Mixed Constructions - Lecture notes, lectures Unit 13, 15 and 16 PDF

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Unit 13: Mixed Constructions Mixed constructions occur when you begin a sentence with one kind of grammatical construction and end the sentence with a different and incompatible kind of grammatical construction. Here are some of the most common causes of mixed constructions:

1. Putting a subordinate adverb clause after a form of the verb to be (is, are, was, were). Mixed Construction:

An example of Macbeth’s obsession with remaining king is when he orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and children.

Fixed:

An example of Macbeth’s obsession with remaining king is his decision to order the murder of Macduff’s wife and children.

Mixed Construction:

The reason for Jamal’s high marks is because he studies hard.

Fixed:

Jamal gets high marks because he studies hard.

2. Mixing a question and a statement. Mixed Construction:

The children wondered when would the movie start?

Fixed:

The children wondered when the movie would start.

Fixed:

The children wondered, “When will the movie start?”

3. Using a prepositional phrase as the subject of the sentence. Mixed

By reading carefully is the best way to

Construction:

understand all the directions.

Fixed:

Reading carefully is the best way to understand all the directions.

4. Leaving out part of a comparison. Be sure to complete the comparison in sentences beginning with phrases such as the more, the less, the worse, the further. Mixed Construction:

The less exercise I get, I don’t feel good.

Fixed:

The less exercise I get, the worse I feel.

Mixed Construction:

The further we travelled, we saw more.

Fixed:

The further we travelled, the more we saw.

Unit 15: Apostrophes It’s easy to make mistakes with apostrophes because possessives, plurals, and contractions all sound the same. The report’s recommendations are Possessive: convincing. (the recommendations of the report) Plural:

The reports on the child poverty studies were confusing. (more than one report)

Contraction The report’s two weeks late. (report is)

The Basic Rules for Using Apostrophes 1. To make a singular noun possessive, add 's. Example: The boy's bike was stolen. 2. To make a plural noun that ends in s possessive, add ' after the s. Example: The boys' bikes were stolen. 3. To make a singular noun that ends in s possessive, add 's. Example: Charles's trumpet playing has improved. 4. To make an irregular plural noun possessive, add 's. Example: You will find children's toys on the third floor. 5. To make it possessive, add s. Do not add an apostrophe. Example: The dog buried its bone. 6. To indicate joint possession, make the second noun possessive. Example: This is John and Mary's restaurant. 7. To indicate separate possession, make both nouns possessive.

Example: Rajiv’s and Marta’s views conflict on every subject. 8. To form a contraction, use an apostrophe to indicate the missing letters. Example: Don't worry; it's never too late to learn how to use apostrophes. 9. Do not add an apostrophe to possessive pronouns. Example: The gloves on the hall table are hers.

Unit 16: Numbers and Capitalization Numbers: When to Use Numerals and When to Use Words Use numerals (1, 2, 3 . . . ): 1. To express numbers in scientific and technical writing 2. For a series of numbers in any kind of writing 3. For dates 4. For numbers that cannot be expressed in one or two words 5. For chapter, page, verse, act, scene, and line numbers 6. For exact numbers used with times of the day, money, and measurements

Use words: 1. For numbers that can be expressed in one or two words. 2. When you start a sentence with a number.

Use a combination of words and numerals to prevent confusion. Example: We need four 6-packs of beer for the party tonight.

Capitalization 1. Capitalize titles of family members when the title substitutes for a name. Example: I took Grandmother to her regular doctor’s appointment. 2. Do not capitalize the titles of family members if they are preceded by a possessive pronoun.

Example: I took my grandmother to her regular doctor’s appointment. 3. Capitalize a title such as doctor, dean, or chair only when you use it as substitute for a person’s name. Example: We will have to consult the Associate Dean on this matter. 4. Capitalize the names of languages, nationalities, and religions. Example: Among Irish youth, the use of Gaelic is gradually returning. 5. Capitalize the names of specific courses. Example: This year I am taking Psychology 105 and History 361. 6. Do not capitalize names of academic disciplines. Example: When I was in high school, I loved math but I hated physics. 7. Capitalize the days of week and months of the year, but not the names of the seasons. Example: I plan to leave January 1st and spend all winter in Arizona. 8. Capitalize the words college and university when they refer to a specific institution. Example: This year, especially, Grant MacEwan College has an excellent volleyball team. Example: I plan to complete all my university studies at MacEwan.

9. Capitalize Native and First Nations but do not capitalize black and white when they refer to races. Example: This year our First Nations students are hosting a fall barbeque. Example: Cooperation between blacks and whites is improving. 10.Capitalize names of directions only when they refer to places. Example: Globalization has often led to the West imposing its values on Third World countries. 11.Capitalize all the important words in a title. Example: My research essay is titled Colour Imagery in Heart of Darkness. 12.Capitalize Earth but do not capitalize the earth. Example: All the nations on Earth must reduce their carbon emissions. Example: This cooperation among the earth’s nations is essential....