Language is the foundation of communication. The way you read, write, and speak determines how people perceive you. So why would you avoid English? I know it can be boring. I know sometimes it's hard. Unfortunately, the bottom line is that if you don't know how to speak and write properly, you won't get very far in life.

This is the course that starts you on the road to success. We'll look at everything from nouns and verbs to sentence structure and novels. If you try hard and take your time, You WILL get it.

For each topic we discuss, there is a set of exercises for you to complete. Remember to take your time and be patient. English may be hard, but working at a fast food restaurant for the rest of your life is harder.

This course has five sections, each with its own test. If you understand the topics discussed in the section, you should have no problem passing the test.

Are you ready?  Then let's begin.

Good Luck!

In Section 1, students will study nouns, verbs, and pronouns.

Section 1 Objectives - You will be able to:

1. Identify nouns
2. Classify nouns as common or proper
3. Classify nouns as singular or plural
4. Determine if nouns are collective, possessive, or compound
5. Identify verbs
6. Classify verbs as action, being, or helping
7. Identify verb tenses (past, present, future)
8. Determine present and past participle forms of verbs
9. Use the various forms of verbs correctly in sentences
10. Classify pronouns as subject, object, or possessive in form
11. Identify indefinite pronouns
12. Use various pronoun forms correctly in sentences

Topic 1 - Pieces of the Puzzle

Think of the English language as a puzzle. Thousands of pieces that, when fit together properly, create a perfectly clear picture. Can you jam the pieces together and still see the picture? Yes, but not as well. This section will enable you to put together your own puzzle of nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and so on - so you can communicate clearly.

It's time to stop jamming your words together. It's time to learn the language you think you already know. We'll take this one piece at a time, starting with nouns.

Nouns

A noun is most commonly identified as a person, place, or thing. Sound easy enough?

Person	Place	Thing
boy	city	car
girl	park	house
doctor	Seattle	Corvette
Kevin	state	pen

Although this part may seem simple, there are many different kinds of nouns that we must recognize before we can truly understand this piece of the puzzle.

Common Nouns

Let me tell you the sad story of the common noun.

Once upon a time there was a common noun. He dreamed of one day being a proper noun, but knew that his position in the great puzzle of life would never allow him to achieve his goal. He was nothing special, just a general name for a person, place, or thing. Heck, he couldn't even be capitalized. Common, general, ordinary, they all meant the same thing. As he walked down the street, he saw his buddy …

We can finish that story later. I think you get the point, but we had better review. Repeat after me. A common noun is:

• A general name for a person, place, or thing
• Never capitalized

Person	Place	Thing
girl	mall	radio
woman	theater	computer
farmer	restaurant	chair
hunter	village	sword

Any questions? Good. Let's move on to the next kind of noun.

Proper Nouns

A proper noun is the exact opposite of a common noun. It is a specific name for a person, place, or thing. It is always capitalized.

One more time. A proper noun is:

• A specific name for a person, place, or thing
• Always capitalized

Person	Place	Thing
Richard	New York	Empire State Building
Dr. Meyer	Paris	Yankee Stadium
Brittany Spears	Rome	American Airlines
Ms. Jackson	Seattle	Hoover Dam

Topic Study Guide

Using the information in this Topic and on the websites, complete the following study guide.

1. Define each of the following and give an example of each:
   1. noun
   2. common noun
   3. proper noun

2. Contrast common nouns with proper nouns.

On a sheet of paper, answer each question above. When you have finished, review your work with your Red Comet Contact Person.

Click Here for Sample Study Guide Answers

Students: You can take this online quiz as many times as you need in order to insure you understand the topic.
Review Quiz

How are you feeling, champ? You have just completed your first exercise! Move on to the next page when you're ready.