Common Grammatical Errors with Jenny Patton (Part 2)

Summary

In her lecture at Ohio State, Jenny Patton, a senior lecturer in the English Department, delves into the intricacies of pronouns and modifiers. She explains the distinction between subjective ('who') and objective ('whom') pronouns, offering practical tips for their correct usage. Patton also addresses common grammatical pitfalls, such as misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers, highlighting how improper placement can lead to confusion. By providing clear examples and revisions, she emphasizes the importance of clarity and conciseness in writing, equipping students with essential skills for effective communication.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understanding pronouns is crucial; 'who' refers to the subject, while 'whom' refers to the object of a verb.
• 😀 Use 'who' when you can replace it with 'he', 'she', or 'they'.
• 😀 Use 'whom' when you can replace it with 'him', 'her', or 'them'.
• 😀 Misplaced modifiers occur when descriptors are not placed correctly in a sentence.
• 😀 An example of a misplaced modifier: 'Lyla found a purple boy sweatshirt' implies the boy is purple instead of the sweatshirt.
• 😀 A correct structure for misplaced modifiers: 'Lyla found a boy's purple sweatshirt.'
• 😀 Dangling modifiers lack a clear subject and can confuse the meaning of a sentence.
• 😀 Example of a dangling modifier: 'Running for the bus, the rain started to fall' incorrectly implies the rain is running.
• 😀 Correcting dangling modifiers can make sentences more concise and clear, e.g., 'Running for the bus, I felt the rain start to fall.'
• 😀 Active voice is preferred over passive voice to enhance clarity and engagement in writing.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Jenny Patton's lecture?

Jenny Patton's lecture primarily focuses on pronouns and modifiers in English grammar.

How does Patton differentiate between 'who' and 'whom'?

'Who' is used in the subjective case (doer of the action), while 'whom' is used in the objective case (receiver of the action).

What mnemonic does Patton suggest for remembering when to use 'who'?

She suggests using 'who' when you can replace it with 'he,' 'she,' or 'they.'

What is the recommended replacement for 'whom' according to Patton?

You should use 'whom' when it can be replaced with 'him,' 'her,' or 'them.'

Can you provide an example of a misplaced modifier from the lecture?

An example is 'Lyla found a purple boy sweatshirt,' which incorrectly implies the boy is purple instead of the sweatshirt.

How should the sentence with the misplaced modifier be corrected?

It should be corrected to 'Lyla found a boy's purple sweatshirt.'

What is a dangling modifier, according to the lecture?

A dangling modifier is a phrase that lacks a clear subject, leading to ambiguity about what is being modified.

Provide an example of a dangling modifier discussed in the lecture.

The phrase 'Running for the bus, the rain started to fall' incorrectly suggests that the rain is running for the bus.

How does Patton suggest revising sentences with dangling modifiers?

She recommends revising to clarify the subject, such as changing it to 'Running for the bus, I felt the rain start to fall.'

What is the significance of revising passive voice constructions?

Revising passive constructions to active voice improves clarity and conciseness in writing.