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- 2. SENTENCES
- CAUTION: Do Not
- Alter Any File
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- 3385 61 2088
- LESSON 2 FIRST WORDS of SENTENCES
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- We communicate our thoughts by saying or writing words.
-
- A series of one or more words expressing our thoughts is called a
- "sentence", a "sentence fragment", or a "phrase." When we speak, our voice
- signals the listener when a thought begins. When we write, a capital letter
- signals the reader when a thought begins.
-
- Always capitalize the first word of:
-
- 1. A sentence fragment used as a sentence -> Wait! No more! Exactly.
-
- 2. A quotation within a sentence: He asked, "Hungry?" I said, "Starved!"
- EXCEPTION: NOT if quotation depends on the sentence ->
- Charles Dickens notwithstanding, my day was "the worst of times."
-
- 3. Running dialog: "Hungry?"
- "Starved!"
- "Me, too."
-
- 4. Sentence within parenthesis -> I did not study. (Actually, I did.)
- EXCEPTION: NOT if embedded -> I did not (actually, I did ) study.
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- Sentence fragments, although often grammatically awkward, do
- communicate clearly: Stop. Walk. Done? NO, no! Fool! Ho-hum.
-
- He said, "Nuts!" The enemy officer was astounded!
-
- Bill's saxophone playing was "the sound and the fury signifying nothing."
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- "Eat yet?"
- "No, you?"
- "No, let's do it."
- "Pizza o.k.?"
- "Sounds good."
-
- We immediately left for the restaurant. (It closed at eight.)
- We immediately left (it closed at eight) for the restaurant.
-
- English language skills are important. You will need to communicate
- throughout your life. Even if English is your original language -your
- "native" language- it does not mean you possess GOOD language skills.
- Good language skills are inexpensive, yet, priceless . . .think about it!
-
- O beautiful for patriot dream
- That sees beyond the years,
- Thine alabaster cities gleam,
- Undimmed by human tears.
- {Source: "America the Beautiful", song}
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