Lesson 205 - Parts of the Sentence - Conjunctions

View lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

 

A conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb).  Co-ordinate conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses of equal rank.  There are two kinds: simple and correlative.

In these lessons simple co-ordinates will be referred to as co-ordinate conjunctions, and correlative co-ordinates will be referred to as correlative conjunctions.  The co-ordinate and correlative conjunctions should be memorized since they are common and few in number.

The co-ordinate conjunctions are the following: and, but, or, nor, for, and yet. (For and yet can only join clauses.)

The correlative conjunctions are always in pairs. They are either-or, neither-nor, both-and, not only-but also, and whether-or.

Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, adjectives, predicate adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, objects of the preposition, prepositional phrases, indirect objects, objective complements, and conjunctions in the following sentences. If there are any conjunctions tell whether they are co-ordinate or correlative conjunctions.

1. In our garden several small but productive trees are growing.

2. Dad waited for Barbara, Jeanne and me.

3. I must leave this place secretly and quietly.

4. After the hike the group was tired and hungry.

5. The coyote ran into a hole or into some trees.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. but = co-ordinate conjunction; are growing = verb; trees = subject; in = preposition; garden = object of the preposition; our/several/small/productive = adjectives

2. and = co-ordinate conjunction; waited = verb; Dad = subject; for = preposition; Barbara/Jeanne/me = object of the preposition

3. and = co-ordinate conjunction; must leave = verb; I = subject; place = direct object; this = adjective; secretly/quietly = adverbs

4. and = co-ordinate conjunction; was = verb; group = subject; tired/hungry = predicate adjectives; after = preposition; hike = object of the preposition; the/the = adjective

5. or = co-ordinate conjunction; ran = verb; coyote = subject; into/into = preposition; hole/trees = object of the preposition; the/a/some = adjectives

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.

Lesson 5 - Parts of Speech - Verbs

View lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

Some of the helping verbs can be used alone as the main verb. Is, am, are, was, and were can be used alone as linking or state of being verbs. Has, have, had, do, does, and did always show action when used alone. Be, being, and been can be used with other verbs either to show action or state of being. The other helping verbs cannot be used alone but only as helping verbs.

As mentioned before, it's a good idea to memorize the helping verbs. If you haven’t memorized them, take a few minutes to learn them.

    Group 1: is, am, are, was, were (linking verbs when used alone)
    Group 2: be, being, been (show action or state of being)
    Group 3: has, have, had (show action when used alone)
    Group 4: do, does, did (show action when used alone)
    Group 5: shall, will, should, would (cannot be used alone)
    Group 6: may, might, must, can, could (cannot be used alone)

Instructions: Find the verb or verb phrases in these sentences.

1. She has too many friends.

2. You do beautiful work.

3. I was in Canada last week.

4. You are being very stubborn.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. She has too many friends.
    - action verb

2. You do beautiful work.
    - action verb

3. I was in Canada last week.
    - linking verb

4. You are being very stubborn.
    - linking verbs

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.

Lesson 4 - Parts of Speech - Verbs

View lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

Sometimes a verb can be more than one word. When a verb is more than one word, it is called a verb phrase. Verb phrases can be two, three, or four words. Verb phrases are made by using auxiliary or helping verbs with the main verb.

There are twenty-three (23) helping verbs that should be memorized since they are used so often.  If you will memorize them, it will make knowing and understanding verbs much easier.  They are usually grouped in the following six groups:

     Group 1: is, am, are, was, were
     Group 2: be, being, been
     Group 3: has, have, had
     Group 4: do, does, did
     Group 5: shall, will, should, would
     Group 6: may, might, must, can, could

Instructions: What are the verb phrases in these sentences?

1. You are going to Seattle.

2. You have been resting too much.

3. We must be early.

4. I will be finished shortly.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. You are going to Seattle.

2. You have been resting too much.

3. We must be early.

4. I will be finished shortly.

These sentences all have what are called auxiliary or helping verbs. I will refer to them as helping verbs.

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.

Lesson 204 - Parts of the Sentence - Conjunctions

View lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

 

A conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb).  Co-ordinate conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses of equal rank.  There are two kinds: simple and correlative.

In these lessons simple co-ordinates will be referred to as co-ordinate conjunctions, and correlative co-ordinates will be referred to as correlative conjunctions.  The co-ordinate and correlative conjunctions should be memorized since they are common and few in number.

The co-ordinate conjunctions are the following: and, but, or, nor, for, and yet. (For and yet can only join clauses.)

The correlative conjunctions are always in pairs. They are either-or, neither-nor, both-and, not only-but also, and whether-or.

Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, adjectives, predicate adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, objects of the preposition, prepositional phrases, indirect objects, objective complements, and conjunctions in the following sentences. If there are any conjunctions tell whether they are co-ordinate or correlative conjunctions.

