1

Using the Right Word

562.1 A is used before words that begin with consonant sound;
A, an An is used before words that begin with any vowel sound
except long “U”.
A heap, a cat, an idol, an elephant, an honor, a Historian, an
umbrella, a unicorn.
562.2 The verb accept means “to receive”; the proposition except
Accept, expect means “other than”.
Mellissa graciously accepted defeat. (verb)
All the boys except Zach were here. (proposition)
562.3 Affect is almost always a verb; it means “to influence”.
Affect, effect Effect can be a verb, but it is most often used as a noun that
means “the result”.
How does population growth affect us?
What are the effect of population growth?
562.4 The verb allowed means “permitted” or “let happen” aloud
Allowed, aloud is an adverb that means “in a normal voice”.
We aren’t allowed to read aloud in the library.
562.5 An allusion is a brief reference to or mention of a famous
Allusion, person, place, thing, or idea. An illusion is a false
illusion impression or idea.
The great dontini, a magician, made an allusion to
Houdini as he created the illusion of sawing his assistance
in half.
562.6 A lot is not one word, but two; it is general descriptive
A lot phrase meaning “plenty”. (it should be avoided in formal
writing)
562.7
Al right is not one word, but two; it is a phrase meaning
All right
“satisfactory” or “okay” (please note, the following are
spelled correctly: always, altogether, already, almost).
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Grammar Practice

Using the right word 1

Accept, expect; affect, effect; illusion, allusion; all right for each

Of the following sentence, write the correct choice from each set of
words in parentheses

Example: Dennis thought be saw pools of water in the parking lot on

that hot, hot day, but it was just an (allusion, illusion).

1. I guess the sun can (affect, effect) us in many ways!

2. will give away all the kittens (accept, expect) the two that we’re
keeping.
3. will it be (all right, alright) with your mom if you take
4. Ms. Whitsom thinks consonant cloudy weather has a bad (affect,
effect) on a person’s outlook.
5. you outfit looks (all right, alright) to me.
6. all the mail was addressed to Dad (accept, expect) for one
handwritten letter, which was addressed to me.
7. “please (accept, expect) my apology, “the letter began.
8. some students do not understand Roy’s (allusion, illusion) to start
trick in his speech during science class.

Next step: write three sentences that show you know the meaning of
These words: allusion, effect, and expect.
 1

Using the Right Word

654.1 Already is adverb that tells when. All ready is a phrase
Already, meaning “completely ready”. We have already eaten
All ready breakfast; now we are all ready for school
654.2 Altogether is always an adverb meaning “completely”.
Altogether Altogether is used to describe people or things that are
All together gathered in one place at one time.
Ms. Monces held her baton in the air and said, “Okay, class
all together now: sing!”
Unfortunately, there was together too much street noise
for us to hear her.
654.3 Among is used when speaking of more than two persons or
Among, things. Between is used when speaking of only two.
between The three friends talked among themselves as they tried to
Choose between trumpet or trombone lessons.
654.4 Amount is used to describe things that you cannot count.
Amount Number is used when you can actually count the persons or
Number things.
The amount is interested in playing the tuba is shown by
the number of kids learning to play the instrument.
654.5 An annual event happens once every year. A biannual (or
Annual semiannual) event happens twice a year. A biennial event
Biannual happens every two years. A perennial event happens year
Semiannual after year.
Biennual The annual PTA rummage sale is so successful that it will
Perennial now be a semiannual event.
The neighborhood has some wonderful perennial flowers.
654.6 An ant is an insect. An aunt is a female relative (the sister of
Ant, aunt a person’s mother or father)
My aunt is an entomoiogist, a scientist who studied ants
and other insects.
654.7 Ascent is the act of rising or climbing; assent is agreement.
Ascent, assent After the group’s ascent of five flight of stairs to the
meeting room, plans for elevator repairs met the quick
assent.
 1

Grammar Practice
Using the right word 2
Altogether, all together; among, between; amount, number; annual,
biannual, semiannual, biennial, perennial; ascent, assent.
For each the following sentences, write the correct choice from each
set words in parentheses
Example: the (ascent, assent) of Mount Everest is hard and dangerous
1. The (amount, number) of climbers who successfully climb Mount
Everest varies from year to year.
2. For the people of Tibet and Nepal, the arrival of climbing teams every
may has become (an annual, a biennial, a perennial) event.
3. Some climbing routes on the mountain are more dangerous than
others because of the (amount, number) of snow of the ridges.
4. The (amount, number) of days of good weather is very low.
5. Some critics believe that there are (altogether, all together) to many
inexperienced climbers on Mount Everest.
6. Mountaineers must scrambled (among, between) numerous Ice-
Covered rocks.
7. Prior to a climb, each hiker must (ascent, assent) to doing his or her
Part for the team.
8. (Altogether, all together), team members decide on tasks for the
Day.
9. As two climbers make their way up the mountain, the distance
(among, between) them usually not very great.
10. One man who climb once is may and once in October says his
(Biannual, biennial) climbs keep him in shape.
11. After reaching the top of Mount Everest each year during A five-
year period, as seasoned mountaineer said that these (annual,
semiannual) climbs had worn him out.
 1

Using the Right Word

656.1 The adjective bare means “naked”. A bear is a large, heavy
Bare, bear animal with shaggy hair.
Despite his bare feet, the man chased the polar bear across
the snow.
The verb bear means “to put up with” or “to carry”.
Shondra could not bear another of her older sister’s
Lectures.
656.2 Base is the foundation or the lower part of something. Bass
Base, bass (pronounced like “base”) is a deep sound or tone.
The stereo speakers are on a base so solid that even the
loudest bass tones don’t rattle it.
Bass (rhymes with “mass”) is a fish.
Jim hooked a record-setting bass, but it got away ………… so
he says.
656.3 The verb beat means “to strike, to defeat” and the noun
Beat, beet beat is a musical term for rhymes or tempo. A beet is a
carrot like vegetable (often red). The beat of the drum in the
marching band encouraged the fans to cheer on the team.
After they beat west highs team four games to one, many
team members were as red as a beat.
656.4 Berth is a space or compartment. Birth is the process of
Berth, birth being born.
We bulled aside the curtains in our train berth to view the
birth of a new day outside our window.
656.5 Beside means “by the side of “. Besides means “in addition
Beside, to”. Besides a flashlight, kedar likes to keep his pet boa
besides beside his bed at night.
656.6 Billed means either “to be given a bill” or “to have a beak”.
Billed, build The verb build means “to constructed”
We asked the carpenter to build us a birdhouse. She build us
for time and materials.
656.7 Blew is the past tense of “blow”. Blue is a color and is also
Blew, blue used to means “feeling low in spirit”. As the wild blue out
the candles in the dark. Blue room I felt more blue than
ever.
 1

Grammar Practice
o Bare, bear; base, bass; berth, birth; beside, besides
Using the right word 3
For each the following sentences, write the word from the list above
to fill in the blank
Example: at the …………….. Of the status of library is plaque that says
her lamp is a sign of welcome to those seeking freedom.
1. The …………………….. European countries, immigrants to the United
States Africa.
2. Pictures of immigrants in the early 1900s show children with
…………………. hands in cold weather.
3. The desire for freedom and opportunity was at the …………………. Of
many immigrants’ decisions to endure the
Journey.
4. Many immigrants would spend most of the long voyage in a crowded
…………….. Below the waterline of the ship.
5. From there, the passenger could hear and sometimes feel the deep
…………………. Sounds of the ship’s engines.
6. The ship’s crewmembers were occasionally called on to assist in the
…………………. Of a baby.
7. After a two-week voyage, many passengers couldn’t ………………….
Another day at sea.
8. Tugboats …………………. The ocean liners guided them into the harbor
at the weary travelers celebrated.

Next step: find the other definitions for beat and bass explained on the
facing page. Write two sentence that show your
understanding of these definitions.
 1

Using the Right Word

658.1 A board is a piece of wood. Board also means “a group or
Board, bored council that helps run an organization”
The school board approved the purchase of 5 pine boards
for the woodworking classes.
Bored means “to become weary and tired of something”.
It can also mean, “made a hole by drilling”.
Dule bored a hole in the ice and dropped in a fishing line.
Waiting and waiting for a bite bored him.
658.2 Borrow means, “to receive for a temporary use”. Lend
Borrow, lend means “to give for a temporary use”
I asked mom “may I borrow $15 for a CD?”
She said, “I can lend you $15until next Friday”.
658.3 A break is a device used to stop a vehicle. The verb break
Brake, break means “to split, crack, or destroy” as a noun, break means
“gap or interruption”
After the brake on my bike failed, I took a break to fix it so I
would not break a bone.
658.4 Use bring when the action is moving towards the speaker;
Bring, take use take when the action is moving away from the speaker.
Grandpa asked me to take the garbage out and bring him
today’s paper.
658.5 By is a proposition meaning “near” or “not later than” buy
By, buy, bye is a verb meaning “to purchase”
By tomorrow, I hope to buy tickets for the final match of
the tournament.
Bye is the position of being automatically advanced to the
nest tournament round without playing.
Our soccer team received a bye because of our winning
record.
658.6 Can means “able to” while may means “permitted to”
Can, may “Can I go to the library?”
(This actually means, “are my mind and body strong
enough to get me there?”
“May I got?”
This means, “do I have your permission to go?”
 1

Grammar Practice:
 Using the right word 4
o Borrow, lend; brake, break; bring, take; by, buy, bye; can, may
For each the following sentences, write the correct choice from each
set of words in parentheses
Example: when I was sick at home, I asked Salvatore to (bring, take)
me my homework.
1. suddenly the car’s (brake, break) pedal wasn’t working).
2. sanji was able to make the car stop
3. Our team will sit out the first round if we are given a (by, buy, bye) in
the tournament schedule
4. Vanessa has some black pants that she’ll (borrow, lend) me for the
choir concert
5. I still need to (by, buy, bye) a white shirt, though.
6. We need to ask if we (can, may) hold a party for Alex.
7. We don’t mind if we have to (bring, take) our own food.
8. I can’t find the pen that is usually kept right here (by, buy, bye) the
phone.
9. All you needs is a library card to (borrow, lend) books, CD’s, or
magazines from any library in the system.
10. You never have to (by, buy, bye)any of that again!
11. A city crime record is one record that its citizens really don’t want to
(brake, break).
12. “here, let me (bring, take) that for you,” Maura offered as I carried
my heavy suitcase.
13. “No, thanks. I (can, may) carry it,” I said
Next step: write two sentences that show your understanding of the
words borrow and lend
 1

Using the Right Word

660.1 Canvas is a heavy cloth; canvass means, “ask people for
Canvas, votes or opinions”.
canvass Our old canvas tent leaks.
Someone with a clipboard is canvassing the neighborhood.
660.2 Capital can be either a noun, referring to a city or to money,
Capital, capitol or an adjective, meaning “major or important”. Capitol is
used only when talking about building.
The capitol building in the capital city for a capital (major)
Reason: the city government contributed the capital
(money) for the building project.
660.3 Cell mean :”a small room” or “ a small unit of life basic to all
Cell, sell plants and animals” cell is a verb meaning “to give up for a
price”
Today we looked at a human skin cell under a microscope.
Let’s sell those old bicycle at the rummage sale.
660.4 Cent (1/100 of dollar) is a coin, sent is the past tense of the
Cent, sent, verb “send”; scent is an odor or smell.
scent After our car hit a skunk, we sent our friends a postcard that
said, “one cent doesn’t go far, but skunk scent seems to last
forever”.
660.5
Chord may mean “an emotion or a feeling”. But it is more
Chord, cord
often used to mean “the sound of three or more musical
tones played at the same time. “A cord is a string or rope”.
The band struck a chord at the exact moment the mayor
pulled the cored on the drape covering the new statue
660.6
Chose, choose Chose (choz) is the past tense of the verb choose (chooze).
This afternoon mom chose Tacos and hot sauce; this evening
she will choose an antacid.

660.7 Coarse means “rough or crude”. Course means “a path” or

Coarse, course “a class or serious of studies”.
In our cooking course, we learned to use coarse salt and
freshly ground pepper in salads.
 1

Grammar Practice:
 Using the right word 5
o Canvas, canvass; capital, capitol; chord, cord; coarse, course
Write a word from the above list to property complete each of
following sentences
Example: Phil used ………………….. sandpaper to remove the paint from
the old dresser.
1. When Tasha was learning how to play the guitar, she played the
same ………………….. over and over again.
2. The class trip included a tour of the ……………….. building in
Washington, D.C.
3. Elaine’s family fits into one huge ………………… tent when they go
camping
4. The tie the bulky, heavy tent the car roof with lots of nylon .
……………………
5. Last year the high school offered its first ……………………. In German.
6. Jackson is the state ……………………. Mississippi.
7. Whenever our dog would get lost, we would …………….the
neighborhood looking for him.
8. On my way to school yesterday, I took …………………. Through the
Woods that that I hadn’t taken before.

