Grammar Detective Student Handout

Copyright Wise Guys 2013 Clipart Images by Sharon
Date ______________________ Class ___________________

Grammar Detective Team Members:

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

Briefing Room: Ladies and gentleman, the Grammar Detective Agency (GDA) needs
your help. Believe it or not, they are asking for your help with understanding grammar
in the English language. You and your group of detective friends will be responsible
for investigating the meaning of different grammar terms. Good luck with your
investigation!

For your investigation, you will need:
A pencil
This packet
A class resource for defining the key vocabulary and finding examples (or the
Internet, if available)
And possibly a detective magnifying glass

Understanding the Rules of English

Grammar Detective Mission 1: K-W-L Chart
Briefing Room: Before you begin any detective work, the GDA is asking that you fill
out the first two columns of the K-W-L chart below about grammar. In the left
column, you are asked to write down what you think you know about the grammar.
Then in the middle column, take a few minutes to share some things that you may
want to learn about grammar.

K
What you Know

W
What you want to know

L
What you Learned

Subject:

Verb:

Noun:

Pronoun:

Adjective:

Adverb:

Preposition:

Punctuation:

Combining Sentences:


Grammar Detective Mission 2: The Subject
Briefing Room: Okay, now its time to investigate. So grab your handy little packets
and pencils and let the investigating begin! You and your team will need a dictionary
or some other resource to help you with the meaning of the grammar term subject.

The subject of a sentence is

In the sentences below, circle the subject. Make sure you are circling who or
what the sentence is about!

1. David and Alexis went to the store to buy groceries.

2. The dog ate the steak off the mans plate.

3. Shelly and Tom rode their bikes to the park.

4. I want ice cream, said Tommy.

5. My friend likes to roller skate.

6. Sara and her sister sometimes argue over the television.

7. He wants to be a football player when he is older.

8. The boys like to play in the mud.

9. The squirrel ran up the tree.

10. The flag waved in the breeze.

Types of Subjects
Describe the two different types of subjects below. Then, place the numbers 1-10
from the sentences above in the appropriate Examples from above column.

Type

Simple Subject

Compound Subject

Description

Examples
from above

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Grammar Detective Mission 3: Verbs/Predicates
Briefing Room: Ladies and gentlemen, lets get settled in take your seatsand
good work so far. Now its time to investigate what the verb/predicate is in a
sentence. Hmmm any takers? Okay then, off to investigate.

The verb/predicate of a sentence is

Three types of verbs are action, linking, and helping. In the chart below, describe and
provide an example of each.

Type

Action Verb

Linking Verb

Helping Verb

Description

Example

In the sentences below underline the verbs. Be careful, good detectives will
understand that there may be two words that need to be underlined! Above each
verb, write an A if it is an action verb, a L for a linking verb, and an H for a
helping verb.

1. The girls went to the candy shop.

2. I watched the baseball game.

3. That clown is funny.

4. Nate threw the football a long way.

5. Nicole will write in her journal.

6. Asparagus tastes yucky to me.

7. A frisbee was thrown by Sam.

8. He walked the dog around the block.

9. She ate the entire pizza!

10. The ground was frozen yesterday.

If time, watch School House Rock: Verb, Thats Whats Happening!


Grammar Detective Mission 4: Types of Sentences
Briefing Room: All right All right folks. Lets calm down. I know you are excited to
continue with your investigation. Your next mission is to investigate the four
different types of sentences. Now that you have investigated and understand what a
basic sentence contains (subject and verb), please be sure use complete sentences.
You would not like the GDA to come down hard on your team!

A declarative sentence is

An interrogative sentence is

An imperative sentence is

An exclamatory sentence is

Below are different types of sentences that need identifying and you and your team
are exactly the right team to do it. On the line before each sentence, identify the
type of sentence by placing the letter(s) IN for interrogative, IM for imperative,
E for exclamatory, and D for declarative.

1. _____ Do you know what time it is?

2. _____ Write your name at the top of the paper.

3. _____ Watch out for the falling rocks!

4. _____ Ice cream is my favorite dessert.

5. _____ What is wrong with the dog?

6. _____ The man ran fast in the race.

7. _____ Take out the trash after you wash the dishes.

8. _____ Be careful of the rabid dog!


