Grammar and Mechanics“Do-Nows”

5 – 7 minutes only!

Directions

On Tuesdays, write down the examples, definitions, rule(s) that correspond with the week’s focus grammar.

On Thursdays, you need to complete the activity using the focus grammar definitions and rule(s).

Assessments are on Fridays!

TuesdayWords Often Confused: its, it’s

Its

Possessive of it Belonging to it The lion stopped in its

tracks. The company’s bonus was

retroactive, so its employees were thrilled.

It’s Contraction of it is or it has It’s snowing! It’s started snowing! It’s unbelievable that the

elephant can die if something does not counteract the infection.

ThursdayWords Often Confused: its, it’s

(Write the complete sentence and choose the correct form of the word its/it’s)

Is the bank offering good interest rates on (its, it’s) savings accounts and loans?

They both moved often when they were young, so I guess they know what (its, it’s) like.

I sure hope she doesn’t become reactionary like her mother because (its, it’s) not an appealing characteristic to me.

Words Often Confused: lose, loose

lose Verb

To suffer loss Don’t lose your ticket

It’s so easy to lose your clothes in a capacious

closet.

loose Adjective

Rhymes with noose Not tight, not securely fastened; not close together

The string on the pack is too loose.

In the incipient phase, the handle was too loose for the

bike to steer well.

Week of August 27-31 Words Often Confused: lose, loose For the first few months after we moved here,

I felt as though I’d been cut (lose, loose) from everything I loved.

It was so unfortunate to (lose, loose) my favorite pair of socks.

Don’t you dare (lose, loose) that car key! I’m so glad the Lincoln didn’t (lose, loose) the

fight to emancipate the slaves.

Week of September 4-7 Words Often Confused: affect, effect affect

Verb To influence

Do sunspots affect the weather?

My affinity for warm weather affects my vacation choices.

effect Verb – to bring about, to

accomplish Our new boss effected some

startling changes in our use of technology.

Noun – a result, a consequence

Name three effects of the Industrial revolution on family

life. It seems like there are only

infinitesimal effects, even though the results are actually

rather astounding.

Week of September 4-7 Words Often Confused: affect, effect The rules go into (affect, effect) today. “Of course,” she added, “forgetting to put a

videocassette in the camera has much the same (affect, effect).

They will seriously (affect, effect) you. The (affect, effect) was infinitesimal and

made it hard to tell what was real and what was not.

Week of September 10-14 Words Often Confused: there, their, they’rethere

adverb at that place

I’ll be there on time.

There isn’t any milk left.

She kept trying the same thing, even though her

efforts were unavailing

there.

their possessive of

they belonging to them

The girls gave their opinions.

The unheralded sons made their

mother proud when they were

finally recognized for their efforts.

they’re contraction of

they are They’re at the

station now. I can’t believe

they’re going to make such

an unconscionable decision.

Week of September 10-14 Words Often Confused: there, their, they’re I hope they remembered (there, their, they’re)

homework. (there, their, they’re) coming up the ramp! Finally someone shouted, “(there, their,

they’re) they are!” (there, their, they’re) efforts were

unequivocal and could not be matched by anyone.

Week of September 17-21Words Often Confused: REVIEW How did the news (affect, effect) him? “How could you (lose, loose) an entire bag of

groceries?” asked Belinda incredulously. Please remember that every journey has (its,

it’s) good and bad points. If (there, their, they’re) going to Disneyland

for ten days straight, they better love Mickey Mouse.

I can’t imagine spending that many days (there, their, they’re) as an adjunct duty.

Week of September 17-21Words Often Confused: REVIEW Write sentences using all nine ‘words often

confused’ and at least 4 words of the week from the past four weeks. You may combine the sentences, tell a story, or write individual sentences.

its, it’s lose, loose there, their, they’re affect, effect

Week of September 24-28Fragments definition—a word or word group that is

capitalized and punctuated as a sentence but that does not contain both a subject and a verb or does not express a complete thought

Was waiting by the door. After you have finished the test. Since she was the monitor.

Week of September 24-28Fragments Identify the word groups as a sentence or a

fragment. If it is a fragment, revise it to make a complete sentence.

looking up at the monument on the way to the science fair it is theirs patiently waiting for the mail carrier

Week of October 1-5Fragments Rewrite each fragment to make a sentence

using at least one word of the week per sentence.

Encouraging her to become a doctor One of the most important essays I have ever

read. The fishing boats that were tied up by the

impasse.

Week of October 1-5Fragments Tell whether the item is a complete sentence,

missing a subject, missing a verb, or does not express a complete thought. Rewrite each fragment to make a sentence using at least one word of the week per sentence.

His characters lively yet impecunious. Is one of his most moving stories. Spent six years researching the nonfiction

titled In Cold Blood.

Week of October 8-12Run-ons definition—two or more complete sentences

run together as one fused sentence- sentence have no punctuation at

all Schools in the Middle Ages were different from ours

students usually did not have books which was an impediment.

comma splice- links together sentences with only a comma to separate them from one another Schools today have books for every student, many

schools also have televisions and computers to expedite learning.

Week of October 8-12Run-ons You can make a compound sentence by

using a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or)

You can make a compound sentence by using a semi-colon

You can make a compound sentence by using a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb: therefore, instead, meanwhile, still, also, nevertheless, or however.

