sentence.

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.

Personification:  

Giving inanimate objects

human characteristics, or technically

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 at the

start of a sentence:

A bold innovator, 

Paul McCartney

started a new style of music.

Appositive in the

 middle of the sentence:

Paul McCartney

,

the lead guitarist for the

Beatles,

 is a legend.

#MentorSentenceMonday

I saw her, the girl of my dreams, in the Amazon with

voltage running through her skin.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why is

Amazon

capitalized

?

Why does the

writer add in

the phrase,

“the girl of my

dreams”?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

In

correct 

use of commas:

Being in a band is 

fun, and 

cool.

I’m in a 

band, you 

should try it.

Correct 

use of commas:

Furthermore, 

I

would like 

 a higher volume.

Though

 I’ve never heard of him

,

I

like

 his sound.

I

love

 listening to music

, but 

I

hate

 to dance.

I love playing

,

 singing

, 

and drumming.

#MentorSentenceMonday

She’s got everything a woman needs and knows how

to use it.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why isn’t a

comma

needed

here?

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

.

A. Because “To maintain

your muscles” is an

introductory clause and

needs a comma after it.

B. Because you only use

commas before

conjunctions when you

are combining two

complete clauses.

Pun: 

A clever way of exposing

different possible meanings of

words.

Metaphor: 

A non-literal

representation of a way to

vividly describe something.

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

Examples:

 In

correct

In order 

for this to work 

_

we must fix

the 

beside

 of tune guitar and plug the

mic 

in.

Correct Prepositions in a sentence:

In order 

for this to work, we must fix the 

out

of 

tune guitar and plug 

in

 the mic.

Great extra practice link here: 

Prepositions

#MentorSentenceMonday

Picture yourself in a boat on a river with tangerine

trees and marmalade skies.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why isn’t a

comma

needed

here?

Why does the writer

use the preposition

“in” rather than

“on?”

  What imagery

does this word

evoke?

Link to Song

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.

B. Because “at the loss”

isn’t standard. “With the

loss” is a standard way of

forming this phrase and

preposition.

C. Because you need to

avoid ending sentences

with prepositions and “in

a beat” makes more

sense than “from a beat”

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.

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)

place

of

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:

Subject Pronouns 1 

and

 We

I 

am in a band, and

we

 play everyday.

Aaron and 

I 

are in a band too.

It 

was

I

 who told him about the band.

Object Pronouns Me 

and

 Us

I

 wish you would come play music with 

us

.

Between

 you and 

me

, I

 don’t like that

band very much.

You should go play with 

Aaron and 

me.

Us

 fits, not 

We

We 

fits, not 

Us

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

I don’t know what they want from me; it seems as if the

more money we come across, the more problems we see.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

How is this

sentence

combined?

  Why is “I” not used

here?

Link to clean version

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.

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.

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.

Paradox

: a statement that contradicts

itself.

Allusion: 

an expression designed to

remind the reader of a prior

knowledge from history, culture, or

literature.

*Goldie Locks- “just right sound”

Week 9

Pronouns She/he and him/her + more

 using

“Tricky” by Run DMC

Grammar Lesson:

Subject

 pronouns are used in the subject

(the thing doing or receiving the action)

place

of

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 the sentence

.

Examples:

Subject Pronouns 1/We, she/he

She

is in a band, and

he

 plays with 

her

.

Aaron and 

she

are in a band too.

It 

was

she

 who told 

him

 about the band.

Object Pronouns Me/Us, her/him

I

 wish you would come play music with 

her.

Between

 you and 

him

, 

I

 like your music the best.

You should go play with 

Aaron and 

her

.

Us

 fits, not 

We

We 

fits, not 

Us

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

Ashley and she have slightly curly hair; they both say that

it is naturally curly.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why is “she”

used instead of

“her?”

  Why is a semi-

colon needed here?

Link to song

Correct: 

Ashley and she tried to straighten their hair, but it was tricky.

Grammar Rule

: 

You must use 

subject pronouns 

in the subject place (remember to interchange “we” to help

figure out the answer). You also need a comma conjunction to combine two sentences.

