Grammar Flashcards
1
Q
What are the eight parts of speech?
A
- Noun
- Adjective
- Verb
- Adverb
- Preposition
- Interjection
- Pronoun
- Conjunction
Each part of speech plays a unique role in sentence construction and meaning.
2
Q
Define a noun.
A
A person, place, or thing.
Examples include Ball, Apple, Cat.
3
Q
Define an adjective.
A
A word that describes a noun.
Examples include Big, Little, Fast.
4
Q
Define a verb.
A
An action or state of being word.
Examples include Run, Is, Look.
5
Q
Define an adverb.
A
A word that describes a verb or adjective.
Examples include Quickly, Happily.
6
Q
What is a preposition?
A
Specifies location, time, or direction.
Examples include Above, Under, Behind, After.
7
Q
What does an interjection convey?
A
Strong emotions.
Example: Wow!
8
Q
What is the function of a pronoun?
A
Replaces a noun.
Examples include She, He, It.
9
Q
What is a conjunction?
A
Connects two words, phrases, or clauses.
Examples include And, or, but, so, because.
10
Q
How can some words function in multiple parts of speech?
A
They can change roles depending on the context of the sentence.
Example: ‘google’ can be a noun, adjective, or verb.
11
Q
Define an independent or main clause.
A
Stands alone as a sentence.
Example: The lion roared at the hyenas.
12
Q
What is a relative clause?
A
Relative clauses act like adjectives, describing the noun they modify but cannot stand alone as a sentence.
These words(who, which, that, whom, whose, where, when, why) connect the relative clause to the noun it modifies.
Extra Info (non-essential clause – use commas):
The boy, who lives next door, lost his bicycle.
👉 “who lives next door” = relative clause
👉 “who” = relative pronoun
👉 Use commas because it’s not essential info
Essential Info (no commas):
People that exercise frequently are generally quite healthy.
👉 “that exercise frequently” = relative clause
👉 “that” = relative pronoun
👉 No commas because it tells which people we’re talking about
13
Q
Define a dependent or subordinate clause.
A
Begins with a subordinating conjunction and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Example: My shoes are brown because they are covered in mud.
14
Q
What is a noun clause?
A
Functions as a noun in the main clause.
Example: Who I want to call is my dad.
15
Q
What are the four types of sentence structure?
A
- Simple sentence
- Compound sentence
- Complex sentence
- Compound-complex sentence
Each type serves a different function in writing.
16
Q
Define a simple sentence.
A
One independent clause.
Example: My hat is blue.
17
Q
What is a compound sentence?
A
Two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.
Example: My hat is blue, and my shoes are white.
18
Q
What defines a complex sentence?
A
Contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Example: My shoes are brown because they are covered in mud.
19
Q
What is a compound-complex sentence?
A
Contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Example: My hat is blue, and my shoes are brown because they are covered in mud.
20
Q
What is a coordinating conjunction?
A
Connects grammatical units of equal rank.
Examples include for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS).
21
Q
What is a subordinating conjunction?
A
Connects a dependent clause to an independent clause.
Common examples include although, because, since.
22
Q
Define an appositive phrase.
A
An appositive phrase is just a fancy way of adding extra info to a noun to help clarify or describe it better. It’s like saying, “Hey, here’s a little more about this person, place, or thing!”
My sister, a fantastic cook, made dinner last night.
(Here, “a fantastic cook” is the appositive phrase, giving us more info about “my sister.”)
Or, if it’s essential (no commas):
The author J.K. Rowling is famous for the Harry Potter series.
(Here, “J.K. Rowling” is the appositive, giving us more specifics about “the author.”)
23
Q
What is an infinitive phrase?
A
Includes the infinitive (to + verb) and additional words that serve as the object or modifiers.
Example: I want to eat the candy.
24
Q
What is a gerund phrase?
A
A gerund phrase is like a noun that’s rocking a verb outfit, but it’s still doing its job as a noun in the sentence. A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (like running, eating, dancing), but when you add a phrase around it, it’s all about giving you extra info while staying solid as a noun.
Example: Drinking water when it’s hot outside can prevent dehydration.
25
What is a noun phrase?
A group of words that act as a noun in a sentence.
## Footnote
Example: The red car is parked in the driveway.
26
What is a participle phrase?
A verb + -ing or -ed acting as an adjective.
## Footnote
Example: The running water is cold.
27
What is a prepositional phrase?
Describes the relationship between a noun and another word in the sentence.
## Footnote
Example: Look behind you! There's a bear!
28
What is a verb phrase?
Composed of the main verb and one or more helping verbs and modifiers.
## Footnote
Example: The baby was crawling on the floor.
29
What is subject-verb agreement?
Present-tense verbs should match their subjects in number.
## Footnote
Example: Abigail runs to the slide. (correct) vs. Abigail run to the slide. (incorrect)
30
What is pronoun-antecedent agreement?
Pronouns need to match their antecedents in person, number, and gender.
## Footnote
Example: Mrs. Wilson is my friend. He serves lunch every day. (should be she)
31
List the top uses of commas.
* Compound sentences
* Subordinate clauses
* Introductory words or phrases
* Direct address
* Parts of a list
* Nonessential phrases
* Sequential adjectives
* Direct quotations
## Footnote
Each use helps clarify meaning in writing.
32
What is an Oxford comma?
A comma before the conjunction in a list, often used to avoid confusion.
## Footnote
Example: At Thanksgiving we ate turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, bread and butter, and cranberry sauce.
33
What is a comma splice?
When two independent clauses are incorrectly joined with just a comma.
## Footnote
Example: Incorrect: I tried to finish reading the book, I was interrupted by a phone call.
34
List some capitalization rules.
* The first word of a sentence
* Abbreviations of states
* Names of days and months
* Titles of books, newspapers, and magazines
## Footnote
These rules help in the development of writing conventions.
35
What are punctuation marks used for?
To help readers avoid confusion and separate parts of sentences.
## Footnote
There are fourteen punctuation marks in the English language.
36
How many punctuation marks are there in the English language?
Fourteen
37
What punctuation mark appears at the end of declarative or imperative sentences?
Period
38
What punctuation mark is used at the end of exclamatory sentences?
Exclamation mark
39
What punctuation mark appears at the end of interrogative sentences?