Week of October 15-19Run-ons Revise the run-on sentences using the

method given in parentheses. Making an omelet is not very difficult, you

must have all the ingredients ready and take your time. (Use a semicolon, a conjunctive adverb, and a comma)

Veraciously break three eggs into a deep bowl, wash your hands after you break the eggs. (Make two sentences)

Week of October 15-19Run-ons Movies entertain millions of people every day

the cinema is popular all over the world. (Make two sentences)

The director of a movie has an important job the cast and crew all follow the director's instructions. (Use a semi-colon)

Movies are great entertainment they are also an art form revealing the veracity of our society. (Use a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb)

Week of October 22-26Capitalization Brainstorm an many capitalization rules as

possible with a partner.

Week of October 22-26Capitalization Rewrite each of the following using proper

capitalization as discussed on Tuesday. (insert samples based on the pre-assessment

from Tuesday)

Week of October 29-November 2Capitalization Traditionally, capitalize the first word of a line

of poetryA bird came down the walk: He did not know I saw; He bit an angleworm in halvesAnd ate the fellow, raw.

Capitalize the first word of a directly quoted sentence

Eduardo wondered, “Where did I put my extraordinary backpack?”

Week of October 29-November 2Capitalization Rewrite each of the following using proper

capitalization my favorite verses from that scene are

see how she leans her cheek upon her hand!

oh, that I were a glove upon that hand,

that I might touch that cheek! In “jazz fantasia,” the speaker tells the

musicians, “go to it, o jazzmen.”

Week of November 5-9 Capitalization Edit the following sentences for proper

capitalization. the highest peak in the alps is mont blanc, on

the french-italian border, or so i’m told. the program was titled animals of the

serengeti plain Henri matisse’s early paintings include a

glimpse of notre dame in the late afternoon and green stripe

Week of November 5-9 Capitalization Edit the following sentences for proper

capitalization. my aunt terrry is an editor at a large textbook

publishing company in texas the united nations building is on the east river

in new york city. the queen elizabeth 2 was defiant to those

that did not believe in her

Week of November 13-16 Agreement: indefinite pronouns Singular indefinite

pronouns Anybody, anyone,

anything Each, either Everybody,

everyone, everything

Neither Nobody, no one,

nothing, one Somebody,

someone and something

Plural indefinite pronouns Both Few Many Several

Other indefinite pronouns that can be singular or plural All Any More Most None Some

Week of November 13-16 Agreement: indefinite pronouns Each of the comedians (tries, try) to outdo the

other. Somebody on the the bus (was, were) trying. Neither of these books (has, have) an index. Each of the these pieces of jewelry (has,

have) too much embellishment.

Week of November 26-30Agreement: Don’t and Doesn’t

doesn’t Contraction of does not.

Use doesn’t with all singular subjects except the pronouns I and you

One doesn’t give up. Doesn’t Donna care that

people think she is malevolent?

don’t

Contraction of do not Use don’t with all plural

subjects and with the pronouns I and you

Apathetic people don’t care.

Don’t these immunizations prevent

malaria?

Week of November 26-30Agreement: Don’t and Doesn’t (doesn’t, don’t) several of those in the front

window cost more than these in the fruit cart? One of the players (doesn’t, don’t) plan to go. The international children’s chorus is so

marvelous that their new fans (doesn’t, don’t) want to leave the theatre.

Just because you don’t like pickles, (doesn’t, don’t) mean you need to say they are malodorous.

Week of December 3-7Agreement: Collective Nouns When the subject

follows the verb, find the subject and make sure that the verb agrees with it

Here is a list including protocol.

Here are two lists including protocol

Some nouns that are plural in form take singular verbs

Politics is a controversial topic.

The news of the nominee was a surprise.

Week of December 3-7Agreement: Collective Nouns The class (has, have) chosen titles for their

original plays. First prize (was, were) two tickets to Hawaii. Crime and Punishment (is, are) a world

famous novel with a tormented protagonist. Mathematics (is, are) an important part of

many everyday activities.

Week of December 10-14 Agreement: Pronoun/Antecedent A pronoun usually refers to a noun or another pronoun that comes

before it. The word that a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent. A pronoun should agree in number and

gender with its antecedent Daniel Defoe wrote his first book at the age

of fifty-nine. (singular) Reliable cards make their owners happy.

(plural) The elephant is a long-lived animal. It lives

in the quietude of Africa. (singular)

Week of December 10-14 Agreement: Pronoun/Antecedent Claire or Ida will go to the nursing home early

so that ___________ can help the residents into the lounge.

Several of the volunteers contributed _______ own money to buy the shelter a new van.

Neither of the women __________ acquitted from stealing the car.

Week of December 17-20Agreement: Pronoun/Antecedent Collective noun rules apply for pronoun /

antecedent agreement The pride of lions is hunting its prey on the

savanna. The pride of lions are licking their chops in

anticipation. The United States celebrated its bicentennial

in 1976; indubitably one of the most important days in our history.

Week of December 17-20Agreement: Pronoun/Antecedent The school finally sent Michael and Kathyrn

the results of the tests he or she had taken. After World War II, the United Stated gave

most of their foreign aid to help Europe rebuild.

The cheetah was indefatigable on its victim.

Week of January 7-11 Semester Review Survey students and use previous

assessments to determine, by class, which skills need reinforcement.

Week of January 7-11 Semester Review Survey students and use previous

assessments to determine, by class, which skills need reinforcement.