Pennington Publishing Blog

Commas in Compound Sentences

Commas in Compound Sentences     

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 2

Comma rules can be tricky. We do have disagreement about using them in compound sentences. Some old school English-language arts teachers insist that a comma followed by a conjunction is always required to join to independent clauses. Most professional writers ignore this rule. After all, it just seems awkward adding the comma in the short sentence: “I’ll walk, and I’ll run.” Most style manuals today apply this rule differently for short and long sentences.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on commas in compound sentences. Remember that a compound sentence has two or more independent clauses. An independent clause is part of a sentence that has a noun and verb expressing a complete thought. Coordinating conjunctions can be used to join the independent clauses.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Place a comma before the coordinating conjunction(s) to join independent clauses if one or both of the independent clauses is long. The memory trick FANBOYS (For-And-Nor-But-Or-Yet-So) may help you remember the common two or three-letter coordinating conjunctions. Example: My parents used to eat plenty of fresh fish, and they also ate rice.

Example: My parents used to eat plenty of fresh fish, and they also ate rice.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: I sang my loudest, yet the huge crowd still couldn’t hear me or my music. They were screaming, so they couldn’t listen.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: I sang my loudest, yet the huge crowd still couldn’t hear me or my music. They were screaming so they couldn’t listen.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using a compound sentence with two long independent clauses.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions, writing openers

Noun Clauses

Noun Clauses             

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.           

Common Core Language Standard 1

Noun clauses are helpful to qualify what comes before or after them in a sentence. To qualify means to reduce from something general to something more specific. A noun clause centers around a person, place, thing, or idea. It includes a noun and a connected verb and is always a dependent clause. In other words, it depends upon the rest of the sentence to be complete.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on noun clauses. Remember that a noun is an idea, person, place, or thing. A dependent clause has a noun and verb, but does not express a complete thought.

Now let’s read the grammar and usage lesson and study the examples.

A noun clause is a dependent clause (subordinate clause) that usually begins with if, how, however, that, the “wh” words: what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose, why, or the “wh”-ever words: whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, or whomever. Place a comma following an introductory noun clause. Example: Whatever you wish, I will do.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to grammar and usage lesson.

Practice: We will go wherever you want to go and stay long you however wish.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: We will go wherever you want to go and stay however long you wish.

Now let’s apply what we have learned.

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using a noun clause.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions, writing openers

Commas with Interjections

Commas with Interjections           

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.       

Common Core Language Standard 2

Our writing reflects our speech. With formal writing such as essays or research papers, we have to use academic language and follow all the rules of proper writing style. We mind our P’s and Q’s. With informal writing such as stories we want to to write dialogue realistically. In other words, exactly like people really talk. With this writing genre we use interjections.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on commas with interjections. Remember that an interjection is a sentence fragment.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

An interjection is a word or phrase used in informal writing that provides an unnecessary, but interesting interruption. Usually found at the beginning of a sentence, these interjections can also be used in both the middle and end of a sentence. The most common introductory interjections are Yes and No. Some interjections express sounds such as Ah! or Phew!

A comma follows an interjection that begins a sentence; a comma is placed before and after the interjection when used in the middle of a sentence; a comma is placed before the interjection that ends the sentence. Examples: Yes, I like you. If not, well, would I stay? No, I wouldn’t, indeed.

If an interjection at the beginning of a sentence shows surprise or strong emotion, use an exclamation point, not a comma. Example: Wow! Did she really say that?

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: No, I don’t want it. I never did actually. If you want it, well, go ahead and take it.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: No, I don’t want it. I never did, actually. If you want it, well, go ahead and take it.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using a compound sentence with two long independent clauses.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions, writing openers

Types of Sentences

Types of Sentences         

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson. 

Common Core Language Standard 1

It is useful to understand the four types of sentences to be able to properly match punctuation. 

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on types of sentences.

Now let’s read the grammar and usage lesson and study the examples.

Sentences can be classified in four ways:

1. A declarative is a statement and ends in a period. Example: I am crying.

2. An interrogative is a question and ends in a question mark.  Example: Are you crying?

3. An imperative is a command and ends in a period. Example: Stop crying.

4. An exclamatory expresses surprise or strong emotion and ends in an exclamation point. Example: I am shocked!

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to grammar and usage lesson.