Question mark
40
What is the purpose of a comma?
To separate words, phrases, or clauses and provide clarity within sentences
41
What is the function of a semicolon?
To combine connected independent clauses or to separate punctuated items in a list
42
What punctuation mark is used to introduce a quotation, example, or list?
Colon
43
What is the use of a dash?
To indicate a range in time or connection between things, or in place of a comma, colon, or parenthesis
44
What punctuation mark is used to create hyphenated words?
Hyphen
45
What is the purpose of parentheses?
To set off parenthetical expressions or additional information
46
What is the function of brackets?
To clarify information that can be removed from the sentence
47
What are braces used for?
To group text together, commonly in mathematical expressions
48
What is the use of an apostrophe?
To show possession, in contractions, or plurals of letters
49
In what situations are quotation marks used?
To separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence
50
What is the use of an ellipsis?
is a type of punctuation that represents a pause or that something has been intentionally left out.
## Footnote
...
51
True or False: A period is the most common way to end a sentence.
True
52
Fill in the blank: The ratio of girls to boys is _____ .
2:1
53
Which punctuation mark is often used improperly in plural words and numbers?
Apostrophe
54
What is parallel structure?
The repetition of specific grammatical structures within a sentence or paragraph
## Footnote
✅ Correct Example:
She likes dancing, singing, and painting. (All verbs end in -ing = balanced!)
❌ Wrong Example:
She likes to dance, singing, and to paint. (Mixing "to dance" and "-ing" forms = not parallel!)
Rule: If you start with one form (verbs, nouns, phrases), keep it consistent! 💯
55
What is an example of non-parallel structure?
In the evening I water the plants, feeding the dogs, make dinner, and will watch the news.
56
Provide an example of parallel structure.
In the evening I water the plants, feed the dogs, make dinner, and watch the news.
57
What should be added to a sentence beginning with a subordinate clause?
A comma
58
What is a common mistake when using apostrophes?
Using them incorrectly in plural words
59
What punctuation is used inside the closing quotation mark?
Comma
60
What is the correct punctuation for the following sentence: 'It snowed heavily last night, we decided to make a snowman.'?
It snowed heavily last night, so we decided to make a snowman.
61
Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
A) To celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, my sisters and I planned to deliver flowers to their house; arrange a dinner at the Seaside Grill, the restaurant where they met; and surprise them with a trip to the Bahamas.
## Footnote
The correct use of apostrophe for plural 'parents' and semicolons for list separation.
62
What is a common error in sentence B?
The apostrophe in 'parent's' should be after the 's'.
## Footnote
It incorrectly implies possession by one parent instead of both.
63
Why is the colon in sentence C incorrect?
A colon should not be used if the list items are incorporated into the sentence flow.
## Footnote
Colons introduce lists but shouldn't interrupt the sentence structure.
64
What is a key rule regarding subordinate clauses?
When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, it should be followed by a comma.
## Footnote
Example: 'While I was at work, the fire alarm went off.'
65
When should commas be used in compound sentences?
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses.
## Footnote
Example: 'Tara went to the store, and Tia stayed home.'
66
What is a comma splice?
A comma splice happens when you smash two independent sentences together with just a comma—but no conjunction or proper punctuation. 🚨
❌ Wrong (Comma Splice):
I love tacos, they are delicious.
✅ Fix It:
Use a period: I love tacos. They are delicious.
Use a semicolon: I love tacos; they are delicious.
Add a conjunction: I love tacos, and they are delicious.
## Footnote
Rule: A comma alone can’t hold two sentences together—give it some backup! 💪A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with just a comma.
67
What are three uses of commas?
* Introductory words or phrases
* Parts of a list
* Nonessential phrases
## Footnote
Each use helps clarify the sentence structure.
68
What is the Oxford comma?
The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list before the conjunction.
## Footnote
It helps clarify items in a list, especially if they are compound.
69
When do we capitalize titles?
* First word of a sentence
* Proper nouns
* Titles before a person's name
## Footnote
Example: 'Jackie Robinson' vs. 'uncle'.
70
What is an example of incorrect capitalization?
In 'her Niece', 'Niece' should not be capitalized.
## Footnote
It is not a proper noun without a name.
71
What is subject-verb agreement?
The verb must match the subject in number.
## Footnote
Example: 'Zeke and Mia run' vs. 'Zeke and Mia runs'.
72
What happens with indefinite pronouns in subject-verb agreement?
Singular Indefinite Pronouns (Take a Singular Verb)
Words like everyone, someone, anybody, each, neither, nothing always take a singular verb.
✅ Example: Everyone loves pizza. (Not love!)
Plural Indefinite Pronouns (Take a Plural Verb)
Words like both, few, many, several always take a plural verb.
✅ Example: Many are excited for summer.
Can Be Singular or Plural (Depends on What They Refer To)
Words like some, all, none, most, any can go either way based on what they’re talking about.
✅ Example: Some of the cake is gone. (Cake = singular)
✅ Example: Some of the cookies are missing. (Cookies = plural)
## Footnote
Rule: Match the verb to whether the pronoun is singular or plural! 🔥
73
What is a common error with collective nouns?
Collective nouns take a singular verb.
## Footnote
Example: 'My family is going to the store.'
74
What is a dangling modifier?
A dangling modifier is when a descriptive phrase is left hanging in a sentence because it's not clearly attached to the right noun. Basically, the sentence sounds confusing or unintentional because it’s unclear who or what the modifier is describing.
Example of a Dangling Modifier (❌ Wrong):
Running down the street, my hat flew off.
(Who was running? The hat?? 🤨)
Fixed Version (✅ Correct):
Running down the street, I saw my hat fly off.
(Now we know I was running, not the hat!)
## Footnote
Rule: Always make sure the thing you’re describing is clearly stated right after the modifier! 💯
75
What should be done with limiting modifiers?
Placement matters; they must be positioned correctly to avoid confusion.
## Footnote
Example: 'almost always' can lead to ambiguity.
76
What does the term 'stressed' refer to?
Adjective describing a state of mental or emotional strain.
77
What is a participle phrase?
A participle is a verb that **acts as an adjective, to describe a noun.**
It can be present (-ing) or past (-ed, -en, etc.).
