Let Me Explain
Define a noun
person, place, thing, or idea
There are two large fish in our fishing basket.
Two: adverb or adjective?
Adverb (answers how many, modifies adjective (large))
Identify the prepositional phrase(s)
We drove to the diner last night.
Phrase: to the diner
Conjunction or Preposition: for
This gift is for you.
Preposition
Find the pronouns
I didn't know that was going to be on the test.
Pronouns: I, that
Define an interjection
an exclamatory word that is not related to the other words in a sentence
We want to go shopping next week.
To: preposition or not?
Not a preposition, followed by verb, not a noun or pronoun
Identify the Prepositional Phrase(s)
I went below deck to find my shoes after the party.
Phrases:
-below deck
-after the party
Conjunction or Preposition: For
For I am not ashamed of the gospel.
Conjunction
Find the nouns
I think loyalty is important in friendship.
Nouns: loyalty, friendship
List the three types of conjunctions
coordinating, correlative, subordinating
She went to the play last night.
To: preposition or not?
Preposition, followed by noun (play) and its modifier (the)
Identify the Prepositional Phrase(s)
Give me a hand with these books and place them on the counter.
Phrases:
-with these books
-on the counter
Conjunction or Preposition: because of
He left the show because of his headache.
Find the pronoun and antecedent
Henry and Jill were scheduled to work today, but she was late.
Pronoun: she
Antecedent: Jill
Define a adverb
modified a verb, adjective, or adverb
She did poorly on the exam
Poorly: Adverb or Adjective?
Adverb, modifies verb (did), answers how
Identify the Prepositional Phrase(s)
She left on a train in the middle of the night in the pouring rain
Phrases
-on a train
-in the middle
-of the night
-in the pouring rain
Just a pronoun or acting as adjective: their
We left their pizza in the oven
Acting as an adjective
Find the adverbs
Her voice was too loud for the poor dog's ears when she screamed suddenly.
Adverbs: too, suddenly
Define an antecedent
the noun a pronoun replaces
These are good seats.
Good: Adverb or Adjective?
Adjective, modifies noun (seats)
Identify the Prepositional Phrase(s)
He wanted to leave to find his lost wallet.
No prepositional phrases
Verb or Noun: will
He will submit his will to the attorneys tomorrow.
2nd will: noun
Find the adjectives
The flowing, glittery gown twirled in the autumn breeze.
Adjectives: flowing, glittery, autumn