Idioms
Negotiators reached an agreement at the eleventh hour, just in time to avoid a strike.
What does "at the eleventh hour" mean?
At the last possible moment
Maybe is an activist.
Is it a sentence or a fragment? If it's a fragment, how can you fix it?
Fragment (missing subject)
Ex. Maybe Esperanza is an activist.
The student didn't come to class. She was sick. (because)
Combine the following sentences to make a complex sentence with an adverb clause. Add commas when necessary.
The student didn't come to class because she was sick.
OR
Because the student was sick, she didn't come to class.
Esperanza and Miguel may get married in the future, because now they are on the same side of the river.
Is the punctuation correct or incorrect? If incorrect, how can you fix it?
Incorrect (no comma before the subordinator "because" when the adverb clause comes second in the sentence)
Ex. Esperanza and Miguel may get married in the future because now they are on the same side of the river.
What does "Esperanza" mean in Spanish?
Hope
I would quit my job at the drop of a hat if I didn't have a family to support.
What does "at the drop of a hat" mean?
Without any hesitation, instantly
Even though many workers wanted to strike, there were many others who didn't want to strike.
Is it a sentence or a fragment? If it's a fragment, how can you fix it?
Sentence
We can stay in touch with a large number of people through social media. Those connections are not always very deep. (even though)
Combine the following sentences to make a complex sentence with an adverb clause. Add commas when necessary.
Even though we can stay in touch with a large number of people through social media, those connections are not always very deep.
OR
The connections are not always very deep even though we can stay in touch with a large number of people through social media.
I prefer the spring season, while my friend prefers fall.
Is the punctuation correct or incorrect? If incorrect, how can you fix it?
Correct!
("while" can have a comma before it when showing direct contrast)
Who was Cesar Chavez? What did he accomplish?
(Note: Cesar Chavez Day is March 31!)
He started the first successful union for farm laborers in the 1960s. He helped lead the first national grape strike and won better wages and safer working conditions for farm workers.
Going the whole nine yards to impress your wife this holiday season is sure to get a smile.
What does "the whole nine yards" mean?
above and beyond, the full measure
Because she has important information about future strikes.
Is it a sentence or a fragment? If it's a fragment, how can you fix it?
Fragment (incomplete idea)
Ex. Because she has important information about future strikes, we must ask her some questions.
The weather is good. Marta never goes outside. (unless)
Combine the following sentences to make a complex sentence with an adverb clause. Add commas when necessary.
Unless the weather is good, Marta never goes outside.
OR
Marta never goes outside unless the weather is good.
Farm workers arrived at the shed, they tried to start the strike.
Is the punctuation correct or incorrect? If incorrect, how can you fix it?
Incorrect (comma-splice error)
Ex. Farm workers arrived at the shed, and they tried to start the strike.
What is a run-on error? Explain it and give an example.
A type of sentence error that happens when you join two simple sentences without any punctuation or connecting words
Ex. I like ice cream my husband doesn't like it.
I just wanted to give you all a heads-up that we will be talking about the first two chapters of the book tomorrow.
What does "give a heads-up" mean?
tell someone that something is going to happen
Is not a good life, but for many of them, it is better than living in Mexico.
Is it a sentence or a fragment? If it's a fragment, how can you fix it?
Fragment (missing subject)
Ex. It is not a good life, but for many of them, it is better than living in Mexico.
If it will rain tomorrow the company will postpone the barbecue.
Is the sentence correct or incorrect? If incorrect, how can you fix it? Add commas when necessary.
If it rains tomorrow, the company will postpone the barbecue.
OR
The company will postpone the barbecue if it rains tomorrow.
(Use the simple present tense in the "if-clause.")
The wedding is scheduled for August 7 2023 so we must send out the invitations soon.
Is the punctuation correct or incorrect? If incorrect, how can you fix it?
Incorrect (missing two commas)
The wedding is scheduled for August 7, 2023, so we must send out the invitations soon.
What is a comma-splice error?
Explain it and give an example.
A type of sentence error that happens when you join two simple sentences with ONLY a comma (The sentence is missing a connecting word, such as a coordinating conjunction.)
Ex. I like ice cream, my husband doesn't like it.
My friend lent me his car last weekend with no strings attached. He's such a nice guy!
What does "no strings attached" mean?
Free of conditions, obligations, limitations, etc.
Many strikers back to Mexico after they were caught by the immigration officers.
Is it a sentence or a fragment? If it's a fragment, how can you fix it?
Fragment (missing verb)
Ex. Many strikers went (were sent) back to Mexico after they were caught by the immigration officers.
You will graduate from the university, only if you pass all of your classes.
Is the sentence correct or incorrect? If incorrect, how can you fix it? Add commas when necessary.
You will graduate from the university only if you pass all of your classes.
(no comma - adverb clause with "only if" comes second)
OR
Only if you pass all of your classes will you graduate from the university.
(Remember that the word order is strange - like a yes/no question - when "only if" is at the beginning of the sentence. Also, there isn't a comma after it.)
In the morning sunshine Elise Mikaela Grace and Parker played on the beach and ran through the cold foamy blue water.
Is the punctuation correct or incorrect? If incorrect, how can you fix it?
Incorrect (missing 5-6 commas)
In the morning sunshine, Elise, Mikaela, Grace, and Parker played on the beach and ran through the cold, foamy, blue water.
Name the three sentence patterns (types of sentences) we studied this quarter and give examples to explain them.
Simple Sentence: one independent clause
Ex. I like ice cream.
Compound Sentence: two independent clauses connected with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) and a comma
Ex. I like ice cream, but my husband doesn't like it.
Complex Sentence (with an adverb clause): one independent clause connected to a dependent clause with a subordinator (subordinating conjunction)
Ex. Even though my husband doesn't like ice cream, I still love him.