Grammar flashcards
What are examples of first person pronouns?
any group containing “me,” such as I, us, my, mine
what are some examples of second person pronouns?
any group containing you
what are some examples of third person pronouns
any group containing everybody else (he, she, everybody, nothing, it, nobody, one), her/hers, him/his, their/ theirs (possessive)
What classifies a word as an adverb?
must modify a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a whole sentence by providing more info about how, when, where, why, or to what extent something happens
how do adverbs modify verbs?+examples
they explain how an action hapens, * usually ending in -ly!
how do adverbs modify adjectives?+ examples
they change the intensity or degree of an adjective. e.g. very, too,
How do adverbs modify other adverbs?+examples
they change the intensity or degree of an adjective e.g. he speaks too loudly, She almost always arrives early.
He drove very carefully on the icy road.
They finished the project quite easily.
The team worked extremely well together.
how do adverbs modify other setnences?+ examples
show cause, effect, contrast or connection ( ALSO CALLED CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS (2021 regional practice test)
-examples include therefore, moreover, however, consequently, nevertheless, )
what is subjunctive mood+ examples
expresses desires, suggestions, or discusses hypoptheticals often using “that
examples:
I wish I ran
I desire to be running
I want to run
if only I ran
I hope that I will win the EIU Academic challenge!
what is grammatical mood and what is it indicated by?
a property of verbs that shows the mood or attitude of the speaker
indicated by:
- verb changes
-syntax (sentence structure)
what is the declarative mood?+ examples
reflects what is actually happening in the text (facts, assertions)
-often simple sentences (subject+verb)
examples: I’m running
I ran
I will run
What is the imperative mood?+examples
commands, what you want someone else to do
Iusually uses the simplest, present tense verb form with an implied subject
examples:
- Run to me ( you is implied)
What is the interrogative mood+ examples
asks a question using question words such as who, what, when, where, and why at the beginning.
sentences: who will run?
will you run to me?
why had you ran?
what is the exclamatory mood+FORMULA+examples?
expresses a strong emotion, and uses a question word+object
+subject+verb!
example: How beautiful is that butterfly!
How incredibly fast she runs!
what is hte conditional mood?+ examples
an if-then statement
- the second part of the sentence depends on the first
-separated by a comma
sentence:
- if I couldn’t run, then I’d crawl (this sentence also uses parallelism!)
what is the indicative mood, and what other types of moods are included under this category?
makes statements that express an opinion or fact
includes:
-interrogative
-imperative
-declarative
-exclamatory
what is the agent in a sentence and what does this indicate about the sentence’s voice?
person or thing who performs a verb in a sentence
- when the subject and agent are the same active voice is being used
-when the subject and agent are different, passive voice is being used
is this sentence in active or passive voice (INTERROGATIVE MOOD)? Explain why or why not (haha this sentence is in the IMPERATIVE MOOD)
The house is cleaned by Maria.
this sentence is in passive voice because the subject is house, the verb is cleaned, and the agent is maria. Therefore the subject and agent are different!
is this sentence in active or passive voice?
The mouse jumped into the maze
active, because the agent and subject are the same.
is this sentence in active or passive voice
The cake was baked by Sarah.
passive, because the subject is the cake and the agent is Sarah
what does the subject do in passive voice in comparison to the verb?
the subject receives the verb!
what does the subject do in active voice in comparison to the verb?
the subject performs the verb@
When can a semicolon be used in a sentence?
- to join two independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb( because, however, therefore, etc.)
- to separate elements that contain commas in a list (dependent clauses)
ex: Cookies are yummy because they are sticky, gooey, and soft; sweet, bitter, and savory; colorful, crunchy, and chewy; and just plain yummy!