Next step: write two sentences that show your understanding of the
words capital and capitol.
 1

Using the Right Word

662.1 Complement means “to complete or go with” compliment is
Complement, an expression of admiration or praise.
compliment Aunt Athena said, “your cheese sauce really complement
this cauliflower!”
“thanks you for your compliment” I replied.
662.2 Continual refers to something that happens again and again;
Continual, Continuous refers to something that doesn’t stop
Continuous happening.
Sunlight hits Peoria, lowa, on a continual basis, but sunlight
hits the earth continuously.
622.3 When used as a noun, counsel means “to advice” council
Counsel, refers to a group that advises.
council The student council asked for counsel from its trusted
advisor.
622.4 A creak is a squeaking sound, a creek is a stream.
Creak, creek I heard a creak from the old dock under my feet as I finished
in the creek.
662.5 A Cymbal is a metal instrument shaped like a plate. A symbol
Cymbal, is something (usually visible) that stands for or represents
symbol another thing or idea (usually invisible).
The damaged cymbal lying on the stage was a symbol of the
band’s final concert.
662.6 Dear means “loved or valued”; deer are animals.
Dear, deer My dear, old great-grandmother leaves corn and salt licks in
her yard to attract deer.
662.7 A desert is a barren wilderness. Dessert is a food served at
Desert, dessert the end of the meal.
In the desert, cold water is more inviting than even the
richest dessert.
The verb desert means “to abandon”; the noun desert
(pronounced like the verb) means “deserving reward or
punishment”.
A spy who deserts his country will receives his just deserts if
he is caught.
 1

Grammar Practice
Using the righr word
Complement, compliment; continual, continuous; counsel, council;
dear, deer; desert, dessert

For each unnumbered sentence below, write the correct choice from
the set of words in parentheses
Example: some (dear, deer) appeared on the edge of the field.
(1)After a light dinner, Kiana brought some (desert, dessert) to the
table. (2) She said, “I also have the perfect (complement, compliment)
for these brownies-hazelnut ice creams” as she and Juwan ate, he kept
making “mmm” sounds (3) I’ll take that as (complement, compliment),
Kiana said. (4) Then she said, “Juwan, I’ve noticed there’s a (continual,
continuous) or do you won’t stop. Do you think I should have it
checked?” (5) Juwan said, “Do you want my (counsel, council) or do you
want me to actually check it?” (6) “well, yes, please see if you can fix it
yourself, (dear, deer). And while you’re at it, take a look at the
humidifier, too (7) It feels like a (desert, dessert) in here” Kiana said.
(8)“Kiana”, Juwan said, “your (continual, continuous) requests for me to
check things are a signal. Your apartment is falling apart!” I know (9) I’m
going to bring it up at the next renters (counsel, council) meeting” she
said, “in the meantime, thanks for being so handy!”

Next step: write a few lines of dialogue between two friends. Include at
least two of the words from the list at the top of the page.
 1

Using the Right Word

664.1 Die (dying) means “to stop living”. Dye (dyeing) is used to
Die, dye change the color of something.
The young girl hoped that her sick goldfish wouldn’t die.
My sister dyes her hair with coloring that washes out.
664.2 Faint means “feeble, without strength” or “to fall
Faint, feign, unconscious”
feint Feign is a verb that means “ a move or an activity that
means “to pretended in order to divert attention”
The actors feigned a sword dual. One man staggered and fell
in a feint. The audience gave faint applause.
664.3 Farther is used when you are writing about physical
Farther, distance. Further means “additional”.
further Alaska reaches farther north than Iceland. For further
information check your local library.
664.4 Fewer refers to the number of separate units; less refers to
Fewer, less bulk quantity.
I may have less money than you have , but I have fewer
worries
664.5
Fir refers to a type of evergreen tree; fur is animal hair.
Fir, fur
The Douglas fir tree is named after a Scottish botanist
An arctic fox has white fur in the winter
664.6
Flair means “a natural talent” or “style”; flare means “to
Flair, flare
light up quickly” or “burst out” (or an object that does so).
Jenrette has a flair for remaining calm when other people’s
tempers flare
664.7 The proposition for means “because of” or “directed to”;
For, four four is the number 4.
Mary had grilled steaks and chicken for the party, but the
dog had stolen one of the four steaks.
 1

Grammar Practice
 Using the right word 7
o Faint, feign, feint; Farther, further; Fewer, less; Flair, flare; for, four
For each sentence below, write the word “correct” if the underlined
word is used correctly. If it is incorrect, write the right word.
Example: during a Marathon, which is just over 26 miles long, some
runners faint along the way
1. Some of the runners have less stamina than others.
2. Those who can endure run further than many who begin the race.
3. Less runners finish the race than start it.
4. Near the end, a few minutes away feel like fore hours.
5. Only a surge of energy that flares up at this point will get the runners
to the finish line.
6. Occasionally, a competitor will feign a move to one side before giving
a burst of speed.
7. Most of Marathoners practice four at least a year prior to the race
8. A few people run a Marathon every year, but many are not
interested in farther Marathons once they’ve run one.
9. One runner, who has a definite flare for humor, wears a funny hat as
he runs.
10. He also seems to stumble a lot, perhaps as some sort of faint.

Next step: write two sentences two sentences about some kind of race
to show your understanding of the words farther and
further.
 1

Using the Right Word

666.1 Good is an adjective. Well in nearly always as adverb.
Good. Well The strange flying machines flew well. (the adverb well
modifies flew).
They looked good as they flew overhead. (the adjective good
modifies they)
When used in writing about health. Well is an adjective.
The pilots did not feel well, however, after the long, hard
race.
666.2 A hare is an animal similar to a rabbit; hair refers to the
Hare, hair growth covering the head and body of mammals and human
beings.
When a hare darted out in front of our care, the hair in my
hair stood up.
662.3 Heal means, “to mend or restore to health”. Heel is the back
Heal, heel part of a human foot.
I got a blisteron my heel from wearing my new shoes. It
won’t heal unless I wear my old ones.
662.4 Your hear sounds with your ears. Here is the opposite of
Hear, here there and means “nearby”
662.5 Heard is the past tense of the verb “to hear”; heard is the
Heard, herd group of animals.
The heard of grazing sheep raised their heads when they
heard the collie parking in the distance.
662.6 A hole is a cavity or hollow place. Whole means “entire or
Hole, whole complete”
The hole on the ozone layer is a serious problem requiring
the attention of the whole world
662.7 Immigrate means “to come into a new country or area”
Immigrate, emigrate means “to go out of one country to live in another”
emigrate Martin Ulferts immigrated to his country in 1882. He was
only three years old when emigrated from Germany.
1
 1

Grammar Practice
Using the right word 8
o Good, Well; Heal, heel; Hear, here; Hole, whole; Immigrate,
emigrate
For each sentence below has a choice of words in parentheses. Write
the word that makes the sentence correct
Example: did you (hear, here) the latest news
After her heart surgery, Granny Kasten is feeling surprisingly
(good, well)

1. The doctor said it may take a few months for her to (heal, heel)
completely.
2. When she (Immigrate, emigrate) to his country, she was only 12
years old.
3. When Sybil broke her (heal, heel), she had to stay off her foot for two
months.
4. My dad’s parents (Immigrate, emigrate) from laos
5. We often (hear, here) them talk about their lives there.
6. My grandparents adjusted (good, well) to living in this country.
7. I can’t play in this weekend’s concert because there is a (hole, whole)
in my drum.
8. Deshawn is (good, well) at coming up with creative ideas for art
projects
9. Will this school still be (hear, here) in 50 years?

Next step: write three sentences that show you know the meaning of
these words “good, well and heal”.
 1

Using the Right Word

668.1 Imply means “to suggest indirectly”; infer means “to draw a
Imply, infer conclusion from facts”.
“Since you have to work, may I infer that you won’t come to
my party?” Guy asked.
“no, I meant to imply that I would be late “Rochelle
responded”
668.2
It’s a contraction of “it is”. Its is the possessive from “it”.
It’s, its
It’s a fact that a minnow’s teethare in its throat
668.3 Knew is the past tense of the verb “know”. New means
Knew, new “recent or modern”
If I knew how to fix it, I would need a new one.
668.4 Know means “to recognize or understand” no means “the
Know, no opposite of yes”.
Phil, do you know Cheri?
No, I’ve met her.
668.5 Later means “after a period of time”. Latter refers to “the
Later, latter second of two things mentioned”.
The band arrived later and set up the speakers and lights.
The latter made the stage look like a carnival ride.
668.6 Lay means “to place”. (lay is a transitive verb; that mean it
Lay, lie needs a word to complete the meaning). Lie means “to
recline”. (Lie is an intransitive verb).
Lay your sleeping bag on the floor before you lie down on it.
((lay needs the word bag to complete its meaning).
668.7 Lead (led) is a present tense verb meaning “to guide”. The
Lead, led past tense of the verb is “led”. The noun lead (led) is the
metal.
Guides planned to lead the settlers to safe quarters. Instead,
they led them into a winter storm.
Peeling paint in old houses may contain lead.
668.8 Learn means “to get information”; teach means “to give
Learn, teach information”
I want to learn how to sew. Will you teach me?
 1

Grammar Practice:
 Using the right words 9
o Imply, infer; later, latter; lay, lie; learn, teach
For each numbered word below, write the word “correct” if it is used
correctly. If it is incorrect, write the right word.
Example: are you inferring that I’m not smart enough?
Mr. Levine was attempting to (1) Learn us a difficult scientific concept.
After answering some questions, he said, “From the looks on some of
your faces, I (2) imply that you still don’t get it”. “Mr. Levine”, Davion
said, “isn’t there another way that we can (3) “learn this?” Albert
added, “why do we need to know this, anyway?” Without being too
obvious, Mr. Levine (4) implied that we should all fail the exam if we
didn’t understand it. “Furthermore,” he said “if you don’t have some
basic curiosity, you might as well just (5) lay down and sleep away your
life”. (6)Latter in the week, Mr. Levine come up with a difficult way to
(7) teach us about the characteristics of atoms. He asked Chaya to (8)
lie her fleece jacket on some carpet. (he had brought a piece of the (9)
later from home) then he shut off the light and told Chaya to drag her
jacket back and forth on the carpet. There were sparks! Mr. Levine
explained to us that static forms when one material pulls electrons
away from the other. And, just like that, we had (10) learned
something!

Next step: here is an easy way to remember the difference between

imply and infer :”when you (with a y) imply, I infer”. Try to think of
something that will help you remember the difference between lay and
Lie.
 1

Using the Right Word

670.1 Leave means “fail to take along|”. Let means “allow”
Leave, let Rolz wanted to leave her boots at home but Jorge wouldn’t
let her.
670.2 Like is a proposition meaning “similar to”; as is a conjunction
Like, as meaning “to the same degree” or “while” like usually
introduces a phrase, as usually introduces a clause.
The glider floated like a bird. The gilder floated as the pilot
had hoped it would.
As we circled the airfield, we saw maintenance carts moving
like ants below us.
670.3 Loose (lus) means “free or united”; lose (looz) means to
Loose, lose, “misplace or fail to win”; loss (los), means “something lost”.
loss These jeans are too loose in the waist since my recent
weight loss. I still want to lose a few more pounds.
670.4 Made is the past tense of “make” which means to “create”
Made, maid “prepare”, or “put on order”. A maid is a female servant;
maid also used to describe an unmarried girl or young
woman.
The hotel maid asked if our beds needed to be made.
Grandma made a chocolate cake for dessert.
A maid strolled in the garden before the concert.
670.5 Mail refers to letters or packages handled by the postal
Mail, male service.
Male refers to the masculine sex.
My little brother likes getting junk mail.
The male sea horse, not the female takes care of the
fertilized eggs.
670.6 Main refers to “the most important part”. Mare is the long
Main, mane hair growing from the top or sides of the neck of certain
animals, such as the horse, lion, and so on.
The main thing we noticed about the magician’s tamed lion
was its luxurious mane.
670.7 Meat is food or flesh; meet means “to come upon or
Meat, meet encounter”. I’d like to meet the butcher who sells the
 1

leanest meat in town

Grammar Practice:

 Using the right word 10

o Like, as; loose, lose, loss; mail, male; main, mane

For each the following sentences write the correct choice from the set
of words parentheses.
Example: the road crew set up detour signs and began repairing the
village’s (main, mane) street
1. Bianca wears her hair in (loose, lose, loss) curls around her face.
2. Four thousands of year, people have dreamed of flying (like, as) a
bird.
3. In the 1980s, rock stars sported big, wild (mains, manes) of hair.
4. Most people know to avoid a bull moose, which is a (mail, male)
moose, but a mother moose with a calf is equally dangerous.
5. Is California or Florida the (main, mane) producer of oranges in the
United States?
6. The basketball players from Orson Middle School celebrated their
victory (like, as) their fans screamed with joy.
7. The opposing team took their (loose, lose, loss) well, even though it
was their last game.
8. Worrying causes many people to (loose, lose, loss) sleep.
9. In the hottest parts of Africa, some lions have almost no (main,
mane).
10. More and more people around the world now send and receive
(mail, male) electronically.
11. I wish I had a friend (like, as) you.
 1

