Untitled Flashcard Set

Subject-verb agreement

A convention of Standard English that requires a subject and its verb to agree in number.

Plural subject

A subject that is represented by more than one entity, requiring a plural verb.

Singular present tense

The form of the verb 'to be' used with singular subjects, e.g., 'is'.

Plural present tense

The form of the verb 'to be' used with plural subjects, e.g., 'are'.

Incorrect example of subject-verb agreement

'Apples is different from oranges.'**

Correct example of subject-verb agreement

'Apples are different from oranges.'

Subject-verb agreement error spotting

Look for differences in singular and plural forms of verbs in answer choices.

Challenges in subject-verb agreement

Errors can be harder to spot with extra words, inverted sentences, or complex structures.

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

A convention requiring that a pronoun and its antecedent agree in person and number.

Distance between pronoun and antecedent

The further a pronoun is from its antecedent, the harder it can be to ensure agreement.

Essential supplement

A supplement necessary for the sentence to make sense, without requiring punctuation.

Nonessential supplement

A supplement that is not crucial for sentence meaning, requiring punctuation.

Punctuation rules for nonessential elements

Nonessential elements require punctuation on both sides if they are in the middle of a sentence.

Ways to link clauses

Using end punctuation, coordination, subordination, or semicolons to connect clauses.

Functions of semicolons

Used to link independent clauses or separate list items that contain commas.

Function of colons

Used to introduce explanations or lists after an independent clause.

Function of dashes

Used to separate nonessential elements from the rest of a sentence.

Punctuation error spotting

Look for additions or removals of punctuation, or variations in punctuation types.

List items

Commas are used to separate items in a list.

FANBOYS

The coordinating conjunctions used in English: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Identifying conjunction errors

Check that a comma is used with a conjunction when linking independent clauses.

Subject-modifier placement

The placement rule that requires a subject and its modifier to be adjacent.

Verb form error spotting

Look for differences in verb tenses or missing helping verbs.

Examples of subject-verb agreement

Sentences can be tested for subject-verb pairings, verifying number agreement.

The logic of agreement

Apply the logic of agreement to all verb forms and their respective subjects.

Conjugation in context

Use context clues to determine the correct tense of a verb in a sentence.

Punctuating lists correctly

Ensure commas are used appropriately when separating items in a list.

Gendered pronoun awareness

Understand that 'they' can be used as a non-gendered singular option.

Correcting misplaced modifiers

Identify and correct sentences where modifiers are not directly next to the words they describe.

Finding antecedents

The practice of identifying which noun a pronoun refers to for agreement.