1. The very happy guests laughed and talked with the hosts.

2. They will invite both Joe and his wife tomorrow.

3. Two hot drinks, coffee and tea, will be served daily.

4. Their first visitors were Lottie and Elaine.

5. We neither saw nor heard anything important.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. and = co-ordinate conjunction; laughed/talked = verbs; guests = subject; with = preposition; hosts = object of the preposition; the/happy/the = adjectives; very = adverb

2. both/and = correlative conjunction; will invite =verb; they = subject; Joe/wife = direct objects; his = adjective; tomorrow = adverb

3. and = co-ordinate conjunction; will be served = verb; drinks = subject; coffee/tea = appositives; two/hot = adjectives; daily = adverb

4. and = co-ordinate conjunction; were = verb; visitors = subject; Lottie/Elaine = predicate nominatives; their/first = adjectives

5. neither/nor = correlative; saw/heard = verbs; we = subject; anything = direct object; important = object complement

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.

Lesson 3 - Parts of Speech - Verbs

View lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

Instructions: Pick out the verbs in these sentences and tell whether they are action verbs or linking verbs.

1. Suddenly someone sneezed loudly.

2. There are holes in my shirt.

3. He appears happy.

4. The image appeared in the mirror.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Suddenly someone sneezed loudly.
    - action verb

2. There are holes in my shirt.
    - linking verb

3. He appears happy.
    - linking verb

4. The image appeared in the mirror.
    - action verb

Note: Some verbs like appear can be either action or linking verbs. It depends on whether it shows action or not.

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.

Lesson 203 - Parts of the Sentence - Conjunctions

View lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

 

A conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb).  Co-ordinate conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses of equal rank.  There are two kinds: simple and correlative.

In these lessons simple co-ordinates will be referred to as co-ordinate conjunctions, and correlative co-ordinates will be referred to as correlative conjunctions.  The co-ordinate and correlative conjunctions should be memorized since they are common and few in number.

The co-ordinate conjunctions are the following: and, but, or, nor, for, and yet. (For and yet can only join clauses.)

The correlative conjunctions are always in pairs. They are either-or, neither-nor, both-and, not only-but also, and whether-or.

Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, adjectives, predicate adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, objects of the preposition, prepositional phrases, indirect objects, objective complements, and conjunctions in the following sentences. If there are any conjunctions tell whether they are co-ordinate or correlative conjunctions.

1. The basketball team scored quickly and easily.

2. The wrestler was a small but strong individual.

3. Neither Helen nor her family will associate with us.

4. Jim, Jeff and Shawn went to Wendover but told no one.

5. A group of pretty girls and older women followed them.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. and = co-ordinate conjunction; scored = verb; team = subject; the/basketball = adjectives; quickly/easily = adverbs

2. but = co-ordinate conjunction; was = verb; wrestler = subject; individual = predicate nominative; the/a/small/strong = adjectives

3. neither/nor = correlative conjunction; will associate = verb; Helen/family = subjects; with = preposition; us = object of the preposition; her = adjective

4. and/but = co-ordinate conjunctions; went/told = verbs; Jim/Jeff/Shawn = subjects; no one = direct object; to = preposition; Wendover = object of the preposition

5. and = co-ordinate conjunction; followed = verb; group = subject; them = direct object; of = preposition; girls/women = objects of the preposition; a/pretty/older = adjectives.

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.

Lesson 2 - Parts of Speech - Verbs

View lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

Instructions: Find the verbs in these sentences. These verbs will be state of being verbs also known as linking verbs.

1. My uncle is a pilot.

2. The pie looks good.

3. You seem upset.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. My uncle is a pilot.

2. The pie looks good.

3. You seem upset.

These verbs are state of being or linking verbs. Some common linking verbs are is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been, seem, look, feel, and become. They do not show action. They just show that something exists.

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.

Lesson 202 - Parts of the Sentence - Conjunctions

View lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

 

A conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb).  Co-ordinate conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses of equal rank.  There are two kinds: simple and correlative.

In these lessons simple co-ordinates will be referred to as co-ordinate conjunctions, and correlative co-ordinates will be referred to as correlative conjunctions.  The co-ordinate and correlative conjunctions should be memorized since they are common and few in number.

The co-ordinate conjunctions are the following: and, but, or, nor, for, and yet. (For and yet can only join clauses.)

The correlative conjunctions are always in pairs. They are either-or, neither-nor, both-and, not only-but also, and whether-or.

Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, adjectives, predicate adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, objects of the preposition, prepositional phrases, indirect objects, objective complements, and conjunctions in the following sentences. If there are any conjunctions tell whether they are co-ordinate or correlative conjunctions.

