Praxis Core Grammar |Who vs Whom | Kathleen Jasper
TLDRThe video script is an educational session focused on common grammar pitfalls and how to tackle them, particularly in the context of standardized tests like the Praxis Writing Exam. The speaker emphasizes the importance of grammar in essays, where excessive errors can detract from the overall score. The session covers the misuse of pronouns, the distinction between 'who' and 'whom', the correct use of 'than' and 'then', the difference between 'it's' and 'its', and the proper use of 'less' versus 'fewer'. The speaker also advises on the correct use of semicolons and the identification of independent and dependent clauses to avoid run-on sentences. The key takeaway is to approach grammar with the precision of a test maker, not just a test taker, to ensure clarity and correctness in both writing and test-taking.
Takeaways
- 📝 Pay attention to pronoun-antecedent agreement, especially when using 'I' at the end of a sentence, to ensure subject pronouns are used correctly.
- 🤔 Remember that 'who' is used as a subject pronoun, while 'whom' is used as an object pronoun; answering the question 'whom did you ask?' can help determine the correct usage.
- 👀 Be cautious with the use of 'than' and 'then', as they are often confused; 'than' is for comparisons, while 'then' is for time.
- 🚫 Avoid using a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) as it is grammatically incorrect.
- ✅ Recognize that 'no change necessary' is a valid answer on grammar exams, indicating the sentence is already correct.
- 🔍 Identify independent and dependent clauses to determine the correct punctuation, with a comma often used to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause.
- 🙅♀️ Do not use a comma alone to separate two independent clauses; this creates a comma splice and is grammatically incorrect.
- 📉 Understand the difference between 'less' (for uncountable nouns) and 'fewer' (for countable nouns) to avoid common mistakes.
- ✍️ Be careful with collective nouns like 'team', 'board', 'committee', etc., which are singular and require a singular verb form.
- 🧐 When you see words like 'there' or 'them', slow down to check for subject-verb agreement and pronoun-antecedent agreement.
- 📈 Improve your grammar in essays by avoiding common mistakes to prevent points being deducted, even though grammar is not the primary focus of essay grading.
Q & A
What is the main focus of the Facebook live session?
-The main focus of the Facebook live session is to discuss the Praxis writing exam, specifically the grammar part, and to help participants understand common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them.
Why is grammar important in essay writing for standardized tests?
-Grammar is important in essay writing because while it's not the primary focus, a high number of grammatical errors can lead to point deductions. It can affect the reader's or grader's perception of the essay's quality.
What is the difference between subject pronouns and direct object pronouns?
-Subject pronouns are 'I', 'he', 'she', 'we', 'they', and 'who', and they are used as the subject of a sentence. Direct object pronouns are 'me', 'him', 'her', 'us', 'them', and 'whom', and they are used as the object in a sentence, typically following a preposition.
How can one determine the correct use of 'who' versus 'whom'?
-To determine the correct use of 'who' versus 'whom', one should answer the question in a way that would use 'him', 'her', or 'them'. If the answer starts with 'him', 'her', or 'them', then 'whom' is the correct choice. If it starts with 'he', 'she', or 'they', then 'who' is correct.
What is a common mistake people make with the pronoun 'I' at the end of a sentence?
-A common mistake is using 'I' instead of 'me' at the end of a sentence where a direct object pronoun is required. For example, in the sentence 'My mom was sitting with my sister and I', the correct pronoun should be 'me'.
What is a 'comma splice' and why is it incorrect?
-A comma splice is the incorrect use of a comma to separate two independent clauses. It is incorrect because commas are not strong enough to separate two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction or proper punctuation like a semicolon.
What is a 'dependent clause' and how does it differ from an 'independent clause'?
-A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It depends on an independent clause to complete its meaning. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought.
How can one identify if a sentence has a subject-verb agreement error?
-To identify a subject-verb agreement error, one should look for cues like the words 'there' or 'are' in the sentence. Then, strip away any prepositional phrases to focus on the main subject and verb to ensure they agree in number (singular or plural).
What is the difference between 'it's' and 'its', and when should each be used?
-'It's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has', while 'its' is a possessive pronoun. 'It's' should be used when you would use 'is' or 'has' in the sentence, and 'its' should be used to show possession, similar to 'his' or 'hers'.
What is the proper use of 'fewer' versus 'less'?
-Use 'fewer' when referring to countable items, such as 'fewer apples' or 'fewer dollars'. Use 'less' when referring to uncountable quantities, such as 'less water' or 'less time'.
Why is it incorrect to use 'less' when referring to the number of hospital beds?
-It is incorrect to use 'less' when referring to the number of hospital beds because beds are countable items. The correct term to use is 'fewer', as it applies to countable quantities.
Outlines
📝 Introduction to Praxis Writing Exam Grammar Section
The speaker welcomes the audience to a Facebook live session focusing on the grammar portion of the Praxis Writing Exam. They explain that the exam combines an essay with a multiple-choice grammar test. The session aims to address common grammar issues found on standardized tests, emphasizing that while grammar isn't the primary focus in essays, significant errors can impact scores. The speaker plans to discuss test questions and share grammar pet peeves, teaching attendees how to identify and correct mistakes in both their writing and on the exam.