What is a prepositional phrase and what do they indicate +examples of prepositions
also, when is a comma needed with a prepositional phrase?
a phrase that start with a proposition(in, at , behind, until, after) but lacks a subject and verb.
e.g. for dinner, in the library, until night time
-can be at any point in the sentence!
commas rules: Use a comma after a long introductory prepositional phrase
✔ Use commas if the phrase interrupts the sentence
✔ No comma if the phrase ends the sentence (unless needed for clarity)
when are commas used in prepositional phrases?
if they are 4+ words long, necessary for clarity, or if it is an introductory phrase
what is the object of a setnence and house it it different from the subject?
a noun that is the purpose of the sentence or the noun that receives the verb, while the subject is the noun that performs the verb
what is a sentence fragment?
a phrase that lacks the necessary components of a sentence and/or does not express a complete though or idea
sentence 1: showed no improvement in math–> there is no subject
sentence two: study skills that I use— subject, no predicate. since that is used every word after is considered description and is not counted as the verb the subject performs ( the subject is study skills)
* in this sentence “that” is a relative pronoun.) which introduces a dependent clause and refers to a noun
What is a misplaced modifier vs a dangling modifier? which is used in the sentence below:
example : daphne studied for the EIU academic challenge using Walden grammar modules!
a misplaced modifier is ambiguously or illogically modifying a word
a dangling modifier is when a modifier is not modifying a specific word or clause!
- in this sentence, a misplaced modifier is used because you don’t know if “using” applies to Daphne or the EIU academic challenge
What is the grammar error in this sentence and why? walking through the park, the flowers looked beautiful.
dangling modifier because the clause does not modify a specific word or phrase
- it is not modifying the subject, but rather the park, because modifiers modify the noun closest to it.
what is a modifer and what words qualify as modifiers?
a word, phrase, or clause that modifies or gives information about another word in the same sentence
adjectives are modifies for a noun, adverbs are modifiers for a phrase/clause or a verb/adverb
what are articles, and what are they used for?
articles are a, an, or the
- they specify if a noun is general or specific (indefinite vs definition)
-a/an are indefinite, the is definite!
When is a singular verb used with a compound subject? when is a plural noun used in a compound subject?
- if hte subject of hte sentence is composed of 2+ singular nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb ( e.g. are vs is)
-if the
What is a superlative adjective?
the highest degree of an adjective
e.g. deepest, highest, greatest
what is a positive adjective degree?
This is the base form of the adjective, used when no comparison is made.
Example:
This house is big.
She is smart.
What is the comparative adjective degree
Comparative Degree
Used to compare two things, usually formed by adding “-er” to short adjectives or using “more” with longer adjectives.
Example:
This house is bigger than that one.
She is more intelligent than her brother
what arae coordinating conjunctions+examples!
join two parts of a setnence of equal important and grammatical structure. For example two nouns, adverbs, verb phrases, or adjective phrases.
I jumped for joy!
I ran and jumped
I like pizza and ice cream!
FANBOYS ( for and nor but or yet so)!
what are FANBOYS and what do they stand for?
coordinating conjunctions (for and but yet so)
what are subordinating conjunctions?+ examples
subordinating conjunctions connect a depnendent clause and an independent clause
- indicate time, cause, contrast, etc.
examples: she left her before I arrived I before is the conjunction, indicates time)
although he was tired, he kept working (contrast, although si the subordinating conjunction)
common ones: because, since, although, when, if, before, unless, while
What kind of conjunction is used in the sentence below:
I like both pizza and ice cream
correlative conjunction (come in pairs and link similar parts of a sentence)
what kind of conjunction is used in the sentence below: I went to the gym because I felt like working out.
subordinating conjunction because i went to the gym is independent and “because “ makes “ I felt like working out” dependent.
