predicate
what the subject is doing
"she danced
clause
a group of words that has a subject and a predicate
independent clause
can stand alone as a sentence, states a complete thought
dependent clause
begins with a subordinating conjunction (after because before until
since when) and cannot stand alone as a sentence. comma should not be
before dept clause when dept clause is at the end of sentence.
direct object
person/thing directly affected by action. what/whom after transitive verb
indirect object
person/thing indirectly affected by action. to/for whom to/for what
after action.
phrase
a group of words that act as single part of speech . lack subject and predicate.
predicate
tells what the subject does or what has been done to the subject
predicate adjective
helps explain subject
predicate nominative
helps to rename/explain subject.
professors are teachers
sentence
group of words that express a complete thought
declarative
makes a statement
interrogative
asks a question
imperative
makes a command or request
most don't have a subject. "Stop that now" (implies)
subject is you
exclamatory
makes a exclamation !
subject
what subject is about
subject-verb agreement
subject must agree with verb in number. make sure subject and verb
agree. "the nurses were in a
hurry" (both plural) " the nurses was in a
hurry" (plural and singular)
compound sentence
has two or more independent clauses, put comma before coordinating conjunction
coordinating conjunction
and or but nor
run-on snetence
when two or more complete sentences are written as one sentence.
comma splice
two independent clauses are joined by a comma only
correct pronoun case
place pronoun "I" last in a series. match with
antecendents, numbers and gender,
personal pronouns
first person- person speaking
second person- people being addressed
third person- people other than speaker or group addsressing
possessive pronouns
to indicate possession (my mine theirs hers)
reflexive pronouns
refer to previously mentioned noun/pronoun. when a thing acts on
itself. "myself, yourself
demonstrative pronoun
point to something "I'll have that sandwich
Apostrophe use
to how possession or omitted letters. not to make a
word plural.
possessive pronoun and contraction
its = it's and your = you're
their = they're
whose = who's (belong to whom= who is/has)
comma in series
comma in list and before conjunction. "one, two, three, and four
vague or unclear pronoun
makes sentence confusing or difficult to understand. "the
teacher and the student knew she was wrong" (unclear who is
wrong) can be clearer saying student was wrong.
sentence fragments
are incomplete sentences. "while the students were taking the
test" while turns it into a dependent clause
words that introduce dependent clause
while among because although however
misplaced modifiers
words that are not located properly in relation to words they
modifiy. modifier describes another word. modifier should match noun.
"flashing lightning
and thunder , the little bunny struggled through the
storm" - should be describing the storm not the bunny, so having
it before the bunny does not make sense
participial phrase
Like a dangling modifier. a phrase does not modify noun directly
precedes or directly follows phrase.
cliche
expression or idea that lost its originality/ impact overtime because
of excessive use. should be avoided because old, tired, and over used.
rephrase idea. "blind as a bat" "sick as a dog"
"let the cat out the bag" "white as a sheet"
"can't judge a book by its cover
euphemism
a mild indirect or vague term that has been substituted for a harsh
blunt or offensive term. used in sympathetic manner to shield and
protect. "dead= passed away"
use accurate anatomical language when referring to the body,
otherwise seen as unprofessional/tactless.
sexist language
spoken or written does not reflect presence of women in our society.
"doctor as him". identify gender when appropriate only. do
not use "doctors and their wives" instead use " doctor
and their spouse". or "doctors help their patients"
instead "the patient's are helped by their doctor
eliminate profanity and insensitive language
in relation to age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability,
or race.
textspeak
language used in text messages, emails, and other electronic communication.
affect vs effect
affect (change, emotional, disposition)
effect ( results, outcome, bring about, accomplish)
among vs between
among (relationship involves two or more people/things as group)
between (to compare)
amount vs number
amount (thing in bulk)
number (countable individual units)
good vs well
good : adjective used before nouns and after linking verbs
well : use as adverb. only use as adjective when describing health
(she smells good. she plays softball well. she is getting well. he
did a good job.)
bad vs badly
same rules as good vs well
"he is a bad teacher. that smells bad. the student behaved
badly in class. you felt bad.
bring vs take
bring (action toward speaker, to carry to distant/near place)
take (action away from speaker, to carry from near to distant place)
can vs may
could vs might
can/ could (imply ability or power)
may/might (imply permission or possibility)
" I can make a A in that class. You may leave early.
farther vs further
farther (measurable distance)
further (figurative distance and means to a greater degree/extent,
moreover, furthermore- let me tell you something, in addition to)
fewer vs less
fewer ( refers to a countable number)
less (refers to a degree or amount in bulk, or in statistical terms)
hear vs here
hear (sound by ear )
here (at/in this place)
i.e. vs e.g
ie ( that is)
eg ( for example)
ie specifies or explains while eg gives an example
learn vs teach
learn (to receive or aquire knowledge)
teach ( to give or impart knowledge)
lie vs lay
lie ( to recline or rest)
lay ( to put or place)
which vs that
which ( used to introduce nonessential clauses use commas)
that ( used to introduce essential clauses adds information to
sentence to make the sentence clear. do not use commas)
who vs whom
who/whoever ( if "he she they I or we" can be substituted
in who clause)
whom/whomever ( if "him her them me or us" can be
substituted as object of verb/preposition in whom clause)