Grammar

Question 1

Time Markers

Answer 1

Check for redundancy

Question 2

Cousin Words

Answer 2

The following cousin words/expressions have distinct meanings from one another.

Question 3

Co-Conjunctions

Answer 3

FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

The use of a comma + co-conjunction connects two complete sentences to form a compound sentence. This type of sentence has two main subject-verb pairs and both are part of the core sentence.

Question 4

Modifiers: comma which

Answer 4

NOUN modifier

Question 5

Modifiers: comma -ing

Answer 5

ACTION / ADVERBIAL modifier

Question 6

Best placement for a modifier

Answer 6

Place a noun and its modifier as close together as the sentence allows

If a sentence begins with a modifier, the noun immediately following (often the subject of the sentence) should be what is being modified by the opening clause.

Question 7

That and which

Answer 7

Noun modifiers

Question 8

Relative Pronouns

Answer 8

THAT

,WHICH (“which” always needs a comma)

Who, where, when, … (can be used with or without a comma)

Relative pronouns start clauses and describe nouns. Inside a relative pronoun will always be a verb; the subject is either the noun it is describing, or in the clause itself.

Ex 1: My sister who lives in NY bakes cakes. Verb = lives, subject = my sister

Ex 2: My sister who my brother named bakes cakes. Verb = named, subject = my brother

When the relative pronoun is snapped to a verb instead of a noun, the clause is required for the core.

Ex: My sister knows that Mr. T is signing autographs.

Question 9

Parallelism Markers

Answer 9

OPEN

1. AND: X and Y
2. AND: X, Y, and Z
3. OR: X or Y
4. BUT: X but Y
5. RATHER THAN: X rather than Y

CLOSED

1. BOTH/AND: Both X and Y
2. EITHER/OR: Either X or Y
3. NOT/BUT: Not X but Y
4. NOT ONLY/BUT ALSO: Not only X but also Y
5. FROM/TO: From X to Y

Question 10

Parallelism Examples by Elements

Answer 10

Question 11

Parallelism Steps

Answer 11

1. Identify the Parallelism Marker (see “Parallelism Markers” flashcard)
2. Identify the Elements (see “Parallelism Examples” flashcard)
3. Identify the Root Phrase and distribute it to each Element

Question 12

Idioms with built-in parallel structure

Answer 12

Between X and Y

Distinguish X from Y

Neither X nor Y

Consider X Y

Estimate X to be Y

View X as Y

In contrast to X, Y

Mistake X for Y

Whether X or Y

Question 13

Comparison Markers

Answer 13

Like, Unlike

As

Than

As (adjective) as

Different from, similar to

In contrast to/with

Question 14

Past Perfect: How to construct and when to use?

Answer 14

If two actions occured at different times in the past, you can use the Past Perfect tense for the earlier action and simple past for the later action.

Past Perfect = Past of the Past

Ex: The film HAD STARTED by the time we ARRIVED at the theater.

Past Perfect = HAD + Past Participle

Question 15

Present Perfect: How to construct and when to use?

Answer 15

Present Perfect tense is used for actions that started in the past but continue into the present or remain true.

Ex: The Millers HAVE LIVED there for 5 years.

Present Perfect = HAVE/HAS + Past Participle

Always use after “since” or constructions such as “within the past…” or “in the last…” - e.g. Since 1986, no one HAS BROKEN the world record.

For a time phrase that doesn’t cross over into the present, use simple past - e.g. In 2007 I TRAVELED the world.

Question 16

Verb Tense combinations / when to use the Conditional Mood

Answer 16

Present + Future

The scientist BELIEVES taht the machine WILL BE wonderful.

OR Past + Conditional (conditional = would + base form of a verb)

The scientist BELIEVED that the machine WOULD BE wonderful.