English Grammar Study Guide

Table of Contents
1. Parts of Speech
2. Sentence Structure
3. Punctuation Rules
4. Common Grammar Errors
5. Verb Tenses
6. Agreement Rules
7. Quick Reference Charts

Parts of Speech
Nouns
Definition: Words that name people, places, things, or ideas
Types:
Common: dog, city, happiness
Proper: Sarah, London, Christmas
Abstract: love, freedom, courage
Concrete: table, flower, music
Functions: Subject, object, complement
Pronouns
Personal: I, you, he, she, it, we, they
Possessive: my, your, his, her, its, our, their
Demonstrative: this, that, these, those
Relative: who, whom, whose, which, that
Indefinite: someone, anything, everybody, none
Verbs
Action verbs: run, write, think, create
Linking verbs: be, seem, appear, become
Helping verbs: can, will, should, have, do
Functions: Express action or state of being
Adjectives
Purpose: Modify nouns and pronouns
Examples: big, beautiful, three, this, many
Order: Opinion → Size → Age → Shape → Color → Origin → Material → Purpose
Adverbs
Purpose: Modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs
Types: Manner (quickly), Time (yesterday), Place (here), Degree (very)
Formation: Many end in -ly (careful → carefully)
Prepositions
Common prepositions: in, on, at, by, for, with, about, through, during
Function: Show relationships between words
Example: "The book is on the table."
Conjunctions
Coordinating: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet (FANBOYS)
Subordinating: because, since, although, while, if, when
Correlative: either...or, neither...nor, both...and
Interjections
Purpose: Express emotion or surprise
Examples: Oh! Wow! Alas! Hey! Ouch!

Sentence Structure
Simple Sentences
Structure: One independent clause
Example: "The dog barks."
Components: Subject + Predicate
Compound Sentences
Structure: Two or more independent clauses
Connection: Coordinating conjunction or semicolon
Example: "The dog barks, and the cat meows."
Complex Sentences
Structure: One independent + one or more dependent clauses
Example: "When the dog barks, the neighbors complain."
Compound-Complex Sentences
Structure: Multiple independent + one or more dependent clauses
Example: "When it rains, I stay inside, but my sister goes out."
Sentence Functions
Declarative: Makes a statement (ends with .)
Interrogative: Asks a question (ends with ?)
Imperative: Gives a command (ends with . or !)
Exclamatory: Shows strong emotion (ends with !)

Punctuation Rules
Period (.)
End of declarative sentences
After abbreviations (Dr., etc.)
In decimal numbers (3.14)
Comma (,)
Series: apples, oranges, and bananas
Coordinate adjectives: big, red balloon
Before coordinating conjunctions: I went, but she stayed
After introductory elements: After the game, we ate
Around non-essential information: My teacher, who is kind, helped me
In addresses and dates: June 15, 2023
Semicolon (;)
Between independent clauses: I love reading; it relaxes me
In complex lists: We visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Madrid, Spain
Colon (:)
Before lists: I need three things: paper, pen, and eraser
 Before explanations: Here's the problem: we're out of time
In time expressions: 3:30 PM
Quotation Marks (" ")
Direct quotes: She said, "I'm coming."
Titles of short works: "The Gift of the Magi"
Special terms: The word "love" has many meanings
Apostrophe (')
Contractions: don't, can't, it's
Possession:
Singular: dog's bone
Plural ending in s: dogs' bones
Plural not ending in s: children's toys
Question Mark (?)
End of direct questions
NOT after indirect questions: He asked if I was ready.
Exclamation Point (!)
After exclamations and strong commands
Use sparingly in formal writing

Common Grammar Errors

Subject-Verb Agreement
Correct: The dog runs. / The dogs run.
Error: The dog run. / The dogs runs.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Correct: Each student brought his or her book.
Error: Each student brought their book. (in formal writing)
Apostrophe Errors
Its vs. It's:
Its = possessive (The dog wagged its tail)
 It's = contraction (It's raining)
Who vs. Whom
Who: Subject (Who is coming?)
Whom: Object (To whom are you speaking?)
Affect vs. Effect
Affect: Verb (The rain will affect our plans)
Effect: Noun (The effect of rain was cancellation)
Dangling Modifiers
Error: Walking to school, the dog followed me.
Correct: Walking to school, I was followed by the dog.
Comma Splices
Error: I love pizza, it's delicious.
Correct: I love pizza because it's delicious. / I love pizza; it's delicious.

Verb Tenses
Present Tenses
Simple Present: I walk (habitual action)
Present Progressive: I am walking (action happening now)
Present Perfect: I have walked (past action, present relevance)
Present Perfect Progressive: I have been walking (ongoing action)
Past Tenses
Simple Past: I walked (completed action)
Past Progressive: I was walking (ongoing past action)
Past Perfect: I had walked (action before another past action)
Past Perfect Progressive: I had been walking (ongoing action before past point)
Future Tenses
Simple Future: I will walk (future action)
Future Progressive: I will be walking (ongoing future action)
Future Perfect: I will have walked (completed before future point)
 Future Perfect Progressive: I will have been walking (ongoing before future point)

Agreement Rules
Subject-Verb Agreement
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs
2. Plural subjects take plural verbs
3. Compound subjects joined by "and" are usually plural
4. Subjects joined by "or" agree with the closer subject
5. Collective nouns can be singular or plural based on context
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
1. Pronouns must agree in number and gender with their antecedents
2. Indefinite pronouns: some are always singular, some always plural, some depend on context
3. Compound antecedents follow similar rules to compound subjects

Quick Reference Charts

Irregular Verbs (Common)
Present Past Past Participle
be was/were been
have had had
do did done
go went gone
see saw seen
come came come
take took taken
get got gotten
Pronoun Cases
Subject Object Possessive
I me my/mine
you you your/yours
he him his
she her her/hers
 Subject Object Possessive
it it its
we us our/ours
they them their/theirs
Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So

Study Tip: Practice identifying parts of speech in sentences you read. The more you recognize
grammar patterns, the more natural correct usage becomes!