Daily Grammar

 

Daily Dose # 9

Nouns can be made by simply adding -ing to a verb. The result is a gerund, or a verb functioning as a noun.

·        Swimming is a healthy exercise

·        Healthy exercise includes swimming.

 

Daily Dose # 10

Similarly, an infinitive, a verb in its infinitive form (the base verb plus to), can be a noun:

·        To swim is healthy

·        Her goal is to become a veterinarian.

 

 

When reading or hearing an unfamiliar word, or working with words, it might be helpful to remember that some nouns have distinct

endings; here are some of them:

-ment (resentment, government, parliament)

-ism (communism, liberalism)

-ness (happiness, wellness)

-tion (multiplication, domestication)

-ty (equality, fraternity)

-ence or ance (independence, indifference, temperance, deliverance)

 

Daily Dose # 11

Define a noun.

 

  

A noun designates or names a person, place, or thing; a quality, idea or action; an event or point in time.

 

Daily Dose # 12

 

Write down the nouns in the following sentence:  Albert met his sisters’ best friend, a pretty girl.

 Albert met his sisters’ best friend, a pretty girl.  (Persons)

 

 

Daily Dose # 13

Write down the nouns in the following sentence:  Her pride suffered because of her forgetfulness, but his courtesy brought her happiness. (Qualities)

 

  

Daily Dose # 14

 

Write down the nouns in the following sentence: She sold her car to the man from Detroit on Saturday. (Combo)

 

 

 

Daily Dose # 15

 

Define the semicolon and describe its uses.

 

The semicolon is a mark of separation; it is never used to introduce, enclose or terminate a statement. Uses are: to separate independent clauses not joined by a simple conjunction; to separate clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb (also, besides, however, for example, otherwise, thus, therefore, still); between independent clauses that are lengthy or contain internal punctuation; to separate phrases and clauses of considerable length and also series of words that need complete clarity.

 

 

Conjunctive adverb example: We regret selling all of the blue shirts; however, we still have some white ones.

 

In a series: Here is what you need in life; money, health, and ambition.

 

Daily Dose # 16

 

Define the colon and describe its uses.

 

The colon is a mark of expectation or addition. Major uses are to: introduce lists or tabulations; introduce a word or phrase; precede an example or clarification of an idea suggested before the colon; to introduce a long or formal quotation; act as a separating mark in special situations (letters, time, stating proportions, titles of books, acts verses, etc.)