Grammar Detective Mission 5: Sentences & Fragments
Briefing Room: Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats as we have some
important investigating to do. Now that you know that a sentence contains a subject
and a verb, you will be asked to identify which sentences below are actually
sentences and which ones are only fragments of a sentence (or incomplete sentence).
Remember, a sentence expresses a complete thought or idea and contains a subject
and a predicate. When a sentence does not contain either one or does not contain a
complete thought, it is a sentence fragment. Good luck to you all!!

Determine if each sentence below is an actual sentence or is a sentence fragment.
Place an S on the line if you think it is a complete sentence. Place an F if you
think it is a sentence fragment. If you determine that it is a sentence, then circle the
subject and underline the verb.

1. _____ The girl was.
2. _____ There once was a prince named Freddy.
3. _____ The most gorgeous girl in the country.
4. _____ The frog hopped on the lily pad.
5. _____ The car stopped.
6. _____ Cowboy Joe rode the bronco in record seconds!
7. _____ The chicken.
8. _____ The chicken was.
9. _____ The chicken was trying to cross the road to get to the other side.
10. _____ She ran until she reached the field.
11. _____ A rat squeaked.
12. _____ When the boy went to the zoo.
13. _____ A goat on the roof.
14. _____ A golfer in the woods.
15. _____ There once was a dog with large eyes.


Grammar Detective Mission 6: Punctuation
Briefing Room: Okay okay lets all settle in now. Whats a sentence without
punctuation? Your teams next mission is to investigate punctuation. Your team will
now be asked to match the description to the correct punctuation. Then you will be
asked to provide examples of each type of punctuation described. Good luck to all
of you!!

Punctuation Description
1. _____ Question Mark

2. _____ Comma

3. _____ Quotation Marks

4. _____ Exclamation Point

5. _____ Apostrophe

6. _____ Period
A. This type of punctuation is used to express strong
feelings.
B. This type of punctuation is used to show
possession or to form a contraction.
C. This type of punctuation is used at the end of a
sentence or after an abbreviation.
D. This type of punctuation is used to prevent words,
thoughts, and ideas from running together.
E. This type of punctuation is used after a direct
question.
F. This type of punctuation is used when someone is
talking.

Investigation Challenge!!
The GDA has asked each team to provide evidence that you understand
punctuation. The GDA is requiring each team to provide examples of each of the
five types of punctuation below. Be sure to use complete sentences.

Provide an example of a sentence that would require a question mark.

Provide an example of a sentence that would contain a comma.

Provide an example of a sentence that would use quotation marks.

Provide an example of a sentence that would require an exclamation point.

Provide an example of a sentence that would contain an apostrophe.


Grammar Detective Mission 7: Nouns
Briefing Room: You and your team will now be asked to investigate nouns. Please be
sure to do your absolute best. You would not like the GDA to come down hard on
your team! Theyre not very nice sometimes.

Finish this statement about nouns
A noun can be a _________________, __________________, or __________________.

Finish this statement about proper nouns
A proper noun refers to the specific name of a person, place, thing, or idea. Proper
nouns are always _____________________.

Identify all the nouns in the sentences below. Circle all nouns and then place a star
( ) above the proper nouns. Be careful, some sentences may have more than one
noun!

1. New York City is a great place to visit.

2. George Washington was the first president.

3. We went to the Rocky Mountains.

4. The Mudville Mustangs play football.

5. I love to eat pizza.

6. The man ran to the grocery store.

7. Old Faithful is a beautiful geyser.

8. The tree fell down in the woods.

9. Abby and Nick went to the beach.

10. The tortoise beat the hare in the race.

If time, watch School House Rock: A Noun is a Person, Place, or Thing!


Grammar Detective Mission 8: Pronouns
Briefing Room: You and your team need to investigate pronouns. You and your team
of investigators are doing an excellent job using complete sentences. Keep it up!

A pronoun is a word that is used to take the place of a noun. A few examples of
some pronouns are I, you, he, she, we, they, it, me, her, him, them, and us.

There are several types of pronouns but the three that we will focus on are subject,
object, and possessive pronouns. In the chart below, describe and provide an
example of each.

Type

Subject Pronoun

Object Pronoun

Possessive Pronoun

Description

Example
Sentence

Circle the pronouns in the following five sentences below. Be careful, there may be
more than one pronoun in a sentence. Then place the letter S above the subject
pronouns, the letter O for object pronouns, and the letter P above the possessive
pronouns.

1. He gave the book to me.

2. We went to the park with the group.

3. Please remember to give him the directions to his friends house.

4. Sara and her dog took a walk to their neighborhood park.

5. I met with my mom and dad at our favorite restaurant.

If time, watch School House Rock: Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla!