Next step: write three sentences that show you understanding of the
words loss, loose, and lose
Using the Right Word
672.1 A medal is an award. Metal is an element like iron or gold.
Medal, metal , Meddle means “interfere”. Mettle, a noun refers to quality
meddle, of character.
mettle Grandpa’s friend received a medal for showing his mettle in
battle. Grandma, who loves to meddle in others’ business,
asked if the award was a precious metal.
672.2 A miner digs in the ground for valuable one; a minor is a
Miner, minor person who is not legally an adult. Minor means “of no great
importance” when use as an adjective.
The use minors as miners are no minor problem.
672.3 Moral relates to what is right or wrong or to the lesson to be
Moral, morale drawn from a story. Morale refers to person’s attitude or
mental condition.
The moral of this story is “everybody loves a winner”
After the unexpected win at football, morale with high
throughout the town.
672.4 Morning refers to the first part of the day (before noon);
Morning, mourning means “showing sorrow”
mourning Abby was mourning her test grades all morning.
672.5 An oar is a paddle used in rowing or steering a boat. Or is a
Oar, or, ore conjunction indicating choice. Ore refers to mineral made up
of several different kinds of material, as in iron ore.
Either use one oar to push us away from the dock, or start
the boat’s motor.
Silver-copper ore is smelted and refined to exact each metal
672.6 Pain is the feeling of being hurt. A pane is a section or part
Pain, pane of something.
Dad looked like he was in pain when he find out we broke a
pane of glass in the neighbor’s front door.
672.7 A pair is a couple (two); pare is a verb meaning “to peel”
Pair, pare, Pear is the fruit.
pear A pair of doves nested in the pear tree.
Please pare the apples for the pie.
1
 1

Grammar Practice:
 Using the right word 11
o Meddle, mettle; moral, morale; morning, mourning; pain, pane
For each the following sentences write a word from the list above to
fill in the blank.
Example: people’s ……………………. Often sags when winter drags on.
1. Some people ……………………. The long, worm summer days that have
passed, can’t see the beauty of autumn.
2. When Kaleb picked up the pile of heavy, wet clothes, he felt a sharp
………………. In his back.
3. Once last winter, the extreme cold formed delicate frost flowers on
the window ………………………..
4. Grandma thinks that the ……………………….. values of young people
have sunk to a new low.
5. “I appreciate your interest”, said Alejandra “but I really don’t need
you to ……………………… in this situation”.
6. Thad is …………………….. the loss of his beloved dog.
7. Sometimes only time will ease the …………………. Of such a loss.
8. A firefighter’s …………………….. is tested every time an emergency
requires swift action.
9. Sometimes only time will ease the …………………. Of such a loss.
10. I find that ………………….is the best time for me to work out.
11. It is a person’s ………………………. Obligation to help someone in
need?
12. The team’s high ……………………, despite a string of defeats, was
inspiring.

Next step: write some sentences using one word from each of the four
words groups at the top of the page.
 1

Using the Right Word

674.1 Passed is always a verb; it is a past tense of pass. Past can be
Past, passed used as a noun, as an adjective, or as preposition.
A motorcycle passed my dad’s ‘vette (verb)
The old man won’t forget the past (noun)
I’m sorry, but I’d rather not talk about my past life.
(adjective)
Old blue walked right past the cat and never saw it.
(preposition)
674.2 Peace means “harmony or freedom from war”. A piece a
Peace, piece part of fragment of something
In order to keep peace among the triplets, each one had to
havean identical piece of cake.
674.3 A peak is a “high point” or “pointed end”. Peek means “brief
Peak, peek, look”. Pique, as a verb, means, “to excite by challenging”; as
pique a noun, it means “a feeling of resentment”.
Just a peek at pike’s peak in the Rocky Mountain can pique a
mountain climber’s curiosity.
In a pique, she marched away from her giggling sisters.
674.4 Personal means “private”. Personnel are people working at a
Personal, job
personnel Some thoughts are too personal to share.
The personnel manager will be hiring new workers.
674.5 Plain is an area of land that is flat or level; it is also means
Plain, plane “clearly seen or cleanly understood” and “ordinary”.
Plane means “a flat, level surface” (as in geometry) it is also
a tool used to smooth the surface of wood.
When I saw the door wasn’t a perfect plane, I used a phone
to make it smooth.
674.6 A pore is an opening in the skin. Pour means “to cause a
Pore, pour, flow or stream” poor means “needy”.
poor People perspire through the pores in their skin. Pour
yourself a glass of water; your poor body needs it.
 1

Grammar Practice:
Using the right word 12
Past, passed; peace, piece; peak, peek, pique; pore, pour, poor
For each sentence below, write the word “correct” if the underlined
word is used correctly. If it is incorrect, write the right word
Example: I look up for my book and realize that my bus was now more
than a mile past my stop
1. I peaked at my watch and wondered if I get possibly get to my dentist
appointment in time.
2. I took out what I thought was my bus schedule and discovered that it
was only a small peace of blank paper.
3. I got off the bus and saw just the pique of the pique of the building
where I needed to be in 15 minutes.
4. I walked as I fast as I could, and soon I was sweating from every pour
in my body
5. That would pique anyone’s thirst, so I got a bottle of water from my
backpack.
6. When I’d had enough, I decided to poor the rest of it on a small tree
before throwing the empty bottle in a city waste can.
7. I was so focuses on satisfying my thirst that I almost past the
dentist’s office.
8. I gratefully sat at piece in the waiting room
9. My pore feet needed the rest.
10. I was glad that this experience with now on my passed.
 1

Next step: write a paragraph about a time when you were late. Use as
many of the words in the list at the top of the page as you
can.

Using the Right Word

676.1 As an adjective, principal means “primary”. As a noun, it can
Principal, mean “a school administration” or “a sum of money”.
principle Principle means “idea or doctrine”.
My mom’s principal goal is to save money so she can pay off
the principal balance on her loan from the bank.
Hey, Charlie, I hear the principal gave you a detention.
The principle of freedom is based on the principle of self-
discipline.
676.2 Quiet is the opposite of “noisy”. Quit means “to stop”. Quite
Quiet, quit, means “completely” or “entirely”.
quite I quit mowing even though I wasn’t quite finished.
The neighborhood was quiet again
676.3 Raise is a verb meaning, “to lift or elevate”. Rays are thin
Raise, rays, lines or beams. Raze is a verb that means, “to tear down
raze completely”.
When I raise this shade, bright rays of sunlight stream into
the room.
Construction workers will raze the old theater to make room
for a sparking lot.
674.4 Do not use the adjective real in place of the adverb very
Real, very, …………
really The plants scattered throughout the restaurant are not real.
Pimples are very embarrassing
Her nose is really small.
674.5 Red is a color; read; pronounced the same way, is the past
Red, read tense of the verb meaning of written word and symbols.
“I’ve read five books in two days; said the little boy.
The Librarian give him a red ribbon
 1

Using the Right Word

678.1 Right means “correct or proper”. Right is the opposite of
Right, write, “left”; it also refer to anything that a person has a legal claim
rite to, as in “copyright”. Write means “to record in print”. Rite is
a ritual or ceremonial act.
We have to write an easy about how our rights are
protected by the constitution
Turn right at the next corner.
A rite of passage is a ceremony that celebrates becoming an
adult.
678.2 Scene refers to setting or location were something happens;
Scene, seen it also means “sight or spectacle”. Seen is a form of the verb
“see”
The scene of the crime was roped off. We hadn’t seen
anyone go in or out of the building.
678.3 A seam is a line formed by connecting two pieces or
Seam, seem material.
Seem means “appear to exist”.
Every thanksgiving, it seems, I stuff myself so much that my
shirt seams threaten to burst.
678.4 Sew is a verb meaning to “to stitch” so is a conjunction
Sew, so, sow meaning, “in order that”. The verb sow means “ to plant”
In ………………… time, the wife would sow the family clothes
and the husband would sow the family garden so the
children could eat.
678.5 Sight means “the act of seeing” or “something that is seen”.
Sight, cite, site Cite means “to quote or refer to”. A site is a location or
position (including a website on the internet).
The Alamo at night was a sight worth the trip. I was also able
to cite my visit to this historical site in my history paper.
678.6 Sit means, “to put the body in a seated position”. Set means
 1

Sit, set ”to place”. (Set is a transitive verb; that means it needs
direct object to complete its meaning).
How can you just sit there and watch as I set up all these
chairs?
Grammar Practice
 Using the right word
o Scene, seen; seam, seem; sew, so, sow; sit, set
For each the following sentences, write a word from a list above to fill
in the blank.
Example: because even a little moisture can damage wood, please do
not that …………………….. wet towel in the table.
1. Did you noticed that the ……………………….. of this jacket is coming
apart?” Mia asked
2. Yes”, I replied, “I’m going to try to………………………. It up myself.”
3. Theo finally had to ………………………. Down after standing for three
hours during the football game.
4. When he ………………………. His soda on the bench, someone knocked
it over.
5. Janelle and Rhonda stopped Craig to ask him if he had
………………………. Their lost dog.
6. Landon wants to design his diorama to look like a ……………………….
From the battle of new Orleans.
7. Looking around, Jay said “I ………………………. To have lost my hat”.
8. Sharon promise to help her Mother ………………………. Some flower
seed in their little garden.
9. I’m trying to get extra per-sitting jobs……………………….that I will have
enough money to get two kittens.
10. We ………………………. In assigned seats in this class.
11. My aunt doesn’t like to be ………………………. Without her makeup.
 1

12. Although lemmings might ………………………. To jump of a ledge into

the sea, they are actually looking for food and accidentally fall.
13. Khadija is tired of her long hair, ………………………. She’s going to get it
cut short this weekend.

Using the Right Word

680.1 Sole means “single, only one”; sole also refers to the bottom
Sole, soul surface of a foot or a shoe. Soul refers to the spiritual part of
a person.
Maggie got a job for the sole purpose of saving for a car.
The soles of these shoes are very thick.
“Who told you dogs don’t have souls?”asked the kind
vegetarian.
680.2 Some means “an unknown number of part”. Sum means “
Some, sum the whole amount”
The sum of the cash register was stolen by some thieves
680.3 Sore means “painful”; to soar means “ to rise or fly high into
Sore, soar the air
Craning to each the eagle soar overhead, we seen has sore
necks.
680.4 Stationary means “not moveable”; stationery is the paper
Stationary, and envelopes used to write letters.
Stationery Grandpa design and printed his own stationery.
All of the built-in furniture is stationary of course.
680.5 Steal means, “to take something without permission”. Steel
Steal, steel is a metal.
Early iron makers had to steal recipes for producing steel.
680.6 Than is used in a comparison; then tells when.
Than, then Since tomorrow’s weather is supposed to be nicer than
today’s , will go to the zoo then
680.7 There is a possessive pronoun, one that shows ownership.
Their, there, There is an adverb that tells where , there is the contraction
they’re for “they are”
They’re upset because their dog got into the garbage over
there.
680.8 Threw is the past tense of “throw”. Through means “passing
 1

Threw, from one side to the other” or “by means of”.

through Through cheer talent and long practice. Nolan Ryan threw
baseballs through the strike zone at more than 100 miles per
hour.

Using the Right Word

682.1 To is the proposition that can means “in the direction of”.
To, too, two (To also is used to form an infinitive. See 730.4.). Too is an
adverb meaning “very or excessive”. Too is often used to
mean “also”. Two is the number 2.
Only two of Columbus’ first three chips returned to Spain
from the new world.
Columbus was too restless to stay on Spain for long.
682.2 Vain means” worthless”. It may also mean thinking too
Vain, vane, highly of one’s self; stuck-up”. Vane is a flat piece of material
vein set up to show which way the wind blows. Vein refers to a
blood vessel or a mineral deposit.
The weather vane indicates the direction of wind.
A blood vein determines the direction of flowing blood.
The vain mind move in no particular direction and thinks
only about itself.
682.3 Vary is a verb that means, “to change”. Very can be an
Vary, very adjective meaning “in the fullest sense” or complete”; it can
also be an adverb meaning “extremely”.
Garon’s version of the event would vary from day to day.
His very interesting story was the very opposite of the truth
682.4 Waist is the part of body just above the legs. The verb waste
Waist, means “to wear away” or “to use carelessly” the noun verb
waste refers to material that is unused or useless.
Don’t waste your money in fast-food meals. What a waste to
throw away all this food because you’re concerned about
the size of your waist!
682.5 Wait means, “to stay somewhere expecting something”.
Wait, weight Weight is the measure of heaviness.
When I have to wait for the bus, the weight of my backpack
seems to keep increasing.
 1

682.6 Ware means “a product to be sold”; wear means “to have on

Ware, wear, or to carry on one’s body”; where asks the question “in what
where place or in what situation?”
Where can you buy the best cookware to take on a campout
and the best rain gear to wear if it rains?
Grammar Practice
 Using the right word 16
o To, too, two; vain, vane, vein; vary, very; ware, wear, where
For each the following sentences, write the correct choice from the
set of word in parentheses
Example: Angelica braids her hair 9to, too, two) kept it out of her face.
1. The school’s weather (vain, vane, vein)shows that the wind is from
the north today.
2. A cold breeze makes me want to (ware, wear, where) a sweater.
3. Although the school ordered a reference guide for every class, only
(to, too, two) arrived.
4. After searching for 15 minutes, tony finally asked the librarian (ware,
wear, where) the biographies were located.
5. As long as he had to talk to her to point out the bathrooms (to, too,
two).
6. In a (vain, vane, vein) attempt to open the window, Ms. Jenkins
discovered that it had been painted shut.
7. When Char glanced at the clock and realize only 20 minutes had gone
by, she knew it was going to be a (vary, very) long day.
8. Grandpa says that sometimes a nurse cannot find a good (vain, vane,
vein) from which to draw his blood.
9. Darren and I went (to, too, two) the mall yesterday.
10. Fatima is an artist who works with metal; she sells her (wars, wears,
wheres) at festival and county fairs.
 1