Practice: What is that smell! I’m not sure. It’s horrible. Take it out of here, please.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: What is that smell? I’m not sure. It’s horrible! Take it out of here, please.

Now let’s apply what we have learned.

Writing Application: Write four of your own types of sentences.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions, writing openers

Commas with Introductory Clauses

Commas after Introductory Clauses   

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 2

Although English-language arts teachers and professional writers do disagree among themselves about when to place commas after introductory words and phrases, none of them would disagree with placing commas following introductory clauses.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on commas with introductory clauses. Remember that a clause has a noun and a connected verb. An independent clause is part of a sentence that has a noun and verb expressing a complete thought. A dependent clause has a noun and verb, but does not express a complete thought.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Use commas after introductory clauses. Example: If I had remembered her name, I would not have had to ask.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: However much they pretend, they can’t convince me. If Frank and Anna were really serious they would prepare a better plan.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: However much they pretend, they can’t convince me. If Frank and Anna were really serious, they would prepare a better plan.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using an introductory clause.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions, writing openers

Compound-Complex Sentences                                                     

Common Core Language Standard 1

Just because you know how to do something, you don’t have to do it all the time. Such is the case with the compound-complex sentence. It’s good to know what it is and how to write one, but use it only occasionally and never back-to-back. The compound-complex sentence can be difficult to read and understand.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on compound-complex sentences. Remember that a simple sentence has one independent clause and no dependent clause. A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, but no dependent clauses. A complex sentence has an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and a dependent clause. Example: I like him and he likes me, even if we don’t see each other very much.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: Since I had already spent time with her, I let them talk and I loaded the car. I let them talk since I had already spent time with her and I loaded the car.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: Since I had already spent time with her,I let them talk and I loaded the car.

Now let’s apply what we have learned.

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using a compound-complex sentence.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions, writing openers

Commas with Introductory Words and Phrases

Commas with Introductory Words and Phrases    

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.            

Common Core Language Standard 2

The comma is often over-used, especially with sentence introductory words and phrases. The comma does indicate a pause and this can be a helpful, but not foolproof rule about when to use or not use this punctuation mark.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on commas after introductory words and phrases. Remember that a phrase is a group of related words without a noun and connected verb.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Use commas after an introductory word or phrase that modifies a word in the main clause or if receives special emphasis. The main clause is the subject, predicate, and any connected words. Place a comma after introductory prepositional phrases with more than four words or after each phrase in a prepositional phrase string. Examples: Smart and fun, the girl was popular. Happily, I was wrong. Under the broken garden fence, I escaped. Over rocks, across the stream, I hiked.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: In the late afternoon, the bees come out. However, they usually just buzz around.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: In the late afternoon the bees come out. However, they usually just buzz around.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using an introductory phrase.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions, writing openers

Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

Simple, Complex, and Compound Sentences   

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 1

Sentence variety is so key to learning how to write well. Most people don’t order vanilla ice cream every time they visit an ice cream store. Variety is a good thing both in ice cream and in writing. Writing too many simple sentences, complex sentences, or compound sentences in a row produces extremely boring writing. One good generalization is to avoid using any of these sentences more than twice in a row. Three in a row gets almost unreadable. Mix it up and your reader will appreciate your efforts.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on simple, compound, and complex sentences. Remember that a sentence must have a subject and predicate, but there are many forms of sentence construction.

Now let’s read the grammar and usage lesson and study the examples.

A simple sentence includes a subject and a simple predicate. A subject is the do-er of the sentence and is usually found near the beginning of the sentence unless the sentence is a question. A simple predicate is the action… or what the do-er does. A compound sentence includes two independent clauses. A complex sentence includes an independent clause and a dependent clause.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to grammar and usage lesson.

Practice: After I took her home, then we drove around, but before that I went to the mall.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: After I took her home, my friends and I went to the mall, and then we drove around.

Now let’s apply what we have learned.

Writing Application: Write your own compound and complex sentences.

*****

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence-level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing Grammar Lessons, Language Conventions, writing openers