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Complete Sentence

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a group of words with a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought

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Sentence Fragment

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a group of words that does not express a complete thought

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Phrase

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a group of words that does not contain a verb and its subject and does not express a complete thought

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Prepositional Phrase

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a group of words consisting of a preposition, its object, and the intervening modifiers

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Participial Phrase

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a group of words containing a present participle(verb ending in -ing) or a past participle(verb ending in -ed, -d, -t, -en, -n), its modifiers, and its complements.

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Gerund Phrase

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a group of words consisting of a gerund (verb ending in -ing used as a noun), its modifiers, and its complements.

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Appositive Phrase

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a group of words consisting of an appositive (noun or pronoun that follows another noun or pronoun to identify or explain it) and its modifiers.

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Clause

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a group of words consisting of a subject and a predicate.

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Main Clause

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sometimes called an independent clause; consists of a subject and verb, expresses a complete thought

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X Subordinate Clause

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consists of a subject and verb, but does not express a complete thought and cannot be seperated from the main clause

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Adjective Clause

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a subordinate clause that modifiers a noun or a pronoun

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Keeping a light on in the house helps discourage robbers.

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Keeping a light on in the house-SUB

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Mrs. Norman enjoys playing bridge.

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playing bridge-DO

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I remember promising Steve my old bike.

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promising Steve my old bike-DO

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Standing during a two-hour train trip is not my idea of fun.

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Standing during a two-hour train trip-S

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Do you like sailing on the lake?

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sailing on the lake-DO

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Volunteering at the hospital is just one of Helen's activities.

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Volunteering at the hospital -S

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Mrs. Brent enjoys watching quiz shows on television.

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watching quiz shows on television-DO

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Allow twenty minutes a pound for roasting the turkey.

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roasting the turkey-OP

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Taking out the garbage is not my favorite job around the house.

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Taking out the garbage-S

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Understanding a foreign language and speaking it well are two different things.

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Understanding a foreign language; speaking it well-S

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Acting in high school and college plays helped prepare Tim for Broadway.

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Acting in high school and college plays-S

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Collecting stamps is a popular hobby.

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Collecting stamps-S

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Rushing through your chores will get you nowhere.

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Rushing through your chores-S

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Don't you ever get tired of listening to the radio?

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listening to the radio-OP

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Mr. Olsen never tires of talking about his grandchildren.

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talking about his grandchildren-OP

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Bird watching with binoculars is a popular pastime.

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Bird watching with binoculars-S

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Arguing with me takes much of my brother's time.

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Arguing with me-S

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Constant complaining helps no one.

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Constant complaining-S

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Listening to the concert is sheer pleasure for Joan.

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Listening to the concert-S

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After standing behind the counter all day, Jim likes to relax at night.

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standing behind the counter all day-OP

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Fred hates running.

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CS

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My third cousin.

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FRAG: Appositive

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Baking cookies.

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FRAG: Participial OR Gerund

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After working out Sandy always stretches.

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CS

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For three hours.

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FRAG: Prepositional

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Loves skiing.

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FRAG: Gerund

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Mary's car would not start.

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CS

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Caught by the police officer.

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FRAG: Participal

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Marty, Jerry, and Larry.

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FRAG: Appositive

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thesis

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an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument

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topic

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some situation or event that is thought about

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the writing process

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1. Prewriting 2. Drafting 3. Revising 4. Editing 5. Proofreading

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purpose

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the quality of being determined to do or achieve something

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audience

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a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance

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summary

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a briefstatement that presents the main points in a concise form

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transition

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the act of passing from one state or place to the next

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type of evidence

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...

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chronology

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arrangement of events in time

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a lot

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to a very great degree or extent

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active/passive voice

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In the ACTIVE VOICE the subject acts. In the PASSIVE VOICE the action happens to the subject.

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antecedent

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a preceding occurrence or cause or event

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prepositional phrases

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is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun.

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apostrophe

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address to an absent or imaginary person

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possessive case

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the case expressing ownership

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use of quotation marks

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...

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negation

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(logic) a proposition that is true if and only if another proposition is false

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connotation

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an idea that is implied or suggested

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denotation

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the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression

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irony

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incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs

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satire

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witty language used to convey insults or scorn

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simile

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a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with 'like' or 'as')

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metaphor

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a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

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hyperbole

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extravagant exaggeration

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alliteration

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use of the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable in a line of verse

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oxymoron

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conjoining contradictory terms (as in 'deafening silence')

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allusion

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passing reference or indirect mention

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narration

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(rhetoric) the second section of an oration in which the facts are set forth

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comparison-contrast

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A method of informing that explains something by focusing on how it is similar and different from other things

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cause and effect

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The reason something happens and the result of it happening.

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example

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a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding

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description

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sort or variety

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argument/persuasion

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writing that attempts to prove a point through reasoning. As one of the Rhetorical Modes of Essays, Argument presses its case by using logic and by supporting its logic with examples and evidence.

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parts of speech

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adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, interjections, nouns, pronouns, prepositions, verbs

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prepositional phrase

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a phrase consisting of a preposition, a noun or pronoun that serves as the object of the preposition, and any modifiers

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verb

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a content word that denotes an action or a state

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independent clause

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a clause in a complex sentence that can stand alone as a complete sentence

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dependent clause

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a clause in a complex sentence that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and that functions within the sentence as a noun or adjective or adverb

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subject

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the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

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sentence fragments

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A part of a sentence that is written as if it were a complete sentence

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absolute phrase

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a phrase that is related to a sentence in meaning, but has no grammatical relationship to the phrase. Ex. "The movie over......,"

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abstract noun

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a noun that names a quality or mental concept

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active voice

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the subject performs the action

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antecedent

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the noun, usually before the pronoun, that the pronoun replaces.

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clause

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a group of related words containing both a subject and a predicate.

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comparative adjective

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compares two persons, places or things. It is usually followed by "than". ex. colder than

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complement

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a word often used to complete the meaning of an intransitive verb without receiving the intransitive verb's action and with copulative (linking) verbs to describe state of being.

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concrete noun

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a noun that names a member of a class; a group of people, places, or things that is physical, visible, and tangible

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coordinating conjunction

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a word used to connect grammatically equal elements. These include and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet.

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countable noun

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a noun that can be maid plural via changing the ending, usually by adding "s"

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dangling modifier

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A modifiying phrase or clause that does not sensibly modify any word or words in a sentence. Usually the actor is missing from the sentence. (Ex. "Reading a book, the black cat crawled onto my lap." The cat was not reading the book. To fix: add an actor to the sentence.)

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demonstrative pronoun

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a noun that points out a specific person, place, or thing without naming it (Ex: this, that, these, those)

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direct object

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a word that receives a direct action from the subject of the sentence. Answers the question what or whom.

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elliptical clause

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an instance in which clause elements are omitted if the context makes clear what is being indicated. ex. Jessica had three dollars; Janie, one.

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idiom

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an , an expression having a special meaning different from the usual meanings of the words (example - "hit the road")

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indefinite pronoun

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a pronoun that does not refer to a specific, person, place, thing, or idea (Ex: everyone, everything, everybody, anybody, many, most, few, each, some, someone, all, nothing, nobody, and no one)

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indicative mood

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The indicative mood is used to make a statement or ask a question. Most sentences are in the indicative mood. -Do you like to play baseball? -I learned to play last year. -Baseball is my favorite game.

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indirect object

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a word that receives the action of the subject indirectly. ex. She gave Bill a present.

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infinitive

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the basic form of a verb, usually preceded by the preposition "to"

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interjection

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used to express stong emotion or surprise. "oh" or "well"

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interrogative pronoun

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a pronoun that poses a question. ex. what, which, who, whom, and whose

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interrogative statement

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a sentence that asks a question

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intransitive verb

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a verb that does not take an object. ex. lie, arrive, went

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misplaced modifier

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a modifier that is not placed near near the word it modifies.

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nominal of a sentence

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a word or group of words that can function as a noun

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nominative case

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when a noun or pronoun is the subject of a verb

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noncountable noun

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a noun that cannot be made plural by changing the ending, usually by adding "s". (Ex: milk, juice, music, art, love, happiness, furniture, luggage, rice, sugar, electricity)

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noun compound

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a group of words (usually two) that functions as a single part of speech

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objective case

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when a noun or pronoun is used as the direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition

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participial phrase

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phrase that contains a participle and its modifiers and functions as an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun, (Ex: They arrested the man DRIVING THE CAR.)

