English Finals - Grammar

Subject

Who or what the sentence is about

Action Verb

Expresses a physical or mental action

Linking Verb

Verb that indicates a state of being (e.g., am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being, look, smell)

Helping Verb

Works with a main verb to make up a verb phrase

Comma

Indicates a pause and sets off different sentence elements; connects two sentences using FANBOYS

Comma Rule: Compound Sentence

Uses a comma and FANBOYS to join two independent clauses

Comma Rule: After an Opener

Use a comma after an introductory word or phrase

Comma Rule: Set off a Closer

Use a comma before an ending phrase that adds info

Comma Rule: Series

Use commas to separate 3 or more items in a list

Comma Rule: Interrupter

Use commas to set off interrupting words or phrases

Apostrophes

Shows ownership

Apostrophes

Combines words by replacing letters

Independent Clause

A group of words with a subject, a verb, and a complete thought

Dependent Clause

A group of words with a subject and verb, but no complete thought

Phrase

A group of words with no subject or verb that cannot stand alone

Compound Sentence

Two or more independent clauses joined by a FANBOYS

Coordinating Conjunctions

FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Semicolon

Joins two related independent clauses

Run-on Sentence

Two or more sentences joined incorrectly without proper punctuation

Colon

Introduces a list

Colon

Introduces an explanation or clarification

Colon

Use after an independent clause to introduce a quote

Colon

Used to emphasize something important