Using GrammarUsing Grammar

EQ: How do I improve my writing EQ: How do I improve my writing through a more precise choice of through a more precise choice of

nouns?nouns?

What is a noun?What is a noun?

Person, place, thing, or ideaPerson, place, thing, or idea

Examples: racecar driver, city, desk, Examples: racecar driver, city, desk, communismcommunism

See P. 401 – Exercise 1.See P. 401 – Exercise 1.

Which cannot be touched or discerned by Which cannot be touched or discerned by senses?senses?

NounsNouns

Concrete/AbstractConcrete/AbstractProper/CommonProper/CommonSingular/PluralSingular/PluralPossessivePossessiveCollectiveCollective

Abstract/Concrete NounsAbstract/Concrete Nouns

Abstract = an idea; cannot be felt, heard, Abstract = an idea; cannot be felt, heard, touched, smelled; intangibletouched, smelled; intangible

Concrete = can be felt, touched, heard, Concrete = can be felt, touched, heard, smelled; tangible; no argument that it smelled; tangible; no argument that it existsexists

See P. 402.See P. 402.

Practice: Make concrete.Practice: Make concrete.

LoveLoveAngerAngerFoolishnessFoolishnessWisdomWisdom

Practice: Make specific.Practice: Make specific.

BoatBoatDogDogPersonPersonChildChild

PRINCIPLE #1PRINCIPLE #1Always choose concrete, specific nouns when possible.Always choose concrete, specific nouns when possible.

REWRITEREWRITE

Use more concrete, specific nouns.Use more concrete, specific nouns.

““I went to the store to get some things, but I went to the store to get some things, but it was out of most stuff. On the way back, it was out of most stuff. On the way back, I saw a dog who looked dangerous. He I saw a dog who looked dangerous. He looked so crazy, I ran down the street and looked so crazy, I ran down the street and all the way through the place.” all the way through the place.”

Abstract to Concrete Nouns: AnalogyAbstract to Concrete Nouns: Analogy Write one paragraph with an analogy for love. Be Write one paragraph with an analogy for love. Be

concrete & specific. If you need, use figurative concrete & specific. If you need, use figurative language to make it concrete. Create at least language to make it concrete. Create at least three parallels. Example:three parallels. Example:

Our love is like . . . . Our love is like . . . .

Abstract to Concrete Nouns: Abstract to Concrete Nouns: Analogy ExampleAnalogy Example

Our love is like a Our love is like a rickety old jalopyrickety old jalopy. It frequently . It frequently breaks down or runs out of breaks down or runs out of gasgas. The . The enamel ienamel is s peeling off, and the peeling off, and the leather seats leather seats are cracked. are cracked. Some of the metal Some of the metal knobsknobs are missing on the are missing on the molded molded dashboard,dashboard, as well as the as well as the handleshandles to roll to roll down the down the windows.windows. The The jalopyjalopy, like our , like our lovelove, has , has some some years years on it, but it will live on forever – just on it, but it will live on forever – just like the like the treasure treasure in my in my garagegarage will keep on rolling. will keep on rolling.

Singular/Plural (P. 402)Singular/Plural (P. 402)

Singular = oneSingular = onePlural = two or more (add –s usually)Plural = two or more (add –s usually)

Exceptions: -es, y becomes i + es, & Exceptions: -es, y becomes i + es, & irregularsirregulars

Possessives (P. 402)Possessives (P. 402)

Nouns that come in front of other nouns Nouns that come in front of other nouns and OWN that noun (= possession)and OWN that noun (= possession)

If singular (one), add ‘s: cat’s litter box.If singular (one), add ‘s: cat’s litter box.

If plural (more than one), s’ – if the s is If plural (more than one), s’ – if the s is ALREADY THERE: cats’ litter boxes.ALREADY THERE: cats’ litter boxes.

Practice: Add the apostrophe.Practice: Add the apostrophe.

The mother looked for the girls bookbag.The mother looked for the girls bookbag.The teacher searched for the students The teacher searched for the students

papers because they were expecting them papers because they were expecting them back that day.back that day.

We are going to our favorite teams game.We are going to our favorite teams game.The boys coats were hung by the door.The boys coats were hung by the door.

Be able to defend your choice!Be able to defend your choice!

Proper/Common Nouns (P. 404)Proper/Common Nouns (P. 404) Proper nouns name a particular person, Proper nouns name a particular person,

place, thing, or idea (a name & needs a place, thing, or idea (a name & needs a CAPITAL LETTER)CAPITAL LETTER)

Examples: John, Atlanta, Eiffel Tower, Examples: John, Atlanta, Eiffel Tower, ChristianityChristianity

Common nouns name any person, place, Common nouns name any person, place, thing, or idea (not a name & no capital letter)thing, or idea (not a name & no capital letter)

Examples: principal, town, book, loveExamples: principal, town, book, love

PROPER NOUNS CAN BECOME PROPER NOUNS CAN BECOME PROPER ADJECTIVES.PROPER ADJECTIVES.

