Fragments and Run-Ons

Written by J.L. (A/F block); edited by Mrs. Adkins: Fragments and run-on sentences are two different grammatical issues. Fragments are pieces of a sentence that are either missing the subject or the verb. An example of a fragment is as follows: "The chair." A run-on sentence is two or more independent clauses that run together into one sentence. An example of a run on sentence is as follows: "The dog ate and the cat took a nap and the hamster napped." There is some conflict regarding run-on sentences and fragments. Fragments are interesting, because they can only be fragments if they are missing the noun or the verb. When people are texting, most of the time, they are using fragments (like "be right back" and "laugh out loud"). Sometimes, people forget to use commas or periods and create run-on sentences. When I (J.L.) was younger, I would forget to use periods and would write a giant run-on sentence instead of a paragraph.

Independent and Dependent Clauses

Written by Z.E. and S.G. (B/E block); edited by Mrs. Adkins: A dependent clause is part of a sentence that cannot stand alone. An independent clause is a part of a sentence that can stand alone. Independent and dependent clauses work together and make sentences that make sense. Here are some examples: Over the weekend (dependent clause)/I spend two hours playing tennis (independent clause). Together, they make a complete sentence: Over the weekend, I spent two hours playing tennis. There can be no dependent clause without an independent clause, because a dependent clause is not a complete sentence. An independent clause can be a sentence without a dependent clause. Here is another example: When I bought a rainbow loom, I made bracelets, and I sold them. (Dependent clause, independent clause, independent clause). When writing a book or story, an author may use a dependent clause alone when people are talking (dialogue).

Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! Please check back for our blog posts about grammar. Who knows? Maybe you will learn a few new lessons! Sincerely, Mrs. Adkins

Verbs

Another post by J.B. from A/F block (with edits by Mrs. Adkins) Verbs can have different definitions - depending on what type of verb it is. An action verb expresses physical or mental action. There are two different types of action verbs. There are transitive action verbs and intransitive action verbs. Transitive verbs express an action toward a person, place, or thing. Intransitive verbs are verbs that express action but do not pass the action to a receiver. Linking verbs express a state of being. Linking verbs connect the subject to a word in the predicate which explains or describes the subject. Think of a linking verb as an equal sign. The last type of verb is a helping verb. A helping verb helps the main verb to express the action or state of being. Common helping verbs are as follows: can, will, may, is, are, do, does, did, were, shall, must, could. Did you know that in Spanish the word for verb is verbo? In French, the word for verb is verbe, so maybe we get the words "verb" from French or Spanish. The word for verb in Dutch is werkwoord. Did you know that in German the word "verb" is "verb"? Mrs. Adkins: Did you know that not every language has as many verb tenses as English? English has FOURTEEN verb tenses! Whoa!

Post #7 by L.D. (A/F Bell) L.D. wrote an excellent post describing most of the rules for commas which we covered in class. L.D. described the rules well, but again, I don't know where L.D. found the information, since L.D. did not cite the sources. (Mrs. Adkins) L.D.'s submission: A comma is a punctuation mark. It is used to separate words from words. Commas are used to separate words in a series. They are used to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. They are also used to set of introductory or parenthetical elements. They are used to set off quoted elements. Commas are also used to set off an appositive phrase. They are also used in the opening and closing of a letter, in a date, and in a location. There is one big thing that people do not want to do and that is to overuse commas. People do it all of the time. Some Asian languages do not even use commas. There is a lot of controversy over the Oxford Comma, the comma you use to separate words in a series. Many people say that people should not use a comma after the word and when three or more objects are being used or described. Still, other people say that you should have a comma after and in that situation. I don't know which side to go to. What is your opinion?

Post #6 by G.M. (C/D Block) I am not sure where G.M. found her sources, since she DID NOT have proper citation on her post submission; however, the content of her post was great! Many students wrote similar information. G.M.'s post was well-written. (Mrs. Adkins) G.M.'s Submission: A comma in writing is like a pause inside a sentence. You can’t help but stop when you see a comma. There are a lot of rules for using commas such as when you are separating the date from the month. Example: December 17, 2012. Commas are also used to separate two adjectives when the word “and” can be inserted between them. An example would be: Jimmy is a brilliant, smart boy. You don’t have to put a comma between brilliant and smart, you could’ve put the word “and” instead: Jimmy is a brilliant and smart boy. Commas are very difficult to use in writing because sometimes people don’t know where to put them. It is often hard to use commas in dialogue too. An example that people often mistake would be: “He doesn’t know how to play,” said John. If the person who is talking comes after what they are saying, then there should be a comma instead of a period inside the quotation mark. When the person who is talking comes before what they are saying, then the comma should go after said, asked, exclaimed, or whatever type of emotion you would like them to display. Commas are something to take really seriously in writing.