Compound/complex: 

To get a new look, Ashley and she tried to straighten their

hair, but it was tricky.

B. Because “he” goes in the

subject place, but you

don’t need a comma after

“dad”. The comma stops

the flow of the sentence.

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.

Allusion: 

an expression designed to

remind the reader of a prior knowledge

from history, culture, or literature.

*The Disney movie 

Brave

Alliteration: 

Repetition of letters or

sounds at the beginning of words

Week 10

Indefinite Pronouns + more

 using

“Move Your Body” by Beyoncé

Grammar Lesson:

Indefinite Pronouns 

are words which replace nouns that are indefinite or vague in number.

These pronouns much 

match in number 

with the rest of the sentence.

Examples:

Always

Singular

Everyone

 needs to bring 

his or

her 

guitar to practice.

Somebody

 left 

his or her 

mic

last practice.

Always

Plural

Both 

of

 them 

are in the band.

Several

 of the 

girls

 like to

sing.

Singular

 or 

Plural

All

 of boy

s

are

 great signer

s

.

Though they messed up the

song, 

all

is 

forgiven.

#MentorSentenceMonday

Everybody needs to move his or her body once in a while.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why is “his or

her” used

instead of

“their?”

Link to song

Notice Beyoncé

chooses the word

“your” instead of “his

or her.” Why do you

think this is?

Hint: Pronouns “You” and

“Your” can be singular or plural.

Correct: 

Nobody has ever been harmed by a little sweat on his or her body.

Grammar Rule

: “

Nobody” is singular therefore “their” must be changed to singular. Also, you can’t have a double

negative, so “never” must be changed to “ever.”

Compound: 

Nobody has ever been harmed by a little sweat on his or her body, so

you need to get up and move.

B. Because “everybody” is

singular, so you must use

the singular “his or her.”

A. Because “few” is

plural, so you must use

the plural “their.”

Onomatopoeia

: A formation of a word

that makes the sound it’s associated

with.

Alliteration: 

Repetition of letters or

sounds at the beginning of words

Week 11

Ambiguous and Vague Pronoun References + more

 using

“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer

Grammar Lesson:

Ambiguous and Vague Pronouns 

leave 

antecedents

 and the message of

the sentence unclear or vague.

Examples:

  Incorrect:

The 

girl

 took her dog to the concert; 

she

liked giving everyone big wet kisses.

Aaron became good friends with Larry

after 

he

 helped 

him

 get tickets to the

concert.

Correct:

The girl took 

her dog 

to the concert;

the dog 

enjoyed giving everyone big

wet kisses.

Aaron and Larry became good friends

after 

Larry

 got 

him

 tickets to the

concert.

#MentorSentenceMonday

Ashley and Aaron went on a date; he wore dancing shoes,

and she wore a nice dress.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why do you need

a semicolon

here?

Why is “he” and “she” NOT

vague in this sentence?

Link to song

Correct: 

He wore that suit; she wore that dress, but 

neither

 fit well. OR

He wore that suit, and she wore that dress, but 

the dress 

didn’t fit well.

Grammar Rule

: It was unclear what didn’t fit well by using the ambiguous pronoun “it,” so this

needed to be clarified.

Compound/Complex: 

Since they were going on a date, he wore that suit, and she wore that dress, but 

the

dress 

didn’t fit well.

C.  Because “her” is

ambiguous. We don’t know

which girl it is referring to.

B. Because “he” doesn’t

fit with the plural

“boyfriends.” Since

boyfriends is vague, we

can say “they.”

Allusion: 

an expression designed to

remind the reader of a prior knowledge

from history, culture, or literature.

*Cinderella

Alliteration: 

Repetition of letters or

sounds at the beginning of words

Week 12

Passive Voice + more

 using

“Sweet Dreams” by Annie Lennox

Grammar Lesson:

Even though 

Passive Voice 

is grammatically correct, it is not supposed to be used in most forms

of writing (technical writing such as science experiments is an exception). The ACT and most

English teachers will deduct points for passive voice. 

To avoid passive voice, make sure that the

subject of the sentence preforms the action.

