Developing Grammar and Spelling Skills

Developing Spelling and Grammar Skills

This slide set looks at some of common mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation. On each slide there is a brief explanation of a spelling pattern or an aspect of grammar together with a short video tutorial. This is followed by a quiz activity so that you can check how much you have learned. Good luck!  

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Using apostrophes

We use apostrophes in two different ways. We can use an apostrophe to show that something belongs to someone e.g.We went to Norwich in Sally's car.Or we can use an apostrophe to show that letters are missing e.g.I wasn't sure sure what he said.The phrase 'was not' is abbreviated to 'wasn't'. Here are some other words that use an apostrophe to indicate missing letters -  didn't                      shouldn't can't won't

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsoHEuVx2aQ&list=PLpo266nu5C8aEUqcTgIbPSSIaNgn9RyZB&index=8 (Embed)

Caption: : This video revises the two main ways we use apostrophes.

Apostrophe practice

• Apostrophe revision 2

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Caption: : Now work through the two quizzes to see how much you have learned.

'was' or 'were'?

'Was' and 'were'One common mistake involves the confusion about the use of these two verbs. You use 'was' when you are talking about one person or thing (singular) - The car was sold yesterday. Sally was off sick yesterday. If you are talking about more than one person or thing (plural), you use 'were' - The cars were sold yesterday. Sally and Priya were both off sick yesterday.

• Was or were?

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Another common mistake...

Caption: : The next slide gives you practice in avoiding this mistake!

Read the exchange of messages opposite which illustrate a very common mistake. It is partly a spelling mistake and partly a grammatical mistake too!

'Should have' and 'would have'

On the previous slide you saw that a very common mistake involves writing 'should of' instead of 'should have' e.g.  'Alan knew that he should of bought the car.' This is incorrect. It should be -Alan knew that he should have bought the car.Alternatively, you could also use a shortened form -Alan knew that he should've bought the car.In a similar way it is also very common to see 'would of' written instead of 'could have' e.g. 'If I had known she felt like that, I would of said something.' This should be written -If I had known she felt like that, I would have said somethingAlternatively,  you could use a short form -If I had known she felt like that, I would've said something.

• Practice in using 'would have', 'should have' and 'could have'

There, their and they're

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G45RQ5b4W78 (Embed)

These three words are often confused. The sentences below show how they should be used. Can you work out when you use one rather than the other?ThereI left my phone over there.What's the weather like over there?TheirWe went to their wedding on Saturday.Can you remember their address?They'reThey're stuck in traffic at the moment.Do you think they're likely to get here on time?If you're not sure how to use them, watch the video!

Caption: : I

Now try the quiz below -

• There, their and they're

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Its and it's

These two words are often confused.The three sentences below show the correct use of 'its' i.e. when we use it as a possessive pronoun - The dog had an ID tag on its collar. In just one year the car has lost 20% of its original value. The police found the car lying on its side. The next three sentences illustrate when you should use 'it's' with an apostrophe i.e. as a shortened form of 'it is' or 'it has' I think it's time to go. It's too late now. It's been raining all day. Watch the video opposite if you are still unsure then have a go at the quiz on the next slide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uCTeomVueg (Embed)

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Now try the quiz below

• Its and it's

Use of commas

It is very easy to make mistakes with commas.Here are four ways to use them correctly.1. To mark off items in a list e.g.'On our holiday we went to Matlock, Buxton, Chesterfield, Bakewell and Ashbourne.'2. After a linking word e.g.She was nervous. However, she was determined not to give up.'

3. To separate clauses in a sentence e.g.Although it was cold, we still went for a walk.4. To mark off an embedded clause e.g.My sister, who works as a nurse, is thinking of moving to live in Australia.On the next slide you can check to see how much you have learned about using commas for these four purposes.

How much did you learn about commas?

• Use of commas

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Simple sentences

Simple sentences contain just one verb e.g.She walked along the beach.Simple sentences are not always short. They can contain lots of information but they are still simple sentences if they only have one verb e.g.She walked slowly along the empty sunlit beach without a care in the world under a blue Mediterranean sky.

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Compound sentences

Compound sentences contain two or more equal clauses linked together with a conjunction like 'and', 'but', 'or', 'so' e.g.The car started first time and John drove off.Priya felt tired but she still went in to work.Either you go or I will.Everyone was busy so I went on my own.

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Complex sentences

Complex sentences consist of a main clause joined to a 'subordinate' clause. In the examples opposite the subordinate clause is in orange. The two clauses are joined by conjunctions such as - because when if although after unless until as  before

The match was called off as the pitch was frozen.When you come home, put the heating on.If you see John there, offer him a liftThey offered me the job even though I was nervous at the interview.Before she went in, she took a deep breath.As she walked in, I turned around from the window.I didn't stay because I was too tired.

Now test yourself!

• Sentence structure 2

Revision

To give yourself practice in some of the topics covered in this slide set, work through the flashcards on the right.If you want more practice in using apostrophes, click here.If you want more practice with double negatives, click here.If you want more practice in using commas, click here.

• Standard English - proofreading