Clauses, Sentence Types, and Punctuation

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering grammatical clauses, sentence classifications, semicolons, colons, and apostrophe usage rules.

Clause

A grammatical unit consisting of both a subject and a predicate.

Dependent Clause

A clause that represents an incomplete sentence and cannot stand alone as a complete thought.

Independent Clause

A clause that expresses a complete thought and functions independently as a complete sentence.

Subject

The part of a clause indicating who or what the clause is about.

Predicate

The part of a clause that tells something about the subject (usually what the subject is doing) and contains all or part of the verb.

Agree in Number

The grammatical requirement that a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Simple Sentence

A sentence type composed of a single subject and a single predicate.

Compound Sentence

A sentence containing two independent clauses joined together by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

FANBOYS

A mnemonic acronym representing coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) used to join clauses in compound sentences.

Complex Sentence

A sentence structure consisting of an independent clause combined with one or more dependent clauses.

Imperative Sentence

A sentence that expresses a command and does not require an explicit subject because the implied subject is 'you'.

Semicolon

A punctuation mark used to connect two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction, or to join them when linked by a conjunctive adverb.

Conjunctive Adverb Punctuation

A punctuation convention where an adverb connecting two independent clauses (such as 'however' or 'still') is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.

Colon (Quotations)

A mark of punctuation used following an introductory independent clause to formally introduce a quotation or definition.

Colon (Lists or Series)

A mark of punctuation placed after an independent clause to introduce an enumerated list or series of items.

Colon (Indicating Answers)

A mark of punctuation used after an independent clause to present an explanation, outcome, or answer to a preceding concept.

Apostrophe of Possession (Singular Nouns)

An apostrophe followed by an 's' added to a singular noun to show ownership (e.g., 'the computer's hard drive').

Possessive of Nouns Ending in S or SS

A possessive form for nouns that already end in 's' or 'ss', which can correctly be formed by adding either an apostrophe and an 's' ('s) or just an apostrophe (').

Apostrophe of Possession (Regular Plural Nouns)

An apostrophe placed after the final 's' of a regular plural noun to denote collective possession (e.g., 'the islands' inhabitants').

Contraction

A shortened word form where an apostrophe indicates omitted or missing letters (e.g., 'can't' for 'cannot').