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Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject and verb must agree in number. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
Oxford Comma
A comma used before the conjunction in a list of three or more items.
Comma Splice
The incorrect use of a comma to join two independent clauses.
Independent Clause
A group of words that can stand alone as a sentence because it contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
Dependent Clause
A group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.
When should a semicolon be used?
A semicolon is used to join two related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.
Parallel Structure
The repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence to ensure clarity and consistency.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender, and person.
Run-On Sentence
A sentence in which two or more independent clauses are joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunction.
Dangling Modifier
A word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence.
What is the function of an apostrophe in possessive nouns?
An apostrophe is used to indicate possession, showing that one noun owns or is related to another.
Passive Voice
A sentence structure where the subject receives the action rather than performs it, often using a form of 'to be' and a past participle.
Active Voice
A sentence structure where the subject performs the action expressed by the verb.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Words that connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal rank. Examples: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS).
Subordinating Conjunctions
Words that introduce a dependent clause. Examples: although, because, if, since, unless, while.
What is a fragment?
A fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.
Colons
Punctuation used to introduce a list, a quote, or an explanation.
Hyphens
Punctuation marks used to join words or parts of words, such as in compound adjectives (e.g., well-known author).
Em Dash
A punctuation mark used to create a strong break in the structure of a sentence, often to insert additional information.
What is a pronoun shift?
A pronoun shift occurs when a writer switches pronouns inappropriately within a sentence or paragraph, causing confusion.
Misplaced Modifier
A word or phrase that is not placed near the word it modifies, leading to ambiguity or confusion.
Ellipsis
A series of dots (...) indicating a pause or omission of words.
What is the role of a topic sentence?
A topic sentence introduces the main idea of a paragraph, providing a summary of its content.
Appositive
A noun or noun phrase that renames or provides additional information about a noun next to it.
Restrictive Clause
A clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence and is not set off by commas.
Nonrestrictive Clause
A clause that adds extra information to a sentence and is set off by commas.
What is an antecedent?
An antecedent is the noun to which a pronoun refers.
Gerund
A verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun.
Infinitive
The base form of a verb, often preceded by 'to', used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
What is the purpose of transition words?
Transition words help to connect ideas and maintain the flow of a text.
Predicate
The part of a sentence or clause containing a verb and stating something about the subject.
Conjunctive Adverbs
Adverbs that act like conjunctions to connect ideas between two independent clauses. Examples: however, therefore, moreover.
What is a split infinitive?
A split infinitive occurs when an adverb is placed between 'to' and the verb (e.g., to boldly go).
Prepositional Phrase
A modifying phrase consisting of a preposition and its object.
What is a compound sentence?
A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.
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