Focused Review English Teas (copy)

1st attempt: 78.8%

Comma Rules: Dos and Don’ts

Rule	Example	Quick Tip
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when joining two complete sentences	I studied hard, and I passed the exam.	Think: if both sides can stand alone → add comma.
No comma if it’s not two complete sentences	I studied hard and passed the exam.	No subject after “and” → no comma.
Use commas after an introductory phrase or clause	After the test, I took a break.	If it comes before the main idea, separate it.
Use commas to separate items in a series	I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.	The comma before “and” (Oxford comma) is correct.
Use commas to set off nonessential information	My teacher, Mrs. Lopez, is kind.	You can remove the phrase and the sentence still makes sense.
Don’t use commas to split subject & verb	❌ The nurse, administered the shot. → ✅ The nurse administered the shot.	Never separate the main subject from its verb.

Apostrophe Rules

Use	Example	Key Point
To show possession (singular)	The doctor’s office (belongs to one doctor)	Add ’s to singular nouns.
To show possession (plural)	The doctors’ lounge (belongs to multiple doctors)	If the noun is plural, add apostrophe after s.
For contractions	It’s = it is / they’re = they are / you’re = you are	Remember: its (no apostrophe) = possession → The cat licked its paw.
No apostrophe for plurals!	❌ Apple’s for sale → ✅ Apples for sale	Apostrophes don’t make plurals.
Plural noun that does NOT end in s (children, men, women).	Children → Children’s	The children’s toys are new.

Sentence Structures & Types

Sentence Type	Example	Description
Simple	The patient rested.	1 independent clause
Compound	The patient rested, and the nurse monitored her.	2 independent clauses + FANBOYS
Complex	Because the patient was tired, she rested.	1 independent + 1 dependent clause
Compound-Complex	The patient rested, and the nurse recorded data because it was required.	2 independent + 1 dependent

What is a common TEAS trap that involves commas?

Comma splice!

When a comma incorrectly joins two independent clauses with no coordinating conjunction.

• “The patient rested, the nurse checked her.” → should be a semicolon or add “and.”

  • The patient rested; the nurse checked her.

  • The patient rested, and the nurse checked her.

Tone & Style Words

Word	Meaning	Example
Colloquial	Informal, everyday speech	“Gonna,” “wanna,” “kinda” — casual tone
Formal	Polished, academic, professional	“The data suggest a significant increase.”
Objective	Neutral, fact-based	“The patient’s temperature was 102°F.”
Subjective	Opinion-based	“The patient seemed very uncomfortable.”
Persuasive	Trying to convince	“Everyone should wash hands to stay healthy.”
Informative/Expository	Explains or informs	“This report outlines the causes of infection.”
Narrative	Tells a story	“When I first started nursing school…”
Ironic	Opposite meaning or humor	“What a lovely day,” she said during the storm.
Sarcastic	Mocking tone	“Oh sure, because missing deadlines is so great.”
Optimistic / Pessimistic	Hopeful / Negative outlook	“Things will improve soon.” / “There’s no point in trying.”

Clarity in a Sentence: Active Voice, Wordiness, Parallel Structure

Rule	Example	Why
Use active voice	✅ The nurse administered the shot. ❌ The shot was administered by the nurse.	Stronger and clearer. If the subject is doing the action
Avoid wordiness/redundancy	❌ In my opinion, I think that... → ✅ I think that...	Be concise.
Maintain parallel structure	❌ She likes reading, to swim, and jogging → ✅ She likes reading, swimming, and jogging.	Consistency sounds smoother.

Rule for Unnecessary Modifiers

Rule: If adjectives or adverbs don’t add new information, delete them.

Wordy	Clear
“The highly skilled, very talented, extremely kind nurse helped the patient.”	“The skilled nurse helped the patient.”

“Strong Subjects” for Clarity

Rule: Avoid starting with “There is/are” or “It is.” Those are filler phrases that weaken clarity.

Sometimes the best sentence puts the main idea at the beginning rather than hiding it at the end.