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participle

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Verb that can be used as a adjective. *Present ends in -ing*-----*Past ends in ed.-d,-t,-en,-n (The TERRIFYING movie was rated "R"

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passive voice sentence

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a sentence in which the subject receives the action

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positive adjective

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an adjective used when there is no comparison being made. (Ex: This is a HOT day.)

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predicate

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the action of the sentence or what is being said about the subject

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regular verb

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a verb that forms the past tense by adding "ed" to the basic verb

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relative pronoun

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a pronoun that relates one part of a sentence to a word in another part of the sentence. (Ex: that, which, who, whom, whose)

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split infinitive

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An instance in which the words that make up an infinitive are separated by one or more words. (Ex: to boldly go)

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subjunctive

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An uncommon construction used to express with exactitude how a verb usage is to be interpreted.

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subordinating conjunction

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a word which joins together a dependent clause and an independent clause. Examples are although, because, while, etc.

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superlative

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compares three or more persons, places or things.

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transitive verb

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a verb that takes an object to complete its meaning

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verbals

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words that appear to be verbs, but are acting as some other part of speech. (EX: READING and WRITING are fundamental skills that all of us should possess.)

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WHILE refer to time and should not be used as a substitute for ALTHOUGH, AND, or BUT INCORRECT: While I'm usually interested in Fellini movies, I'd rather not go tonight.

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CORRECT: Although I'm usually interested in Fellini movies, I'd rather not go tonight.

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WHERE refere to a place and should not be used as a substitute for THAT. INCORRECT: We read in the paper where they are making great strides in DNA research.

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CORRECT: We read in the paper that they are making great strides in DNA research.

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After words like REASON and EXPLANATION, use THAT not BECAUSE. INCORRECT: His explanation for his tardiness was because his alarm did not go off.

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CORRECT: His explanation for his tardiness was that his alarm did not go off.

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Present Perfect Tense

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for an action that began in the past but continues into the future. (Ex: I HAVE LIVED here all my life.)

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Past Perfect Tense

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for an earlier action that is mentioned in a later action. (Ex: Cindy ate the apple that she HAD PICKED. - First she picked it, then she ate it.)

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Future Perfect Tense

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for an action that will have been completed at a specific future time (Ex: By May, I SHALL HAVE GRADUATED.)

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Present Participle

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for an action that occurs at the same time as the verb. (Ex: SPEEDING down the interstate, I saw a cop's flashing lights.

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Perfect Participle

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for action that occurred before the main verb. (Ex: HAVING READ the directions, I started te test.

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Subjunctive Mood

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to express a wish or state condition contrary to fact. (EX: IT IT WERE NOT raining, we could have a picnic.)

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Use THAT after

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verbs like REQUEST, RECOMMEND, SUGGEST, ASK, REQUIRE, and INSIST and after such expressions as IT IS IMPORTANT and IT IS NECESSARY. (EX: It is necessary THAT all papers BE SUBMITTED on time.)

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Unusual Single Verbs: criterion alumnus datum medium

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Unusual Plural Verbs: criteria alumni data media

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Nominative (Subject) Pronoun Case:

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I he she we they who

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Objective (Object) Pronoun Case:

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me him her us them whom

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Use nominative case for

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the subject of an elliptical clause (Molly is more experience than HE.) the subject of a subordinate clause (Robert is the driver WHO reported the accident.) the complement of an infinitive with no expressed subject (I would not want to be HE.)

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Use objective case for

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for the object of a preposition (Just between you and ME, I'm bored.) for the appositive of a direct object (The committee elected two delegates, Barbara and ME.)

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When a conjunction connects two pronouns or a pronoun and a noun, remove the "and" and the other pronoun or noun to determine the correct pronoun form.

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Mom gave Tom and myself a piece of cake. Mom gave Tom and I a piece of cake. Mom gave Tom and me a piece of cake. CORRECT: Mom gave Tom and me a piece of cake.

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The only pronouns that are acceptable after BETWEEN and other prepositions are...

answer

me, her, him, them, and whom

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When deciding between WHO and WHOM...

answer

try substituting HE for WHO and HIM for whom

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When an antecedent is one of dual gender (student, singer, artist etc) use HIS OR HER or change the antecedent to a plural noun to avoid using the sexist, singular pronoun HIS. INCORRECT: Everyone hopes that he will win the lottery.

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CORRECT: Most people hope they will win the lottery.

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WHO refers to WHICH and THAT refer to WHERE refers

answer

people things and places places

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Singular indefinite pronouns

answer

another, anyone, anybody, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, other, somebody, someone, something

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Plural indefinite pronouns

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both, few, many, others, several

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Prepositions for Time, Place, and Introducing Objects (10)

answer

on, at, in, since, for, by, from-to, from-until, during, within

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Prepositions Indicating Place or Location

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in, inside, on, at, over, above, beneath, underneath, below, near, next to, by, between, among, opposite etc

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Prepositions Introducing the Objects of Verbs (3)

answer

at, of, for (Ex: glance at, look at, approve of, smells of, call for, look for)

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Prepositions Indicating Direction (5)

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to, onto, into, on, in

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Good vs. Well

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Good is an adjective (The quiche tastes good.) Well is and adverb or an adjective meaning "in good health". (He plays well. - Adverb My mother is not well. - Adjective)

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Bad vs Badly

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BAD is an adjective used after sentence verbs (look, smells, tastes, etc) or linking verbs (is, am, are, was, were) I feel BAD about the delay BADLY is an adverb It doesn't her very BADLY

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Sort Of vs. Kind Of

answer

often misused instead of "rather" or "somewhat" INCORRECT: Jan was KIND OF saddened by the results of the test. CORRECT: Jan was SOMEWHAT saddened by the results of the test.

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It is not necessary to use a comma with a short sentence INCORRECT: In January, she will go to Switzerland.

answer

CORRECT: In January she will go to Switzerland.

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Use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses connected by a conjunctive adverb. INCORRECT: He took great care with his work, therefore, he was very successful.

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CORRECT: He took great care with his work; therefore, he was very successful.

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DO NOT use a colon after a verb INCORRECT: My favorite holidays are: Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Halloween.

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CORRECT: My favorite holidays are Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Halloween.

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DO NOT use a colon after a preposition INCORRECT: I enjoy different ethnic foods such as: Greek, Chinese, and Italian.

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CORRECT: I enjoy different ethnic foods such as Greek, Chinese, and Italian.

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When quoting several paragraphs, place quotation marks at...

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the beginning of EACH paragraph and at the END of the last paragraph.

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Capitalize geological periods

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Neolithic age Cenozic era late Pleistocence times (*notice only the main period is capitalized NOT the other descriptor)

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Capitalize personifications

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Reliable Nature brought her promised Spring. Bring on Melancholy in his sad might. She believed that Love was the answer to all her problems.

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Capitalize historical periods

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Middle Ages World War 1 Christian Era Roaring Twenties Age of Louis XIV (*notice the WHOLE period is capitalized)

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Capitalize Equatorial Current

answer

NOT equator

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Most important words of titles are capitalized. Conjunctions and short prepositions are not (unless they are the first or last word)

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A Man for All Seasons Of Mice and Men Rise of the West Amazing Grace

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Do NOT capitalize compass directions or seasons

answer

north, south, west, east, spring, autumn, winter, summer

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Capitalize political groups and philosophies

answer

Democratic party Communist party Transcendentalism (* note only the GROUP is capitalized not the following descriptor)

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Do NOT capitalize systems of government or individual adherents to a philosophy

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democracy communism transcendentalist

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five Words Weak Writers Use

answer

you, we, they, this, it

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Use ACTIVE voice when writing

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PASSIVE: The winning field goal was kicked by her. (Stressed the action) ACTIVE: She kicked the winning field goal. (Stresses the actor)

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Sentence

answer

a group of words that expresses a complete thought

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Subject

answer

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

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Predicate

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tells what the subject is or does

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Object

answer

noun being acted upon

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Direct Object

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the object that receives the direct action of the verb

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Indirect Object

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the object that is the recipient or beneficiary of the action of the verb

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Clause

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a grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb

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Independent Clause

answer

expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence

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Dependent Clause

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does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence

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Noun Clause

answer

a dependent clause used as a noun

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Adjective Clause

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A subordinate clause that act like an ajective

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Simple Sentences

answer

one independent clause

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Compound Sentence

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two or more independent clauses

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Coordinate Clauses

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two clauses that have equal importance. ex. the ice melted. the sun came out. "the ice melted and the sun came out."

