English Language Skill Test Notes

Clause

Contains both a subject and a verb.

Independent Clause

A clause that has a subject and verb and expresses a complete idea.

Dependent Clause

A clause that has a subject and verb but does not express a complete idea.

Simple Sentence

A sentence composed of one independent clause.

Compound Sentence

A sentence that contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or punctuation.

Complex Sentence

A sentence that includes one independent clause and one dependent clause.

Compound-Complex Sentence

A sentence that contains two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

Subject

The doer of the action in a sentence.

Object

The receiver of the action in a sentence.

Active Voice

The subject performs the action in the sentence.

Passive Voice

The subject receives the action in the sentence.

Phrase

A group of words that does not contain a complete subject and verb pair.

Sentence

A group of words containing a subject and verb, expressing a complete thought.

Verb Phrase

A phrase that includes a helping verb and a main verb.

FANBOYS

A mnemonic for coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.