If they do, they retain the capital letter.If they do, they retain the capital letter.

Example: Italy becomes Italian. France becomes . . . . Spain . . . .Example: Italy becomes Italian. France becomes . . . . Spain . . . .

Collective NounsCollective Nouns

SingularSingularBut plural! . . . refer to a groupBut plural! . . . refer to a groupMatching verb depends on the action of Matching verb depends on the action of

the collective noun. P. 405-6athe collective noun. P. 405-6a

The jury agrees on the verdict. (It - unity)The jury agrees on the verdict. (It - unity)The jury disagree on the verdict. (They - The jury disagree on the verdict. (They -

separate)separate)

Review of NounsReview of Nouns Be concrete. (smile instead of friendship)Be concrete. (smile instead of friendship) Be specific. (kayak instead of boat)Be specific. (kayak instead of boat) Watch possessives. (General Principle: If it Watch possessives. (General Principle: If it

ends in an s, add an apostrophe. If it does not ends in an s, add an apostrophe. If it does not end in an s, add ‘s.)end in an s, add ‘s.)

CAPITALIZE proper nouns & adjectives made CAPITALIZE proper nouns & adjectives made from themfrom them..

Be careful with collective nouns to see if they Be careful with collective nouns to see if they are functioning singularly or plurally, & match are functioning singularly or plurally, & match all verbs & pronouns.all verbs & pronouns.

Card SortCard Sort

Put them into piles:Put them into piles:

ConcreteConcreteProperProperCommonCommonAbstractAbstractPossessive Possessive

Practice QuizPractice Quiz

Edit the following errors with nouns.Edit the following errors with nouns.

Recently I visited the louvre museum in france. Recently I visited the louvre museum in france. Impressively, the building houses some of the Impressively, the building houses some of the greatest art in the world. The board have greatest art in the world. The board have chosen these pieces because they are some of chosen these pieces because they are some of the most valued and priceless, although the the most valued and priceless, although the board has disagreed on a few of the paintings. board has disagreed on a few of the paintings. The italian sculptures are some of the most The italian sculptures are some of the most beautiful as well as Picassos abstract paintings. beautiful as well as Picassos abstract paintings. The pictures frames were chosen carefully as The pictures frames were chosen carefully as well. well.

Practice QuizPractice Quiz

Edit the following errors with nouns.Edit the following errors with nouns.

Recently I visited the Recently I visited the LLouvre ouvre MMuseum in useum in FFrance. rance. Impressively, the building houses some of the Impressively, the building houses some of the greatest art in the world. The board hgreatest art in the world. The board hasas chosen chosen these pieces because they are some of the most these pieces because they are some of the most valued and priceless, although the board havalued and priceless, although the board haveve disagreed on a few of the paintings. The disagreed on a few of the paintings. The IItalian talian sculptures are some of the most beautiful as well sculptures are some of the most beautiful as well as as Picasso’sPicasso’s abstract paintings. The abstract paintings. The pictures’ pictures’ frames were chosen carefully as well. frames were chosen carefully as well.

Transformational Grammar: Transformational Grammar: Sentence PatternsSentence Patterns

COMMON ROLES FOR NOUNS/PRONOUNS IN COMMON ROLES FOR NOUNS/PRONOUNS IN SENTENCES . . .SENTENCES . . .

Subject : S + VSubject : S + V Direct object: S + V + DODirect object: S + V + DO Indirect object: S + V + IO + DOIndirect object: S + V + IO + DO Object of the preposition: S + V + P + OPObject of the preposition: S + V + P + OP Predicate nominative: S + V + PNPredicate nominative: S + V + PN

Diagramming Subjects (P. 537)Diagramming Subjects (P. 537)

Why would we diagram a sentence or learn a sentence Why would we diagram a sentence or learn a sentence pattern?pattern?

Subject VerbSubject Verb

From your book, LIST 5 nouns.From your book, LIST 5 nouns.LABEL THE TYPE: Possessive,/singular concrete/abstract, collective, LABEL THE TYPE: Possessive,/singular concrete/abstract, collective, proper/commonproper/common

DIAGRAM THE SUBJECT AND THE VERB of 5 sentences.DIAGRAM THE SUBJECT AND THE VERB of 5 sentences.

EXIT TICKET:EXIT TICKET:

Write a story about St. Patty’s Day or Lent. Underline 5 Write a story about St. Patty’s Day or Lent. Underline 5 nouns & LABEL THE TYPE OF NOUN (5).nouns & LABEL THE TYPE OF NOUN (5).