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Complex Sentences

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a sentence that includes one independent clause and at least one dependent clause

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Subordination

answer

Giving prominence to ideas in the main clause and letting secondary ideas slide into the background

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Compound-Complex Sentences

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sentence that combines elements of both compound and complex sentences

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Sentence Fragments

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A part of a sentence that is written as if it were a complete sentence

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Verbals

answer

words that appear to be verbs, but are acting as some other part of speech

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Infinitives

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to + verb

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Gerund

answer

a noun formed from a verb (such as the '-ing' form of an English verb when used as a noun)

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Participial Phrase

answer

Play the part of adjective

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Dangling Participle

answer

a participle or participial phrase, often found at the beginning of a sentence, that appears from its position to modify an element of the sentence other than the one it was intended to modify

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Run-On Sentence

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two or more sentences joined without adequate punctuation or connecting words

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Parallel Structure

answer

same idea, same grammatical form

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Active Voice

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The subject of the sentence performs the action.

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Passive Voice

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The subject of the sentence receives the action.

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Declarative Sentences

answer

are statements and end with periods

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Interrogative Sentence

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A sentence that asks a question

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Imperative Sentences

answer

Sentences that make a command or request

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Exclamatory Sentences

answer

express strong feeling

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Syntax

answer

the grammatical arrangement of words in sentences

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Diction

answer

the manner in which something is expressed in words

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Idiom

answer

combining words or phrases that aren't meant to be together

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Idiomatic Usage

answer

a word whose meaning can't be derived from the individual words in it. ex- to turn a new leaf over.

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Apostrophes

answer

The superscript sign ( ' ) used to indicate the omission of a letter or letters from a word, the possessive case, or the plurals of numbers, letters, and abbreviations.

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Commas

answer

a punctuation mark (,) used to indicate the separation of elements within the grammatical structure of a sentence.

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Semicolons

answer

joins two indepedent clauses,follows conjunctive adverbs, to seperate groups already with commas

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Colon

answer

a punctuation mark (:) used after a word introducing a series or an example or an explanation (or after the salutation of a business letter)

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Dash

answer

break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over

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Quotation Marks

answer

use to show what someone is saying

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Question Marks

answer

Make the sentence a question

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Exclamation Point

answer

a punctuation mark (!) used after an exclamation

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Sentence fragment

answer

part of a sentence that is set off as if it were a whole sentence by an initial capital letter and a final period or other end punctuation

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subordinate clauses

answer

contain both subjects and verbs, but they always begin with a subordinating conjunction (although, if) or a relative pronoun (who, which, that)

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verbal phrase

answer

consists of an infinitive (to choose), a past participle (chosen), or a present participle or gerund (choosing) together with any objects and modifiers it may have

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prepositional phrase

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a modifier consisting of a preposition together with its object and any modifiers

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appositives

answer

nouns, or nouns and their modifiers, that rename or describe other nouns

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compound predicates

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predicates made up of two or more verbs and their objects

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Comma splice

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joins (or splices) main clauses only with a comma, not with a coordinating conjunction as well

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fused sentence/run-on sentence

answer

joins main clauses with no punctuation at all

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Verbals

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Word that is formed but used as another part of speech.

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Appositive Phrase

answer

Noun or pronoun that describes or identifies a nearby noun.

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Prepositional Phrase

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A phrase beginning with a preposition

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Subordinate Clause

answer

Does not express a complete thought AND cannot stand alone as a sentence.

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Run-on Sentence (defined)

answer

A fused sentence where the writer joins one (or more) sentences without any punctutation between them.

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How to change it into a compound sentence:

answer

Add a semi-colon OR a semi-colon and a conjunctive adverb OR a comma and a coordinating conjunction

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How to revise a run-on sentence:

answer

Make it a compound sentence.

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Coordinating Conjunctions are these words:

answer

and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet

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Coordinating Conjunction (defined)

answer

A conjunction (like 'and' or 'or') that connects two identically constructed grammatical constituents

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Conjunctive Adverb (defined)

answer

Links two parts of a compound sentence.

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Conjunctive Adverbs are these words:

answer

therefore, instead, meanwhile, still, also, nevertheless, however

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Conjunctive adverbs are followed by:

answer

A comma

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comma splice

answer

A comma is used in place of a semi colon, colon, or period to separate two different clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

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for

answer

coordinating conjunction

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and

answer

coordinating conjunction

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nor

answer

coordinating conjunction

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or

answer

coordinating conjunction

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yet

answer

coordinating conjunction

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so

answer

coordinating conjunction

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True or False "Because" is a coordinating conjunction

answer

false

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True or False Coordinating Conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses.

answer

true

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True or False "However" is a coordinating conjunction

answer

false

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Is this sentence correct?: Rosie refuses to eat all dry dog food, nor does she like canned food.

answer

correct

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Is this sentence correct?: Billy likes to go to the library, there is a nice coffee shop.

answer

Incorrect---Correct Version: Billy likes to go to the library, because there is a nice coffee shop.

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Is this sentence correct?: This bowl of oatmeal is warm and delicious.

answer

Correct: The coordinating conjunction is not separating two complete sentences. Therefore, a comma is not necessary.

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fragment

answer

incomplete sentence which may be a phrase or dependent clause. Tip: Often dependent clauses begin with words such as although, as, because, even, except, for example, if, since, that, which, and when.

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Fused (Run-On) Sentences

answer

A fused sentence contains two independent clauses which are joined incorrectly. Two independent clauses must be joined by either 1. comma 2. coordinating conjunction (Fanboys) 3. by a semi-colon. ; Independent clauses can also be separated into two separate sentences.

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Comma-splice Sentences

answer

Writers must also avoid creating a comma-splice sentence when independent clauses starting with conjunctive adverbs such as consequently, furthermore, however, therefore, and then are used.

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Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

answer

A misplaced modifier occurs when the word or phrase it describes is not close enough to the modifier.

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Active / Passive Voice

answer

passive: The letter was mailed by Julie. Active Voice: Julie mailed the letter.

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Parallel Structure

answer

two or more sentence elements have the same relationship with one another in the sentence. ie: IBM employs project managers, system analysts, and network administrators. Not Parallel: IBM employs project managers, system analysts, and people who manage hardware.

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Redundant Expressions

answer

Redundant actual truth alter or change basic fundamentals each and every end result final outcome last and final past history true facts unexpected surprise write this truth alter fundamentals each result outcome final history facts surprise

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Starting Fillers

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There are or It is. Filler Used There are four managers who run the accounting department. Better Four managers run the accounting department. Filler Used It is the employee's responsibility to review the handbook. Better The employee should review the handbook.

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Pronouns

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are substitutes for nouns.

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The three cases of pronouns are: subjective, objective, and possessive.

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Subjective (Nominative) Case Used for subjects of verbs and subject complements. A subjective-case pronoun performs the action. I we you he she it they who, whoever Objective Case Used for objects of prepositions and objects of verbs. An objective-case pronoun is acted upon. me us you him her it them whom, whomever Possessive Case Used to show possession. me us you him her it them whom, whomever

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Subjective-Case Pronouns

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am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been. ie: Incorrect: Her and I went to the dance. Correct: She and I went to the dance.

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GUIDE 10: Objective-Case Pronouns

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except and between Correct: Dr. Lawson asked she and I to present first. Incorrect: Dr. Lawson asked her and me to present first. Correct: Pam gave a cookie to everyone except John and I. Incorrect: Pam gave a cookie to everyone except John and me.

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Possessive Pronouns

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used to show ownership. do not use an apostrophe.

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"Self" Ending Pronouns

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Pronouns ending in "self" should only be used when referring back to a previously mentioned noun or pronoun. ie: Correct: Katie said that the report was written by Kyle and her. Incorrect: Katie said that the report was written by Kyle and herself.

