ELA General Knowledge Flashcards
Modifiers
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies or describes. The separation causes an error that makes the sentence confusing.
Ex: Yolanda realized too late that it was a mistake to walk the neighbor’s dog in high heels.
The phrase “in high heels modifies” the neighbor’s dog in this sentence. The dog is not in high heels; Yolanda is.
To correct the sentence, rearrange the sentence so the modifying clause is close to the word it should modify.
Yolanda realized too late that she shouldn’t have worn high heels while walking the neighbors dog.
Parallelism
Parallelism refers to the same pattern of words or repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. Parallel structure is when a sentence follows the same grammatical pattern.
Ex: Pollution is caused by factories emitting smoke and cars spewing exhaust.
Emitting and sewing match in verb tense. They are parallel.
Non-example: Pollution is caused by factories emitting smoke and cars that spew exhaust.
Emitting and spew do NOT match in verb tense. They are not parallel.
Ex: The business lost money because of inefficiency, theft and apathy.
Non-example: The business kept losing money because it was inefficient, the employees stealing money, and no one seemed to care.
Ex: His strength, wit and advice were a comfort to me.
Non-example: His strength, wit and good advice were a comfort to me.
Commas: Independent Clauses
Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
Ex: I went to the store, and I bought a candy bar.
Non-example: I went to the store and I bought a candy bar.
Unlike a semicolon, a comma alone can not separate two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Ex: I went to the store, and I bought a candy bar.
Non-Example: I went to the store, I bought a candy bar.
Commas: Introductory Clauses
Use commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or words that come before the main clause.
Ex: After the movies, we went to get ice cream.
Non-example: Before we went out we got dressed up.
Semicolons
Use semicolons to separate two related independent clauses. Unlike commas, semicolons alone can separate two independent clauses. Semicolons do not need to be accompanied by a coordinating conjunction like and, but, for, or, nor, so.
Example: I went to the store; I bought a candy bar. I love ice cream; chocolate is my favorite.
Use semicolons between two independent clauses that are connected by conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases.
Example: I was excited to see my brother after so many years; surprisingly, he looked the same.
Commonly Confused Words: Except vs. Accept
accept -to agree to receive or do
except -not including
Commonly Confused Words: Adverse vs. Averse
adverse -unfavorable, harmful
averse -strongly disliking; opposed
Commonly Confused Words: Advice vs. Advise
advice -recommendations about what to do
advise -to recommend something
Commonly Confused Words: Affect vs. Effect
affect -to change or make a difference to
effect -a result; to bring about a result
Commonly Confused Words: Aisle vs. Isle
aisle -a passage between rows of seats
isle -an island
Commonly Confused Words: All Together vs. Altogether
all together -all in one place, all at once
altogether -completely; on the whole
Commonly Confused Words: Along vs. A Long
along -moving or extending horizontally on
a long -referring to something of great length
Commonly Confused Words: Aloud vs. Allowed
aloud -out loud
allowed -permitted
Commonly Confused Words: Altar vs. Alter
altar -a sacred table in a church
alter -to change
Commonly Confused Words: Amoral vs. Immoral
amoral -not concerned with right or wrong immoral -not following accepted moral standards