**"The students participating in the contest were excited." → "Participating in the contest" describes "students" (tells us which students).**
## Footnote
**Rule: Participles = description 🎯**
78
Define 'misplaced modifiers'.
Modifiers that are in the wrong place in the sentence.
79
What is an example of a misplaced modifier?
Incorrect: The child ate a cold plate of spaghetti for lunch.
## Footnote
The misplaced modifier here is "cold" because it sounds like it's describing the plate instead of the spaghetti. Unless the plate was actually cold (and not the food), the sentence is unclear.
Fixed Version:
✅ The child ate a plate of cold spaghetti for lunch.
Now it’s clear that the spaghetti was cold, not just the plate!
80
What is the correct placement of the modifier in this sentence: 'The child ate a cold plate of spaghetti for lunch'?
The child ate a plate of cold spaghetti for lunch.
81
What do limiting modifiers do?
A **limiting modifier** **restricts or narrows down the meaning** of the word it modifies. It **limits** or **specifies** what you're talking about. These modifiers tell you **exactly** what is being referred to or **how much** of it.
Examples of limiting modifiers:
- **Only**: *She **only** likes chocolate ice cream.* (She doesn’t like anything else—just chocolate.)
- **Just**: *I have **just** one pencil.* (No more than one.)
- **Almost**: *He has **almost** finished the book.* (Very close, but not quite.)
- **Even**: *She **even** brought her cat to the party.* (Unexpected, going beyond what's typical.)
- **Exactly**: *This is **exactly** what I wanted!* (No more, no less.)
## Footnote
**Rule**: Limiting modifiers **focus and narrow** the meaning of the word they’re modifying, giving you a clearer, more precise picture!
82
True or False: 'Only Sophia ordered a salad' implies that Sophia is the only person who ordered a salad.
True.
83
True or False: 'Sophia ordered only a salad' implies that Sophia wants nothing more than a salad.
True.
84
Define 'dangling modifiers'.
Modifiers that are not clearly related to the word or phrase they modify.
85
What is an example of a dangling modifier?
Incorrect: Walking to school, the roads were covered with snow.
86
What is the correct version of the dangling modifier example: 'Walking to school, the roads were covered with snow'?
Walking to school, I noticed the roads were covered with snow.
87
What should you identify when fixing modifiers on an exam?
Identify the modifying phrase that needs to be relocated.
## Footnote
Misplaced Modifiers
🔄 The modifier must be next to the word it describes.
Incorrect: She almost drove the car for 3 hours.
Why it’s incorrect: This suggests that she "almost drove" rather than driving for "almost 3 hours."
Correct: She drove the car for almost 3 hours.
Dangling Modifiers
🔄 The subject should be clearly stated and match the modifier!
Incorrect: Walking down the street, the car honked at me.
Why it’s incorrect: It sounds like the car is walking! The modifier is “walking down the street,” but it’s not clear who or what is walking.
Correct: Walking down the street, I heard the car honk at me.
Ambiguous Modifiers
🔄 Place the modifier where it makes sense and is clear!
Incorrect: He almost drove the car for 3 hours.
Why it’s incorrect: The placement of "almost" is confusing, making it seem like he “almost drove” the car, not that he drove it for nearly 3 hours.
Correct: He drove the car for almost 3 hours.
Wrong Placement of Modifiers
🔄 Ensure the modifier fits logically within the sentence.
Incorrect: She served a delicious dinner to the guests in the kitchen.
Why it’s incorrect: It sounds like the guests are in the kitchen, not the dinner!
Correct: She served a delicious dinner in the kitchen to the guests.
88
What are the three pronoun cases?
Subjective, objective, and possessive.
89
List the subjective pronouns.
* I
* he
* she
* we
* they
* you
* it
90
List the objective pronouns.
* me
* him
* her
* us
* them
* you
* it
91
List the possessive pronouns.
* my, mine
* his
* her, hers
* our, ours
* their, theirs
* your, yours
* its
92
What is pronoun/antecedent agreement?
Pronouns must match their antecedent in person, number, and gender.
## Footnote
An antecedent is the noun or pronoun that a pronoun refers back to in a sentence. It helps provide clarity and avoid repetition.
93
Identify the error in this sentence: 'Mrs. Wilson is my friend. He serves lunch every day.'
The pronoun 'he' is incorrect; it should be 'she'.
94
What is a personal pronoun?
Refers to the one speaking, the one spoken to, or the person spoken about.
95
What is a relative pronoun?
Relative pronouns connect clauses
| RELATIVES SAID WHOM
## Footnote
✅ Who – for people (The teacher who helped me was kind.)
✅ Whom – for people (object form) (The student whom I called was absent.)
✅ Whose – shows possession (The girl whose book was lost is upset.)
✅ Which – for things or animals (The book which I borrowed is interesting.)
✅ That – for people or things (The movie that we watched was exciting.)
96
What is the difference between 'who' and 'whom'?
'Who' refers to the subject; 'whom' refers to the object.
97
What is an interrogative pronoun?
Introduces a question.
98
What is a demonstrative pronoun?
Points out a person, place, thing, or idea.
| **Let me demonstrate like THIS**
## Footnote
This, that, these, those. “Point at it!”
99
What is an indefinite pronoun?
**Indefinitely a secret.**
Refers to a person, place, thing, or idea that may or may not be specifically named.
## Footnote
**Anyone, someone, everyone, nobody, all.**
100
What are reciprocal pronouns?
Indicates a mutual action by the subjects of the verb.
## Footnote
each other or one another
101
What are intensive pronouns?
Emphasizes a noun or another pronoun and is not essential to the sentence meaning.
## Footnote
I myself baked this cake. 🎂
She herself finished the entire book in one day! 📖
The president himself gave the speech. 🎤
102
What is a reflexive pronoun?
Refers to the subject and directs the action of the verb back to the subject.
## Footnote
Singular: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself
Plural: ourselves, yourselves, themselves
103
Identify the pronoun error in this sentence: 'The coach asked each player on the team to get their soccer ball.'
'their' is incorrect; it should be 'his or her'.
104
What is the active voice?
The subject of the sentence performs the action.
## Footnote
Lily (subject) bakes (verb) a cake (object).
The dog (subject) chased (verb) the cat (object).
We (subject) watched (verb) a movie (object).
