Lesson 402 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Apostrophes

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Use an apostrophe to indicate possession with nouns. A plural noun that does not end in "s" forms the possessive adding 's just like the singular noun. Write the noun; change no letters; drop no letters; and then simply add 's. This rule is always the same for each plural noun that does not end in "s."

Example: 

men - men's

Instructions: Supply the apostrophes and "s" ('s) to make the possessives in the following sentences.

1. These women hats are sold in this store.

2. The children party was a great success.

3. The mice tracks were everywhere in the dust.

4. We followed the two deer tracks in the snow.

5. The geese flight was smooth and graceful.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. These women's hats are sold in this store.

2. The children's party was a great success.

3. The mice's tracks were everywhere in the dust.

4. We followed the two deer's tracks in the snow.

5. The geese's flight was smooth and graceful.

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Lesson 102 - Parts of the Sentence - Predicate Nominative

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A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject.  It is a complement or completer because it completes the verb.  The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals.

     Examples:
     Mr. Johanson is a teacher.
     Mr. Johanson equals a teacher.
     Mr. Johanson is a father.
     Mr. Johanson equals a father.
     Mr. Johanson is my neighbor.
     Mr. Johanson equals my neighbor.

Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The linking verbs include the following: the helping verbs is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste, smell, feel, and sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, and turn.

Predicate nominatives can be compound. 

 

     Example: 

     Mr. Johanson is a teacher, father, and my neighbor.

Instructions: List the subject, verb, and predicate nominatives in the following sentences.

1. My favorite pets were a squirrel and a rabbit.

2. Our chief crops are corn, wheat, and hay.

3. Mr. Jones is an accountant and a big game hunter.

4. The owners of the race car include Bill, Pete, and Sam.

5. My favorite holidays are Christmas and Easter.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. My favorite pets were a squirrel and a rabbit.

2. Our chief crops are corn, wheat, and hay.

3. Mr. Jones is an accountant and a big game hunter.

4. The owners of the race car include Bill, Pete, and Sam.

5. My favorite holidays are Christmas and Easter.

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Lesson 401 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Apostrophes

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Use an apostrophe to indicate possession with nouns. A singular noun forms the possessive adding 's. Write the noun; change no letters; drop no letters; and then simply add 's. This rule is always the same for each singular noun. 

 

Examples: 

baby - baby's

cow - cow's

Mr. Bass - Mr. Bass's

Some authorities feel that only an apostrophe is needed when the noun ends in "s." That works okay for written material, but if you say it, you must say the extra "s" sound; therefore, I feel that the "s" is necessary in written material also.

Instructions: Supply the apostrophes and "s" ('s) to make the possessives in the following sentences.

1. The boy bike is in the back yard.

2. James car was in the accident yesterday.

3. Mr. Jones talk was the best yet.

4. What happened to that horse leg?

5. That woman umbrella is blowing away in the wind.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The boy's bike is in the back yard.

2. James's car was in the accident yesterday.

3. Mr. Jones's talk was the best yet.

4. What happened to that horse's leg?

5. That woman's umbrella is blowing away in the wind.

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Lesson 101 - Parts of the Sentence - Predicate Nominative

View lesson on Daily Grammar

A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and renames the subject.  It is a complement or completer because it completes the verb.  The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be replaced by the word equals.

     Examples:
     Mr. Johanson is a teacher.
     Mr. Johanson equals a teacher.
     Mr. Johanson is a father.
     Mr. Johanson equals a father.
     Mr. Johanson is my neighbor.
     Mr. Johanson equals my neighbor.

Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The linking verbs include the following: the helping verbs is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste, smell, feel, and sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, and turn. 

Instructions: Find the verb, subject, and predicate nominatives in these sentences.

1. Ann is a new mother.

2. The black dog in the yard was a large Doberman.

3. The tall boy has been our best basketball player.

4. My uncle became a rich computer expert.

5. Mr. Bush may be our next President.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Ann is a new mother.

2. The black dog in the yard was a large Doberman.

3. The tall boy has been our best basketball player.

4. My uncle became a rich computer expert.

5. Mr. Bush may be our next President.

 

Next Lesson
 

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.