GED Language Arts, Writing Flashcards
subject
tells who or what a sentence is about
verb
tells what the subject is or does
Complete sentences
Rule 1: A complete sentence has a subject and a verb. The subject names who or what the sentence is about. The verb tells what the subject is or does.
No subject: Teaches her son to drive a car with a stick shift.
Complete: Gloria teaches her son to drive a car with a stick shift.
No verb: A car with an automatic transmission.
Complete: A car with an automatic transmission is easy to drive.
Sometimes the subject of a sentence is not stated, but it is understood to be the word you.
Complete: Learn to drive safety.
Rule 2: A complete sentence expresses a complete thought.
Incomplete: Because it gets better mileage.
Complete: Ramon plans to buy a car with a standard transmission because it gets better mileage.
Rule 3: A complete sentence ends with punctuation. Most statements end with a period. A question ends with a question mark. A strong statement or command ends with an exclamation point.
Statement: Gloria prefers to drive a car with a stick shift.
Question: Is Ramon a good driver?
Exclamation: Get out of his way!
Sentence fragment
an incomplete sentence.
Method 1: If a fragment is missing a subject, add a subject.
Fragment: Went to the interview with her resume.
Correct: Lia went to the interview with her resume.
Method 2: If a fragment is missing a complete verb, make the verb complete.
Fragment: Dr. Parks asking about her last job.
Correct: Dr. Parks is asking about her last job.
Method 3: Add or change words to make an incomplete thought complete.
Fragment: Not a bad job, only boring.
Correct: Her last job was not bad, only boring.
Method 4: Attach the fragment to a complete sentence. This is a good method to use when a fragment has a subject and verb but still does not express a complete thought.
Fragment: Lia took the job. Because she wanted a challenge.
Correct: Lia took the job because she wanted a challenge.
Correct: Because she wanted a challenge, Lia took the job.
coordinating conjunction
a word that connects the independent clauses in a compound sentence.
a word that connects equal elements, such as the independent clauses in a compound sentence (and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so).
Example: She works hard, but her performance could improve.
independent clause
a group of words that has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
Example: With hard work, they all passed the test.
compound sentence
two independent clauses connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so).
Example: We traveled by boat, and we had a wonderful time.
coordinating conjunction
Method: To write a compound sentence, combine independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction. The coordinating conjunction shows the relationship between the clauses.
Coordinating conjunction Relationship
and connects two related ideas
but, yet contrasts two ideas
for shows a cause
so shows an effect
or gives choices
nor gives negative choices
Rule: When you write a compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction, use a comma before the conjunction.
Separate: Jack joined a group of actors. They are quite talented.
Combined: Jack joined a group of actors, and they are quite talented. (The word and connects the two related ideas.)
Separate: Their first play is a hilarious comedy. It’s sure to be a hit.
Combined: Their first play is a hilarious comedy, so it’s sure to be a hit. (The word so shows an effect.)
other connectors
There are two other ways to combine independent clauses in compound sentences.
Method 1: Combine sentences using a semicolon when the ideas are closely related.
separate: Nuclear weapons threaten all our lives. Failure to solve this problem could have serious consequences.
Combined: Nuclear weapons threaten all our lives; failure to solve this problem could have serious consequences.
Method 2: Combine sentences using a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb. The conjunctive adverb you choose should show the relationship between the two ideas being combined.
Conjunctive adverbs Relationship
also, furthermore,moreover, besides - connect two ideas
however, still, nevertheless, instead,nonetheless - contrast two ideas
similarly, likewise - compare two ideas
therefore, thus, consequently - show a result
next, then, meanwhile, finally, subsequently - show time order
for example, for instance - give examples
Rule: When you use a conjunctive adverb to connect two clauses, put a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
Separate: People are interested in avoiding nuclear war. They do not always agree on the best way to do so.
Combined: People are interested in avoiding nuclear war; however, they do not always agree on the best way to do so.
(However contrasts the two ideas.)
conjunctive adverb
a word that shows the relationship between two ideas. In a compound sentence, a semicolon precedes the adverb and a comma follows it.
Example: He had to leave; however, his report is on the desk.
verb tense
tells when an action takes place or when a condition is true
present tense
The present tense expresses that an action takes place now or that a condition is true now.
Present: Mr. Gomez advises Paula to apply for another job.
past tense
The past tense expresses that an action took place or that a condition was true in the past.
Past: He worked with Paula on a special project last year.
future tense
The future tense expresses that an action will take place or that a condition will be true in the future. Use the helping verbs will or shall with the present form.
Future: Paula will bring her resume to the office next Thursday.
simple
Rule 1: Use the simple tenses for actions or for conditions that are usually true.
The present tense expresses that an action takes place now or that a condition is true now.
Present: Mr. Gomez advises Paula to apply for another job.
The past tense expresses that an action took place or that a condition was true in the past.
Past: He worked with Paula on a special project last year.
The future tense expresses that an action will take place or that a condition will be true in the future. Use the helping verbs will or shall with the present form.
Future: Paula will bring her resume to the office next Thursday.