105
What is the passive voice?
The object receives the action of the verb.
## Footnote
🔄 Passive Voice 🔄
✅ The object gets the action!
📌 Example:
🎂 A cake (object) was baked (verb) by Lily (subject).
106
In passive voice, how is the present tense structured?
[Object] + [is/are] + [past participle of verb] + [by] + [Subject].
107
Provide an example of a passive sentence in the past tense.
The lightbulb was invented in 1879.
108
When is passive voice often used?
* The subject is unknown
* The subject is unimportant
* The subject is obvious from context
* To emphasize the object
* To make generic statements
109
What is the structure of a passive sentence in future tense?
Subject + will be + past participle (V3) + [by + agent] (optional)
| The tests will be graded (by the teacher).
## Footnote
"The tests" = subject receiving the action
"will be" = future passive helping verbs
"graded" = past participle of "grade"
"by the teacher" = optional agent (who’s doing the action)
110
Fill in the blank: 'Active voice sentences can also use a verb form of _______.'
[be].
111
What are the three main learning styles?
Auditory, Visual, Tactile/Kinesthetic
## Footnote
These learning styles describe how individuals prefer to engage with information.
112
How do auditory learners benefit in the classroom?
Through read alouds, verbal instructions, and discussions
## Footnote
Auditory learners grasp concepts better when they hear information.
113
What instructional examples are beneficial for visual learners?
Charts, graphs, graphic organizers, visual aids
## Footnote
Visual learners understand better through seeing information presented.
114
Describe how tactile/kinesthetic learners engage with learning.
Through hands-on activities and movement
## Footnote
Tactile learners benefit from touching and manipulating materials.
115
Fill in the blank: Students benefit from seeing, hearing, and _______ the word.
touching
## Footnote
This approach engages multiple learning styles.
116
Why is it important to incorporate various activities into instruction?
To address all learning styles
## Footnote
This ensures that all students have opportunities to learn.
117
What should teachers do to accommodate diverse learning styles?
Offer student choice and incorporate various activities
## Footnote
This helps meet individual student needs.
118
What does morphology study?
Word form in a language
## Footnote
Morphology is crucial for understanding how words are constructed.
119
Differentiate between roots and affixes.
Roots provide core meaning; affixes modify roots
## Footnote
Roots can be free or bound, while affixes can be prefixes or suffixes.
120
What is a free root?
A root that can stand alone as its own word
## Footnote
Examples include 'help', 'love', and 'friend'.
121
What is a bound root?
A root that cannot stand alone
## Footnote
Examples include 'geo' (earth) and 'omni' (all).
122
Define a prefix.
An affix that comes before the root of a word
## Footnote
Examples include 'un-', 're-', 'dis-'.
123
Define a suffix.
An affix that comes after the root of a word
## Footnote
Examples include '-ed', '-ful', '-ing'.
124
What is a derivational affix?
A derivational affix is a prefix or suffix that is added to a root word to create a new word with a different meaning or part of speech.
📌 Types of Derivational Affixes:
Prefixes (added at the beginning)
Un + happy → Unhappy (changes meaning)
Pre + view → Preview (changes meaning)
Suffixes (added at the end)
Teach + er → Teacher (verb → noun)
Happy + ness → Happiness (adjective → noun)
## Footnote
How to Spot a Derivational Affix:
✔️ It changes the meaning of the word.
✔️ It can change the word's part of speech.
125
What is an inflectional affix?
An affix that alters the form of a word without changing its part of speech
## Footnote
Examples include 'jump', 'jumps', 'jumped', and 'jumping'.
126
Analyze the word 'unacceptable'. What is its root?
Accept
## Footnote
'Accept' means to agree or take something offered.
127
What does the prefix 'un-' mean?
Not
## Footnote
It changes the root to its opposite meaning.
128
What does the suffix '-able' indicate?
Capable of
## Footnote
It also changes the root from a verb to an adjective.
129
What happens to the spelling of a root when adding a prefix?
It does not change
## Footnote
Prefixes do not alter root spelling.
130
Fill in the blank: When the root ends with a y, you will often change the y to an _______.
i
## Footnote
Happy → Happiness
Cry → Cried
Lucky → Luckier
trying stays the same so theres exceptions
131
When do you double the consonant when adding a suffix?
If the root ends in a short vowel followed by a consonant
## Footnote
Example: 'bat' becomes 'batter'.
132
What is an idiom?
A common phrase with a figurative meaning
## Footnote
Example: 'Raining cats and dogs'.
133
What are context clues?
Surrounding text that helps determine the meaning of an unknown word
## Footnote
This can include definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and examples.
134
What is morphemic analysis?
Using meaningful word parts to determine the meaning of a word
## Footnote
It involves breaking down words into roots and affixes.
135
What is contextual analysis?
Using surrounding text to determine the meaning of a word
## Footnote
Context clues play a crucial role.
136
What are homographs?
Words that are spelled the same but have different meanings
## Footnote
Context is essential to understand their use.
137
What is jargon?
Unique words or expressions used in a particular profession
## Footnote
Examples include medical and business jargon.
138
Fill in the blank: The author uses the word X to _______.
convey
## Footnote
This type of question helps identify word meanings.
139
What should you do if an answer choice is clearly not the same meaning of the word?
Eliminate that choice
## Footnote
This helps narrow down options.
140
What is the device called that measures the altitude of stars, the moon, and the sun to determine the latitude of a ship?
Quadrant
## Footnote
A quadrant is a fan-shaped magnetic object used by sailors for navigation.
141
What device uses Earth's magnetic poles to point navigators in cardinal directions?
Compass
## Footnote
The compass is essential for navigation, indicating north, south, east, or west.
142
What time-keeping devices were important for calculating a ship's speed and distance traveled?
Hourglasses
## Footnote
Hourglasses helped sailors keep track of time during voyages.
143
What is the term for the smallest individual sounds in a word?
Phonemes
## Footnote
Phonemes are fundamental to the study of phonetics and phonology.
144
What study focuses on the systematic organization of sounds in languages?
Phonology
## Footnote
Phonology is crucial for understanding how sounds function in particular languages.
145
What is the study of forms of words, including prefixes, roots, and suffixes?
Morphology
## Footnote
Morphology examines how word structures are formed and their meanings.