Grammar Detective Mission 9: Adjectives
Briefing Room: Okay Okay settle down here. Youve been doing a great job so
far but now you and your team need to investigate adjectives.

An adjective is

Below are some sentences that contain adjectives. Underline all of the adjectives
that you can find! Remember, there may be more than one in a sentence.

1. He had soggy clothes after jumping in the huge puddle.

2. The little girl smelled the pretty flowers.

3. There was a big hole in the ground.

4. An ant is small.

5. A cheetah is the fastest animal in the world.

Grammar Detective Mission 10: Adverbs
Briefing Room: You and your team need to investigate those tricky adverbs. Keep it
up! Youve almost completed your investigation.

An adverb is

An adverb will usually answer the question of when, where, or how. Identify the
adverbs in the following sentences by putting a square around each adverb. Write
the type of adverb in the blank before each sentence.

1. _________ The man went inside.

2. _________ He immediately jumped in the pool.

3. _________ That was the hardest game they played.

4. _________ He swims often in his own pool.

5. _________ Sara runs faster than any boy in her class.

If time, watch School House Rock: Unpack Your Adjectives!

If time, watch School House Rock: Lolly, Lolly, Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here!


Grammar Detective Mission 11: Prepositions
Briefing Room: Wow, your team has impressed the GDA so far. Your teams next
mission is to investigate prepositions.

A preposition is

Investigation Challenge!!
The GDA has asked each team to list as many prepositions as they can in your
Grammar Detective Notebook (the record is 25!). The team with the most will get the
honor of being named the Preposition Champions- so good luck and may the best
preposition listing team win!

Identify the prepositions in the following sentences by underlining them.

1. The dog rested under the deck.

2. He put the plate on the table.

3. She took the book from the desk drawer.

4. Sam threw the ball over the fence.

5. The pitcher celebrated after the no-hitter.

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If time, watch School House Rock: If time, watch School House Rock: Prepositions!


Grammar Detective Mission 12: Confusing Words
Briefing Room: Your teams next mission is two investigate words that sound the
same but our spelled differently and have different meanings. Try too keep youre
head on strait fore this investigation! Buy the weigh, did ewe notice any words that
were spelled the wrong whey? If sew, ewe are all ready on your whey too
understanding sum confusing words!

Word their there theyre

Description

Pronoun-
referring to people

A place
or location

Contraction
for they are

Fill in the blank with the word their, there, or theyre.

1. _____________________ going to the park.

2. _____________________ car was fast.

3. Lets go over _____________________.

Word to two too

Description

A location
or place

A
number

A lot or
many

Fill in the blank with the word to, two, or too.

1. I have _____________________ grapes.

2. John ate _____________________ much candy.

3. Sally went _____________________ the store.

Word our are

Description

Pronoun
(People)

Linking
verb

Fill in the blank with either the word our or are.

1. We _____________________ having fun.

2. Lets go to _____________________ house.


Grammar Detective Mission 13: Combining Sentences
Briefing Room: Your teams final mission is to investigate how to combine sentences.
This will test your skills, so concentrate and battle through this last mission to
become a full-fledged Grammar Detective!

Compound Sentences
A compound sentence is made up of two or more sentences that are joined together
with a conjunction.

Two Sentences: The dog has floppy ears. She eats more than my baby brother.

Compound Sentence: The dog has floppy ears , and she eats more than my baby
brother.

A conjunction is used to connect two complete sentences (or independent clauses).
Some examples of conjunctions are and, but, so, and or.

Compound Sentence Challenge!!
Combine the two sentences below to make a compound sentence.

Two Sentences: The sea turtle was swimming in the ocean. It was following a shark.

Compound Sentence:

Complex Sentences
A complex sentence has an independent clause (complete sentence) joined by one or
more dependent clauses (fragment sentence).

Two Sentences: My brother helps me with my homework. He is good at math.
Becomes

Complex Sentence: My brother helps me with my homework because he is good at
math.

A subordinate conjunction connects two clauses to make a complex sentence. Some
examples of subordinate conjunctions are: after, although, as if, because, before, if,
in order that, since, so, that, though, unless, until, when, where, while

Complex Sentence Challenge!!
Combine the two sentences below to make a complex sentence.

Two Sentences: The sea turtle was swimming in the ocean. It was following a shark.

Complex Sentence:

If time, watch School House Rock: If time, watch School House Rock: Conjunction Junction!

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Date ____ Class _

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