How Many Commas Till You Have a Run-On Sentence?
During a virtual classroom visit, Thomas answered a question about how many commas you can have in a sentence before it becomes a run-on sentence.
Tag: Tips for Teachers
A Trick for Thinking about the Subjective Case of a Noun or Pronoun
Here’s a handy way to think about and remember the subjective or nominative case of a noun or pronoun, as well as a playful challenge.
Why is Grammar Called Grammar?
During a virtual classroom visit, Thomas answered a question about where the word grammar comes from and why it means what it means.
Do we need two spaces after a period?
Amelia M. asks, “Do we use one or two spaces after periods?” As Thomas explains, the answer has changed over time. Here’s why!
How to Get Started Writing a Play
Dot asks, “Do you have any tips for an aspiring playwright?” Here Thomas shares some practical and inspiring tips for beginners who want to know how to write a play or script.
Why is Grammar Needed?
During a virtual classroom visit, Thomas answered a question about why we need grammar in the first place. Why is it important and how can it help us?
Do we use “was” or “were” when talking about decades?
Mark K. recently shared a sentence, asking whether it was correct say “were the heyday” or “was the heyday” about a period of time. Take a peek at his example & our answer about verb agreement.
Is HERE an adverb in “Here it is”?
Keri M. writes, “Could you confirm whether HERE or THERE are adverbs in these sentences: “Here it is” or “It is here”? Here’s some guidance from Thomas on expletives in English Grammar.
SAT Tips and Tricks: One of the Students IS or ARE Studying?
Here’s a handy tip for choosing between “One of the students IS studying” vs “One of the students ARE studying.” Now you’ll never get confused!
When to use IS or ARE with prepositional phrases?
Mark K. asks, “When to use IS or ARE with prepositional phrases?” Here’s some guidance from Thomas about prepositions and verb agreement.
Do gerunds always end in ING?
Zion asks, “If gerunds end in ING, is ‘singing’ in ‘My mother is singing’ a gerund?” Here’s some guidance from Thomas about gerunds and participles. Take a listen!
A Trick for Listening Actively and Deeply
Thomas shares a surprisingly potent tip for paying attention to a lecture or speech. It has to do with anticipation.
Is it correct to use “their” with “one of those who”?
Joy L. asks, “Is it correct to use ‘their’ in the sentence ‘Jane is one of the graduate students who have finished their master’s degree’? Here’s some guidance from Thomas. Take a listen!
The Difference Between Subjects and Objects
During a classroom visit, Thomas answered a question about what part of speech the word “dog” is in the sentence “The boy holds the dog.”
What category do dates come under?
During a virtual classroom visit, Thomas answered a question about what part of speech a date such as November 5th would be. Take a peek!
How To Punctuate An Interjection
Krista G. asks, “Can an interjection ever end in a period? For example, a person responding yes or no. As in, ‘No.'”