146
What is the relationship between symbols of an alphabetic writing system and sounds of a language called?
Phonics
## Footnote
Phonics is essential for teaching reading and writing skills.
147
Fill in the blank: The study of language in use, not in its structure, is known as _______.
Pragmatics
## Footnote
Pragmatics helps understand how context influences the meaning of language.
148
What refers to recognizing the boundaries between words, syllables, or phonemes in spoken language?
Segmentation
## Footnote
Segmentation is an important skill in language acquisition.
149
What refers to students' ability to effectively know and use words in listening, speaking, reading, and writing?
Vocabulary Development
## Footnote
Effective vocabulary development enhances comprehension in reading.
150
True or False: Vocabulary is primarily learned directly through definitions from dictionaries.
False
## Footnote
Most vocabulary is learned indirectly through context and usage.
151
Fill in the blank: The conventions for proper spelling in a language are known as _______.
Orthography
## Footnote
Orthography is vital for literacy and effective communication.
152
What are the key differences between spoken and written discourse?
Spoken discourse communicates quickly and does not require literacy; written discourse communicates slowly and requires literacy
## Footnote
These differences affect how information is conveyed and understood.
153
What is the practice of choosing the best word to convey meaning in written communication called?
Precise Language
## Footnote
Using precise language helps avoid ambiguity in writing.
154
What are the essential transitional words or phrases used to communicate meaning in writing?
Transition Words
## Footnote
These words help guide readers through the text and improve flow.
155
What type of quotation is used when the writer is quoting the speaker word for word?
Direct Quotations
## Footnote
Direct quotations require quotation marks and a dialogue tag.
156
What type of writing aims to persuade the reader by making an argument?
Persuasive Writing
## Footnote
Persuasive writing seeks to convince the audience of a particular viewpoint.
157
What is the term for writing that delivers information to the reader?
Informative Writing
## Footnote
Informative writing focuses on providing facts and explanations.
158
What should students practice to improve their writing organization and flow?
Using transition words and phrases
## Footnote
Transition words help connect ideas and improve readability.
159
What are the three main types of writing?
Narrative, persuasive, informative
## Footnote
These types serve different purposes and audiences.
160
What defines narrative writing?
Writing that tells a story
## Footnote
It includes details, mood, atmosphere, and sensory details.
161
What is the purpose of persuasive writing?
To argue a point of view or convince the reader of an opinion
## Footnote
Subgenres include speeches, ads, and debates.
162
What characterizes informative writing?
Writing that explains or informs
## Footnote
Common subgenres include essays, reports, and brochures.
163
What are some applications of writing skills in various contexts?
* Express oneself with words
* Describe experiences, people, and objects
* Explain and summarize important information
* Reflect upon ideas and experiences
* Persuade others
* Solve problems
* Appreciate others
* Entertain others
## Footnote
These applications can be used both in and out of the classroom.
164
What should students consider when choosing their tone and mode of writing?
* Task
* Purpose
* Intended Audience
## Footnote
These factors influence the effectiveness of the writing.
165
Define the mode of writing: Letter.
A direct or personal message addressed to a specific person or organization
## Footnote
Its purpose is to communicate directly with the recipient.
166
What is an essay?
A short piece of writing on a particular subject
## Footnote
Its purpose is to educate the reader.
167
What is a blog?
An online journal
## Footnote
Blogs share the author's informal thoughts with a wide audience.
168
What defines an article in writing?
A nonfictional prose composition usually forming an independent part of a publication
## Footnote
Articles are typically written for newspapers or magazines.
169
What is a text message?
An electronic communication sent and received by mobile phone
## Footnote
It is an informal and instantaneous form of communication.
170
What characterizes a column in writing?
A recurring opinion piece or article in a publication
## Footnote
Columns share the journalist's personal opinions with readers.
171
What is the purpose of a journal?
A record of experiences, ideas, or reflections kept regularly for private use
## Footnote
Journals help authors remember and reflect on specific thoughts.
172
Define a speech.
A formal address or discourse spoken to an audience
## Footnote
It communicates a large amount of information quickly.
173
What is an editorial?
An article written by or on behalf of an editor that gives an opinion on a topical issue
## Footnote
Editorials share personal opinions on current events.
174
What is a report?
An account given on a particular subject in the form of an official document
## Footnote
Reports share objective data compiled by appointed individuals or groups.
175
What is a memorandum?
A written message in business or diplomacy
| employee handbook, office policy
## Footnote
Memorandums share important information quickly within an organization.
176
What is a summary abstract?
A brief summary of a research article or thesis
## Footnote
It communicates important points quickly to the reader.
177
Define a resumé.
A document highlighting an individual's professional accomplishments and experience
## Footnote
Resumés are used to secure employment.
178
What characterizes a play?
A dramatic work for stage or broadcast
## Footnote
Plays are spoken aloud by actors to entertain an audience.
179
What is a short story?
A story with a fully developed theme that is shorter than a novel
## Footnote
Short stories share a self-contained incident or series of incidents.
180
What is an example of a time-related term?
Afterward, immediately, earlier, meanwhile, recently, lately, now, since, soon, when, then, until, before
## Footnote
These terms indicate various points in time.
181
List three sequence transition words.
* Too
* First
* Second
## Footnote
These words help indicate the order of events or points.
182
What is a term used for comparison?
Similarly, in the same way, likewise, also, again, once more
## Footnote
These terms are used to highlight similarities between two ideas.
183
Name a contrasting transition word.
But, although, despite, however, instead, nevertheless, on the one hand... on the other hand, regardless, yet, in contrast
## Footnote
These words are used to present opposing ideas.
184
Identify a term that indicates cause and effect.
Because, consequently, thus, therefore, then, to this end, since, so, as a result, if... then, accordingly
## Footnote
These terms demonstrate the relationship between a cause and its effect.
185
Give an example of a word that introduces an example.
For example, for instance, such as, to illustrate, indeed, in fact, specifically
## Footnote
These terms are used to provide clarification or specific instances.
186
What are some terms that indicate place?
* Near
* Far
* Here
* There
* To the left/right
* Next to
* Above
* Below
* Beyond
* Opposite
* Beside
## Footnote
These words help describe the location of objects or events.
187
Name a term used for concession.