11. Although we were told that the lunch menu would (vary, very) from
week to week, it always seems the same to me.
12. Many fast foods have (to, too, two) much salt.
Next step: write one sentence that uses to, too, and two. For an extra
challenge, write one for vary and very

Using the Right Word

684.1 Way means “path or route” or “a serious of action”. Weigh
Way, weigh means “to measure weight”.
What the correct way to weigh liquid medicines?
684.2 Weather refers to the conditions of the atmosphere.
Weather, Whether refers to a possibility.
whether The weather will determine whether I go fishing.
684.3 Week is a period of seven days; weak means “not strong”.
Week, weak Last week when I had the flu, I felt light-headed and weak.
684.4 Wet means “soaked with liquid”. Whet is verb that means
Wet, whet “to sharpen”.
Of course, going swimming means I’ll get wet, but all that
exercise really whets my appetite.
684.5 Which is a pronoun used to ask “what one or once”? Out of
Which, witch group. A witch is a woman believed to have super natural
powers.
Which of the woman in Salem in the 1600s were accused of
being witches?
684.6 When introducing a clause, who is used to refer to people ;
Who, which, which refers to animals and nonliving being but never to
that people (it introduces a nonrestrictive, or unnecessary,
clause); that usually refers to animals or things but can refers
to people (it introduces a restrictive, or necessary clause).
The idea that pizza is junk food is crazy.
Pizza which is quite nutritious, can be included I a healthful
diet.
My mom, who is dietician, said so
 1

684.7 Who is used as the subject in a sentence; whom is used as

Who, whom the object of a preposition or as a direct object.
Who asked you to play tennis?
You beat whom at tennis? You played tennis with whom?
NOTE to test for who, whom; arrange the parts of the clause
in a subject verb direct object order. Who works as the
subject; whom as the object (see page 570)

Using the Right Word

686.1 Who’s is the contraction for “who is”. Whose is a possessive
Who’s, whose pronoun, one that shows ownership.
Who’s is the most popular write today?
Whose bike is this?
686.2 Wood is the material that comes from trees; would is a form
Wood, would of the verb “will”.
Sequoia trees live practically forever, but would you believe
that the wood from these giants is practically useless?
686.3 Your is a possessive pronoun, one that shows ownership.
Your, you’re You’re is the contraction for “you are”
You are the most important person in your parents’ lives

School Daze
- David, you know you’re supposed to be doing your homework.
- I am, Mom. I’m doing firsthand research on energy conservation.
1
 1

Grammar Practice
 Part of Sentence 1
o Simple, complete, and Compound Subjects

For each the following sentences, write a word from the list above to
fill in the blank.
Example: please ………………………. Journal to class tomorrow
1. Five students said that they ……………….. be willing to help serve at
the wing road soup kitchen.
2. Can anyone tell me ……………………. Watch this is?
3. ……………………. Planning to go on the Washington D.C., trip?
4. The manager said, “after you put away the weights and sweep the
workout room, ……………………. Free to go”.
5. This old desk is made completely of …………………….
6. Make sure you have ……………………. Lunch, and then get on the
bus.
Using the right word review
For each the following sentences, write the correct choice from the
set of parentheses
(1) My uncle living in Cuba wants to (immigrate, emigrate) to the united
state.
(2) The (stationary, stationery) bike is (to, too, two) heavy for you to
move by yourself
(3) Have you (scene, seen) the city bus that’s painted to look (as, like) a
shark?

(4) Scuba divers need a (continual, continuous) supply for air.

(5) The magician asked Frank to (borrow, lend) her a coin for an
(allusion, illusion) she would perform.
(6) Larry wasn’t (quiet, quit, quite) ready to have the lake and the (base,
bass) (who, which, that) got away.
 1

Understanding Sentences:
Sentences:
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. A
sentence must have both a subject and predicate. A sentence begins
with a capital letter; it ends with a period, a question mark, or an
exclamation point.
I like my teacher this year.
Will we go on a field trip?
We get to go to the water park!
Parts of a sentence
690.1 A subject is the part of a sentence that does something or is
subject talked about.
The kids on my block play basketball at the local park.
We meet after school almost every day
690.2
The simple subject is the subject without the words that
Simple, subject
describe or modify it. (Also see page 501.)
My friend Chester plays basketball on the school team.
690.4 The complete subject is the simple subject and all the words
Complete, 'that modify it. (Also see page 500)
subjects My friend Chester plays basketball on the school team.
690.4 A compound subject has two or more simple subjects. (See
Compound page 501)
subjects Chester; Milk, and Mesheile play on our pickup team.
Lou and I are the best shooters.
 1

Grammar Practice
 Part of Sentence 2
o Simple, complete, and Compound predicates
For each sentence below, write the complete predicate (or predicates
for a compound sentence). Circle the simple or compound predicate.
Example: Ancient people were the first to work with copper.
Were the first to work with copper

1. It was easy to find, and it was a fairly simple process to melt the
copper
2. Bronze is probably the first invented metal.
3. Metalworkers, or smelters, melted copper and threw tin into it.
4. Smelters gradually added other substances to copper and created
even stronger metals
o Direct and Indirect Objects
Write the direct object or objects that are part of the predicate In each
sentence below. If the sentence has an indirect object, write it after the
direct object and underline it.
Example: Metalworkers produced bronze pins, jewelry oil lamps.
pins, jewelry, lamps
(1) Sculptors could cast lifelike statues in bronze.
(2) Kings sometimes gave great warriors bronze swords.
(3) Wealthy people bought their families bronze trinkets.
(4) Archaeologists have found many bronze artifacts.
(5) Museum displays show visitors bronze objects that are thousands of
years old.
(6) Even today, one can see the fine designs carved into them.
(7) Artists still like bronze and work with it often.
 1

Part of a sentence
692.1 The predicate, which contains the verb, is the part of the
predicates sentence that shows action or says something about the
Subject.
Hunting has reduced the tiger population in India.
692.2 The simple predicate is the predicate (verb) without the
Simple Words that describe or modify it. (See page 501) In the past,
predicates poachers killed too many African elephants.
Poaching is illegal.
692.3 The complete predicate is the simple predicate with all the
Complete Words that modify or describe it. (See page 500).
Predicates In the past, poachers killed too many African elephants.
Poaching is illegal.
692.4 The complete predicate often includes a direct object. The
Direct objects direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action
Of the simple predicate-directly. The direct object answers
The question what or whom. (See page 570).
Many smaller animals need friends who will speak up for
them.
The direct object may be compound.
We all need animals, plants, wetlands, deserts, and forests.
692.5 If a sentence has a direct object, it may also have an indirect
Indirect object. An indirect object is the noun or pronoun that
objects receives the action of the simple predicate-indirectly.
An indirect object names the person to whom or for whom
Something is done. (See page 570).
I showed the class my multimedia report on
endangered species. (Class is the indirect object
because it say to whom the Report was shown).
Remember, in order for a sentence to have an indirect
object, It must first have a direct object.
692.6 A compound predicate is composed of two or more simple
Compound predicates (see page 501).
Predicates In 1990s the countries of the world ………… and ……… the sale
of ivory.
 1

Parts of a sentence …
694.1 Either the subject or the predicate (or both) may not be
Understood stated in a sentence, but both must be clearly understood.
Subject and [You] Get involved! (You is the understood subject).
predicates Who needs your help? Animals [do]. (Do is the understood
predicate).
What do many animals face? [They face] Extinction.
(They is the understood subject, and face is the understood
predicate).
694.2 In sentences that begin with there followed by a form of the
Delayed "be" verb, the subject usually follows the verb (See page
subjects 570)
There are laws that protect endangered species. (The subject
is laws; are is the verb.)
The subject is also delayed in questions. How can we
preserve the natural habitat? (We is the subject.)
School Daze
- John, I've got all the projects Now which one is yours?
- I'm not sure See if there's one with a missing piece.
Parts of a sentence …
694.3 A modifier is a word (adjective, adverb) or a group of words "
Modifiers (phrase, clause) that changes or adds to the meaning of
another word (See pages 486-493.)
Many North American zoos and aquariums voluntarily
participate in breeding programs that help prevent
extinction.
The modifiers in this sentence include the following: many,
North American (adjectives), voluntarily (adverb), in
breeding programs (phrase), that help prevent extinction
(clause).
 1

Grammar Practice
 Part of Sentence 3
o Simple, complete, and Compound predicates.
o Delayed subjects
For write the simple subject in the numbered sentences below. If the
simple subject is understood, write "you".

Example: There are ticks that carry disease.

Ticks
1) Imagine a tick embedded in your arm. (2) How do you remove it? (3)
First of all, do not try to pull it off by force. (4) A portion of its head
could break off and remain inside the flesh. (5) There is a better way to
remove it. (6) To begin, cover the tick with rubbing alcohol, heavy salad
oil, or petroleum. Jelly, and wait for it to relax its grip. (7) Then carefully
remove the tick with tweezers. (8) What is the final step? To wash the
affected area thoroughly with soap and water.
Next step: In the last sentence above, neither the subject nor the
predicate is stated, but they are understood. Rewrite the sentence,
stating both the subject and the predicate.
o Modifiers
List the adjectives and adverbs in each of the sentences below.
Example: Fortunately, fleas are usually not dangerous.
Fortunately, usually, not, dangerous

1. An intense itch is often the only result of a flexible.

2. Fleas really like to hide in pet fur.
3. All fleas are wingless.
4. They do not fly, but they can jump incredibly far!
 1

Parts of a sentence …
698.1 A clause is a group of related words that has both a subject
clauses and a verb. (Also see pages 515-517). A whole chain of plants
and animals Is affected (Chain is the subject, and is affected
is the verb.)
when one species dies out completely
(Species is the subject; dies out is the verb.)
698.2 An independent clause presents a complete thought and can
Independent stand alone as a sentence.
clauses This ancient oak tree may be cut down.
This act could affect more than 200 different species of
animals!
Why would anyone want that to happen?
698.3 A dependent clause does not present a complete thought
Depended and cannot stand as a sentence. A dependent clause
clauses depends on being connected to an independent clause to
make sense. Dependent clauses begin with either a
subordinating conjunction (after, although, because, before,
if) or a relative pronoun (who, whose, which, that). (See
pages 710 and 744 for complete lists).
If this ancient oak tree is cut down, it could affect more
than 200 different species of animals!
The tree, which experts think could be 400 years old,
provides a home to many different kinds of birds and
insects.

School Daze
- Boy, are you in for a real blockbuster next hour!
- Yeah …. Mr. Runge is showing a movie called A Day in the Life od
A Depended Clause
 1

Grammar Practice
Parts of a sentence 4
Clauses
For the even-numbered sentences, write the dependent clause. (If
there Is no dependent clause, write "none.") Write the independent
clause for the odd-numbered sentences.
Odd-numbered

Example: Although digital cameras take excellent pictures, they still do

not see as well as the human eye.
although digital cameras take excellent pictures

1. The eye sends nerve signals through the optic nerve to the brain,
which interprets the signals as sight.
2. The cornea, pupil, lens, and retina are the key parts of the eye.
3. The cornea is a clear membrane that covers the front of the eye.
4. The retina, which focuses light, is located in the back of the 'eye and
is filled with rods and cones.
5. Cones, which are not functional in every person, make it possible to
see in color.
6. Because rods sense light in black, white, and gray, they allow People
to see in low light.
7. A person can. also see in low light because the pupil enlarges.
8. When the light is bright, the pupil contracts.
9. Muscles stretch or compress the lens in each eye so that a person
can see near or far.
10. The lenses of a person: who has cataracts are not clear.
11. If someone's eye shape isn't quite right, he or she will have trouble
seeing clearly.
12. Although surgery can solve many vision problems, glasses or
contact lenses are still the simplest remedy.

Next step: Write two complex sentences about your eyes. Remember
that a complex sentence has both an independent and a
dependent clause.
1
 1

Hi
Parts of a sentence …
700.1 A phrase is a group of related words that lacks either a
phrases subject or a predicate (or both). (See pages 519-520).
guards the house (The predicate lacks a subject).
the ancient oak tree (The subject lacks a predicate).
with crooked old limbs (The phrase lacks both a subject and
a predicate.)
The ancient oak tree with crooked old limbs guards the
house.
(Together, the three phrases form a complete thought).
700.2 Phrases usually take their names from the main words that
Types of introduce them (prepositional phrase, verb phrase, and so
phrases on). They are also named for the function they serve in a
sentence (adverb phrase, adjective phrase).
The ancient oak tree (noun phrase)
with crooked old limbs (prepositional phrase)
has stood its guard, (verb phrase)
very stubbornly, (adverb phrase)
protecting the little house. (verbal phrase)
For more information on verbal phrases, see page 730.

School Daze
- Give me an example for a verbal phrase used to as a subject
- Hanging upside down refreshes my brain.
 1

Grammar Practice
Nouns 1
Concrete and Abstract Nouns

For each of the following sentences, write whether the underlined

noun is "concrete" or "abstract."

Example: Pilots enjoy the challenge of flying a sailplane.

Abstract
1. It's as close to soaring like a bird as a person is likely to get.
2. Fliers talk about the sense of peace they have when gliding.
3. To keep the flight going, a pilot might have to put the sailplane into a
dive.
4. The dive gives the craft speed, which means more air time.
5. After the flight, the pilot returns the glider to its storage trailer so
that it is ready for another day.