🚫 Common Pronoun Error: Subject vs. Object Pronouns
The speaker highlights a widespread pronoun error, where people incorrectly use 'I' at the end of a sentence instead of 'me'. They explain the roles of subject pronouns (I, he, she, we, they, who) and object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, whom), and advise removing other people from the sentence to determine the correct pronoun. The speaker stresses the importance of using the correct pronoun to avoid losing points on the exam.
🤔 Who vs. Whom and Subject-Verb Agreement
The speaker discusses the proper use of 'who' and 'whom', explaining that 'who' is a subject pronoun, while 'whom' is an object pronoun. They provide a test question to demonstrate the correct usage in context. The speaker also touches on subject-verb agreement, emphasizing the difference between 'I' and 'me' in comparative sentences. They caution against common mistakes and encourage attendees to think like test makers to avoid falling for trick questions.
✅ Correct Use of Semicolons and Avoiding Common Errors
The speaker advises on the correct use of semicolons, explaining that they can separate two related independent clauses. They warn against common mistakes such as using a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet), which is incorrect. The speaker also addresses the correct use of a comma with a dependent clause and an independent clause, stressing the importance of identifying independent clauses to answer exam questions accurately.
📖 Identifying and Correcting Run-On Sentences
The speaker addresses run-on sentences and the importance of identifying dependent and independent clauses. They explain that a comma is sufficient to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause but is not strong enough to separate two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. The speaker also discusses the use of subordinating conjunctions like 'because' and how they can connect a dependent clause to an independent clause without additional punctuation.
🔍 Spotting Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
The speaker focuses on subject-verb agreement, particularly with collective nouns and phrases that can obscure the true subject. They explain that prepositional phrases like 'of journalists' should be ignored when determining the subject of a sentence. The speaker emphasizes the need for the subject and verb to agree in number and provides examples to illustrate how to correctly identify and pair subjects with verbs.
🤓 Possessive Pronouns and Subject-Verb Agreement
The speaker clarifies the difference between 'it's' (contraction of 'it is' or 'it has') and 'its' (possessive), as well as 'who's' (contraction of 'who is' or 'who has') and 'whose' (possessive). They also discuss the correct use of plural nouns with singular verbs, such as 'the board' or 'the team', which require a singular verb form. The speaker advises to slow down and ensure subject-verb agreement, especially when pronouns like 'there' are used.
❌ Common Errors: 'People That' vs. 'People Who' and 'Fewer' vs. 'Less'
The speaker corrects two common errors: the misuse of 'people that' instead of 'people who' and the confusion between 'fewer' and 'less'. They explain that 'people who' is the correct usage when referring to a group engaged in an action, and 'fewer' should be used when referring to countable items, while 'less' applies to uncountable quantities. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of precision in grammar and the impact of grammatical errors on exam scores.
🏁 Wrapping Up the Grammar Discussion
The speaker concludes the session by summarizing the key points discussed, including the importance of understanding grammar for the Praxis Writing Exam. They remind attendees that while grammar may not be the main focus of the essay portion, it still plays a crucial role in the overall score. The speaker encourages continued practice and offers resources for further learning.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Praxis Writing Exam
💡Subject Pronouns
💡Direct Object Pronouns
💡Dependent Clause
💡Independent Clause
💡Subject-Verb Agreement
💡Prepositional Phrase
💡Comma Splice
💡Fanboys
💡Run-on Sentence
💡Pronoun Antecedent Agreement
Highlights
The session focuses on the Praxis Writing Exam, emphasizing the importance of grammar alongside essay writing.
Grammar mistakes can negatively impact the evaluation of an essay, even if they are not the primary focus.
The presenter shares common grammar errors and how to identify and correct them, particularly with pronoun usage.
The misuse of 'I' instead of 'me' at the end of a sentence is a frequent grammatical mistake highlighted.
The difference between subject pronouns (I, he, she, we, they, who) and direct object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, whom) is discussed.
A strategy for determining the correct pronoun is to remove other individuals from the sentence and see what sounds correct.
The correct use of 'who' and 'whom' is explained, with tips on how to use them in a sentence based on their grammatical role.
The misuse of 'than' versus 'then' is clarified, with advice to slow down and ensure the correct comparative word is used.
The importance of using semicolons correctly is emphasized, with guidance on when they should and should not be used.
The presenter advises not to fear choosing 'no change necessary' on a grammar exam, as it can be the correct answer.
The difference between dependent and independent clauses is explained, with examples of how they should be punctuated.
The use of 'it's' versus 'its' and 'who's' versus 'whose' is clarified, with examples to illustrate the correct usage.
The issue of subject-verb agreement is discussed, with a focus on how prepositional phrases can affect the identification of the subject.
The presenter provides a method for identifying and correcting sentences with incorrect subject-verb agreement.
The misuse of 'less' versus 'fewer' is explained, with guidance on when to use each based on the quantifiability of the noun.
The importance of grammar in essay writing is reiterated, with a reminder that small mistakes can lead to points being deducted.
The session concludes with a reminder to always proofread essays and be mindful of pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Transcripts
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