Granted that, naturally, of course, it may appear, although it is true that
## Footnote
🧐 How It Works:
Acknowledge the opposing view
Show understanding of it
Refute or explain why your view is stronger
188
What are some words used for repetition, summary, or conclusion?
* As mentioned earlier
* As noted
* In other words
* In short
* On the whole
* To summarize
* Therefore
* As a result
* To conclude
* In conclusion
## Footnote
These phrases help to reinforce or summarize previously stated ideas.
189
List words that denote addition.
* And
* Also
* Furthermore
* Moreover
## Footnote
Denote means to directly indicate, mean, or refer to something in a clear and literal way. It’s the literal definition of a word, symbol, or sign.These terms are used to add information or points.
190
What is a generalization term?
In broad terms, broadly speaking, in general
## Footnote
These phrases are used to make overarching statements that apply to a group.
191
What's an ad hominem?
An ad hominem is a type of argument where someone attacks a person's character, motives, or other personal traits instead of addressing the actual issue or argument being made. It’s a way of sidestepping the real debate by focusing on the individual rather than their ideas or reasoning.
## Footnote
For example, if someone says, "You can’t trust their opinion on climate change because they’re a terrible person," that’s an ad hominem—it’s attacking the person, not their argument.
192
Apophasis
Apophasis is a rhetorical device where someone brings up a subject by pretending to dismiss it or saying they won’t mention it, but in doing so, they actually draw attention to it. It’s a sneaky way of making a point while acting like you’re not.
## Footnote
For example, if someone says, **"I won’t even mention how my opponent cheated in the last election,"**they’re using apophasis—they’re bringing up the cheating accusation while pretending to avoid it, making sure the audience notices it.
193
What is active listening?
Active listening is when you really think about what you hear, understand it, and make smart choices about it.
## Footnote
It’s like listening and thinking hard at the same time!
194
How fast do people talk compared to thinking?
People talk at about 125 words a minute, but you can think at 500 words a minute—that’s four times faster!
## Footnote
So your brain has extra time while listening.
195
What should you do with extra time while listening?
You should think about the lesson and summarize it in your head.
## Footnote
That’s called active listening, and it helps you understand better!
196
Why do students’ minds sometimes wander?
Students’ minds wander because they think faster than people talk, so they have extra time and might get distracted.
## Footnote
This can lead to a lack of focus during lessons.
197
Why are listening and learning social?
Listening and learning are social because you do them with others, like teachers and friends, and they help you get curious and think about what you hear.
## Footnote
Engaging with others enhances comprehension and retention.
198
What is a running record?
It’s when a teacher listens to you read out loud and marks any mistakes, like if you skip a word or say it wrong, to see how well you read.
199
What does a teacher do during a running record?
The teacher follows along with the book, marks if you miss words, and notes if you pause or struggle with any words.
200
What does 95% correct mean when reading?
It means you read really well and can read the book all by yourself! This is called the 'independent' level.
201
What does 90–94% correct mean when reading?
It means you read pretty well but might need a little help. This is called the 'instructional' level.
202
What does 89% or less correct mean when reading?
It means the book is too hard for you right now, and you might not understand it. This is called the 'frustration' level.
203
What is the reading continuum?
It’s a way to figure out if a book is easy, just right, or too hard for you by checking how many words you read correctly.
204
What are some important skills for getting along with others?
Understanding different cultures, disagreeing nicely, keeping secrets safe, being okay with compromise, sharing feelings with 'I' statements, accepting others’ ideas, and listening carefully.
205
Why are these skills important in school?
They help you work together with friends, family, and teachers, and understand people who are different from you.
206
What do some teachers do at the start of the school year?
They teach skills like understanding cultures and listening carefully to help everyone get along better.
207
What is culturally responsive standards-based instruction (CRSBI)?
It’s a way of teaching that cares about everyone’s background, helps them talk and work together, and fits with school lessons.
208
What should teachers do to help students from different cultures?
Teachers should build good relationships with students and be positive role models for everyone.
209
What’s a Transitive Verb?
A transitive verb is a verb that needs an object to complete its meaning.
## Footnote
Example: I spilled coffee. (spilled what? → coffee = object ✅)
210
What’s an Intransitive Verb?
Intransitive verbs do not need an object to complete their meaning.
## Footnote
Example: She cried. (no object, no problem)
211
What’s an Action Verb?
Action verbs show movement, thought, or feeling.
## Footnote
Examples: Run, jump, think, cry.
212
What’s a Linking Verb?
Linking verbs connect the subject to more information about the subject.
## Footnote
Examples: am, is, are, was, were.
213
Can a verb be both transitive/intransitive or action/linking?
Yes, a verb can have both functions.
## Footnote
Example: He smells the flowers (action) vs. He smells nice (linking).
214
What’s the Present Simple tense?
The Present Simple tense describes routine actions or facts.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + base verb (add -s for he/she/it). Example: She studies every night.
215
What’s the Past Simple tense?
The Past Simple tense is used for finished actions in the past.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + verb in past tense (-ed or irregular). Example: We watched a movie.
216
What’s the Future Simple tense?
The Future Simple tense describes actions that will happen.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + will + base verb. Example: I will glow up next year.
217
What’s the Present Continuous (Progressive)?
The Present Continuous tense describes actions happening right now.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. Example: I am studying.
218
What’s the Past Continuous?
The Past Continuous tense describes an ongoing action interrupted by another action.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + was/were + verb-ing. Example: I was sleeping when you texted.
219
What’s the Future Continuous?
The Future Continuous tense describes ongoing actions in the future.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + will be + verb-ing. Example: I will be traveling this weekend.
220
What’s the Present Perfect?
The Present Perfect tense describes actions that happened in the past but still matter now.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle. Example: I have finished my homework.
221
What’s the Past Perfect?
The Past Perfect tense describes an action completed before another past action.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + had + past participle. Example: She had already left when we arrived.
222
What’s the Future Perfect?
The Future Perfect tense describes actions that will be completed by a certain future time.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + will have + past participle. Example: They will have graduated by June.
223
What’s the Present Perfect Continuous?
The Present Perfect Continuous tense describes actions that started in the past and are still ongoing.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + have/has been + verb-ing. Example: I have been studying for hours.
224
What’s the Past Perfect Continuous?
