PSAT English/Grammar

coordination

expresses equality

coordinating conjunctions

used to connect words, phrases, and clauses, FANBOYS

subordination

expresses inequalities

Correlative conjunctions

work in pairs, both-and, either-or, neither-nor, not-but, not only-but also

Conjunctive adverbs

however, consequently, therefore, nonetheless; never connect words, phrases, or dependent clauses; coordinate whole sentences only

Subordinating conjunctions

the most important relationships among related ideas, along with most common expressing them

Relative pronouns

who, whose, whom, which, and that; allows the use adjective clauses for subordinate info and details about nouns

cause

because, since

condition

if, even, if, provided, unless

concession

although, though, even though

purpose

in order that, so that, that

time

as long as, after, before, when, whenever, while, until

location

where, wherever

appositives

can replace subordinate clauses or whole sentences; is a word or group that renames, clarifies, identifies, or expands the meaning of another word or phrase

participles

can replace longer clauses or sentences, are especially useful for expressing action

absolute phrases

consist of a subject, usually, a noun, and a participle

Prepositional phrases

consist of a preposition, its object, and any modifiers

Verbal phrases

consist of a verbal, it’s object, and any modifiers

subordinate clauses

introduced by subordinate by subordinating conjunctions or by a relative pronoun

appositives

words or phrases that rename or explain a noun or a pronoun standing immediately before them

compound predicates

fragments beginning with a coordinating conjunction such as and or but, followed by a verb and or object or complement. can usually be joined to the preceding sentence

Phrases

when a prep, or verbal phrase cannot logically or easily be attached to another sentence, make it a complete sentence by adding a subject and/or verb

Subordinate clauses

if a sub. clause fragment does not have a strong relationship with another sentence, revise it to stand alone by deleting the sub. conjunction

A comma splice

when 2 main clauses are joined by only a comma and a FANBOY

a run-on sentence

Has 2 main clauses with no punctuation between them; commas can be equal to periods, semicolons, and em dash

Antecedent

a noun or other pronoun to which it refers

Gerund

an -ing form of a verb used as a noun

Gerund phrase

consists of a gerund, its object, and any modifiers of the gerund or object

Infinitive

consists of the infinitive marker to be followed by the base form of the verb

Elliptical clause

is one in which the subject or verb is implied or understood rather than stated

Proper nouns

particular people, places, or things; Capitalized

Nouns

classify persons, places, things, and concepts

Common nouns

name general groups, people, places, or things

Abstract nouns

intangible qualities, conditions, or idea

Concrete nouns

things perceived by the 5 senses

Indefinite pronouns

do not refer to specifics

Relative pronouns

introduce sub. clauses, refer to the noun or pronoun

Colons

dashes used before a list, before an explanation

Commas can be used for?

to separate adjectives whose order could be reversed

Faulty comparisons should have?

both subjects of media to compare