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Pronouns Who / Whom

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he for who and him for whom. Incorrect Explanation Whom is going to the play? Correct Who is going to the play? A subjective-case pronoun is needed in this sentence. Rephrase as a statement: He (not Him) is going to the play. Incorrect For who were the flowers delivered? Correct For whom were the flowers delivered?

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GUIDE 14: Pronoun / Antecedent Agreement

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An antecedent is what is replaced by the pronoun. incorrect One of the men on the golf team left their clubs on the bus. correct One of the men on the golf team left his clubs on the bus.

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GUIDE 15: Clear Antecedent / Pronoun Usage

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Frequently the antecedent for pronouns such as it, which, this, they, and that are unclear. Incorrect Tom and Todd play golf on Friday because he gets a senior discount. Correct Tom and Todd play golf on Friday because Tom is a senior, and he gets a senior discount.

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GUIDE 16: Verb Tense

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The three simple verb tenses are: present, past, and future. past tense verbs often end in ed. Future tense verbs have will or shall

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Present Tense (Today I _)

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am begin become break choose do eat fall fly give go know see take

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Past Tense (Yesterday I )

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was began became broke chose did ate fell flew gave went knew saw took

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Past Perfect (I have )

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been begun become broken chosen done eaten fallen flown given gone known seen taken

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Verb Mood

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Examples of the indicative mood are: Joe reads his e-mail daily. Does Joe read his e-mail daily? An example of imperative mood is: Please send an e-mail to Joe. Typically, subjunctive verbs are used to express a wish, doubt, or a condition contrary to fact.

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Subject / Verb Agreement

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The relationship between the subject and verb is that the subject determines whether the verb form is singular or plural. Incorrect The budget reports, along with the sales comparison, is completed weekly. Correct The budget reports, along with the sales comparison, are completed weekly.

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GUIDE 19: Verb Usage with Compound subjects joined by and

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two or more singular nouns or pronouns are joined by the conjunction and. When this occurs, the subject is considered to be plural and a plural verb must be used.

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GUIDE 20: Verb Usages with Compound subjects joined by or or nor

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In sentences which use or or nor to join a compound subject, the subject closest to the verb determines whether to use a singular or plural verb. Correct Neither the actors nor the director ARE following the script very closely. Incorrect Neither the actors nor the director IS following the script very closely. inCorrect John or his brothers IS going to the party. correct John or his brothers ARE going to the party.

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GUIDE 21: Verb Usage with Indefinite Pronouns

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Incorrect Each of the network computers HAVE an assigned printer. Correct Each of the network computers HAS an assigned printer.

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singular:

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anyone, anybody, anything, each, either, every, everyone, everybody, everything, nobody, someone, somebody, and something

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These indefinite pronouns are considered plural:

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both, few, and many.

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GUIDE 22: Verb Usages with Collective Nouns

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Collective nouns are nouns which reference a group. Most collective nouns take a singular verb. Examples of collective nouns are: administration, board, class, committee, company, crowd, faculty, group, jury, and team.

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Verb Usages with Collective Nouns

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Incorrect Kelly's family are going to see the play tonight. Correct Kelly's family is going to see the play tonight.

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GUIDE 23: Adverbs

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Adverbs typically tell where, when, why, or how. Incorrect John said he did GOOD on the test. Correct John said he did WELL on the test.

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GUIDE 24: Adjectives

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Simple This test is hard. Comparative This was the harder of the two tests. Superlative This was the hardest test all semester.

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GUIDE 25: Prepositions

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Commonly used prepositions are: about, as, at, before, between, during, except, for, from, in, of, on, to, under, and with.

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GUIDE 26: Conjunctions

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When using conjunctions in a sentence, sometimes punctuation like a comma or semicolon is needed. Other times no punctuation is needed.

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Coordinating Conjunction

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For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. (FANBOYS)

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Correlative Conjunctions

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both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also

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Conjunctive Adverbs

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as a result, consequently, however, moreover, nevertheless

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Subordinate Conjunctions

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although, as, because, before, if, since, that, until, unless, when, where, whether, while

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GUIDE 27: Gerunds

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Gerunds are verbals formed by adding -ing.

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Incorrect Susan talking during the movie was annoying.

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Correct Susan's talking during the movie was annoying.

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GUIDE 28: Commas used with items in a series

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Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses. Ie: The branches in the U.S. government are executive, legislative and judicial. Better: The branches in the U.S. government are executive, legislative, and judicial.

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GUIDE 29: Commas used with independent clauses

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Another frequent use of a comma is to separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. (FANBOYS)

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incorrect Kirsten went to a matinee in the afternoon and she saw a play in the evening.

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correct Kirsten went to a matinee in the afternoon, and she saw a play in the evening.

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GUIDE 30: Commas used with introductory clauses

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A third use for commas is to separate an introductory phrase or dependent clause which starts the sentence from the main clause. Dependant clauses starting a sentence typically start with words like since, when, if, although, because, after, as, when, and while.

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Incorrect Because Friday was a holiday the students had an extra day to study.

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Correct Because Friday was a holiday, the students had an extra day to study.

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GUIDE 31: Commas used with sentence interrupters

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Use a pair of commas to separate non-essential phrases included in a sentence. These sentence interrupters often provide additional information that is not needed to complete the sentence.

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Incorrect Stephanie and Candice who work in the accounting field are members of the advisory board.

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Correct Stephanie and Candice, who work in the accounting field, are members of the advisory board.

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GUIDE 32: Commas used with an appositive

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Incorrect Steve Jobs the founder of Apple will be the keynote speaker at the conference. Correct Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, will be the keynote speaker at the conference.

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GUIDE 33: Commas used with other sentence elements

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Commas need to be used appropriately in dates, addresses, professional designations, degrees, and geographical names.

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Incorrect George will start his new job on Tuesday May 31, 2012 after the Memorial Day week-end.

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Correct George will start his new job on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, after the Memorial Day week-end.

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Incorrect Send the completed form to Sam Jones, 215 W. Pine St., Long Beach CA 90814 as soon as possible.

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Correct Send the completed form to Sam Jones, 215 W. Pine St., Long Beach, CA 90814, as soon as possible.

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Incorrect Karen Potter C.P.A. completed the tax return.

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Correct Karen Potter, C.P.A., completed the tax return.

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Incorrect Tim moved from Phoenix, Arizona to San Diego, California in February.

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Correct Tim moved from Phoenix, Arizona, to San Diego, California, in February.

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GUIDE 34: Avoid using unnecessary commas

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Incorrect Sam wore a new suit, and a new tie to the meeting. Correct Sam wore a new suit and a new tie to the meeting. Incorrect The two people, in the back of the room, are judges. Correct The two people in the back of the room are judges. Incorrect The reason he left early is, that he felt ill. Correct The reason he left early is that he felt ill.

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SEMICOLON

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A semicolon is used to separate closely related independent clauses, items in a series with a comma separation, and independent clauses joined by conjunctive adverbs.

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Colons

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Colons are used in the salutation of business letters. In business writing, colons are used at the end of a sentence or phrase introducing a list. A colon should not be used when the list is a direct object of the verb or a preposition.

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GUIDE 35: Semicolon joining closely related independent clauses

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One use of a semicolon is to separate two closely related independent clauses. If the clauses are too long, or if the two ideas are not related, two separate sentences may be needed. Many times the second independent clause starts with a conjunctive adverb like however, consequently, or furthermore.

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Incorrect The report outline is due tomorrow, the completed report is due in two weeks.

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Correct The report outline is due tomorrow; the completed report is due in two weeks.

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Incorrect He wanted to make the college track team, consequently he practiced every day.

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Correct He wanted to make the college track team; consequently, he practiced every day.

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GUIDE 36: Semicolon separating a series which contains a comma separator

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Incorrect Students can take the test on May 5, 2011, May 12, 2011, or May 19, 2011. Correct Students can take the test on May 5, 2011; May 12, 2011; or May 19, 2011. Incorrect The franchise has restaurants in Dallas, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, and Portland, Oregon. Correct The franchise has restaurants in Dallas, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; and Portland, Oregon.