Compound and Collective Nouns

For each sentence below, write any compound or collective nouns you
find. Circle the collective nouns.

Example: West of the Great Plains, groups of glider pilots take

advantage of winds blowing against or over mountains.
Great Plains (groups)

1. A glider's lightweight and long wings, along with a small cluster of

instruments, allow a pilot to take advantage of updrafts in the air.
2. With the right conditions, gliders (or sailplanes) can travel over great
distances by moving along a mountain range.
3. A pilot will travel southeast along with a flock of geese over several
miles.
4. Pilots can join gliding clubs that support this unique sport.
5. I think this "unique sport" would give me a stomachache.
 1

Using the Parts of speech

 Nouns
A noun is a word that names a person, a place, a thing, or an idea.
Person: John Ulferts (uncle) Thing: "Yankee Doodle" (song)
Place: Mississippi (state) Idea: Labor Day (holiday)
Gender of Nouns
701.3 Nouns are grouped according to gender: feminine,
Noun gender masculine, neuter, and indefinite.
Feminine (female): mother, sister, women, cow, hen
Masculine (male): father, brother, men, bull, rooster
Neuter (neither male nor female): tree, cobweb, closet
Indefinite (male or female): president, duckling, doctor

Uses of nouns
704.4 A singular noun names one person, place, thing, or idea.
Subject nouns boy group audience stage concert hope
704.5 A plural noun names more than one person, place, thing,
Predicate or idea.
nouns boys groups audiences stages concerts hopes
Gender of Nouns
704.6 Nouns are grouped according to gender: feminine, asculine,
Possessive neuter, and indefinite.
nouns Feminine (female): mother, sister, women, cow, hen
Masculine (male): father, brother, men, bull, rooster
Neuter (neither male nor female): tree, cobweb, closet
Indefinite (male or female): president, duckling, doctor
704.7 A noun is an object noun when it is used as the direct object,
Object nouns The indirect object, or the object of the preposition
Some rappers tell people their story about life in the city.
(indirect object; people; direct object; story)
Rap is now a common music choice in this country. (object of
the preposition: country)
 1

Kinds of Nouns
702.1 A common noun is any noun that does not name a specific
Common person, place, thing, or idea. These nouns are not apitalized.
nouns woman museum book weekend
702.2
A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, thing,
Proper nouns
or idea. Proper nouns are capitalized.
Hillary Clinton Central Park Maniac McGee Sunday
ncrete nouns
A concrete noun names a thing that is physical (can be
touched or seen). Concrete nouns can be either proper or
common .
702.4 An abstract noun names something you can think about but
Abstract nouns cannot see or touch. Abstract nouns can be either common
or proper.
Judaism poverty satisfaction illness
702.5 A collective noun names a group or collection of persons,
Collective animals, places, or things.
nouns Persons: tribe, congregation, family, class, team Animals:
flock, herd, gaggle, clutch, litter
Things: batch, cluster, bunch
702.6 A compound noun is made up of two or more words.
Compound Football (written as one word)
nouns high school (written as two words)
brother-in-law (written as a hyphenated word)

Nouns …
Number of Nouns
The number of a noun is either singular or plural
704.1 A singular noun names one person, place, thing, or idea.
Singular nouns boy group audience stage concert hope
704.2 A plural noun names more than one person, place, thing,
Plural nouns or idea.
boys groups audiences stages concerts hopes
 1

Grammar Practice
 Nouns 2
o Uses of Nouns
Write whether the underlined noun in each of the following sentences
is a "subject," “predicate", "possessive" or “object" noun.
Example: Last year, Danika's dad found a good used all-terrain
wheelchair for her.
Possessive
1. It's a big improvement over her old one.
2. This wheelchair's frame and tires are very sturdy.
3. Danika recently competed in a wheelchair ~·
4. A local business ~ arranged the loan of a racing wheelchair for
Danika.
5. The business owner is also a wheelchair user.
6. Racing wheelchairs are not the same as ordinary wheelchairs.
7. Regular wheelchairs have two large and two small wheels.
8. The made-for-racing chair features two large angled wheels but only
one small wheel in the front.
9. The large side wheels tilt so the rider can more easily push the
wheels.
10. The city's parks department has approved plans to make all the
parks accessible to wheelchairs.
11. The parks' redesign is a definite move in the right direction.

Next step: Write two sentences about someone in a wheelchair.

Use a predicate noun and an object noun somewhere in
Your sentences. Underline and label each one appropriately.
 1

Pronouns
A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun. Some examples are I, you,
he, she, it, we, they, his, hers, her, its, me, myself, us, yours, and so on.
Without pronouns: Kevin said Kevin would be going to
Kevin's grandmother's house this weekend.
With pronouns: Kevin said he would be going to his
Grandmother’s house this weekend

706.1 An antecedent is the noun that the pronoun refers to or

Antecedents replaces. All pronouns (except interrogative and indefinite
pronouns) have antecedents. (See page 474.)
Jamal and Rick tried out for the team, and they both made It.
(They refers to Jamal and Rick; it refers to team.)
NOTE Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in
number, person, and gender.

Types of Pronouns
There are several types of pronouns. The most common type is the
personal pronoun. (See the chart on page 710).

706.2 A personal pronoun takes the place of a specific person (or

Personal thing) in a sentence. Some common personal pronouns are I,
pronoun ……………………………………………
706.3 A relative pronoun is both a pronoun and a connecting word.
Relative It connects a dependent clause to an independent clause in a
pronoun complex sentence. Relative pronoun include who, whose,
which, and that. (see 684.6).
Buffalo, which often gets more than eight feet of snow in a
year, is on the northeast shore of Lake Erie.
The United States city that gets the most snow in Valdez,
Alaska.
706.4 An interrogative pronoun helps ask a question
Interrogative Who wants to go to Alaska?
pronoun Which of the cities would you visit?
Whom would you like to travel with?
What did you say?
 1

Grammar Practice
 Antecedents
 Personal pronoun
 Relative pronoun
For each blank in the sentences below, write the missing pronoun.
(The type of pronoun is in parentheses.) Also, write its antecedent.
Example: Field trips are enjoyable because personal allow students to
Learn outside of the classroom.
They (trips)

(1) The student (relative) suggests the best field trip may propose
Personal to the principal.
(2) The Adler Planetarium, (relative) is in Chicago, is a favorite field trip
destination.
(3) Mrs. Bogart said (personal) thought the class should visit a
veterinary hospital.
(4) Ben said that (personal) thought the class should visit a veterinary
hospital.
(5) Mr. Andrews suggested, “(personal) would like to take the class to
Washington, D.C., for several days”.
(6) The state capitol, (relative) is a popular place to visit, is where we
plan to go next Tuesday.
(7) The students (relative) names are on Mr. Daly’s list should attend
the field trip meeting.
(8) The field trip (relative) Susan liked best was sailing on a tall ship.
(9) Mrs. Bogart and Mr. Andrews announced, "(personal) will discuss all
your suggestions."

Next step: Write two sentences about a field trip you have taken.
Use pronouns in each sentence and underline them.
Exchange papers with a classmate and circle the
antecedents in each other's sentences.
 1

Pronouns … Types of pronouns

708.1 A demonstrative pronoun points out or identifies a noun
Demonstrative without naming the noun. When used together in a sentence,
pronouns this and that distinguish one item from another, and these and
those distinguish one group from another. (See page 710).
This is a great idea; that was a nightmare.
These are my favorite foods, and those are definitely not.
NOTE When these words are used before a noun, they are
not pronouns; rather, they are demonstrative adjectives.
Coming to this picnic was fun-and those ants think so, too.
708.2 An intensive pronoun emphasizes, or intensifies, the noun
Intensive or pronoun it refers to. Common intensive pronouns include
pronouns itself, myself, himself, herself, and yourself.
Though the chameleon's quick-change act protects it from
predators, the lizard itself can catch insects 10 inches away with
Its lung, sticky tongue.
When a chameleon changes its skin color-seemingly matching
the background-the background colors themselves do not
affect the chameleon's color changes.
NCTE These sentences would be complete without the
intensive pronoun. '):fie pronoun simp1y emphasizes a
particular noun.
708.3 A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of a sentence,
Reflexive And it is always an object (never a subject) in a sentence.
pronoun Reflexive pronouns are the same as the intensive pronoun-
itself, myself, himself, herself, yourself, and so on.
A chameleon protects itself from danger by changing colors.
(direct object)
A chameleon can give itself tasty meals of unsuspecting insects.
(indirect object)
I wish I could claim some of Its amazing powers for myself.
(object of the preposition)
NOTE Unlike sentences with intensive pronouns, these
Sentences would not be complete without the reflexive
pronoun.
1
 1

Pronouns …
Types of pronouns
710.1 An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not have a
Indefinite specific antecedent (the noun or pronoun it replaces). (See
pronoun page 475).
Everything about the chameleon is fascinating.
Someone donated a chameleon to .our class.
Anyone who brings in a live Insect can feed our chameleon.

Types of Pronouns
Personal Pronouns
I, me, mine, my, we, us, our, ours, you, your, yours, they, them, their, theirs,
he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, Its
Relative Pronouns
who, whose, whom, which, what, that, whoever, whomever, whichever,
whatever
Interrogative Pronouns
who, whose, whom, which, what
Demonstrative Pronouns
this, that, these, those
Intensive and Reflexive Pronouns
myself, himself, herself, itself, yourself, yourselves, themselves, ourselves
Indefinite Pronouns
All Both Everything Nobody Several
Another Each Few None Some
Any Each one Many No one Somebody
Anybody Either Most Nothing Something
Anyone Everyone Much One Something
Anything Everyone Neither Other Much
 1

Grammar Practice
Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns

Write the indefinite pronoun in each of the following sentences.

Example: Many recognize Sondre Norheim as the father of modern

Skiing.
Many
1. Northeim created a new kind of ski for himself and others.
2. Each had a heel binding and curved sides.
3. Sondre had a remarkable style of skiing that everyone admired.
4. No one can deny that he promoted the joy of skiing.
5. Most credit Norheim with making skiing a popular sport.

Pronoun Review

Identify the underlined pronouns in the sentences below as

“personal", "relative," or “indefinite."

1. Ralph Samuelson, who was from Minnesota, invented waterskiing

In 1922.
2. Most didn't believe the eighteen-year-old when he talked about
Skiing on water.
3. Ralph and his brother Ben set out to prove that they could do it.
4. They tried skis made from pieces of a barrel, which did not work well.
s. Neither thought twice about using a window-sash cord as a ski rope.
6. Ralph made his own skis from leather strips and lumber that he
purchased
7. Everything worked fine!
8. In 1925, during an exhibition that was held on Lake Pepin, Ralph
made his first successful water-ski jump.
 1

Pronouns …
Number of pronouns
712.1 Pronouns can be either singular or plural in number.
Singular and Singular: I, you, he, she, it Plural: we, you, they
plural NOTE The pronouns you, your, and yours may be singular or
pronouns Plural.
Person of a Pronoun
The person of a pronoun tells whether the pronoun is speaking,
Being spoken to, or being spoken about. (See page 474).
712.2 A first-person pronoun is used in place of the name of the
First person Speaker or speakers.
pronouns I am speaking. We are speaking.
712.3 A second-person pronoun is used to name the person or thing
Second Spoken to.
person Eliza, will you please take out the garbage?
pronouns You better stop grumbling!
712.4 A third-person pronoun is used to name the person or thing
Third person Spoken about.
pronouns Bill should listen if he wants to learn the words to this song.
Charisse said that she already knows them.
They will perform the song in the talent show.
Uses of Pronouns
A pronoun can be used as a subject, as an object, or to show
possession (see the chart on page 714).
712.5 A subject pronoun is used as the subject of a sentence
Subject (1, you, he, she, it, we, they).
pronouns I like to surf the Net.
A subject pronoun is also used after a form of the be verb
(am. Is, are, was, were, being, been) if it repeats the subject.
(See “Predicate Nouns” 704.5).
“This is the” Mom replied into the telephone
“Yes, it was I”, admitted the child who had eaten the cookies.
 1

Grammar Practice
Pronouns 4
Number of pronoun
Person of pronoun
Write the personal pronouns in each of the following sentences and
Identify each as "singular'' or "plural." Also, tell whether it is "first"
"Second” or "third" person.

Example: We studied the Industrial Revolution in our history class.

We-plural, first person our-plural, first person

1. My history teacher asked me, "Would you do a report on the

Industrial Revolution and child labor issues?
2. It was a time when machines replaced skilled labor.
3. Many people lost their jobs during that period in history.
4. Samuel Slater and his textile mill began the Industrial Revolution.
5. Inventors Watt, Kay, and Hargreaves are known for their
contributions to the textile industry.
6. My American ancestors were probably affected by the industrial
revolution
7. In 1886, workers formed a labor union that they called the
American Federation of Labor.
8. Samuel Gompers was its first president.
9. Early unions protected workers' rights and made sure that they
Were paid a fair wage.
10. Of course, the teacher gave us a test on this era.
11. My friend Chris said, "I know I passed!"

