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This chapter emphasizes the importance of proofreading your writing for grammatical accuracy. Key points include using commas correctly to set off nonessential elements and introductory phrases, ensuring subject-verb agreement based on conjunctions, and matching pronouns with their antecedents in number and gender. Additionally, it explains the correct use of apostrophes for possession and contractions, along with common grammar pitfalls to avoid, such as shifting points of view and tenses. A comprehensive guide for effective communication through proper grammar.
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Chapter 8: Check for Correct Copy Ashley Handy, Bryce Hanson, Noah Dendinger
5 key points • Use commas correctly. • Make subjects and verbs agree. • Make pronouns and antecedents agree. • Check use of apostrophes. • Check for other common errors.
Use commas correctly • When a clause is not needed to understand a sentence, use commas. • Example: The announcement, which was sent out yesterday, informed employees of a new insurance plan. • The blue part of the sentence was not needed, so you use commas. • Commas are used to… • Set off introductory word groups • Join two sentences with a coordinating conjunction • Set off all nonessential or explanatory elements • Set apart two or more adjectives that equally modify the same noun
Make subjects and verbs agree • Compound subjects: your verb will depend on the coordinating conjunction between your subjects • Example: If the conjunction is “and,” the verb must be plural. • The workersandsupervisoragree on the new contract. • Example: If the conjunction is “or” or “nor” the verb must agree with the subject nearest to it. • Either the supervisoror the workersagree on the new contract. • Neither the workersnor the supervisoragrees on the new contract.
Make subjects and verbs agree continued • Collective nouns: most often use a singular verb, but can use a plural verb if the collective noun refers to an individual. Some examples of collective nouns are team, committee, and group. • Example: The teammakes good decisions. • Example: His team membersare mostly accountants and salespeople.
Make pronouns and antecedents agree • When writing, you must remember that your pronouns and antecedents must agree in number and gender. • Example: The participantsagreed that they found the meeting informative. • Example: Bill said that he learned much about the new routing system.
Check use of apostrophes • When should I use apostrophes? • When showing possession. • Person’s ideas (possessive of a singular noun) • Several persons’ thoughts (plural possessive) • Nora, Tim, and Oscar’s idea (possession shared by more than one noun) • Nora’s, Tim’s, and Oscar’s ideas (possession is individual and not shared) • When forming contractions. • Cannot = can’t • They have = they’ve • When forming plurals in special cases. • A’s • #’s
Check for other common errors • Don’t shift between point of views. • Don’t shift between tenses. • Difference between good and well. • Good is an adjective used to describe a verb, while well is an adverb used to describe a verb. • Example: We did a good job. • Example: We did well.
What was different? • They changed the color on one of the pages. • They added in a picture.
Summary • This chapter was all about checking over your grammar before sending your work.
questions • What is this chapter all about? • Name one reason that commas are used. • What does it mean to make pronouns and antecedents agree? • When do you use apostrophes? • Name two common errors.
