Former English Teacher here

[cashhound]

Taught College level Rhet & Comp. I'd be happy to proof any papers or homework...or *try* to answer questions

My own major was Modern American Lit. I'd be happy to discuss any authors or themes as well.

Email or PM me as I seldon check this forum. I didn't know it was here until Sandy pointed me in this direction for a tech question I had...lol.

[mayfly]

I am having a heck of a time trying to explain to my dd reflexive, demonstrative, intensive, and indefinite pronouns.

Also when we have to diagram a sentence we are having trouble with the patterns- S-TrV-IO-DO; and S-LV-PN

I do not like this part of ENGLISH! YUCK!

[mayfly]

also I have a question about the word "too". I know its used in the place of the word also;
I would like to go, too.

But is it used in this instance;
We have too many apples.

????? Thanks!

[cashhound]

Originally posted by mayfly
I am having a heck of a time trying to explain to my dd reflexive, demonstrative, intensive, and indefinite pronouns.

Also when we have to diagram a sentence we are having trouble with the patterns- S-TrV-IO-DO; and S-LV-PN

I do not like this part of ENGLISH! YUCK!

Reflexive: Subject and object of the sentence are the same. For the pronoun to be reflexive, it has to be the *object* of something. The object will usually be the pronoun/self. Not always, but usually. ie: I will do it by myself. They will do it by themselves. In these cases, the reflexive pronoun is the object of a preposition (by.)

Intensive: These get confused with the reflexive because they look alike. The difference is there won't be a LV or prep between the subject pronoun and the intensive pronoun. And you have to be careful of the *implied* prepositions...lol. "I will do it myself." We've just left out the *by*. So that makes it a reflexive rather than intensive. "I myself will do it" is intensive.

Demonstrative: These are "pointer" pronouns. They point TO something. This and that. These and those. These pronouns can't stand by themselves. In everyday language, we might say, "Did you want this?" But to be grammatically correct, we would need to add the *thing* "this" is pointing to. Because when we're writing, the reader can't *see* what "this" is.

Indefinite: Both, everyone, all, many, few...they indicate an indefinite number or quantity. They differ from the demonstrative because they don't "point" to something.

Give me some examples of some of the problems you are having. Maybe some specific sentences you can't get diagramed, or specific pronoun problems you're having. I can explain better that way...when I can see what you're thinking and where you're going with it...lol. Unfortunately, for every *rule* in English grammar, there are about a hundred exxceptions, it seems like...lol.

[cashhound]

Originally posted by mayfly
also I have a question about the word "too". I know its used in the place of the word also;
I would like to go, too.

But is it used in this instance;
We have too many apples.

????? Thanks!

Ah...this one is fun.

TO is a preposition. It will have an object. TOO indicates a quantity. How many apples? TOO many. You can leave it out, and the sentence will still make sense. We have many apples.

Does that help?

Feel free to email me at [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[mayfly]

so would it be correct to say
"this is too hard?"

so the preposition of this sentence is-
I am going to the store 'to get some icecream'.
correct?

Here are a few sentences we are diagramming-

Wesley himself returned to the established church and contributed to its defense with his writing and speaking.

is this-
S- TrV-DO-LV-IO-PA?

Susanna Wesley was a remarkable woman herself.
S-LV-PN?

Before you laugh at me I am trying to teach this to myself-lol


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[cashhound]

Originally posted by mayfly
so would it be correct to say
"this is too hard?"

Yes. In a very abstract way, it is dealing with quantity. How hard? TOO hard. OK. Now I'm stretching it...lol. Not quantity, but degrees...a little hard...too hard. Make sense?

so the preposition of this sentence is-
I am going to the store 'to get some icecream'.
correct?

That's the prepositional PHRASE. The actual preposition is "to."

Here are a few sentences we are diagramming-

Wesley himself returned to the established church and contributed to its defense with his writing and speaking.

is this-
S- TrV-DO-LV-IO-PA?

ugh. OK. I HATE diagramming sentences...lol. It's especially hard when I can't do it the *old* way...with an actual diagram. Let me try this.
Wesley=S
himself=intensive pronoun=DO
returned=TrV
to=preposition
church=OP
the, established=ADJ to church
and=conjunction
contributed=InTV
to=prep
defense=OP
its=adj
with=prep
writing and speaking=OP
his=adj

A linking verb is a 2 part verb or a *being* verb. Most are intransitive. It's confusing because a regular verb can be intransitive, but not linking. The only way to check, really, is to see if there is an object.Contributed what? Contributed a prep phrase, which can't be a direct object.

Susanna Wesley was a remarkable woman herself.
S-LV-PN?

Susanna Wesley=S
was=LV
woman=compliment
herself=intensive pronoun

Before you laugh at me I am trying to teach this to myself-lol

Oh no. I would NEVER laugh at anyone for wanting to learn. And this is NOT easy, regardless of what anyone says. Most English teachers will tell you that they hate diagramming too. It's a necessary evil...lol. I haven't diagrammed since high school. When I taught, it was college level. Most students had already done their time diagramming I only had to resort to it occasionally...usually at the beginning of a semester when that was the only way to explain an answer. And I still have to draw the picture...lol.

I don't know if I was much help. A lot of it depends on the individual teacher...how in depth s/he wants the student to get on the diagram. I remember a couple that required EVERY SINGLE word to be diagrammed. One would allow us to simply note it was a verb or linking verb. Another demanded that we signify Transitive or Intransitive.

Let me know if this helps or not. And don't worry about asking questions. If I haven't explained something to where you can understand it, let me know. I can try another direction

I really miss teaching...sometimes...lol.


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[mayfly]

I do really appreciate this help. I am not fond of diagramming at all! My dd would agree-hehe

so, to clarify, too can be used as also, and to signify an amount, correct? Is there any other way?

[cashhound]

also, quantity, degree (like too hard, too difficult.) Right offhand, that's all I can think of. I'm sure there's an exception...lol.

What grade is your daughter in?

[mayfly]

seventh.

I have to confess, I loved english, but never did well in this area. They first start diagraming in 3rd grade, it ws so easy. LOL silly me. Just had to find 3 or 4 things. This is getting harder! I have learned though in the years I have been hsing that its repetition repetition repetition. I keep hoping this is the worse its going to get. Although you did bum me out when you said diagram every word! LOL

You have been very helpful, thanks!