Examples:

  Passive Voice:

The tickets 

were bought 

by 

Aaron

.

Early entry passes 

were passed out by

the 

promotion team

.

Active Voice:

Aaron

bought

 the tickets.

The

promotion team 

passed out 

early

entry passes.

Subject

Subject

Subject

Subject

#MentorSentenceMonday

I traveled the world and the seven seas to find out that

everybody is looking for something.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Who is the subject

of the sentence and

what is the action?

Why don’t you need a

comma before this

“and?”

Link to song

Correct: 

A peaceful mind will cause sweet dreams.

Grammar Rule

: Avoid writing in passive voice by putting the subject in front of the

action.

Compound: 

Sweet dreams are caused by a peaceful mind, so you should try to

clear your head before going to sleep.

A. Because

“people” is

the subject,

and they are

the ones

doing the

action

“ponder.”

B. Because

“Greeks and

Romans” are

the ones

doing the

action

“thinking.”

Also,

dreams=

plural /have

Irony: 

something that happens that is the

opposite of what is expected or ends in a

humorous outcome.

Hyperbole: 

An exaggerated claim

not meant to be taken literally.

Week 13

Verb Tenses + more

 using

“Somebody that I used to know” by Gotye

Grammar Lesson:

You must not shift 

verb tenses 

in sentences unless the shift is necessary for the

meaning of the sentence.

Examples:

  Incorrect

They play

ed

 at the venue all night then

drive

 home.

The concert 

has been 

sold out, and the

stage 

is

 set up.

Correct

They play

ed

 at the venue all night then

drove

 home.

The concert 

has been 

sold out, and the

stage 

has been 

set up.

*Notice that this sentence shifts verb tenses to make the meaning clear which is allowed.

Aaron predict

s

 that Larry 

will be 

asked to preform again.

Past

Past

Past

Present

Past Perfect

Past Perfect

Past Perfect

Present

Present

Future

#MentorSentenceMonday

I told myself that you were right for me, but I felt so lonely

in your company.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why do you need a

comma here?

Locate all of the verbs.

What tense are they?

Link to song

Correct: 

You 

did

n’t have to make out like it never happen

ed

; you

did

n’t have to act like we 

were

 nothing.

Grammar Rule

: Don’t shift verb tenses.

Compound/Complex

: After we broke up, you 

did

n’t have to make out like it never

happen

ed

; you 

did

n’t have to act like we 

were

 nothing.

C. Because “activate”

is present tense so

“cause” needs to be

too. The comma

would create a

comma splice.

B. Because

“had been” is past tens

so “scanned” must be

also.

Irony: 

something that happens or is said that is

the opposite of what is expected or ends in a

humorous outcome.

or cliché or hyperbole or paradox

Analogy: 

This is to ____as that is to ______.

A lengthy explanation in which one thing is

compared to another. Many times analogies use

similes and metaphors.

Week 14

Irregular Verbs + more

 using

“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

Grammar Lesson:

You must use the 

perfect tense of irregular verbs 

when you use the words “have, has, had, or other forms of be” with them.

Below are just 5 of MANY irregular verbs. See a larger list here: 

Link

  or listen to this teacher’s rap: 

Link

Examples:

We 

had

 already 

begun

 playing when the rain started.

To be seen 

more, we need to advertise our band.

He 

has chosen 

a new drum set to buy.

#MentorSentenceMonday

Mama, life had just begun, but now I’ve gone and thrown

it all away.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why do you need a

comma after

“mama” and before

“but?”

Locate the verbs

“begun,” “gone,” and

“thrown.”

Why is perfect tense

used for these?

Link to song

Correct: 

I just 

saw

 my life 

get thrown 

away.

Grammar Rule

: saw=simple past    get thrown= form of be word and past perfect

Complex

: I just saw my life get thrown away because I messed up.

A. Because “began” is

the simple past tense

of begin.

D. Because you need to

use the past perfect

tense of “see” with

“have been.” Also you

need to avoid a run-on

sentence by using a

semicolon.

Allusion: 

an expression designed to remind the

reader of a prior knowledge from history, culture,

or literature.