The Past Perfect Continuous tense describes actions that were ongoing before another action in the past.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + had been + verb-ing. Example: I had been waiting for an hour before she showed up.
225
What’s the Future Perfect Continuous?
The Future Perfect Continuous tense describes ongoing actions that will have been happening up to a certain point in the future.
## Footnote
Structure: Subject + will have been + verb-ing. Example: By next year, I will have been teaching for 5 years.
226
🤔 What’s a Perfect Tense?
Perfect = action complete ✅
Formula:
have / had / will have + past participle
## Footnote
Past participle = 3rd form of a verb (usually ends in -ed, but also wild cards like broken, eaten, gone)
227
✨ What’s the Present Perfect tense?
Started in the past, done now.
👉 have / has + past participle
💬 Example:
“I have finished my homework.”
– She started it earlier, it’s DONE now. 👊
🔍 Clues:
✅ Has/have
✅ Past participle
✅ Action = complete in the present
228
📼 What’s the Past Perfect tense?
Action completed before another past event.
👉 had + past participle
💬 Example:
“Paul tried to hide the vase because he had broken it.”
– First he broke it 💀, then he tried to hide it.
🔍 Clues:
✅ Had
✅ Past participle
✅ Two past actions → this one came first
229
🔮 What’s the Future Perfect tense?
Action will be done before a time in the future.
👉 will have + past participle
💬 Example:
“She will have danced for 3 hours by midnight.”
– Not done yet, but we’re expecting a full 3-hour boogie. 💃
🔍 Clues:
✅ Will have
✅ Past participle
✅ Talking from the present → future goal ✅
230
🎲 What’s a Past Participle, again?
It’s the verb form used with perfect tenses.
Usually ends in -ed, but not always.
Examples:
* finished
* cooked
* broken (not “broked” 😅)
* eaten
* saved
📌 Used after have / had / will have
231
🎯 How do I tell the perfect tenses apart?
📍Present Perfect: have/has + past participle
“I have danced all night.”
📍Past Perfect: had + past participle
“I had danced before they arrived.”
📍Future Perfect: will have + past participle
“I will have danced for 3 hours by midnight.”
💡Pro tip: Check what comes before “have”! That’s your time clue.
232
🧠 What are the 3 moods in English grammar?
Indicative – facts & questions
Imperative – commands
Subjunctive – hypotheticals, wishes, suggestions
💬 Moods = the vibe of the verb.
233
📢 What’s the Indicative Mood?
💬 Used for statements & questions about facts or opinions
It’s the most common mood.
Examples:
* “She loves coffee.” ☕
* “Do you know the answer?” 🤔
🎯 Vibe: “I’m just telling it like it is.”
234
🗣 What’s the Imperative Mood?
💬 Used for commands, instructions, or requests
The subject ('you') is usually implied, not stated.
Examples:
* “Clean your room.” 🧹
* “Please sit down.” 🪑
🎯 Vibe: “I’m the boss here.”
235
🌀 What’s the Subjunctive Mood?
💬 Used for wishes, hypotheticals, or suggestions. It’s ✨rare✨ but powerful.
Examples:
* “If I were rich, I’d travel the world.” 💸
* “I suggest that he study more.” 📖
* “God bless you.” 🙏
📌 Tricky Tip: Use were, not was, in hypotheticals!
🎯 Vibe: “In a perfect world…”
236
⚠️ Subjunctive Mood Clue Words?
Look out for these triggers:
* if
* wish
* suppose
* suggest
* recommend
* demand
* insist
* it's important that...
They’re giving 'alternate universe' energy 💫
237
❓What’s a Coordinating Conjunction?
A coordinating conjunction connects equal parts of a sentence, like two words, phrases, or clauses. You can remember them with the acronym FANBOYS:
* For
* And
* Nor
* But
* Or
* Yet
* So
Example:
"I want pizza, but I don’t have money." 🍕
🎯 Tip: It links two things of equal importance.
238
❓What’s a Correlative Conjunction?
Correlative conjunctions come in pairs to join equal sentence parts, and they always work together.
Examples:
* “Either you go or I go.”
* “Both the cake and the ice cream are delicious.” 🎂🍦
🎯 Tip: Look for matching pairs like:
* Either...or
* Neither...nor
* Both...and
* Not only...but also
* Whether...or
239
❓What’s a Corresponding Conjunction?
Corresponding conjunctions are actually just correlative conjunctions! They're pairs that connect two similar elements in the sentence.
Examples:
* "He’s not only smart, but also kind." 💡❤️
* “Either you stay or you leave.” 🚪
🎯 Pro tip: These are still the same as correlative conjunctions — just another name for the same job! 😜
240
❓What’s a Subordinating Conjunction?
A subordinating conjunction connects an independent clause (a complete thought) with a dependent clause (an incomplete thought). It shows the relationship between them.
Examples:
* “I stayed home because it was raining.” 🌧️
* “We will leave when the party ends.” 🎉
🎯 Tip: These words show time, cause, condition, etc., and make the sentence dependent on another idea.
241
⚡ List of Common Subordinating Conjunctions
After, Although, Because, Before, If, Since, Unless, Until, When, While
🎯 Pro Tip: These connect dependent clauses to independent clauses to show cause, time, condition, and more.
242
❓What’s the difference between Direct and Indirect Objects?
Direct Object: Receives the action of the verb.
Example: She kicked the ball. (What was kicked? The ball.)
Indirect Object: Tells to whom or for whom the action is done.
Example: She gave him the ball. (To whom? Him.)
🎯 Tip: Direct object answers “what?” or “whom?” and indirect object answers “to whom?” or “for whom?”
243
❓What’s a Predicate Nominative and Predicate Adjective?
Predicate Nominative: Renames or identifies the subject (comes after a linking verb).
Example: She is a teacher. (Renames the subject 'she')
Predicate Adjective: Describes the subject.
Example: She is smart. (Describes 'she')
244
❓What’s the Antecedent and how does singular/plural agreement work?
Antecedent: The noun a pronoun refers to.
Example: Lily lost her phone. ("Lily" is the antecedent to the pronoun "her.")
Singular/Plural Agreement: Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number (singular/plural) and gender.
Example: "The dog wagged its tail." ("Dog" is singular, so "its" is singular too.)
