Grammar In Plain English

by Diamond, Harriet, M.A.

• ISBN13: 9780764128875
• ISBN10: 0764128876
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-01
• Publisher: Barrons Educational Series Inc

Summary

Here is an excellent English grammar brush-up manual and subject review fortudents of English as a second language preparing for the TOEFL (Test ofnglish as a Foreign Language) or TOEIC (Test of English for Internationalommunication) exams, and for all others who need to improve their skills inasic English usage. Topics presented and explained include: the sentence,he simplest complete thought; adding descriptive words and using themorrectly; rules of agreement between nouns and verbs; time and sequence ofenses; balanced sentences to reflect coordinated thoughts; and spelling,apitalization, punctuation, and much more. Twenty-two lessons cover thearious aspects of English grammar with practice exercises accompanying eachesson and answers to all questions.

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
Effective Use of This Book: With Sample Questions	viii
Test-Taking Tips	x
The Simplest Complete Thought	1	(19)
What You've Always Known: The Sentence Pattern of Performer and Action	1	(4)
Recognizing Complete and Incomplete Thoughts	5	(4)
Action Words: Special Problems	9	(11)
Answer Key	18	(2)
Performer and Action: Understanding Time and Number	20	(11)
Understanding Time	20	(2)
Understanding Number	22	(9)
Answer Key	30	(1)
Adding Descriptive Words	31	(8)
Descriptive Words: Adding Meaning	31	(4)
Descriptive Words: Special Problems	35	(4)
Answer Key	38	(1)
Using Descriptive Words Correctly	39	(6)
Descriptive Words: Using Comparisons	40	(5)
Answer Key	44	(1)
Adding Descriptive Phrases	45	(10)
Descriptive Phrases: Adding Meaning	45	(4)
Descriptive Phrases: Correct Placement	49	(6)
Answer Key	53	(2)
Cumulative Review	55	(11)
Practice Exercises
Performer and Action: Agreement in Number	55	(1)
Action Words: Agreement in Time	55	(1)
Correct Use of Descriptive Words	55	(8)
Summary of Results	63	(1)
Skills Analysis	64	(1)
Answer Key	65	(1)
Linking Words	66	(15)
The Flink Is Pretty: The Subject Is Being, Not Doing	66	(6)
Subject and Linking Word: Agreement in Number	72	(5)
The Missing Link(ing Word)	77	(4)
Answer Key	79	(2)
Agreement: Special Problems	81	(13)
Rules Concerning Special Problems of Agreement	82	(12)
Answer Key	91	(3)
Time: Special Problems	94	(16)
Common Misuses of Has and Have	95	(2)
Common Misuses of Had	97	(2)
Common Misuses of Will Have	99	(2)
Common Errors Regarding Simultaneous Actions	101	(9)
Answer Key	107	(3)
Pronouns	110	(16)
Pronoun Clues	112	(14)
Answer Key	124	(2)
Cumulative Review	126	(11)
Practice Exercises
Agreement in Time and Number	126	(1)
Correct Use of Descriptive Words and Phrases	126	(1)
Recognizing Complete and Incomplete Thoughts	126	(1)
Special Problems in Agreement	126	(1)
Special Problems in Time	126	(1)
Correct Use of Pronouns	126	(8)
Summary of Results	134	(1)
Skills Analysis	134	(2)
Answer Key	136	(1)
Balanced Sentences/Coordinated Thoughts	137	(19)
Balanced Sentences	138	(7)
Coordinated Thoughts	145	(11)
Answer Key	154	(2)
Punctuation	156	(14)
End Marks	156	(1)
Commas	157	(2)
Friendly and Business Letters	159	(4)
Semicolons	163	(7)
Answer Key	168	(2)
Cumulative Review	170	(13)
Practice Exercises
Balanced Sentences	170	(1)
Coordinated Thoughts	170	(1)
Correct Sentence Structure	170	(1)
Punctuation That Affects Sentence Structure	170	(10)
Summary of Results	180	(1)
Skills Analysis	181	(1)
Answer Key	182	(1)
Effective Expression	183	(13)
Style and Clarity	183	(8)
Problems with Logic	191	(5)
Answer Key	194	(2)
More Punctuation	196	(15)
Quotation Marks	196	(2)
Common Errors with Quotation Marks	198	(2)
Other Marks of Punctuation	200	(11)
Answer Key	209	(2)
Capitalization	211	(10)
Survey Test	213	(8)
Answer Key	219	(2)
Spelling	221	(27)
Building Blocks of Words: Consonants, Vowels, Syllables	222	(1)
Adding to Words	223	(1)
Rules Concerning Spelling	223	(3)
The Role of Accent Marks	226	(5)
Spelling Review	231	(9)
Commonly Misspelled Words	240	(8)
Answer Key	245	(3)
Word Usage	248	(26)
Commonly Misused Words	249	(25)
Answer Key	273	(1)
Cumulative Review	274	(21)
Practice Exercises
Effective Expression	274	(1)
Punctuation	274	(1)
Capitalization	274	(1)
Spelling	274	(1)
Word Usage	274	(16)
Summary of Results	290	(1)
Skills Analysis	290	(2)
Answer Key	292	(3)
Writing Skills: Essays	295	(35)
Strong Sentences	296	(3)
Well-Developed Paragraphs	299	(4)
Successful Essays	303	(9)
More Writing Skills: Letters, Memos, and E-Mails	312	(3)
Sample Letters	315	(15)
Answer Key	324	(6)
Final Review	330	(26)
Writing Skills Test, Part I	330	(24)
Writing Skills Test, Part II	354	(2)
Answer Key	355	(1)
Guide to Grammatical Terms	356