STUDy G-kT english

Interjection

a very short sentence that conveys strong emotions

Example

Wow!

Topic Sentence

the sentence that identifies the main point of the paragraph

Example

"Canada is one of the biggest countries in the world, but it is also one of the smallest."

Complex Sentence

an independent clause and a dependent clause

Example

Since you're going to the store, can you buy some milk?

Compound Sentence

two independent clauses joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction

Example

Dogs are mammals, but lizards are reptiles.

Subordinating Conjunction

a conjunction used at the beginning of a subordinate clause

Example

because, although, even though, since

Independent / Main Clause

clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence

Example

I went shopping last weekend.

Misplaced Modifiers

a grammatical error that occurs when the modifying word or phrase is not placed next to the word it is describing

Details

information about the setting, characters, actions, plot, etc. that helps the reader understand the story better

Coordinating Conjunction

connects two clauses

Example

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

Transition Words

phrases and words used to link sentences, paragraphs, and ideas together

Example

first, next, last, on the other hand

Summarize

to express the most important ideas about something in a clear and concise way

Noun

a person, place, or thing

Example

Ball, Apple, Cat

Verb

an action or state of being word

Example

Run, Is, Look

Preposition

specifies location

Example

Above, Under, Behind, After

Dangling Modifiers

a grammatical error that occurs when the modifying phrase is missing the word it intends to describe

main idea

the central point of the passage

Clarity of Language

does not contain ambiguous pronouns, words at too high a vocabulary level, or slang terms

Syntax

rules that govern the construction of words in order to make phrases, clauses, and sentences

Non-Defining Relative Clause

clause that gives additional information about the subject; sentence would not lose its meaning without it

Example

My sister, who is six years older than me, went shopping with me for the birthday present.

Defining Relative Clause

clause that gives essential information on the subject; needed for the meaning of the sentence

Example

I left my wallet that had my debit card in it in the car.

Parallel Structure

the repetition of specific grammatical structures within a sentence or a paragraph

Example

In the evening I water the plants, feed the dogs, make dinner, and watch the news.

Adverb

a word that describes a verb

Example

Quickly, Happily

Adjective

a word that describes a noun

Example

Big, Little, Fast

Pronouns

replaces a noun

Example

She, He, It

Simple sentence

a sentence containing one subject and one verb or one independent clause

Example

The dolphin lives in the ocean.

Clause

a phrase that contains a subject and a verb

Noun Clause

dependent clause that functions as a noun

Example

What you said really stuck in my mind.

Author's Purpose

the general reason an author writes a text (persuade, inform, entertain, explain)

Dependent / Subordinate Clause

clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction but cannot stand alone as a sentence even though it contains a subject and verb

Example

While we were shopping, she spent her whole paycheck.

Thesis Statement

a sentence outlining the central or main claim of a writing

Compound-Complex Sentence

two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause

Example

While we are in town, we should stop at the hardware store, and you can buy a new hammer.