Next step: Write a short paragraph about a subject you're studying

In school. Make sure your pronouns agree with their
antecedents in person and number.
1
 1

Pronouns …
Uses of pronouns
714.1 An object pronoun (me, you, him, her, it, us, them) can be used
Object as the object of a verb or preposition. (See 692 .4,
pronouns 692.5 and 742.1).
I'll call her as soon as I can. (direct object)
Hand me the phone book, please. (indirect object)
She thinks these flowers are from you. (object of the
preposition)
714.2 A possessive pronoun shows possession or ownership. These
Possessive possessive pronouns function as adjectives before nouns: my,
pronouns Our, his, her, their, its, and your.
School workers are painting our classroom this summer. Its
walls will look much better.
These possessive pronouns can be used after verbs: mine,
Ours, hers, his, theirs, and yours.
I'm pretty sure this backpack is mine and that one is his.
NOTE An apostrophe is not needed with a possessive pronoun
to show possession.

Singular Pronouns Plural Pronouns

Subject Possessive Object Subject Possessive Object
Pronouns Pronouns Pronouns Pronouns Pronouns Pronouns
First I My, mine Me We Our, ours us
person
Second You Your, yours You You Your, yours You
person
Third He His Him They Their, Them
person theirs
She Her, hers Her
It Its It
 1

Grammar Practice
Pronoun 5
Uses of Pronouns
For each sentence below, identify each personal pronoun as a
"subject pronoun” (712.5), an “object pronoun," or a “possessive
pronoun."
Example: She thinks that the invitation to the dance is from you.
She-subject pronoun, you-object pronoun
1. They asked me not to bring my brother to basketball practice.
2. When we think of our fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Wong, we
Remember his funny skits in the variety show.
3. Angela admits that algebra is not easy for her; it is difficult for me,
too.
4. Before the game, she was afraid that her team might lose.
5. Max said, "Sunan and Elena went to the band concert without us,
even after we asked them to wait."
6. The dirt bike hit some debris that caused it to crash.
7. It suffered quite a bit of damage.
8. Her sister sings in a band that plays at their school's dances.
9. Hank was late for practice today; he has been late for everything
lately.
10. The coach is going to have a talk with him.
11. I thought the ball was mine, but then Jack jumped up and caught it.
12. You should check with the teacher before posting your ad on the
bulletin board.

Next step: Write a sentence with a subject pronoun and an object or a

possessive pronoun. Trade sentences with a classmate.
Underline the subject pronoun and circle the object or
possessive pronoun.
 1

Verbs
A verb is a word that shows action or links a subject to another word in
a sentence.
- Tornadoes cause tremendous damage. (Action verb)
- The weather is often calm before a storm. (Linking verb)

Pronouns …
Uses of pronouns
718.1
Action verbs An action verb tells what the subject is doing. (See page 480.)
Natural disasters hit the globe nearly every day

718.2 A linking verb connects-or links-a subject to a noun or an

Linking verbs adjective in the predicate. The most common linking verbs
are forms of the verb be (is, are, was, were, being, been, am).
Verbs such as smell, look, taste, feel, remain, turn, appear,
become, sound, seem, grow, and stay can also be linking
verbs. (See page 480.)
The San Andreas Fault is an earthquake zone in California.
(The linking verb is connects the subject to the predicate
noun zone.)
Earthquakes there are fairly common. (The linking verb are
connects the subject to the predicate adjective common.)
718.3 A helping verb (also called an auxiliary verb) helps the main
Helping verb express tense and voice. The most common helping
verbs verbs are shall, will, should, would, could, must, might,·
can, may, have, had, has, do, did, and the forms of the verb be
be-is, are, was, were, am, being, been. (See page 481).
It have estimated that 500.000 earthquakes ……... around
………………………………………………………………………………………..
tense is present perfect and the voice is passive.)
Fortunately, only about 100 of those will cause damage.
(Will helps express the future tense of the verb.)
 1

Grammar Practice:

 Verbs 1

o Action, Linking, and Helping verbs

For each numbered sentence in the following paragraphs, write the

verb or verbs. (Remember that clauses also have verbs.) Identify each
as an "action verb," a "linking verb," or a "helping verb."

Example: Pizza, which is one of the most popular foods in the world
today, was also eaten by ancient people.
Is-linking verb, was-helping verb,
Eaten-action verb

(1) Pizza is one type of food with a long history. (2) Its origins reach
back to ancient Middle Eastern times. (3) People of that era ate flat
bread that had been cooked in mud ovens. (4) Soon the
Mediterraneans were eating the same flat bread with olive oil and
native spices on it. (5) Much later, in 1889, Queen Margherita was
touring her Italian kingdom. (8) She noticed peasants who were
enjoying the flat bread with spices on top. (7) An Italian baker, Raffaele
Esposito, created a special pizza for the queen. (8) He topped it with
tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. (9) The pizza became the
queen's favorite …………… (10) Today, it is known as pizza Margherita.
(11) Pizza was not a standard American food until after World War II.
(12) American soldiers tried it for the first time while they were staying
in areas of Italy. (13) It tasted wonderful! (14) When the soldiers
returned home, they were hungry for this Italian treat. (16) Before long,
Everyone in America knew about pizza.

Next step: Write a paragraph about one of your favorite foods. Use
action, linking, and helping verbs. Exchange papers with a
classmate. List and identify all of the verbs.
 1

Verbs ...
Tenses of verbs
A verb has three principal parts: present, past, and past participle. (The part
used with the helping verbs has, have, or had is called the past participle.)
All six of the tenses are formed from these principal parts.
The past and past participle of regular verbs are formed by adding ed to the
present tense. The past and past participle of irregular verbs are formed with
different spellings. (See the chart on page 722.)
720.1 The present tense of a verb expresses action (or a state of
Present being) that is happening now or that happens continually or
tense verbs regularly. (See page 482.)
The universe is gigantic. It takes my breath away
720.2 The past tense of a verb expresses action (or a state pf being)
Past tense that was completed in the past. (See page 482.)
verbs To most people many years ago, the universe was the earth, the
sun, and some stars. The universe reached only as far as the eye
could see.
720.3 The future tense of a verb expresses action that will take place
Future tense (see page 482).
verb Maybe I will visit another galaxy in my lifetime.
Somebody will find a way to do it.

School Daze:
- I know the answer
- Okay, but I said you will have to sing the answer …. Go ahead!
 1

Grammar Practice

 Verbs 2
o Present Tense, Past Tense, and Future Tense verbs

For each of the sentences below, identify the underlined verbs as

"Present tense," "past tense," or "future tense."

Example: The United States Naval Academy founded its drum and
bugle corps in 1914.
Past tense

1. Today it boasts being the oldest drum and bugle corps in America.
2. The corps, consisting of 16 men, first performed at a baseball game.
3. It was active for eight years until it disbanded in 1922.
4. The academy's superintendent, Henry B. Wilson, said, "It is a luxury,
not a necessity".
5. Some of the students thought, "The corps will return someday."
6. In 1926, the corps back bigger and better.
7. Seeing them take the field again in full dress uniforms was an
awesome sight.
8. Today the U.S. Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps has about 100
members.
9. The corps still ~ "Anchors Away," just as it did almost a century ago.
10. You will hear its members shout, "Go, Navy!"
11. The corps provides enjoyable entertainment for people of all ages.

Next step: Write a sentence in the present tense about some music you
enjoy. Exchange papers with classmate and write each
other's sentence in the past and future tenses.
 1

Common irregular verbs and their principal Parts

The principal parts of the common irregular verbs are listed below.
The part used with the helping verbs has, have, or had is called the past
participle. (Also, see page 481.)
Present Tense I write She hides
past Tense Earlier wrote Earlier she hid
Past Participle I have written She has hidden
Present Past Past Present Past Past
Tense Tense Participle Tense Tense Participle
am, is, are Was, were Been Lead Led Led
Begin Began Begun Lie (recline) Lay Lain
bid (offer) bid bid Lie (deceive) Lied Lied
Bid (order) Bade bidden Make Made Made
Bite bit Bitten Ride Rode Ridden
Blow Blew Blown Ring Rang Rung
Break Brake Broken Rise Rose Risen
Bring Brought Brought Run Ran Run
Burst Burst Burst See Saw Seen
Buy Bought Bought Set Set Set
Catch Caught Caught Shake Shook Shaken
Come Came Come Shine (polish) Shined Shined
Dive Dived (dove) Dived Shine (light) Shone Shone
Do Did Done Shrink Shrank Shrunk
Draw Drew Drawn Sing Sang, sung sung
Drink Drank Drunk Sink Sank, sunk Sunk
Drive Drove Driven Sit Sat Sat
Eat Ate Eaten Sleep Slept Slept
Fall Fell Fallen Speak Spoke Spoken
Fight Fought Fought Spring Sprang, sprung Sprung
Flee Fled Fled Steal Stole Stolen
Fly Flew Flown Strive Strove Striven
Forsake Forsook Forsaken Swear Swore Sworn
Freeze Froze Frozen Swim Swam Swum
Give Gave given Take Took Taken
Go Went Gone Tear Tore Torn
Grow Grew Grown Throw Threw Thrown
Hang(execute) Hanged Hanged Wake Woke, waked Woken, waked
Hang(dangle) Hung Hung Wear Wore Worn
Hide Hid Hidden, hid Weave Wove Woven
Know Knew Known Wring Wrung wrung
Lay(place) Laid Laid Write Wrote written
 1

Verbs …
Tense of Verbs
724.1 The present perfect tense verb expresses action that began
Present In the past but continues or is completed in the present. The
perfect present perfect tense is formed by adding has or have to the
tense verbs Past participle. (Also, see page 483.)
I have wondered for some time how the stars got their names.
A visible star has emitted light for thousands of years.
724.2 The past perfect tense verb expresses action that began in
Past perfect The past and was completed in the past. This tense is formed
tense verbs By adding had to the past participle. (Also, see page 483.)
I had hoped to see a shooting star on our camping trip.
724.3 A future perfect tense verb expresses action that will begin
Future in the future and will be completed by a specific time in the
perfect Future. The future perfect tense is formed by adding will
tense verbs Have to the past participle. (Also, see page 483.)
By the middle of this century, we probably will have discovered
Many more stars, planets, and galaxies.
724.4 A present continuous tense verb expresses action that is not
Present Completed at the time of stating it. The present continuous
continuous tense is formed by adding am, is, or are to the mg form of
tense verbs The main verb.
Scientists are learning a great deal from their study of the sky.
724.5 A past continuous tense verb expresses action that was
Past Happening at a certain time in the past. This tense is formed
continuous By adding was or were to the ing form of the main verb.
tense verbs Astronomers were beginning their quest tor knowledge
hundreds of years ago.
724.6 A future continuous tense verb expresses action that will take
Future place at a certain time in the future. This tense is formed by
continuous adding will be to the ing form of the main verb Someday
tense verbs astronauts will be going to Mars.
This tense can also be formed oy adding a phrase noting the
Future (are going to) plus be to the ing form of the main verb.
They are going to be performing many experiments.
 1

Grammar Practice

 Verbs 4

o Perfect tense verbs

o Continuous tense verbs

For each of the sentences below, write the correct form of the verb
given in parentheses.
Example: Geologists some strange rocks.
(Discover, present perfect)
Have discovered
1. During years of careful study, scientists ______ some of the ordinary-
looking rocks to ultraviolet light.
(Expose, past continuous)
2. The rocks ______ with brilliant colors! (Glow, past continuous)
3. Oddly, the rocks ______ to glow, even without the, light on them.
(Continue, past perfect)
4. Now researchers ______ different levels of ultraviolet light on
The rocks. (Test, present continuous)
5. Scientists ______ these minerals unusual names, such as willemite,
selenite, fluorite, aragonite, and Texas calcite.
(Give, present perfect)
6. As interest in these glow-in-the-dark minerals grows, more
People ______ for them. (Look, future continuous)
7. Geologists hope that rock hunters ______ more of these interesting
objects by 2025. (Find, future perfect)
8. In the meantime, people ______ museum displays of the minerals.
(Visit, present continuous)
9. The displays ______ museum visitors for years to come.
(Amaze, future-continuous)

Next step: Write two sentences about an interesting mineral or metal.

Use continuous tense verbs.
 1

Verbs …
forms of Verbs
The voice of a verb tells you whether the subject is doing the
Active or action or is receiving the action. A verb is in the active voice
passive voice (in any tense) if the subject is doing the action in a sentence.
(See page 118.)
I dream of going to galaxies light-years from Earth.
I will travel in an ultrafast spaceship.
A verb is in the passive voice if the subject is not doing the
action. The action is done by someone or something else. The
passive voice is always indicated with a helping verb plus a
past participle or a past tense verb.
My daydreams often are shattered by reality. (The subject
daydreams is not doing the action.)
Of course, reality can be seen differently by different people.
(The subject reality is not doing the action.)
Active voice Passive voice
Tense
Singular Plural Singular Plural
I find We find I am found We are found
Present
You find You find You are found We are found
Tense
He/she/it finds They find He/she/it found They are found
I found We found I was found We were found
Past You found You found You were found You were found
Tense He/she/it found They found He/she/it was found They were found

I will find We will find I will be found We will be found

Future
You will find You will find You will be found You will be found
Tense
He/she/it will find They will find He/she/it will be found They will be found
I have found We have found I have been found We have been found
Present
You have found You have found You have been found You have been found
Perfect
He/she/it has found We had found I have been found We have been found
I had found We had found I had been found We had been found
Past You had found You had found You have been found You have been found
Perfect He/she/it had found They had found He/she/it had been They have been
found found
Ii will found We will have found I will have been found We will have been
found
Future You will have found You will have found You will have been You will have been
Perfect found found
He/she/it will have They will have found He/she/it will have They will have been
found been found found
1
 1

Grammar Practice
 Verbs 5
o Active or passive voice
o
For each sentence below, write the verb and tell whether It is in the active or passive
voice.