*Biblical allusion to “he who casts the first stone”

Alliteration: 

Repetition of letters or sounds at the

beginning of words

Week 15

Subject Verb Agreement + more

 using

“Seven Nation Army” by White Stripes

Trick: When in doubt, replace a singular noun with “he” and a plural

noun with “they” to test out the verb choice.

He

They

#MentorSentenceMonday

A seven nation army is not going to hold me back because my

friends and I are going to fight them off.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why do you use the

word “I” instead of

“me?”

Locate the nouns in this

sentence. Then, decide

why the verbs “is” and

“are” are used.

Link to song

Correct: 

The 

Queen of England and everyone

 else 

know

 about it.

Grammar Rule

: Compound subject = “they” know. The comma isn’t needed and is therefore a

comma splice.

Complex

: Because it is on social media, The Queen of England and everyone else

know about it.

D. “Law” = singular

“says” = singular

A.

“men” = plural

“do” = plural

“men”= person

“who”= person

(not “that”)

Metaphor: 

A non-literal representation of a way

to vividly describe something.

Hyperbole: 

An exaggerated claim not meant to

be taken literally

Week 16

Subjunctive Mood + more

 using

“If I Were a Boy” by Beyoncé

Grammar Lesson:

You use regular subject verb agreement in all cases 

EXCEPT

 when a statement is

wishful or hypothetical. This is called 

subjunctive mood

.

Examples:

Regular Subject Verb Agreement

I

was

 going to play in the band, but

they didn’t accept me.

He

was

 a really good drum player.

Irregular Subjunctive Mood Agreement

If

I

were

 a better player, I would have

gotten in the band.

I 

wish

he

were

 in our band because he is

a really good drum player.

#MentorSentenceMonday

If I were a boy, I would put myself first and make

rules as I go.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why do you need a

comma after boy?

Why don’t you need a

comma before “and?”

Why is “were” used

rather than the

singular “was?”

Link to song

Correct: 

I wish I were a boy so that I could turn off my phone and

tell everyone it’s broken.

Grammar Rule

: “I wish” is a hypothetical statement so you use “were.” “that I would turn..” isn’t a

complete sentence, so you don’t use a comma conjunction. The fragment must be fixed also.

Complex

: He is a boy, so he can turn off his phone and tell everyone it’s broken.

C. “If” = Hypothetical.

Therefore, you need to

use the subjunctive

“were.” Also, introductory

clauses need a comma

after them.

A. “wish” =

hypothetical.

Therefore, the

subjunctive “were” is

used.

Idiom: 

An expression whose meaning is not

predictable based on the individual meanings

of the words that make up the phrase.

Pun: 

A clever way of exposing different

possible meanings of words.

Week 17

Adverbs + more

 using

“Quickly” by John Legend

Grammar Lesson:

When 

adverbs

 are used to modify verbs, they will end in –ly. If you want

an adverb to say “good,” you must use “well.”

Examples:

In

correct Adverb Use

He can 

play

 the banjo really 

good

.

His hands 

move

 so 

quick

 that I can’t

keep up.

Correct Adverb Use

He can 

play

 the banjo really 

well.

His hands 

move

 so 

quickly 

that I can’t

keep up.

#MentorSentenceMonday

The doctor told me that I’m dying slowly, so will you

please love me quickly?

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why do you need a

comma before “so?”

Find the adverbs and

the verbs they modify

in this sentence.

Link to song

Correct: 

I hope that you are doing well because I want you fall in

love with me quickly.

Grammar Rule

: Doing=verb/well= adverb, fall= verb/ quickly= adverb. “Because” doesn’t need a

comma since this dependent phrase isn’t at the start of the sentence.

Compound/Complex

: I hope that you are doing well because I want you fall in love

with me quickly; don’t waste any time.

C. “know”= verb, “well” =

adverb. Also, you need a

comma after introductory

clauses.

D. “happens” = verb

“quickly” = adverb. You

need a comma after

transition words.

Idiom: 

An expression whose meaning is not

predictable based on the individual meanings of the

words that make up the phrase.