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GUIDE 37: Colons

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Incorrect The agenda items included: old business, new business, and future meeting dates. Correct The agenda items included old business, new business, and future meeting dates. Incorrect The following cities are being considered Dallas, Seattle, and Los Angeles. Correct The following cities are being considered: Dallas, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

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GUIDE 38: Apostrophe usage with words not ending in s

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Incorrect We meet at Toms house every Tuesday evening. Correct We meet at Tom's house every Tuesday evening. Incorrect He is looking for a job with one weeks paid vacation. Correct He is looking for a job with one week's paid vacation. Incorrect The library had a large selection of childrens books. Correct The library had a large selection of children's books.

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GUIDE 39: Apostrophe usage with words ending in s

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If the ownership word ends in the letter s, typically an apostrophe is placed at the end of the word. If the extra syllable caused by 's is easily pronounced, than the ownership word should end with 's.

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Incorrect We meet at James house on Thursday evenings.

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Correct We meet at James' house on Thursday evenings.

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Incorrect My bosses two sons were promoted.

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Correct My boss's two sons were promoted.

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GUIDE 40: Periods

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Incorrect Robert works at Apple, Inc.. Correct Robert works at Apple, Inc. Incorrect Class ends at 10:30 a.m.. Correct Class ends at 10:30 a.m. Incorrect Would you please pass forward your homework? Correct Would you please pass forward your homework.

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GUIDE 41: Question Marks

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Examples Are you going to the seminar on Tuesday? Explanation End a question sentence with a question mark. Examples The article in Business Week was titled "Is Outsourcing the Answer?" Explanation The title is a question, so enclose the question mark within the quotation marks. Examples Have you read the book "Tuesdays with Morrie"? Explanation The sentence is a question, not the title. Place the question mark outside the quotation marks.

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GUIDE 42: Dashes

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Examples Membership in the accounting society - it is a little expensive but worth it - may be obtained by applying in the ABSOC office. Explanation The comment is a separate thought, so it should be offset by dashes. Examples Boeing's first-quarter profits - almost $15 billion - reaffirm the company's 2011 targets. Explanation The comment is a phrase which needs to be emphasized. Use dashes to set-off the comment. Examples Three students - Joe Morris, Steve Howell, and Susan Pike - will represent the college at the conference. Explanation The list of items is separated by commas. Dashes can be used to separate these items within the sentence. Examples Haiti, Chile, and Japan - these countries have recently been hit with natural disasters. Explanation The dash is used to separate the introductory list.

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noun

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describes a person, place or thing

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proper noun

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names a particular person, place, object, or quality, and they begin with capital letters.

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eponyms

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are surnames of people used as descriptive adjectives for disease, instruments, sundromes, procedures, drugs, parts of human body, and other medical nouns.

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collective nouns

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represent a group of persons, animals, or things.

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concrete nouns

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they name things that are touchable, visble, and audible, that is they are perceived by the senses.

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abstract nouns

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name a feeeling, quality, or idea.

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gender

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categorizes nouns as masculine, feminine, or indefinite.

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number

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is the form of a noun tha indicates whether it is singular or plural.

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A & P

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auscultation and percussion

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a.c.

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before meals

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A.D., a.d.

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before meals

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A.S., a.s.

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left ear

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A.U., a.u.

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both ears

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A

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assessment

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AAMA

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American Association of Medical Assistants

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AAROM

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active assistive range of motion

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ABD

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abdomen

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abd.

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abduction; abdomen

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ABG

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arterial blood gas

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ACTH

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adrenocortiotropic

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personal pronouns

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refer to specific people and things.

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nominative case

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is the person or thing talked about in a sentence

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objective case

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is a pronoun that receives the action of the verb either directly or indirectly is an object pornoun.

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possessive case

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shows ownership or possession.

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reflexive pronouns

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reflect back to the person. pronoun refers to a noun or pronoun tha appears earlier.

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indefinite pronouns

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refer to persons or things in general.

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interrogative pronouns

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are used to ask questions. Who, whom, whose, which, and what.

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The purpose of all writing is...

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to communicate (Payne 13).

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An essay is...

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the written expression of the author's opinion (Payne 13).

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The only requirement for choosing a subject for an essay is...

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know enough to arrive at an opinion (Payne 13-16).

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Facts can be...

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proven (Payne 17).

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An opinion is what one...

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thinks (Payne 16-17).

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The characteristic when makes an opinion the most interesting is the presence of...

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opposition (Payne 19).

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Examining the opposition makes your opinion...

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stronger (Payne 20-22).

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The first rule of the essayist is_____before you write (Payne 22).

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think

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The thesis of your essay is your opinion boiled down to...

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one arguable statement (Payne 25).

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The goal of an argument/essay is to...

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persuade (Payne 34).

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In an argument, you should appeal to...

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logic/reason (Payne 29-31).

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The "full thesis" includes...

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a thesis statement, a list of CONs, and a list of PROs (Payne 34).

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The CONSs "go on the left simply for...

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convenience" (Payne 37).

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Your PRO list is longer, because ...

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it "is the main body of your argument" (Payne 38).

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The basic structure of an essay is...

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"an introduction, a body, and a conclusion...a beginning, a middle, and an end" (Payne 40).

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"The first, or introductory, paragraph begins...

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broadly and narrows to a point" (Payne 42).

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"The middle section, or 'argument,' is...

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in block form and takes up most of the space in the essay" (Payne 42).

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"The last, or concluding, paragraph begins...

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at narrow point and ends broadly" (Payne 42).

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"The function of the introductory paragraph is simply...

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to introduce the subject and come to the point (the thesis itself" (Payne 42-43).

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"Your opening statement will relate to your thesis but...

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will not take a position on it" (Payne 45).

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"The first consideration (in writing the middle section), the most crucial for the beginner, is...

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logical development" (Payne 48).

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The "three general rules to guide you (in writing the middle section):

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make the necessary concessions to the opposition ASAP, devote at least one paragraph to every major PRO argument in your full thesis statement, save your best argument for the last" (Payne 49).

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The two commandments of style in writing (until you are more experienced) are:

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"Do not use first person" and "Do not use 'there'--ever" (Payne 61).

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An example of first person is:

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"I..." (Payne 63).

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An example of substitute first person is:

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"One..." (Payne 63).

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An example of second person is:

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"You..." (Payne 63).

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An example of substitute second person is:

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"A person..." (Payne 63).

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In writing it is better to use _______ verbs (Payne 65-66).

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active

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A picture-frame paragraph uses two things to create vivid images for the reader:

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action verbs and descriptive adjectives (Payne 75-78).

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Transitions between paragraphs fall roughly into three categories:

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standard devices, paragraph hooks, and combinations of standard devices and paragraph hooks (Payne 82).

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Standard devices for transitions between paragraphs are...

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simple and obvious, specific words and phrases (Payne 83-84).

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The best guide to transitions is...

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common sense (Payne 84).

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The best place to use "however" is...

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tucked in the middle of a sentence with commas on both sides (Payne 85-86).

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A(n) _____ _______ is when the last word of the first paragraph is hooked into the first sentence of the second paragraph (Payne 87-88).

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paragraph hook

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A(n) ______hook uses a word or phrase from further back in the paragraph in order to bridge the ideas between paragraphs (Payne 88).

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deeper

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A(n) ______hook uses two or more words from the previous sentence in order to make the connection for the reader from one thought to the next (Payne 88-89).

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multiple

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A(n) ______hook is where the writer does not use the exact words from the previous paragraph but instead uses the main premise behind it (Payne 89).

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idea

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"________ voice is direct, vigorous, strong" (Payne 95).

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Active

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"_______ voice is indirect, limp, weak" (Payne 95).

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Passive

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"Whenever a verb shows the subject of a sentence doing something, the sentence is in _________ voice" (Payne 95).

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active

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When the subject is having something done to it or it is "being acted upon", the sentence is demonstrating ______ voice (Payne 95).

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passive

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"Whenever you create sound with an active verb, you are taking advantage of...

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"'audio active' verbs" (Payne 98).

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The rule to remember in terms of voice and creating vivid images in the reader's mind is:

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"Make your subject do something" (Payne 99).

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"The one thing you can borrow from if your written words are ever to achieve an air of naturalness is..."

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"the rhythm of speech" (Payne 106).

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"The first principle of rhythm in writing, to capture the basic rhythm of speech, is..."

