English grammar explained in plain language simple enough to be understood.
We have learned about three forms of the sentence: the simple sentence, the compound sentence, and the complex sentence. The sentence is perhaps the most important part of grammar; it’s the structure around which your writing is built. Picture it… Read more14. Highlight on Writing – Sentence Variety
In the last post, we learned about avoiding the run-on sentence. A run-on sentence happens when we run two complete thoughts together. It is important to keep each thought separate from another. Sometimes we think that we can avoid a… Read more13. Avoid the Comma Splice in Run-on Sentences
Let’s talk about why a sentence gets labeled a fragment. A fragment is a piece of something, so a sentence fragment is a piece of a sentence. A true sentence is a complete thought. With a sentence fragment, the thought… Read more11. The Sentence Fragment
A complex sentence joins an independent clause and a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause begins with a subordinate clause word (subordinating conjunction). Some Subordinating Conjunctions: after, although, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, where, while, who A subordinate clause… Read more7. Commas in a Complex Sentence
We learned that a compound sentence is two complete thoughts joined together. A complex sentence is also two thoughts joined together, but the two thoughts are not equal. One thought is an independent clause. The other thought is a subordinate… Read more6. The Complex Sentence
A simple sentence is one complete thought. A compound sentence is two simple sentences joined together with a comma, FANBOYS or a semicolon. Section A – Read each sentence. Is the sentence simple or compound? Write S for simple. Write… Read more5. Practice Simple and Compound Sentences
We can make a compound sentence by joining two simple sentences with comma, and. Here are two simple sentences: I play volleyball. Anna plays basketball. Join these two simple sentences with a comma, and. I play volleyball, and Anna plays… Read more4. Compound Sentence – or not? When to Use a Comma
These three words all sound the same, but they mean very different things – and that can be confusing. Let’s take a close look at these three words and talk about some tricks for telling them apart. TwoThis is the… Read more87. Two, Too, and To
This week, we are looking at confusing words. Through and threw are two words that often confuse. Through and threw are homophones – words that sound the same but mean different things. Through is a preposition. Through shows position. I… Read more88. Through and Threw
Here are some more confusing words. They all look very similar. You must look at the words closely to notice their differences. Trough and tough are spelled nearly the same, and that makes them tricky. Can you see the one… Read more89. Trough and Tough; Though and Thorough