Weak	Strong
“There are many patients who need urgent care.”	“Many patients need urgent care.”

Correct Ways to Fix a Run-on Sentence

A run-on sentence happens when two complete thoughts (independent clauses) are joined incorrectly — with no proper punctuation or connector.

• The nurse checked the patient she wrote the report.

Fix Type	Example	Rule

1. Period

The nurse checked the patient. She wrote the report.

Easiest and always correct.

2. Semicolon (;)

The nurse checked the patient; she wrote the report.

Use when both clauses are closely related.

3. Comma + Coordinating Conjunction (FANBOYS)

The nurse checked the patient, and she wrote the report.

Comma + one of: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

4. Subordinating Conjunction

After the nurse checked the patient, she wrote the report.

Makes one clause dependen

How Introductory Phrases & Clauses Affect Clarity

Type	Example	Clarity Check
Introductory word	However, the patient improved.	✅ Always add comma after.
Introductory phrase	After the exam, the nurse updated the chart.	✅ Short = fine.
Introductory clause	When the nurse entered the room, the patient was sleeping.	✅ Still clear.
Too long intro	When the nurse entered the room after finishing her previous round and checking supplies, the patient was sleeping.	❌ Harder to follow. Break up or simplify.

Steps to the Writing Process

Step	Focus	Examples of Tasks	Keywords to Recognize
Prewriting	Ideas & organization	Brainstorming, outlining	plan, organize, topic, audience
Drafting	Getting ideas down	Writing paragraphs	first draft, develop ideas
Revising	Improving meaning (how ideas flow/what you say)	Add/delete sentences, word choice	clarify, strengthen, flow
Editing	Fixing errors	Spelling, punctuation	correct, grammar, mechanics
Publishing	Final version	Print, submit, share	final, submit, present

How do you shift the focus within a particular sentence using a conjunction?

To shift focus, put the less important action in a dependent clause (using words like as, while, although).

• The girl wandered around the amusement park. She was astonished by the number of people in line waiting for rides.

• → Shift the focus to the girl’s astonishment and less on her wandering around.

• As the girl wandered around the amusement park, she was astonished by the number of people in lines waiting for rides.

Capitalization Rules

Category	Capitalize	Do NOT Capitalize	Examples
Proper vs. Common Nouns	Specific people, places, things	General nouns	✔ Becky, California, English ❌ aunt, state, language
Titles Before Names	Title + name (becomes part of name)	Title used after my, the, her, his, etc.	✔ Aunt Becky, Professor John, Governor Bill ❌ my aunt Becky, the professor, her governor
Family Members as Names	When replacing the name	When used as a general noun	✔ Mom, Dad, Grandpa Joe ❌ my mom, your grandpa
Directions vs. Regions	Region referring to a place	Cardinal directions (navigation)	✔ the West, the South ❌ drive west, travel north
Job Titles	Before name as a title	Describing the job, general use	✔ Doctor Adams, Nurse Kelly ❌ the doctor, her nurse, his professor
Holidays & Events	Official holidays	—	✔ Boss’s Day, Labor Day, Valentine’s Day
Courses & Languages	Specific course names, languages	General subjects	✔ English, Biology 201, Spanish ❌ math, biology
Historical Periods & Documents	Official periods or documents	—	✔ Renaissance, Civil War, Constitution
Names with Apostrophes	Proper nouns remain capitalized	—	✔ Boss’s Day, Veterans

Charts & Graphs: Correlation

A correlation means two things happen together or show a pattern — but one doesn’t necessarily cause the other. It shows a relationship, not a reason.

Ex:

• Ice cream sales ↑ (increase)

• Drowning incidents ↑ (increase)

Those two variables rise together, but ice cream doesn’t cause drowning.
The real cause is that both happen more often in hot weather (a third factor).

So, they’re correlated, not causal.

Charts & Graphs: Causation

Causation is cause-and-effect; this means one thing makes something else happen.

Example:

• You forget to water a plant → the plant dies.

• That’s cause-and-effect.

The cause = forgetting to water.

The effect = the plant dying.