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"variation of sentence length" (Payne 107-108).

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The two patterns of "major importance " in terms of sentence structure are...

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"the 'strung-along' sentence, and the periodic sentence" (Payne 110).

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subject, predicate and complete thought.

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A sentence is a group of related words with a ___________, ______________ and ____________ _______________.

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subject and verb

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A clause has a ________________ and a ______________.

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complete thought

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The difference between an independent clause and a subordinate clause is that an independent clause has a ______________ _____________ and a subordinate does not.

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Example of a comma splice

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I like cheese, it tastes yummy.

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independent clauses

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A compound sentence has two ___________ ______________.

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complex sentence

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A sentence that has an independent clause and a subordinate clause.

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sentences

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In the sentence - "These sentences are not very difficult yet." what is the simple subject?

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are

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In the sentence - "These sentences are not very difficult yet." what is the simple predicate?

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linking

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In the sentence - "These sentences are not very difficult yet." is the simple predicate action or linking?

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difficult

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In the sentence - "These sentences are not very difficult yet." what is the complement?

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predicate adjective

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In the sentence - "These sentences are not very difficult yet." is the object a direct object, indirect object, predicate adjective, or predicate nominative?

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adverb

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In the sentence - "These sentences are not very difficult yet." what part of speech is "not"?

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noun

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In the sentence - "These sentences are not very difficult yet." what part of speech is "sentences"?

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adjective

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In the sentence - "These sentences are not very difficult yet." what part of speech is "difficult"?

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made

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In the sentence - "Our mother made a salad with almonds." what is the simple predicate?

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action

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In the sentence - "Our mother made a salad with almonds." is the simple predicate action or linking?

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salad

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In the sentence - "Our mother made a salad with almonds." what is the complement?

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direct object

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In the sentence - "Our mother made a salad with almonds." is the object a direct object, indirect object, predicate adjective, or predicate nominative?

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with almonds

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In the sentence - "Our mother made a salad with almonds." what is the prepositional phrase?

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adjective

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In the sentence - "Our mother made a salad with almonds." is the prepositional phrase adjective or adverb?

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no

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In the sentence - "Our mother made a salad with almonds." is there a subordinate clause in this sentence?

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action verb

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A direct object follows a(n) ________________.

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action verb

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An indirect object follows a(n) ________________.

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linking verb

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A predicate nominative follows a(n) __________________.

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linking verb

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A predicate adjective follows a(n) ________________.

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subordinate clause

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Everyone who signed up for the marathon should meet at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow in the parking lot. - "who signed up for the marathon" is an independent clause. a subordinate clause or a phrase?

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independent clause

answer

Tuesday we went to the Mardi Gras Parade, which is held every year in New Orleans. - "Tuesday we went to the Mardi Gras Parade" is an independent clause, a subordinate clause or a phrase?

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phrase

answer

Can you go to the park when school is over? - "to the park" is an independent clause, a subordinate clause or a phrase?

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subordinate clause

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The CD that I wanted to buy was out of stock. - "that I wanted to buy" is an independent clause, a subordinate clause or a phrase?

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phrase

answer

My older sister, who is on the basketball team, practices after school everyday. - "after school everyday" is an independent clause, a subordinate clause or a phrase?

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participial phrase

answer

Knowing this, the freshman class planned a carwash for last Saturday. - "Knowing this" is a ____________.

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action verb

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Knowing this, the freshman class planned a carwash for last Saturday. - "planned" is a(n) ____________.

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adverbial prepositional phrase

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Knowing this, the freshman class planned a carwash for last Saturday. - "for last Saturday" is a(n) ____________.

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direct object

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Knowing this, the freshman class planned a carwash for last Saturday. -"carwash" is a(n) ____________.

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simple subject

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Knowing this, the freshman class planned a carwash for last Saturday. - "class" is a(n) ____________.

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action verb

answer

Glancing at the sky, she paid us a compliment. - "paid" is a(n) _______________.

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direct object

answer

Glancing at the sky, she paid us a compliment. - "compliment" is a(n) _______________.

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indirect object

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Glancing at the sky, she paid us a compliment. - "us" is a(n) _______________.

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linking verb

answer

Parents are examples for their children. - "are" is a(n) ________________.

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predicate nominative

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Parents are examples for their children. - "examples" is a(n) ________________.

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adjective propositional phrase

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Parents are examples for their children. - "for their children" is a(n) ________________.

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active voice

answer

Louise made the coffee. - is this sentence writting in active voice or passive voice

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passive voice

answer

The coffee was made by Louise.- is this sentence written in active voice or passive voice

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passive voice

answer

The package was advertised by the travel agent.- is this sentence written in active voice or passive voice

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active voice

answer

The travel agent advertised the package. - is this sentence written in active voice or passive voice

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passive voice

answer

The sugar water was relished by the hummingbirds. - is this sentence written in active voice or passive voice

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than

answer

It was later (than, then) I thought it was.

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well

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I am doing (good, well).

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all ready

answer

Are you (already, all ready) for the test?

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fewer

answer

There are (less, fewer) people going to the concert than went to the fair.

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It's

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(It's, Its) been a good day today.

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singular

answer

neither, either, and are __________________.

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singular

answer

Words ending in "one", "body" and "thing" are ________________.

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singular

answer

A collective noun is _________________if the group acts as one unit.

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plural

answer

A collective noun is __________________if the members of group act as individuals.

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her

answer

Each of the daughters followed (her, their) mother's footsteps.

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his

answer

Neither of the actors could remember (his, their) lines correctly.

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his/her

answer

Everyone complained that (his/her, their) food was cold.

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her

answer

Neither of my sisters remembered to purchase (her, their) tickets.

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its

answer

Late in the evening, the jury finally reached (its, their) verdict.

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their

answer

The captains of both teams forgot the words of wisdom that (his, his or her, their) coaches had given the night before the championship.

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his or her

answer

Every student should proof (his or her, their) essay for Type I errors.

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their

answer

All of my brothers earned (his, their) degrees from Florida State University.

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he or she

answer

Almost everyone was surprised when (he or she, they) heard the news.

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he or she

answer

Everybody on the voyage complained that (he or she, they) were suffering from food poisoning.

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Noun

answer

a naming word. It refers to a thing, person, animal, substance, quality, or place e.g. coat, girl, cat, happiness, youth etc.

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Verb

answer

a doing or being word e.g. 'I walked to school today', 'I was happy'.

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Adjective

answer

a describing word. It adds meaning to a noun by giving more information e.g. 'The big dog.'

question

Adverb

answer

a word that tells us how, when or where an action takes place. Its job is to give extra meaning to verbs e.g. ' Tomorrow I will build a snowman outside, carefully.'

question

Pronoun

answer

takes the place of a noun (or a group of words that work as a noun) e.g. he, she, they, his, yours etc. Writers use them to save repeating a person's name too often in the sentence or passage. Some pronouns are used to make the reader feel involved in the passage, as though the writer is talking directly to him or her e.g. 'You know how it feels to quarrel with your best friend.'

question

1st person narrative point of view

answer

it is told from the point of view of the writer. It closely involves the reader with the text and establishes a strong sense of immediacy e.g. 'I didn't feel like going to football practice but I felt a lot more enthusiastic after Mum reminded me of the great game I had last week.'

question

2nd person narrative point of view

answer

it is written as if the reader was the character in the text. Very rarely used, but a good example is the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books e.g. 'You don't feel like going to football practice but you feel a lot more enthusiastic after your Mum reminded you of the great game you had last week.'

question

3rd person narrative point of view

answer

the writer is outside the story - 'he', 'she' and 'they' will indicate that the narrator is third person e.g. 'Tom was not feeling like going to football practice. His mother sensed this and decided to psych him up by telling him what a great match he palyed last week.'

question

Incomplete sentence

answer

a sentence with enough parts missing that it can not be understood e.g. 'Anne got up because...'

question

Minor sentence

answer

a sentence without a completed verb that is often used for emphasis. Many common greetings are also minor sentences. They can give a fast-paced, less formal tone.

question

Simple sentence

answer

a group of words, including a verb, that make sense on their own. Commonly used to describe a single idea e.g. 'The student asked a question.'

