English grammar review
Punctuation marks: the comma (,)
Makes the meaning of the sentence clear & is used to indicate a brief PAUSE within the
sentence.
Uses of the comma:

Placed between words , clauses in a series
The tall, thin, dark man is our friend

In compound sentences between tow main long clauses joined by but , and , for , so
and yet
Their oldest daughter is a doctor, and their youngest son is a lawyer

When a subordinate clause precedes a main one in a complex sentence
When she finally arrived at 9:30, the lecture had already begun.
If you invite me , I will come.

With non-essential adjective clauses
Marry, who is a good teacher , wins a lot of prizes

With appositive phrases that merely adds info about nouns they follow.
Sami, my cousin, lives in Amman, the Capital of Jordan

To SET OFF introductory adverbials or side marks that interrupt the main idea of the
sentence
Jane, by the way, received her degree last semester
She is very beautiful, I think

A direct quotation is set off by commas
“wait for me ”, she called
“Will you” he begged , “come at once”?

Separate items in a date
Ali was born in Beirut , on Sunday, august 3,2001

When an adverbial clause precedes the main one.
The semicolon (;)
Uses:

Separate items in a series when items themselves have commas.
My three children were born on May 28,1999 ; may 29, 2002 ; October 6, 2006

Compound sentences to separate tow main independent clauses.
A. When the clauses are not connected by conjunctions like nor , yet , and , not , so , for
,or
Milad studies computer science ; his sister studies .
b. when clauses in a sentence include transitional words like moreover , however ,
furthermore , otherwise , therefore .
my daughter had a severe stomach ache; however, she took her exam.
Modal auxiliaries
Function : add to the meaning of the main verb by suggesting possibility , necessity ,prohibition
, ability , permission… willingness , prediction (will be), requests (can , could),making offers,
giving advices, insistence , (will) .
They are:
Will, would , can , could , shall , should , must , ought to, may , might
Modal auxiliaries are always followed by base verb (before the main verb)
Past tense
Could (General ability)
Would (Habitual past actions)
I could run a long way when I was young
When john lived in france, he would write
me long letters
Present tense
Can , could , will, would (making requests)*
*more polite way
Stating preference or making offer : would + like
We would like to rent some room with nice view
Would you like to have dinner with me?
Using modals in the past situations
Add perfective have to the verb phrase. (before the main verb) (after the modal)
They have won the game, they should HAVE trained well
Adverbial clauses (introducing word).
Types (7) * clauses
Time (after, before , whenever)
Place (where \ -ever)
Concession (though)
Reason (because, since, in order to)
Manner (as)
Purpose (so that)
Condition (unless)