1. Run up the hill and through the valley.

2. I will be waiting for Ann and her family.

3. The clouds were neither large nor billowy.

4. At the convention I saw not only my neighbor but also my cousin.

5. The dog owner called his favorite dogs Laddie and Lady.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. and = co-ordinate conjunction; run = verb; you (understood) = subject; up/through = prepositions; hill/valley = object of the preposition; the/the = adjectives

2. and = co-ordinate conjunction; will be waiting = verb; I = subject; for = preposition; Ann/family = objects of the preposition; her = adjective

3. neither/nor = correlative conjunction; were = verb; clouds = subject; large/billowy = predicate adjectives; the = adjective

4. not only/but also = correlative conjunction; saw = verb; I = subject; neighbor/cousin = direct objects; at = preposition; convention = object of the preposition; the/my/my = adjectives

5. and = co-ordinate conjunction; called = verb; owner = subject; dogs = direct object; Laddie/Lady = object complements; the/dog/his/favorite = adjectives

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.

Lesson 201 - Parts of the Sentence - Conjunctions

View lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

A conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb).  Co-ordinate conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses of equal rank.  There are two kinds: simple and correlative.

In these lessons simple co-ordinates will be referred to as co-ordinate conjunctions, and correlative co-ordinates will be referred to as correlative conjunctions.  The co-ordinate and correlative conjunctions should be memorized since they are common and few in number.

The co-ordinate conjunctions are the following: and, but, or, nor, for, and yet. (For and yet can only join clauses.)

The correlative conjunctions are always in pairs. They are either-or, neither-nor, both-and, not only-but also, and whether-or.

Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verbs, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, adjectives, predicate adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, objects of the preposition, prepositional phrases, indirect objects, objective complements, and conjunctions in the following sentences. If there are any conjunctions tell whether they are co-ordinate or correlative conjunctions.

1. Jeff and Jim cut the grass.

2. Mr. Smith, our neighbor and friend, is visiting Africa.

3. Lindsay gave both Ila and me a surprise.

4. The rabbit hopped and skipped about in the yard.

5. The new manager will be either Bill or Fred.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. and = co-ordinate conjunction; cut = verb; Jeff/Jim = subject; the = adjective

2. and = co-ordinate conjunction; is visiting = verb; Mr. Smith = subject; Africa = direct object; neighbor/friend = appositives; our = adjective

3. both/and = correlative conjunction; gave = verb; Lindsay = subject; surprise = direct object; Ila/me = indirect object; a = adjective

4. and = co-ordinate conjunction; hopped/skipped = verbs; rabbit = subject; the/the = adjectives; in = preposition; yard = object of the preposition

5. either/or = correlative conjunction; will be = verb; manager = subject; Bill/Fred = predicate nominative; the/new = adjectives

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.

Lesson 1 - Parts of Speech - Verbs

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Verbs are the most important words in a sentence. Verbs are the first of the eight parts of speech that we will be studying. Most verbs are action words, but a few verbs indicate state of being or existence. The first lessons will be about verbs, and how they are recognized and used.

Instructions: Find the verbs in the following sentences. They are action verbs.

1. The wolf ran across the sand.

2. Sit down.

3. The dog barked at the man.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The wolf ran across the sand.

2. Sit down.

3. The dog barked at the man.

All three verbs are action verbs since they show action. Action verbs are the most common verbs.

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 eBook, workbook, and worksheet format.

Why is grammar important?

Grammar lays the groundwork for effective communication.  Just as an improperly configured telephone wire can cause static during a phone conversation, improper grammar can likewise affect the meaning and clarity of an intended message.

Some common errors are with sentence structure, subject/verb tense, punctuation, spelling, and other basic mechanics and parts of speech. Even something as simple as a misplaced comma can completely change the meaning of a sentence. For example: "Let's eat Grandpa." vs. "Let's eat, Grandpa."

Grammar makes written content more readable and in turn more interesting. If it is necessary to repeatedly reword sentences while reading, the flow becomes disrupted and involvement in the story halted.

How do you know when to use "is" or "are"?

When deciding which of the verbs "is" and "are" to use look at whether the subject is plural or singular.  If the subject is singular use "is," if it is plural or there is more than one subject (compound subject) use "are."

Examples: 

The cat is eating all of his food.

The cats are eating all of their food.

The cat and dog are eating all of their food.

Commas, commas, commas

We frequently get the following comment: 

"I really hate using commas. I never know when to use them." 

 

We hope this helps: http://www.dailygrammar.com/Commas.htm

Summer Break

We have now posted all of the Daily Grammar lessons and quizzes.  We will be taking a break from posting lessons and quizzes.  We will continue to post articles and answers to questions sporadically.  If you have a question, please send us an email or post the question on our Facebook page or feel free to send us a tweet.

Please visit Daily Grammar or search this blog to continue your learning.  We will resume posting lessons to this blog with Lesson 1 on August 29th.  Thank you.