question

Compound sentence

answer

two or more main clauses (simple sentences) joined together with a conjunction or separated by a semi-colon. They give us more information than a simple sentence by developing a basic idea e.g. 'The student asked a question and the teacher answered it.'

question

Complex sentence

answer

one main clause joined to one or more sub-ordinate clauses. Used to express an idea that requires more elaboration e.g. 'The student asked a question when he had a problem with his class work.'

question

Compound-complex sentence

answer

two or more main clauses linked to one or more subordinate clauses e.g. 'The student asked a question and the teacher answered it because the teacher knew the student needed help.'

question

Cliché

answer

a well-known, over-used expression e.g. 'It's as hot as an oven in here.'

question

Pun

answer

an expression that plays on different meanings of the same word or phrase. It may draw attention to an idea or create a humorous effect e.g. Mercutio, mortally wounded, says: 'Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man.'

question

Allusion

answer

a reference to a well-known person, place, book, song etc. that people will know.

question

Alliteration

answer

The repetition of consonants make words flow and phrases easy to remember. It also helps draw our attention to a line in a poem or passage, or a particular image, and it can both slow down our reading or speed up the words in order to create an atmosphere e.g. 'A black-backed gull bent like an iron bar.'

question

Simile

answer

A phrase that compares two things using like or as. They are used by writers and poets to help us picture in our minds what they are writing about. They add colour and vitality to writing e.g. 'My brother John eats like a pig.'

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Repetition

answer

Words or statements repeated for emphasis or special effect e.g. 'It was cold that night, very, very cold.'

question

Personification

answer

When a non-living thing is given living characteristics. It helps the writer to bring the passage alive by introducing a human characteristic with which the reader can identify e.g. 'The vine is strangling that tree.'

question

Metaphor

answer

A direct comparison between two things e.g. 'My brother John is a pig.'

question

Onomatopoeia

answer

When the sound of the word imitates or suggests the meaning or noise of the action described. Writers use it to help the reader experience what is happening by recalling the sound that something makes and thereby improving the reader's ability to understand what is being described e.g. 'The buzz of the chainsaw.'

question

Colloquial language

answer

Relaxed and informal language that is used in common conversation. It is used be the writer to give a passage a relaxed tone and to appeal to a particular target audience e.g. 'Buzz off!'

question

Dashes

answer

has three main purposes: to indicate a sudden change of thought; to lead to the unexpected; to give extra information e.g. 'I couldn't get out of it - but wait - maybe there was another way'.

question

Colon

answer

introduces more information or shows divisions e.g. I have lots of reasons: I'm too scared, I'm too poor, I'm not interested, the rope might break, I value my life!'

question

Semi-colon

answer

used to break up long sentences and lists or joins clauses that are closely related e.g. 'My close friend told me I should try it; but she wasn't going to do it herself.'

question

Ellipsis (...)

answer

omission or suppression of parts of words or sentences. Can be used to show a pause and help build tension e.g. '

question

Parenthesis

answer

brackets that are most commonly used to include extra information within a sentence e.g. 'She said to me (for the millionth time), "Go on, have a go."'

question

Ungrammatical sentences

answer

sentences that break 'the rules' of grammar e.g. sentences that start with a conjunction. Often used to give a colloquial/informal tone or to show the thoughts of a character.

question

Mood or atmosphere

answer

the 'feeling' associated with the piece e.g. tense, scary, upbeat etc.

question

Tone

answer

shows the writer's attitude about the topic of the piece. It might be angry, sarcastic, passionate or sad, and so on.

question

Rule 1

answer

Use an end mark

question

Rule 2

answer

Use a semi colon between closely related sentences

question

Rule 3

answer

Use a comma and coordinating conjunction between independent clauses

question

Rule 4

answer

Use a subordinating conjunction to make a complex sentence

question

Rule 5

answer

Make a simple sentence

question

Examples of coordinating conjunctions

answer

and, but, or, nor, so, yet

question

Examples of subordinating conjunctions

answer

because, when, if, as, since, although, though, even though

question

Sentence

answer

Because the game was cancelled, it was rescheduled on my birthday, so I had to postpone my party.

question

RO

answer

The store was closing the clerks were turning out the lights.

question

Sentence

answer

Although I had stayed up late studying, I could only recall a few terms; I bombed the test!

question

RO

answer

The new typist was very good she could type 75 wpm with ease.

question

Sentence

answer

Has Kendal left already, or is she still here?

question

RO

answer

After I leave school today, I am going to the mall for I have a dance to attend Friday night.

question

RO

answer

When I get sleepy, I get irritable and no one likes to be around me when I'm crabby.

question

Sentence

answer

As Craig walked out of the room, Tim made a rude comment.

question

Sentence

answer

Before I leave the house in the mornings, I have to get my little brothers ready for school.

question

Sentence

answer

Outside the rain fell softly; it was a very cool fall day.

question

Sentence

answer

As soon as the bell rang, I walked quickly to the bathroom because I was about to wet my pants.

question

Sentence

answer

Wherever I go after school, I have to take my little sisters with me; it's so annoying.

question

Sentence

answer

Kimmi was furious and upset after she lost the tennis match.

question

RO

answer

I can wait for basketball practice to start for I will finally get to be on Varsity!

question

RO

answer

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for my family is big and entertaining when they get together.

question

Sentence

answer

I can't wait until I turn 16 because I will finally get to drive a car without my parents!

question

Sentence

answer

I can wait for basketball practice to start, for I will finally get to be on Varsity!

question

RO

answer

Whereever I go after school, I have to take my little sisters with me it's so annoying.

question

Sentence

answer

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, for my family is big and entertaining when they get together.

question

RO

answer

While my mom fixes dinner, I have to work on my homework and my sister has to set the table.

question

Sentence

answer

After the holidays are over, I always get the winter blues and can't wait for spring to come.

question

RO

answer

My favorite Thanksgiving dishes are yams, stuffing, and homemade rolls my grandma makes the best rolls you've ever had.

question

RO

answer

Run-on Sentences are can be difficult to understand so it takes a lot of practice to do well with them.

question

Sentence

answer

After the holidays are over, I always get the winter blues; therefore, I am not a happy person to be around.

question

Sentence

answer

While my mom fixes dinner, I have to work on my homework, and my sister has to set the table.

question

RO

answer

When I get all A's on my report card, I get rewarded with money however, my parents make me save my money instead of going shopping with it

question

RO

answer

I thought the first week of school was very easy but now I am beginning to feel the pressure.

question

Sentence

answer

My favorite Thanksgiving dishes are yams, stuffing, and homemade rolls; my grandma makes the best rolls you've ever had.

question

Sentence

answer

Run-on Sentences are can be difficult to understand, so it takes a lot of practice to do well with them.

question

Sentence

answer

When I get all A's on my report card, I get rewarded with money; however, my parents make me save my money instead of going shopping with it

question

Run On Sentence

answer

When two or more sentences aren't joined correctly because they don't use proper conjunction's and other punctuations

question

Fragment

answer

A group of words that doesn't express a complete thought

question

Fixing Run-Ons

answer

Using proper punctuation marks and conjunctions, and adding proper pronouns

question

Fixing Fragments

answer

Add more words to make sense

question

Example of a Run-On

answer

Jimmy and I went to the mall to buy some matching hats after we bought the hats we went to the food court to get some pizza.

question

Example of a Fragment

answer

Purdue offers many majors in engineering. Such as electrical,chemical, and industrial engineering.

question

Missuse of P. Marks

answer

"What?,no !"

question

Missuse of Conj.

answer

both apples and oranges , but not the red ones or the green ones

question

Punctuation Marks

answer

symbols used to organize indicate structure and organize written language

question

Conjunction

answer

words that are used to connect sentence , most common are nor, or, but, and , yet

question

The cash register near the door.

answer

Fragment

question

2. A delivery truck blocked the way.

answer

Sentence

question

Roasted a chicken.

answer

Fragment

question

A very confusing problem.

answer

Fragment

question

Vic turned on the radio.

answer

Sentence

question

Toni explained her decision.

answer

Sentence

question

The radiator overheated.

answer

Sentence

question

Put the letters into the mailbox.

answer

Sentence

question

Always rushing around.

answer

Fragment

question

A member of the National Basketball Association.

answer

Fragment

question

Often goes to the library on Saturday.

