MCC Quick Grammar Reference
(Nacho teacher, but close)
APOSTROPHE Two main uses of the apostrophe:
1)
Show possession: Bob’s cat is friendly to everyone except Bob.
2)
Form a contrac on: Don’t eat that last piece of cake because it’s mine. (Don’t=do
not; It’s=it is)
DO NOT use an apostrophe just to make a word plural:
The student’s are happy this is the last day of class. INCORRECT
The students are happy this is the last day of class. CORRECT
COMMA SPLICES Two independent clauses cannot be connected by only a comma. A conjunc on should be
used along with the comma, or a period or semi‐colon should be used instead of the comma.
I like nachos, they taste good.
INCORRECT
I like nachos. They taste good.
CORRECT
I like nachos, I don’t like jalapenos.
INCORRECT
I like nachos, but I don’t like jalapenos.
CORRECT
SUBJECT‐VERB AGREEMENT Subjects and verbs must match in number. Singular subjects (1) need singular verbs, and plural
subjects (2+) need plural verbs. Ignore words between subjects and verbs!
The students at Madisonville Community College enjoys free nachos.
INCORRECT
The students at Madisonville Community College enjoy free nachos.
CORRECT
We was going out to lunch, but stayed for nachos instead.
INCORRECT
We were going out to lunch, but stayed for nachos instead.
CORRECT
COMMONLY CONFUSED PHRASES Take for granite
INCORRECT Take for granted
CORRECT
Rather or not
INCORRECT Whether or not.
CORRECT
Nip it in the bu
INCORRECT Nip it in the bud
CORRECT
I could care less
INCORRECT I couldn’t care less
CORRECT
Irregardless
INCORRECT Regardless
CORRECT
For all intensive purposes
INCORRECT For all intents and purposes
CORRECT
COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS You’re = you are
Your = it belongs to you
They’re = they are
Their = it belongs to them
There = a loca on
We’re = we are
Were = past tense of “are”
Where = a place
Then = a point in me
Than = a comparison
Two = the number (2)
To = preposi on, indicates mo on and direc on
Too = also or excessively
Definitely = without a doubt
Defiantly = in bold disobedience
_________________________________________________________________
For more informa on please contact the following:
Betsy Allen
[email protected]
Amberly Brooke Archila
[email protected]
Greg Hagan
gregory@[email protected]
Sarah Oglesby
[email protected]
Jude Roy
[email protected]
Dr. Sco Vander Ploeg
sco [email protected]
Dr. Mary Werner
[email protected]
Learning Space
JHG 306 & Muhlenberg Campus
[email protected]
Student Support Services
JHG 340
[email protected]