WRW-Conventions Lesson

Conventions

Remember that writers should not forget about conventions in their essays. Conventions are proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage. In order for an essay to remain clear to the reader, writers must use proper conventions. Some areas of conventions appear more difficult to maintain when writing. There will be three main areas to focus on in this unit: commas, subject-verb agreement, and pronoun-antecedent agreement.

Comma and Semi-Colon Rules

Insert a comma with an adverb dependent clause followed by an independent clause.

Ex: If she is late, we will eat without her.

Notice that no comma appears when reversing the sentence and writing the independent clause followed by the adverb dependent clause.

Ex: We will eat without her if she is late.

Insert a comma after an independent clause followed by a coordinating conjunction and independent clause.

Ex: I like going to the amusement park, but I do not enjoy riding the roller coasters.

Notice that no comma appears if there is an independent clause followed by a coordinating conjunction and dependent clause.

Ex: I like going to the amusement park but do not enjoy riding the roller coasters.

Insert a semi-colon between two independent clauses that relate to each other.

Ex: I go to college at Georgia State University; I buy my books at the University store.

Notice that semi-colons cannot be used to separate an independent clause and a dependent clause.

Ex: I go to college at Georgia State University; and buy books at the University store.

Insert a comma after an introductory participial phrase

Ex: Walking to the grocery store, I had to ask a woman for directions.

Insert a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase

Ex: After the football game on Friday, we went to Tony's house for pizza.

Insert a comma before and after a nonessential appositive.

Ex: We watched Toy Story 2, the movie, at our friend's house.

Notice that a comma is not needed if the nonessential appositive appears before the proper noun.

Ex: We watched the movie Toy Story 2 at our friend's house.

Insert a comma before and after a nonessential adjective clause

Ex: Mrs. Fields, who teaches English, treats everyone fairly.

Notice that a comma is not needed if the adjective phrase is essential, or necessary for the sentence to make sense.

In the example below, notice that using commas would indicate that "who do not teach their students correctly" is not necessary and could be removed. Then, the sentence would mean "All teachers should be fired." Therefore, use commas only when what appears inside the commas can be removed and not change the meaning of the sentence.

Ex: All teachers who do not teach their students correctly should be fired.

Insert commas to separate items in a series.

Ex: I like to eat pizza, French fries, and cookies on the weekends.

Ex: I enjoy reading long, action-packed novels.

Insert commas when addressing someone specifically.

Ex: Marquis, will you please turn in your homework?

Ex: Do not talk so loudly in class, Damon.

Insert commas to separate the week, month and date, and year.

Ex: I was born on Friday, December 12, 1985, in Alabama.

Insert a comma to separate a city and state.

Ex: I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2009.

Insert a comma after an introductory word.

Ex: Well, I hope that you study for this course every night. However, if you do not study, you will not make the best grade possible.

Insert a comma with an interruptor (can be removed and sentence still makes sense).

Ex: The concert, Tom said, is on Friday.

Practice

Now, practice the comma rules by selecting which sentences have the proper use of commas and semi-colons.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb agreement can be a difficult concept to master, especially when the subject of the sentence is not located right next to the verb. As people write, they often forget to make sure that all parts of the sentence agree. Subject-Verb agreement simply means that the subject of a sentence must agree with the verb in number.

So, if the subject is singular, then the verb in the sentence must be singular. If the subject is plural, then the verb in the sentence must be plural. Some of the words we use for subjects can be tricky to determine if the verb should be singular or plural.

Therefore, remember the rules when writing sentences with correct subject-verb agreement. The following list provides the main rules on subject-verb agreement. Remember, when in doubt, research to find out the correct answer.

Indefinite Pronouns: Anyone, everyone, someone, no one, and nobody are all singular subjects and require singular verbs.

*Notice that even though everyone and everybody might sound plural, they are singular

Ex: Everyone has completed his or her event at the track meet.

Ex: Nobody has left his comment on the card for feedback.

The phrases "together with", "as well as", and "along with" are not the same as "and." Be careful with these phrases because they will make the subject seem plural when it is really singular.

Notice in the sentence below that Kiana is the subject, and Kiana is singular. Inserting "as well as" does not combine Kiana with Brianne and Jordan to make the subject plural.

Ex: Kiana as well as Brianne and Jordan is going to the mall.

Notice that if "and" was used, the subject would be plural

Ex: Kiana and Brianne and Jordan are going to the mall.

Neither and Either are always singular

Ex: Neither of the answers is correct.

Ex: Either dress is fine with me.

Collective Nouns are often considered singular. Collective nouns are singular as a group.

Ex: My family is coming over for lunch.

Ex: The pair of shoes is under the bed.

Practice

Now, practice the subject-verb rules by selecting which sentences have the proper use of subject-verb agreement.