Grammar Flashcards
Parts of Speech, Parts of sentence, and Phrases
Noun
a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things (common noun), or to name a particular one of these (proper noun):
The house is in Europe.
Concrete Nouns
can physically see, touch, taste, hear, or smell (“Pumpkin”)
The apple is on the table.
Abstract Noun
nonphysical, cannot readily perceive through five senses (“Evil”)
The vibe of the room was unpleasant.
Collective Noun
Collective: name groups of people or things (appears singular but may be singular or plural depending on usage in sentence … jury, family, committee)
Compound Noun
composed of two or more words acting as a single unit.
The post office is owned by his sister-in-law
Pronoun
word used to take the place of a noun.
He is a fan of many sports, unlike his sister.
Antecedents
noun/group of words acting as nouns for which pronouns stand.
Henry will give you some if you ask him.
Personal Pronouns
Refer to person speaking (first-person pronouns) / being spoken to (second person pronouns) / being spoken about (third person pronouns).
I, YOU, HE, SHE, IT, WE, THEY; ME, YOU, HIM, HER, IT, US, THEM
Reflexive Pronouns
End in ‘self’ / ‘selves’ (add information and point back to noun or pronoun earlier in sentence).
Shamrocks ready themselves for pumpkin-smashing.
Intensive Pronouns
End in ‘self’/’selves’ (add emphasis or intensity).
I myself will take care of the pumpkin-smashing.
Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrate attention to a specific person / place / thing (may be located before or after antecedent).
THIS, THAT, THESE, THOSE
That is a newly discovered pumpkin to be smashed.
Relative Pronouns
Begin subordinate clauses and connect to other ideas in sentences (independent clauses).
THAT, WHICH, WHO, WHOM, WHOSE
The Shamrock made the decision that he thought he was best.
Interrogative Pronouns
Begins questions.
WHAT, WHICH, WHO, WHOM, WHOSE
What lives in Birmingham?
Indefinite Pronouns
Refer to people, places, or things without specifying which person/place/thing.
Some have antecedents, but many do not.
Indefinite Singular Pronouns
Anybody, Another, Each, Either, Little, Much, Neither, No one, One, Somebody, Other
Indefinite Plural Pronouns
Both, Few, Many, Others, Several
Both Plural and Singular Indefinite Pronouns
All, Any, More, Most, None, Some, Such
Action Verb
Tells what action someone / something is performing
The man ate his food.
Linking Verb
Connects subject with end of sentence (another word that renames or describes the subject)
Other Linking Verbs: appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, turn (insert am/is/was/were . . . it is a linking verb if it still makes sense and links two words)
Transitive Verb
Must have object (answers whom or what)
He smashed a pumpkin. He smashed what? A pumpkin.
Intransitive Verb
Does not have object (does not answer whom or what)
The pumpkin cries at the first sign of Shamrocks. Cries at what?
Helping Verb
Adds meaning (all forms of “be”: AM, IS, ARE, WAS, WERE)
Do Have Shall May Does Has Should Might Did Had Will Would Can Could Must
Verb Phrase
Verb that has more than one word (formed by adding a helping verb to another verb in the sentence)
I will leave for Birmingham tomorrow
I will definitely not have any Shamrocks behind when I leave Birmingham tomorrow
Modifier
Slightly changes meaning of other word by adding description or by making it more precise