Example: Elvis Presley has been called the King of Rock and Roll.
has been called (passive)
1. He is recognized by many people as an American music legend.
2. He soared to popularity with teenagers in the late 1950s.
3. By the end of his career, Elvis had recorded 81 albums and 51 singles.
4. In addition to his recording career, Elvis starred in movies.
6. Most of his best-known songs can be heard in his movies.
6. Elvis Presley died in 1977 at the age of 42.
7. His talent will be remembered for a very long time.

Rewrite each of the following sentences in the active voice. Add or

Delete words as necessary

Example: Elvis Presley's movies have been enjoyed by several

generations.
Several generations have enjoyed Elvis Presley's movies.

1. His films have been seen by millions of people.

2. In Jailhouse Rock, the part of Vince Everett was played by Elvis.
3. Elvis's films have been appreciated by audiences around the world.
4. Elvis was made famous by his singing and acting talents.

Next step: Write· a sentence in the passive voice about a famous

Performer. Exchange papers with a classmate and rewrite
each other's sentence in the active voice
 1

Verbs …
Forms of Verbs
728.1 A singular subject needs a singular verb. A plural subject needs
Singular and a plural verb. For action verbs, only the third-person singular
plural verbs verb form is different: I wonder, we wonder, you wonder, she
wonders, they wonder. Some linking verbs, however, have
several different forms.
First Person Singular: I am (or was) a good student
Plural: We are (or were) good students
Second Person Singular: You are (or were) a cheerleader
Plural: You are (or were) cheerleaders
Third Person Singular: He is (or was) on the wrestling team
Plural: They are (or were) also on the team .
728.2 A transitive verb is a verb that transfers its action to a direct
Transitive Object. The object makes the meaning of the verb complete.
verbs A transitive verb is always an action verb (never a linking
Verb). (See pages 484 and 570).
An earthquake shook San Francisco in 1906. (Shook transfers
Its action to the direct object San Francisco. Without San
Francisco the meaning of the verb shook is incomplete).
The city's people spent many years rebuilding. (Without the
………………………………………………………………………......................
A transitive verb transfers the action directly to a direct
Object and indirectly to an indirect object.
Fires destroyed the city. (direct object: city)
Our teacher gave us the details. (indirect object: us; direct
object: details) see 692 .5 for more on direct and indirect object
728.3 An intransitive verb does not need an object to complete its
Intransitive Meaning. (See pages 484 and 570.)
Verbs Abigail was shopping. (The verb's meaning is complete.)
Her stomach felt queasy. (Queasy is a. predicate adjective
Describing stomach, there is no direct object.)
She lay down on the ……… (Again there is direct object, down is
an adverb modifying lay).
 1

Grammar Practice
 Verbs 6
o Transitive and intransitive verbs

For each sentence below, write whether the underlined verb is

"transitive" or "intransitive".

Example: My best friend's mother writes poetry and short

Stories.
Transitive

1. The wolf snarled fearsomely.

2. The coach gave the player a penalty for poor sportsmanship.
3. The leaves on this bush ~ purple.
4. Near the end of the race, Taylor ran faster than ever before.
5. Jorge has been transferred to Jackson Park Middle School.
6. Casey told the truth when he said that he didn't do it.
7. I read a letter to the editor about rising energy costs.
8. Ted worked quietly.
9. The sound of the fire alarm blasted through the halls.
10. Eva plays the drums in a band that' she and her friends put
together.
11. Before eating his breakfast, Najee took a vitamin.
12. Have you ever seen a telephone with a dial?
13. The sky seems a little green this afternoon.
14. The maintenance staff cleans 'the pool once a week.
15. The housekeeping staff cleans regularly.

Next step: Write two sentences with transitive verbs and two with
Intransitive verbs. Exchange papers with a classmate and
identify each other's verbs correctly.
 1

Verbs …
Forms of Verbs
730.1 Some verbs can be either transitive or intransitive.
Transitive or Transitive: She reads my note. Albert ate an apple.
intransitive Intransitive: She reads aloud. Albert ate already.
verbs Verbals
A verbal is a word that is made from a verb but acts as
another part of speech. Gerunds, participles, and infinitives
are verbals.
730.2 A gerund is a verb form that ends in ing and is used as a
Gerunds noun. A gerund often begins a gerund phrase.
Worrying Is useless. (The gerund is the subject noun.)
You should stop worrying about so many things. (The gerund
phrase is the direct object.)
730.3 A participle is a verb form ending in ing or ed. A participle is
Participles used as an adjective and often begins a participial phrase.
The idea of the earth shaking and splitting both fascinates and
frightens me. (The participles modify earth.)
Rattling in the cabinets, the dishes were about to crash to the
………………………………………………………………………………….
Why doesn't this tired earth just stand still? (The participle
modifies earth.)
730.4 An infinitive is a verb form introduced by to. It may be used as a
Infinitives noun, an adjective, or an adverb. It often begins an infinitive
phrase
my ……….. to whisper is due to this secret. (the infinitive is an
adjective modifying need).
I am afraid to swim. (The infinitive is an adverb modifying
the predicate adjective afraid.)
To overcome this fear is my goal. {The infinitive phrase is used
as a noun and is the subject of this sentence).
 1

Grammar Practice:
 Verbs 7
o Verbals

For each sentence below, Identify the underlined verb form as a

"gerund," a "participle," or an "infinitive."

Example: In the late 1800s, Ohio artist Richard Felton

Outcault began to create comics for newspapers.
Infinitive

(1) Richard Outcault's comic strips became popular in America when

the New York Journal decided to print his comic strip, the "Yellow Kid."
(2) The "Yellow Kid" got his name because his distinguishing nightshirt
was always printed in the color yellow. (3) Printing in color was new
to newspapers in those days. (4) Soon there were more of Outcault's
cartoons appearing in newspapers. (5) Comic strips read by people of
all ages became an important part of the Sunday paper. (6) Reading
them was fun! (7) Outcault went on to create several more popular
strips, including one called "Buster Brown." (8) Then, after a while, he
grew weary of creating comics, and the tired artist moved on to other
things. (9) Advertising became his new profession. (10) Richard
Outcault's ability to develop characters- for, the Sunday funnies earned
him the title the Father of the Comic Strip.

For each sentence below, write the infinitive phrase and label how it
is used-as a "noun," an "adjective," or an "adverb."

Example: To enjoy the funnies is a Sunday ritual.

To enjoy the funnies (noun)
1. It's a good way to begin a Sunday morning!
2. I want to read the comics before anything else.
3. I'm happy to read them to my little sister.
 1

Adjective

732.1 An adjective is a word used to describe a noun or a pronoun.

Articles Adjectives tell what kind, how many, or which one. They usually
come before the word they describe (See pages 486-489).
ancient dinosaurs 800 species that triceratops
Adjectives are the same whether the word they describe is
singular or plural.
small brain-or-small brains large tooth-or-large teeth
732.2 The articles a, an, and the are adjectives.
Proper A brontosaurus was an animal about 70 feet long.
Adjectives The huge dinosaur lived on land and ate plants
732.3 A proper adjective is formed from a proper noun, and it is
Common always capitalized. (See 618.1).
Adjectives A Chicago museum is home to the skeleton of one of these
beasts. (Chicago functions as a proper adjective describing
the noun museum.)

Special Kinds of Adjectives

732.4 A demonstrative adjective point out a particular noun.

Demonstrative This and these point out something nearby; that and those
Adjective point out something a distance.
This mammoth is huge, but this mammoth is even bigger
NOTE when a noun does not follow this, these, that, or those,
these words are pronouns, not adjectives. (See 708.1.)
732.5 Compound adjective is made up of two or more words.
Compound (sometimes it is hyphenated)
Adjectives Dinosaurs were egg-laying animals.
The North African Dinosaurs had sharp teeth and powerful
jaws.
 1

Grammar Practice:
 Adjectives 1
o Demonstrative Adjectives
o compound Adjectives
o Indefinite and Predicate Adjectives (See page 734)

For each numbered sentence in the paragraphs below, Identify the

underlined word or words as one of the kinds of adjectives listed
above.

Example: Most people know about the Great Chicago Fire

Indefinite

(1) On the night of October 8, 1871, an eerie, reddish orange glow

filled the Chicago sky. (2) Some people believe that the Great Chicago
Fire began in the O'Learys' barn when a cow kicked over a lantern.
(3) (That theory was never proven, however, and the exact cause of the
fire is still unknown.) (4) Many residents panicked and tried to flee the
burning city. (5) Kind-hearted people did whatever they could to help,
but most of Chicago was destroyed, and 300 people died. (6) As bad as
it was, another fire on the same day caused even more damage. (7) The
Great Peshtigo Fire was huge; it covered more than a million acres in
northeast Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. (8) Hundreds of
miles of forest, dry from· drought, were tender for this firestorm. (9)
Hurricane-force winds created by the fire pushed the blaze from town
to town, and 1,500 people lost their lives. (10) To this day, the Great
Peshtigo Fire ranks as the worst natural disaster to ever hit the United
States.

Next step: Write two or three sentences about fire safety. Use a
predicate adjective, an indefinite adjective, and a
demonstrative adjective in your sentences.
 1

Adjectives …
Special Kinds of Adjectives
734.1 An indefinite adjective gives approximate or indefinite
Indefinite information (any, few, many, most, and so on). It does not tell
Adjectives exactly how many or how much.
Some mammoths were heavier than today's elephants
734.2 A predicate adjective follows a linking verb and describes
Predicate the subject.
Adjective Mammoths were once abundant, but now they are extinct.

Forms of Adjectives

734.3 The positive form describes a noun or pronoun without

Positive comparing it to anyone or anything else.
Adjectives The Eurostar is a fast train that runs between London, Paris,
and Brussels.
It is an impressive train.
734.4 The comparative form of an adjective (er) compares two
Comparative persons, places, things, or ideas. (See page 487.)
Adjectives The Eurostar is faster than the Orient Express Some adjectives
that have ….. than one ………. show comparisons by their er
suffix, but many of them use the modifiers more or less.
It is a speedier commuter train than the Tobu Railway trains in
Japan.
This train is more impressive than my commuter train.
734.5 The superlative form (est or most or least) compares three or
Superlative more persons, places, things, or ideas. (See page 48 7).
Adjectives In fact, the Eurostar is the fastest train in Europe.
It Is the most impressive commuter train in the world
734.6 Some adjectives use completely different words to express
Irregular comparison.
Forms Good, better, best bad, worse, worst
Many, more, most little, less, least
 1

Grammar Practice:
 Adjectives 2
o Forms of Adjectives

Based on the clues in each sentence below, write the correct form
(positive, comparative, or superlative) of the adjective shown in
parentheses to complete each sentence.

Example: Giraffes are ______ than any other animal. (tall)

Taller

1. The ______ snake in the world is the reticulated python. (a long)

2. A rabbit has ______ ears than a hare does. (short)
3. A cheetah is a ______runner. (fast)
4. Even though the whale shark feeds mostly on plankton and
small fish, it is the fish ______ in the sea. (big)
5. The common snail is probably the______ animal on earth. (slow)
6. Is the warthog really the ______ animal? (attractive)
7. Many people believe the polar bear is ______ than the grizzly
bear. (powerful)
8. The Indian elephant has a ______ forehead. (square)
9. Even the ______ human sprinter can't outrun an elephant.
(good)
10. Some zebras have ______ stripes than other zebras. (many)
11. Compared to other animals in the United States the wolverine
seems to be the one with the ______ temper. (bad)
12. An arctic fox in the snow is ______ than a red fox in the forest.
(visible)
13. Long ago, the Pacific salmon was the ______ source of food in
the diet of the Yakima tribe. (important)

Next step: Write three sentences about different animals Use

adjectives. that are positive, comparative, and superlative in
your sentences.
 1

 Adverb
An adverb is a word used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another
adverb. It tells how, when, where, how often, or how much. Adverbs
can come before or after the words, they modify. (See pages 490-493).
Dad snores loudly. (Loudly modifies the verb snores.)
His snores are really explosive. (Really modifies the adjective explosive.)
Dad snores very loudly. (Very modifies the adverb loudly.)

Types of Adverbs

There are four basic types of adverbs: time, place, manner,

and degree.
736.1 Adverbs of time tell when, how often, and how long.
Adverbs of tomorrow often never always
time Jen rarely has time to go swimming
736.2 Adverbs of place tell where, to where, or from where.
Adverbs of there backward outside
Place We'll set up our tent here.
736.3 ………………………………………………………………………………. is done.
Adverbs unkindly gently well
Manner Ahmed boldly entered the dark cave.
Some words used as adverbs can be written with or without
the ly ending. When in doubt, use the ly form.
slow, slowly deep, deeply
NOTE Not all words ending in ly are adverbs. Lovely, for
example, is an adjective .
736.4 Adverbs of degree tell how much or how little.
Adverbs of scarcely entirely generally very really
Degree Jess Is usually the leader in these situations.
 1

Grammar Practice
 Adverb 1
o Types of Adverbs
Write the adverb or adverbs that modify the underlined words in the
sentences below. The number of adverbs is in parentheses. Label each
as one of "time," "place," "manner," or "degree."