answer

Fragment

question

The wooden toys in the display.

answer

Fragment

question

Corinne, a student in the evening division.

answer

Fragment

question

Brenda argued with the mechanic.

answer

Sentence

question

Evacuated the residents of the area.

answer

Fragment

question

Ms. Parks had a determined look.

answer

Sentence

question

Never used an iron on this fabric.

answer

Fragment

question

Mr. Simmons, an accountant, audited the records.

answer

Sentence

question

Tracy wore hair braids.

answer

Sentence

question

Dr. Pearl Kendrick developed a whopping cough vaccine.

answer

Sentence

question

Warren strung a clothesline on the porch.

answer

Sentence

question

Whichever is less expensive.

answer

Fragment

question

As though we had met.

answer

Fragment

question

The banana bread sold quickly.

answer

Sentence

question

Sally toasted the whole wheat bread.

answer

Sentence

question

Answer the phone.

answer

Sentence

question

A secretary who typed well.

answer

Fragment

question

Jumping up and down and never stopping.

answer

Fragment

question

This book describes life in the future.

answer

Sentence

question

The soldier in the blue uniform.

answer

Fragment

question

The student from Mexico spoke about her country.

answer

Sentence

question

Because I like frogs.

answer

Fragment

question

The basketball player lunged for the ball.

answer

Sentence

question

Spent five dollars at the country fair last night.

answer

Fragment

question

The water heather runs on gas.

answer

Sentence

question

The phonograph needs a new needle.

answer

Sentence

question

Watch for the warning signs.

answer

Sentence

question

Your argument influenced the panel.

answer

Sentence

question

Tina made vegetable soup for dinner.

answer

Sentence

question

Most of the tenants in the organization.

answer

Fragment

question

Run on

answer

Some gardeners raise only flowers others raise only vegetables.

question

Run on

answer

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, he was not a scientist.

question

sentence

answer

the thunderstorm began at three o'clock

question

fragment

answer

from the very first step of the dance.

question

run on

answer

early egyptians liked glass beads, blue beads were favored.

question

sentence

answer

lions sometimes climb trees and nap on the branches.

question

fragment

answer

a sports magazine in the library

question

sentence

answer

because the sun was shining, we went on a picnic.

question

sentence

answer

paper clips are useful items.

question

fragment

answer

whenever it thunders and whenever there is lightning

question

as we entered the house, the telephone rang.

answer

sentence

question

O. Henry was a short-story writer, at one time he was a cowboy.

answer

run-on

question

my spaniel wont chase the ball because he is lazy

answer

sentence

question

Look at the squirrel over there, what is it eating?

answer

run-on

question

a whale may live 80 years, an elephant may live 70 years.

answer

run-on

question

archeon

answer

river of woe

question

achilles

answer

famous soldier; fought at troy

question

aphrodite

answer

goddess of beauty and love

question

apollo

answer

god of sun

question

arachne

answer

woman turned into spider by athena

question

ares

answer

war god

question

artemis

answer

goddess of moon

question

athena

answer

goddess of war and wisdom

question

atlas

answer

titan whose punishment was to hold up the world

question

charon

answer

boat driver in hades

question

cyclopes

answer

one eyed monster

question

daedalus

answer

king whose daughter was locked into a tower (atheseis)

question

demeter

answer

goddess of agriculture

question

deucalion

answer

zeus wiped out mankind and saved only him and his wife

question

dionysus

answer

god of wine

question

dryad

answer

magical city

question

epimetheus

answer

"backwards thinking"

question

fates

answer

controlled what happened to humans (death esp)

question

gaea

answer

mother earth. unmoved mover of greeks

question

hades

answer

god of underworld

question

hephaestus

answer

blacksmith of the gods

question

hera

answer

zeus' wife- goddess of marriage and family

question

hercules

answer

1/2 god. a hero of greece

question

hermes

answer

messenger of the gods

question

hestia

answer

goddess of chasity

question

lethe

answer

river of underworld- forgetfulness

question

metis

answer

zeus' first wife- titan daughter

question

midas

answer

king who had an unhealthy love for gold

question

icarus

answer

son of daeldaus; died flying too close to sun with wax wings

question

minos

answer

king whose wife ended up falling in love with bull because of his disloyalty to gods

question

mnemosyne

answer

greek goddess of time, remembrance, etc

question

odysseus

answer

hero in the odyssey who is trying to get home

question

pan

answer

earth god of woods and field

question

pandora

answer

"perfect"woman whose curiosity brought the world disease and badness

question

paris

answer

soldier in Trojan war. also a prince who married hellen (started war)

question

penelope

answer

odysseus' faithful wife

question

persephone

answer

demeter's daughter who is kidnapped by hades

question

talus

answer

man of bronze who protected greece

question

perseus

answer

slayed medusa (went to gray sisters)

question

phlegethon

answer

river of fire

question

poseidon

answer

god of the sea

question

prometheus

answer

"fore sight" knew what side would win (sided with gods) later punished for giving men fire

question

shades

answer

buried souls

question

styx

answer

river of unbreakable oath

question

the muses

answer

goddesses of the arts

question

theseus

answer

famous hero- defeated minotaur

question

ulsseus

answer

latin for odysseus

question

trojan horse

answer

greeks used this to sneak into sparta (gave it as a gift- had soldiers inside)

question

typhon

answer

ulaea created this monster to defeat zeus for confining the titans (he was pinned under mt.etha)

question

zeus

answer

god of sky

question

1st person

answer

story told by character

question

3rd person

answer

story told by a narrator

question

antagonist

answer

the character who works against the protagonist in the story

question

climax

answer

Most exciting moment of the story; turning point

question

denouement

answer

the final resolution of the main complication of a literary or dramatic work

question

dialect

answer

a variety of speech characterized by its own particular grammar or pronunciation, often associated with a particular geographical region

question

character

answer

a person or animal who takes part in the action of a literary work

question

conflict

answer

opposition between or among characters or forces in a literary work that spurs or motivates the action of a plot (internal, external; person vs. person, self, nature, society)

question

direct characterization

answer

the writer tells us directly what a character's personality is like

question

dramatic irony

answer

occurs when another character(s) and/or the audience know more than one or more characters on stage about what is happening

question

dynamic character

answer

one whose character changes in the course of the play or story

question

epic

answer

a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds

question

epithet

answer

Word used adjectivally to describe some quality or attribute of is objects, as in "Father Aeneas".

question

epic simile

answer

A simile developed over several lines of verse, esp. one used in an epic poem.

question

in medias res

answer

in or into the middle of a plot; into the middle of things

question

sentence fragments

answer

A part of a sentence that is written as if it were a complete sentence

question

run ons

answer

two sentences joined without punctuation or a connecting word

question

wordiness

answer

too many words so that what the author is saying is not clear or is repetitive

question

coordinating conjunctions

answer

and, or, but, for, so, yet, nor; use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses

question

epic hero

answer

the main character or protagonist in an epic that heroically larger than life, often the source and subject of a legend or a national hero

question

verbal irony

answer

occurs when what is said contradicts what is meant or thought

question

exposition

answer

a systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic

question

falling action

answer

events after the climax, leading to the resolution

question

flat character

answer

this character seems to possess only one or two personality traits - little or no background is revealed

question

indirect characterization

answer

the character is revealed through their personality, appearance, words, actions, and effect on others

question

irony

answer

The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning

question

limited point of view

answer

the story is told from the perspective of one of the characters whose information is restricted to what he/she sees, hears, and feels.

question

omniscient point of view

answer

the narrator is capable of knowing, telling, and seeing all

question

plot

answer

An author's selection and arrangement of incidents in a story to shape the action and give the story a particular focus.

question

protagonist

answer

the principal character in a work of fiction

question

resolution

answer

End of the story where loose ends are tied up

question

tone

answer

The author's attitude toward the subject

question

rising action

answer

events leading up to the climax

question

round character

answer

this character is fully developed - the writer reveals good and bad traits as well as background

question

setting

answer

arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted

question

situational irony

answer

occurs when the outcome of a work is unexpected, or events turn out to be the opposite from what one had expected

question

static character

answer

a character that does not change from the beginning of the story to the end

question

theme

answer

The main idea of the story

English Lit. Terms and Vocab – Flashcards

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