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LITTLE GRAMMAR HELPERS
Sometimes it seems as though the kids are learning things in different ways than we did. Sometimes we forget the basics we learned back in grade school, so as a refresher – here are some little grammar helpers.
I, Me
Which two sentences are correct?
- Sally and I went to the store.
- Sally and me went to the store.
- Please go to the store for Sally and I.
- Please go to the store for Sally and me.
The correct sentences are numbers 1 and 4. It’s not always “I”, sometimes it’s “me.” So how do you know? Easy, just take the other person out of the sentence.
Sally and me went to the store. You wouldn’t say “Me went to the store.”
Please go to the store for Sally and I. You wouldn’t say “Please go to the store for I.”
Now as I’m typing, the little green grammar lines are coming up, so I know the sentences that are incorrect. When you don’t have little green grammar lines, just remember to take the other person out of the sentence. Simple as that!
Is, Are, Am
I am you are they are he is she is it is —are all pretty easy. But what about those confusing singulars and plurals!
Singular means one and we use “is”:
The road is bumpy.
Plural means more than one and we use “are”:
The roads are bumpy.
Here are a couple tricky ones! Which sentences are correct?
- The picture of the flowers are beautiful.
- The picture of the flowers is beautiful.
- The types of silver is amazing.
- The types of silver are amazing.
The correct sentences are numbers 2 and 4. Sentences 1 and 2 are referring to one (singular) picture. Again, take out the following phrase.
“The picture of the flowers are beautiful.” You wouldn’t say “The picture are beautiful.”
Sentences 3 and 4 are referring to types (more than one type, plural).
The types of silver are amazing. You wouldn’t say “The types is amazing.
We, Us
How to determine whether to use “we” or “us.” This time we’re going to take the following noun out of the sentence.
Which two sentences are correct?
- Us women are sadly underpaid.
- We women are sadly underpaid.
- The politician will fight for us citizens.
- The politician will fight for we citizens.
The correct sentences are 2 and 3.
Us women are sadly underpaid. You wouldn’t say “Us are overpaid.”
The politician will fight for we citizens. You wouldn’t say “The politician will
fight for we.”
Your, You’re
your – belonging to you
Is that your purse on the counter?
you’re – you are
You’re going to be late for work.
(You are going to be late for work).
There, Their, They’re
there – in or at that place
Your keys are over there.
their – belonging to them
Their books are missing.
(The books that belong to them are missing).
they’re – they are
They’re coming over tonight.
(They are coming over tonight).
Then, Than
then – a time sequence
First, do your homework then watch TV.
than – a comparison
I like candy better than vegetables.
Plurals and Possessives
Plural means “more than one.”
Possessive means “belonging to.”
Here are some examples of Plural (no apostrophe) nouns:
- The dogs are playing in the yard.
(more than one dog)
- The women are having coffee.
(more than one woman)
- The babies are crying.
(more than one baby)
Here are some examples of Possessive (apostrophe goes BEFORE the “s”) nouns:
- The dog’s food is in his dish.
(the food that belongs to one dog)
- The woman’s purse is missing.
(the purse that belongs to one woman)
- The baby’s blanket is wet.
(the blanket that belongs to one baby)
Brace yourselves – I saved the most fun for last!
Possessive Plurals
Possessive plurals refer to something belonging to more than one noun. (I told you this was going to be fun)!
Here are some examples of Possessive Plurals. The apostrophe goes AFTER the “s.”
Example, if we are talking about three girls:
The girls’ uniforms have come in.
(the uniforms that belong to the three girls).
Example, if we’re talking about a classroom of kids:
The kids’ lunches will stay cold.
(the lunches belonging to 25 – 30 kids)
When a plural doesn’t end with an “s”
Example, if we are talking about children (more than one child):
The children’s toys were scattered about.
(the toys belonging to more than one child).
Example, if we are talking about men (more than one man):
The Men’s Club meets on Tuesdays.
(the club belonging to more than one man)