Example: America's national parks are always a great place

to camp. (1)
always-time
1. Some parks, like Yosemite and Yellowstone, often very·(2)
2. You might have to wait patiently to get a campsite. (1)
3. People must enjoy sleeping outside! (1)
4. Campers in national parks regularly go bicycling, canoeing, and
hiking. (1)
5. Younger kids really enjoy meeting the park rangers. (1)
6. Frequently, national park campgrounds offer evening campfire
activities. (1)
7. If someone brings a guitar there, people might start dancing
around. (2)
8. Sometimes, national parks have programs to teach campers
about nature and wildlife. (V
9. Campers need to react quietly and cautiously when wild
animals are nearby. (3)
10. Wherever you camp, it is important to do it safely. (1)
11. You should follow the park's camping rules exactly and
faithfully. (2)
12. Never hike by yourself. (1)
13. Be extremely careful that your campfire does not accidentally
start a forest fire. (3)
14. Always remember to carefully inspect your campsite before
you leave.(2)
 1

Adverbs …
Special Kinds of adverbs
738.1 A conjunctive adverb can be used as a conjunction and shows
Conjunctive a connection or a transition between two independent
Adverbs clauses. Most often, a conjunctive adverb follows a semicolon
in a compound sentence; however, it can also appear at the
beginning or end of a sentence. (Note that the previous
sentence has an example of a conjunctive adverb.)
also besides however Instead
meanwhile nevertheless therefore

forms of Adverbs

Many adverbs-especially adverbs of manner-have three forms: positive,

comparative, and superlative.
738.2 The positive form describes but does not make a comparison.
Positive Juan woke up late.
Adverbs He quickly ate some breakfast.
738.3 The comparative form of an adverb (er) compares two things.
Competitive Juan woke up later than he usually did. (See page 491.)
Adverbs Some adverbs that have more than one syllable show
…….. but many of them use the modifiers more or less.
He ate his breakfast more quickly than usual.
738.4 The superlative form (est or most or least) compares three or
Superlative more things. (see page 491)
Adverbs Of the past those days, Juan woks up latest on Saturday
Of the past three days, he ate his breakfast least quickly on
Saturday.
738.5 Some adverbs use completely different words to express
comparative superlative
Positive comparative superlative
well better best
………. Worse worst
 1

Grammar Practice
 Adverbs 2
o Comparative Forms
For each of the sentences below, write the adverb and identify it as
"positive," "comparative," or "superlative."

Example: This year, the school bus arrives earlier than it did last year.
earlier (comparative)

1. Makenna carelessly dripped paint on the floor.

2. Paul bakes walnut brownies better than I do.
3. Of everyone in our school's chorus, Marissa sings the best.
4. The play's director said, "For this role, Carmen, you have to act more
mysteriously than that."
5. My old computer runs more slowly than this new one.
6. Ms. Green, who was formerly a marine, is a new teacher at our
school.
7. Of any of the recent storms in the area, the wind blew the most
forcefully during last night's storm.
8. My brother rides his dirt bike faster than I do.
9. Julian divided the popcorn equally among the four of us.
10. Of the Rosses' three regular babysitters, Bianca seems to be the
least readily available.
11. Instant messaging-was largely unknown until a few years after its
introduction.
12. Shanice dresses the most plainly of anyone in her family.
13. Dimitri treats his dog roughly.
14. Paola gives classroom presentations more confidently than the
other students give them.

Next step: Write one sentence with a comparative adverb and one with
a superlative adverb.
 1

Preposition
Preposition are words that show position, direction, or how two words
or ideas are related to each other. Specifically, a preposition shows the
relationship between its object and some other word in the sentence.
Raul hid under the stairs. (Under shows the relationship between hid and
stairs.)
742.1 A preposition never appears alone; it is always part of a
Prepositional prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase includes the
Phrases preposition, the object of the preposition, and the modifiers
of the object. (See pages 494-495.)
Raul's friends looked in the clothes hamper. (preposition: in;
object: hamper; modifiers: the, clothes)
A prepositional phrase functions as an adjective or as and
adverb.
They checked the closet with all the winter coats. (With all the
winter coats functions as an adjective modifying closet.) They
wandered around the house looking for him (Around the
house functions as an adverb modifying wandered.)
NOTE If a word found in the list of prepositions has no object,
it is not a preposition. It is probably an adverb.
Raul had never won at hide 'n' seek before. (Before is an
adverb that modifies had won.)
Aboard Apart from Beyond From among Near over toward
About Around But From between Near to Over to Under
A side from By From under Off Owing to Underneath
According At By means of Inn Off Past Until
to
Across Away from Concerning In addition to On Prior to Unto
Across Back of Considering I front of On account of Regarding Up
from
After Because of Despite In place of On behalf of Round Up to
Against Before Down In regrading to On top of Save Upon
Along Behind Down from In spite of Onto Since With
Along with Below During Inside Opposite Through Within
Alongside Beneath Except Inside of Out Throughout Without
Alongside Besides Except for Instead of Out of Till
of
Amid Besides Excepting Into Outside To
Among Between For Like Outside of Together
 1
with
Grammar Practice
 Preposition
Write the prepositional phrases you find in each numbered sentence
below. Underline the prepositions and circle the objects of the
prepositions.
Example: The Plains Indians were once the finest horse riders in the
world.
in the world

(1) Plains Indians learned horse-riding skills at a very early age. (2)
tribesmen on horses could follow the buffalo herds, so mastering those
skills meant food for the tribe. (3) Riding among the buffalo and using a
bow involved great skill and daring. (4) Some of the Indian braves
would ride with one foot on the top of the horse's hips while shooting
arrows underneath the horse's neck at an enemy. (6) In the 1800s,
nations like the Crow and the Lakota enjoyed a golden age because of
their superb riding abilities.

Write a prepositional phrase to complete each of the following

sentences.

Example: I like tropical fish . . . . (what kind?)

from the Caribbean Sea.

1. I was born ... (when?)

2. The CD ... (which one?)... is my favorite one right now.
3. My uncle grew up ... (where?)
4. My notebook is the one ... (which one?)
5. I keep my pens and pencils ... (where?)
6. Please get me some candy ... (what kind?)
 1

Conjunction

A conjunction connects individual words or groups of words. There are

three kinds of conjunctions: coordinating, correlative, and subordinating. (See
pages 496-498.)

744.1 A coordinating conjunction connects a word to a word, a

Coordinating phrase to a phrase, or a clause to a clause. The words,
Conjunction phrases, or clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction must
be equal, or of the same type.
Polluted rivers and streams can be cleaned up. (Two nouns
are connected by and.)
Ride a bike or plant a tree to reduce pollution. (Two verb
phrases are connected by or.)
Maybe you can't invent a pollution-free engine, but you can
cut down on the amount of energy you use. (Two equal
independent clauses are connected by but.)
NOTE When a coordinating conjunction is used to make a
compound sentence, a comma always comes before it .
Correlative Correlative conjunctions are conjunctions used in pairs.
Conjunction We must reduce not only pollution but also excess energy use.
either you’re part of the problem, or you're part or the
solution.

Conjunction
Coordinating conjunction
And, but, or, not, for, so, yet
Correlative Conjunction
Either, or Neither, nor Not only, but also Both, and Wether, or As, so
Subordinating Conjunction
After, although, as, as if,
In order that, provided that, since, so, so that, that, though, till, unless,
Until, when, where, whereas, while
 1

Grammar Practice
 Conjunctions 1
o Coordinating Conjunctions
Use a coordinating conjunction to combine each pair of sentences
below.
Example: Anyone may join the Polar Bear Club. He or she
must be willing to swim in freezing water.
Anyone may join the Polar Bear Club, but he or she
must be willing to swim in freezing water.

1. The members braved the subzero temperatures. They plunged into

the icy water.
2. Club members could go into the water wearing swimsuits. They could
go into the water wearing warmer clothing.
3. Participants get very cold. It is important to have a place to warm up
when they get out of the water.
4. Polar Bear Club members like to have fun. They also like to help raise
money for special causes.
o Corrective Conjunctions

Use a different set of correlative conjunctions to combine each

sentence pair below. Underline the conjunctions.
Example: Josh must decide if he wants to go to the game. Josh must
decide if he wants to go to the movies. Josh must decide
whether he wants to go to the
game or the movie.
1. Rain will not stop the football game. Snow will not stop the football
game.
2. Volleyball is a team sport. Soccer is a team sport.
3. Sally, has twin sister, Sally also has twin cousins
4. Maybe Ron's mom will pick us up after school. Maybe Ron's dad will
pick us up after school.
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Conjunctions

746.1 A subordinating conjunction is a word or group of words that

Subordinating connects two clauses that are not equally important. A
Conjunction subordinating conjunction begins a dependent clause and
connects it to an independent clause to make a complex
sentence. (See page 517 and the chart on page 744). Fuel-cell
engines are unusual because they don't have moving parts.
Since fuel-cell cars run on hydrogen, the only waste products
are water and heal As you can see in the sentences above, a
comma sets off the dependent clause only when it begins the
sentence. A comma is usually not used when the dependent
clause follows the independent clause.
NOTE Relative pronouns and conjunctive adverbs can also
connect clauses. (See 706.3 and 738.1.)

 Interjections
An interjections is a word or phrase used to express strong
Emotion or …………………………………………………………………………. Is used to a
separate an interjection from the rest of the sentences.
Wow, would you look at that! Oh, no! He’s falling!

School Daze:
- Forget it! We aren’t using activity money for that.
- Yikes, I’ve told every that we could buy a plasma-screen TV for our
classroom.
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Grammar Practice:
 Conjunction 2
o Subordinating Conjunctions
Choose a subordinating conjunction (from the chart on page 7 44) to
connect each pair of clauses below, forming complex sentences. Place
the conjunction first in some of the sentences.
Example: Cicadas are easy to recognize. They make unique sounds.
Cicadae are easy to recognize because they make
unique sounds.

1. It's not uncommon to hear dozens of them ticking, buzzing, and

whining. It's hot outside.
2. They are capable of producing sounds in excess of 120 decibels. The
noise might hurt your ears.
3. The king hornet preys on cicadas. Birds are even worse.
4. Unsuspecting cicadas are sitting high in the treetops. Hungry birds
are watching.
5. It sounds disgusting. Some people eat cicadas.
6. You might hear the l7-year cicadas. You ‘re in the United States east
of the Great Plains.
7. These cicadas are called 17-year cicadas. They emerge in great
numbers once every 17 years.
8. You know what a cicada looks like. You might mistake it for a locust
or a giant fly.
9. A cicada's body temperature drops below 72 degrees Fahrenheit. It
won't fly.
10. You might not like the racket that cicadas make. You have to admit
that they are interesting insects.

Next step: Would an interjection be appropriate in any of the

sentences you just wrote? Add an interjection to at least
four of them. Separate it from the rest of the sentence with
either a comma or an exclamation point.
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Quick Guide: Parts of Speech

In the English language, there are eight parts of speech.
Understanding them will help you improve your writing skills. Every
word you write is a part of speech-a noun, a verb, an adjective, and so
on. The chart below lists the eight parts of speech.

A word that names a person, a place, a thing, or an idea

Noun
Alex Moya Belize ladder courage

A word used in place of a noun

Pronoun
I he It they you anybody some

A word that shows action or links a subject to another

Verb
word in the sentence sing shake catch Is are

A word that describes a noun or a pronoun stormy red

Adjective
rough seven grand

…….
………..
quickly today now bravely softer

A word that shows position or direction and introduces a

Preposition prepositional phrase
around up under ever between to

A word that connects other words or groups of words

Conjunction
and but or so because when

word (set off by commas or an exclamation point) that

Interjection shows strong emotion
Stop! Hey, how are you?
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Grammar Practice
 Parts of speech review
For each underlined word in the following paragraphs, write whether
it is a "noun," a "pronoun," a "verb," an "adjective," an "adverb," a
"preposition," a "conjunction," or an "interjection."

(1) There's a big change taking place in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
(2) Not far from Mount Rushmore, a huge likeness of the Native
American leader Crazy Horse is being carved into the side of a
mountain. (3) Crazy Horse was a famous warrior of the Lakota tribe. (4)
He was a committed leader who fought to preserve the traditions and
values of his people. (6) Now, people are creating this memorial to his
life. (6) Anyone who's in the area can see it in person. (7) The sculptor
Korczak Ziolkowski began work on the memorial in 1948. (8) In the
beginning, he worked alone. (9) He worked diligently, and soon the
image of Crazy Horse began taking shape. (10) Surprisingly, he then
decided to carve the entire 600-foot mountain instead of following his
original plan to carve only the top 100 feet. (11) Wow, Korczak worked
on his amazing sculpture for 32 years! (12) When he died unexpectedly
in 1982 at the age of 74, he was buried in a tomb about 500 yards from
the base of the mountain. (13) Ziolkowski's project continues under the
supervision of his wife. (14) The face portion of this gigantic sculpture
was dedicated in 1998. (16) The crew will work faithfully until the
project is finished. (16) Oh, it will be years before the memorial is
finished, but it will be well worth the wait.

Next step: Write one word for each of the eight parts of speech and
exchange lists witi1 a. partner. Write a sentence or two
using all of each other's words.