AP Lit Grammar

verb transitive (vt)

take a direct object

e.g. the man imprecated his enemy (direct object)

verb intransitive

does not take a direct object

appositive

a noun that renames or identifies the noun next to it

e.g. Melenaus, in order to find his way home, had to subdue Proteus, the elusive old man of the sea. "Old man of the sea” identifies Proteus

Active voice

When the subject does the action

e.g. “Tom read the book”

Passive voice

When the subject has the action done to them

e.g. “The book was read by Tom”

Participle

a verb form acting as an adjective usually ending in -ing, or -ed (also -t, -en, -n)

Present participle

Ends in -ing

Past participle

ends in -ed, -t, -en, or -n.

perfect active participle

includes “having.” The action has been completed

Nominative absolute

A noun plus participle forming a self-contained unit. Gives background description or information.

e.g. Hester, the shameful “A” emblazoned upon her breast, stared down the derisive onlookers. (“A” and emblazoned)

Can also have noun + adjective or noun + noun with “being” in between the two