Or 

allusion

 to a children’s book

Simile: 

the comparison of one thing to

another thing of a different kind using 

like

or as 

to make the description more vivid.

And Parallel Structure

Week 18

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives + more

 using

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy

Williams

*****for the summertime song scroll down****

Grammar Lesson:

Comparative and superlative adjectives

are used to compare. Normally,

if words are 

1 syllable

, you add 

–er or –est 

to the end. If words are 

2

syllables and end in Y

, you ad 

–ier -iest 

to the end

If words are 

2-3 syllables or more

, you use 

“more” 

or 

“most.”  

If an

adjective is irregular, you must memorize the correct form.

Examples:

1 Syllable

That guitar is 

nice

, but the

one I have is 

nicer.

The 

nicest 

one I have found

costs a lot of money.

2 Syllable ending in Y

I’m 

happy

 with my progress,

but I would be a lot 

happier

 if I

knew how to play that song.

I’m 

happiest

 when I’m listening

to music.

2-3+ Syllables

He was the 

most famous

musician I’ve ever met.

The signer was 

more

interesting

 than the

drummer.

1rregular

His singing was 

bad

, but I’ve heard

the 

worst

, and that wasn’t it.

To push my musical career 

further

,

I’m going to start networking.

#MentorSentenceMonday

It’s the most wonderful time of the year; it’s the

happiest season of all.

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why do you need

a semi-colon

here?

Why do you use

“most” with

wonderful but –iest

with happy?

Link for song

Correct: 

Everyone is cheery, but he is the cheeriest of all.

Grammar Rule

: Everyone= singular, a comma conjunction is needed to join complete sentences,

and “cheery” ends in y and is two syllables so add –iest

( you can’t double up by using “most cheeriest”)

Compound/Complex

: Because it is the holidays, everyone is cheery, but he is the

cheeriest of all.

C. Bright= 1 syllable so

add “-est) to the end.

A. Sunny= 2 syllables

ending in Y so add “-ier”

further is used to describe

abstract distances.

Parallel Structure: 

All things in a list following

the same grammatical pattern

Imagery: 

Words that appeal to your 5

senses. Marshmallows= sense of taste

Week 18

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives + more

 using

“Summer Time” DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince

Grammar Lesson:

Comparative and superlative adjectives

are used to compare. Normally,

if words are 

1 syllable

, you add 

–er or –est 

to the end. If words are 

2

syllables and end in Y

, you ad 

–ier -iest 

to the end

If words are 

2-3 syllables or more

, you use 

“more” 

or 

“most.”  

If an

adjective is irregular, you must memorize the correct form.

Examples:

1 Syllable

That guitar is 

nice

, but the

one I have is 

nicer.

The 

nicest 

one I have found

costs a lot of money.

2 Syllable ending in Y

I’m 

happy

 with my progress,

but I would be a lot 

happier

 if I

knew how to play that song.

I’m 

happiest

 when I’m listening

to music.

2-3+ Syllables

He was the 

most famous

musician I’ve ever met.

The signer was 

more

interesting

 than the

drummer.

1rregular

His singing was 

bad

, but I’ve heard

the 

worst

, and that wasn’t it.

To push my musical career 

further

,

I’m going to start networking.

#MentorSentenceMonday

In the summertime, school is the furthest thing from

my mind; it’s the most wonderful time of the year!

What makes this a well-written sentence?

Why do you use

“furthest”

instead of

“farthest?”

Why do you use

“most” with

wonderful?

Link for song

Correct: 

Everyone is happy, but the teacher is the happiest of all.

Grammar Rule

: Everyone= singular, a comma conjunction is needed to join complete sentences,

and “happy” ends in y and is two syllables so add –iest

( you can’t double up by using “most happiest”)

Compound/Complex

: Everyone is happy, but the teacher is the happiest of all

because he is going to Europe over break.

C. Bright= 1 syllable so

add “-est) to the end.

A.

hot= 1 syllable so add

“-est”

furthest is used to describe

abstract distances.

Parallel Structure: 

All things in a list following

the same grammatical pattern

Imagery: 

Words that appeal to your 5

senses. Smell of a grill = sense of smell