TEAS ENGLISH & LANGUAGE USAGE

What is a complete sentence?

A group of words containing a subject and a predicate that expresses a complete thought.

What is a sentence fragment?

An incomplete group of words that does not express a complete thought.

What is a run-on sentence?

Two or more independent clauses incorrectly joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions.

What is a comma splice?

A run-on sentence in which two independent clauses are joined with only a comma.

What is an independent clause?

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

What is a dependent clause?

A group of words with a subject and verb that does not express a complete thought.

What is a subject?

The person, place, thing, or idea performing or being described by the verb.

What is a predicate?

The part of the sentence that tells what the subject does or is.

What is a verb?

A word expressing an action, occurrence, or state of being.

What is a noun?

A person, place, thing, or idea.

What is a pronoun?

A word that takes the place of a noun.

What is an adjective?

A word that modifies or describes a noun or pronoun.

What is an adverb?

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

What is a preposition?

A word showing the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word.

What is a conjunction?

A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses.

What is an interjection?

A word or phrase expressing sudden emotion.

What is a coordinating conjunction?

A conjunction that joins equal grammatical elements, including independent clauses.

What does FANBOYS stand for?

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

How can you correctly join two independent clauses?

Use a period, semicolon, or comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

When should you use a comma before a coordinating conjunction?

When it joins two independent clauses.

What is a subordinating conjunction?

A word that introduces a dependent clause, such as because, although, since, or while.

When a dependent clause comes before an independent clause, what punctuation is usually needed?

A comma after the dependent clause.

When an independent clause comes before an essential dependent clause, is a comma usually needed?

No.

What is subject-verb agreement?

The subject and verb must agree in number.

What verb form usually follows a singular subject in the present tense?

A singular verb form.

What verb form usually follows a plural subject in the present tense?

A plural verb form.

How does a prepositional phrase affect subject-verb agreement?

It does not change the subject; identify the true subject outside the phrase.

With 'either/or' or 'neither/nor,' which subject usually determines verb agreement?

The subject closest to the verb.

How should a verb agree with a collective noun when the group acts as one unit?

Use a singular verb.

What is pronoun-antecedent agreement?

A pronoun must agree with the noun it refers to in number and person.

What is an antecedent?

The noun or noun phrase a pronoun refers to.

What is a vague pronoun reference?

A pronoun whose antecedent is unclear.

What is verb tense?

The form of a verb showing when an action occurs.

What are the three basic verb tenses?

Past, present, and future.

What is consistent verb tense?

Maintaining the same appropriate time frame unless the time actually changes.

What is present tense?

Used for actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths.

What is past tense?

Used for actions that happened previously.

What is future tense?

Used for actions expected to happen later.

What is a helping verb?

A verb used with a main verb to express tense, mood, or voice.

What is a linking verb?

A verb connecting the subject to information describing or identifying it.

What is an active voice sentence?

The subject performs the action.

What is a passive voice sentence?

The subject receives the action.

What is parallel structure?

Using the same grammatical form for items or ideas that have the same function.

Why is parallel structure important?

It makes sentences clearer, smoother, and grammatically consistent.

What is a modifier?

A word, phrase, or clause that describes or limits another word.

What is a misplaced modifier?

A modifier placed so it appears to describe the wrong word.

What is a dangling modifier?

A modifier without a clear word to modify.

How can you fix a dangling modifier?

Make sure the sentence clearly identifies the person or thing performing the action described.

What is a comparative adjective or adverb used for?

Comparing two things.

What is a superlative adjective or adverb used for?

Comparing three or more things.

What are common comparative endings or words?

-er or more.

What are common superlative endings or words?

-est or most.

What is an article?

A, an, or the.

When is 'a' generally used?

Before a consonant sound.

When is 'an' generally used?

Before a vowel sound.

When is 'the' used?

To refer to a specific or previously identified noun.

What is a singular possessive noun?

A noun showing ownership by one person, place, or thing.

What is a plural possessive noun?

A plural noun showing ownership.

How do you form the possessive of most singular nouns?

Add apostrophe + s.

How do you form the possessive of a regular plural noun ending in s?

Add an apostrophe after the s.

What is the difference between 'its' and 'it's'?

Its is possessive; it's means it is or it has.

What is the difference between 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're'?

Their is possessive; there refers to place or existence; they're means they are.

What is the difference between 'your' and 'you're'?

Your is possessive; you're means you are.

What is the difference between 'whose' and 'who's'?

Whose is possessive; who's means who is or who has.

What is the difference between 'to,' 'too,' and 'two'?

To is a preposition/infinitive marker; too means also or excessively; two is the number 2.

When should a comma separate items?

Between three or more items in a series.

When is a comma used after an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause?

To separate the introduction from the main clause when appropriate.

When are commas used around nonessential information?

When the information can be removed without changing the sentence's essential meaning.

What is essential information?

Information necessary to identify or define the noun being discussed.

What is nonessential information?

Additional information that can be removed without changing the core meaning.

When is a semicolon used?

To join closely related independent clauses or separate complex list items.

When is a colon used?

After a complete clause to introduce a list, explanation, example, or elaboration.

When is a dash used?

To create emphasis, show an interruption, or set off additional information.

When are parentheses used?

To enclose supplementary or less essential information.

When is an apostrophe used?

To show possession or form contractions.

When should an apostrophe not be used?

To form a regular plural.

When are quotation marks used?

To enclose direct quotations and certain titles or terms.

What punctuation is usually used before a direct quotation introduced by a complete clause?

A colon.

What punctuation can be used to introduce a quotation with an attribution?

Often a comma, depending on sentence structure.

Where do periods and commas generally go with quotation marks in American English?

Inside the closing quotation marks.

What is a question mark used for?

To end a direct question.

What is an exclamation point used for?

To show strong emotion or emphasis.

What is a hyphen commonly used for?

To join words or parts of compound modifiers when needed.

What is an em dash commonly used for?

To mark a break, interruption, or emphasized additional information.

What is a topic sentence?

A sentence expressing the main idea of a paragraph.

What is a thesis statement?

A sentence expressing the central claim or main point of a larger piece of writing.

What is unity in writing?

All sentences and details support the same central idea.

What is coherence in writing?

Ideas are logically organized and connected so the writing is easy to follow.

What is a transition?

A word or phrase that shows the relationship between ideas.

What are examples of addition transitions?

Also, furthermore, moreover, additionally.

What are examples of contrast transitions?

However, although, nevertheless, on the other hand.

What are examples of cause-and-effect transitions?

Therefore, consequently, as a result, thus.

What are examples of sequence transitions?

First, next, then, afterward, finally.

What are examples of example transitions?

For example, for instance, specifically.

What are examples of conclusion transitions?

Therefore, in conclusion, overall, thus.

What is conciseness?

Expressing an idea clearly without unnecessary words.

What is redundancy?

Unnecessary repetition of the same idea.

What is formal language?

Language appropriate for academic or professional situations.

What is informal language?

Conversational language appropriate for casual situations.

What is audience?

The intended readers or listeners.