245
❓What’s the Subjective, Objective, and Possessive Case?
Subjective Case: Pronoun as the subject of the sentence.
Example: I went to the store.
Objective Case: Pronoun as the object of a verb or preposition.
Example: He gave the book to me.
Possessive Case: Pronoun shows ownership.
Example: That’s my car.
246
❓What are the Types of Dependent Clauses?
Adjective Clause: Describes a noun.
Example: The car that I bought is blue.
Adverbial Clause: Describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
Example: I will leave when the sun sets.
Noun Clause: Acts as a noun in the sentence.
Example: What you said was rude.
247
❓What are the different Types of Phrases?
Noun Phrase: A noun and its modifiers.
Example: The big red ball bounced.
Verb Phrase: A main verb and its helping verbs.
Example: She has been studying all night.
Prepositional Phrase: A preposition and its object.
Example: We walked through the park.
Adjective Phrase: A group of words that describe a noun.
Example: He is full of energy.
248
❓What are the Four Types of Sentences?
Declarative: Makes a statement.
Example: I like pizza.
Interrogative: Asks a question.
Example: Do you like pizza?
Imperative: Gives a command.
Example: Eat your pizza.
Exclamatory: Expresses strong feeling.
Example: Wow, this pizza is amazing!
249
❓What’s a Sentence Fragment?
A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence. It’s missing a subject, verb, or both, or it may not express a complete thought.
Example: Because I was tired. (Missing a main clause: "I went to bed early.")
250
❓What’s a Split Infinitive?
A split infinitive happens when an adverb is inserted between "to" and the verb in an infinitive.
Example: “To quickly run.”
(Technically, split infinitives aren’t “wrong,” but can sound awkward at times.)
251
❓What’s a Double Negative?
A double negative occurs when two negative words are used in the same sentence.
Example: I don’t need no help. (The double "don't" and "no" makes the sentence a double negative, which cancels out the negation.)
252
❓What’s the difference between Dangling vs Misplaced Modifiers?
Dangling Modifier: The modifier doesn’t clearly refer to anything in the sentence.
Example: Running late, the bus left without us. (Who is running late? It’s unclear!)
Misplaced Modifier: The modifier is too far from the word it’s meant to modify.
Example: She almost drove the entire way to work. (It sounds like she almost drove, but didn’t.)
253
❓When do we use Semicolons?
Semicolons join two closely related independent clauses.
Example: I like pizza; my sister likes pasta.
Semicolons are used in complex lists with internal commas.
Example: The meeting included John, the CEO; Sarah, the manager; and Tom, the intern.
254
❓When do we use Colons?
Colons introduce lists, explanations, or quotes.
Example: I need three things: bread, butter, and eggs.
Colons also come after a complete sentence to introduce an elaboration.
Example: Here’s what I think: We should try a new restaurant.
255
❓When do we use Apostrophes?
Apostrophes show possession.
Example: That’s Sarah’s book.
Apostrophes are used in contractions.
Example: Can’t, Don’t, It’s
256
❓When do we use Dashes?
Dashes are used to add emphasis or an abrupt break in a sentence.
Example: I can't believe it—it’s finally summer!
Dashes can also set off extra information in a sentence.
Example: My brother—who is younger than me—loves to play video games.
257
❓When do we use Hyphens?
Hyphens connect words to make compound adjectives or nouns.
Example: This is a well-known fact.
Example: He’s a six-year-old boy.
258
❓What are Brackets used for?
Brackets are used to add clarification, commentary, or corrections inside quoted material.
Example: He said, "She [the teacher] was late."
259
❓What are Ellipses used for?
Ellipses (…) indicate an omission or trailing off in thought.
Example: "I don’t know… maybe we should try again."
260
What are Definite and Indefinite Articles?
Definite Article: “The” refers to a specific noun that both the speaker and listener are familiar with.
Indefinite Articles: “A” or “An” refer to any noun, not specific.
## Footnote
Use "an" before vowels and "a" before consonants.
261
What’s the difference between Relative and Absolute Adjectives?
Relative Adjectives: These adjectives compare something to something else.
Absolute Adjectives: These describe qualities that do not change or are absolute.
## Footnote
Example: This test is easier than the last one (Relative), That was an awful movie (Absolute).
262
What are the Degrees of Comparison for Adjectives and Adverbs?
Positive Degree: Basic form without comparison.
Comparative Degree: Compares two things, often with -er or more.
Superlative Degree: Compares three or more things, often with -est or most.
## Footnote
Examples: She is smart (Positive), She is smarter than him (Comparative), She is the smartest in the class (Superlative).
263
What’s the Positive Degree of Adjectives and Adverbs?
The Positive Degree refers to an adjective or adverb in its basic form, without any comparison.
## Footnote
Examples: She is tall (Adjective), He sings loudly (Adverb).
264
What’s the Comparative Degree of Adjectives and Adverbs?
The Comparative Degree is used to compare two things, usually by adding -er or using more or less.
## Footnote
Examples: She is taller than her brother (Adjective), He runs faster than I do (Adverb).
265
What’s the Superlative Degree of Adjectives and Adverbs?
The Superlative Degree is used to compare three or more things, often adding -est or using most or least.
## Footnote
Examples: She is the tallest of the three sisters (Adjective), He runs the fastest of all the participants (Adverb).
266
What are Articles?
Articles are used before nouns to define whether the noun is specific or non-specific.
Definite Article: "The" refers to a specific noun known to both speaker and listener.
Indefinite Articles: "A" or "An" used for non-specific nouns.
## Footnote
Example: I want the car over there (Definite), I want a car (Indefinite).
267
What’s the difference between Countable and Uncountable Nouns with Articles?
Countable Nouns: Nouns that can be counted.
Uncountable Nouns: Nouns that cannot be counted.
## Footnote
Examples: A dog, two dogs (Countable), Some water, some rice (Uncountable).
268
What is the Correct Use of “A” and “An”?
Use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound.
Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound.
## Footnote
Examples: A dog, a car (consonant), An apple, an hour (vowel).
269
How do you use Relative Adjectives in a sentence?
Relative adjectives compare two things and are often linked to another noun.
## Footnote
Examples: The dog is larger than the cat, This puzzle is more difficult than the last one.