- indicates a cause-and-effect relationship ( or in this case, effect-cause)
what kind of conjunction is used in the sentence below: She left before I arrived
subordinating conjunction ( she left=independent, before I arrived= dependent)
indicates time
What is a correlative conjunction?
come in pairs and link similar parts of a sentence
common pairs: either… or, neither… nor, both… and, not only.. .but also, whether… or
What type of conjunction is used in this sentence: Both amber and camila enjoyed the film
correlative
she is not only smart but also kind
correlative conjunction (USING CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION PAIRS MEANS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE A COMMA! only use a comma for emphasis)
what is the error in this sentence: she was talking to the principal and she said he was mean.
correct the error
pronoun clarity, because PRONOUNS SHOULD ALWAYS CLEARLY REFER TO ONE SUBJECT IN A SENTENCE
she was talking to the principal, and she said the principal was mean
What letter do singular verbs typically end in?
-s!
when is who used?
when it is the subject/ who is doing the action
when is whom used?
when it is the object ( the person receiving the action)
is who or whom used in this sentence: ____ ate the last cookie?
who, because the subject is performing the action
what are coordinate adjectives and how do you use a comma with them?
2+ adjectives that describe different aspects of the same noun and can be rearranged in any way.
you must use a comma after each one of these EXCEPT THE ONE CLOSEST TO WHAT THE ADJECTIVES ARE DESCRIBING
What is a predicate?
the part of hte sentence after the subject+verb/independent clause
- can be a dependent clause
what is an appositive?
an identifier or explainer to the noun or pronoun after it ( can be an adjective, adverb, or dependent clause)
should you use a comma after a conjunction?
NEVER onoly BEFORE, linking an independent clause and a dependent clause (e.g. I sat, but then I fell)
when should you use a comma in a series
between items and at the end of a series
example:
I bought milk, eggs, and sugar. (correct)
I bought, milk, eggs, and sugar. (incorrect)
when are commas not used between adjectives?
when they are not interchangeable/coordinate
example: I had a sweet marble chocolate cake.
I have three small dogs.
I have five pretty lovely daughters.
What are restrictive appositive and how should commas be used with them?
Restrictive appositives are identifiers or explainers for the noun or pronoun adjacent to them in the sentence that are necessary for understanding the sentence.
COMMAS SHOULD NOT BE USED WITH A RESTRICTIVE APPOSITIVE
Example: The popular actor, Hugh Jackman, fell from fame. (commas should NOT be used because Hugh Jackman is the subject of the sentence)
should commas be used used before a conjunction connecting an independent to a dependent clause?
NO
example: the cat ran away, and carried the dead mouse to her bed. (incorrect, because the cat ran away is an independent clause, so the commas should be removed!)
In what situations should colons be used?
situation 1: to introduce a list, clarification, or quotation.
example: Daniel was afraid of three animals: giraffes, polar bears and zebras. His psychologist said the following:”his fears are quite irrational”
situation 2: To separate two independent clauses ONLY when the second clause emphasizes or relates to the first.
example: I like to run many marathons: These include the Boston Marathon and Chicago marathon.
REMEMBER! COLONS CAN INTRODUCE BOTH DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT CLAUSES!
- TRANSITORY PHRASES such as however or for example CAN BE USED AFTER A COLON but they are often redundant
what is the definition of a run-on sentence? How can they be fixed
a sentence that improperly joins multiple INDEPENDENT clasues.
can be fixed by adding punctuation or a conjunction
when should “that” be used?
when you are referencing everything except for people
what does a noun phrase include and what does it function as?
👉 What it does: Works as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.
👉 What it includes: A noun + its modifiers (like adjectives or articles).
✅ The big black dog barked loudly.
(Noun phrase = “The big black dog,” acting as the subject)
✅ She adopted a cute little kitten.
(Noun phrase = “a cute little kitten,” acting as the object)
what is a verb phrase and what does it include?
- Verb Phrase (Contains the main verb + helping verbs)
👉 What it does: Shows action or state of being.
👉 What it includes: A main verb + helping verbs (auxiliaries like is, has, was, will).
✅ She is writing an essay.
(Verb phrase = “is writing”)
✅ They have been studying for hours.
(Verb phrase = “have been studying”)
what is an adjective phrase and what does it include?
- Adjective Phrase (Describes a noun)
👉 What it does: Gives more information about a noun.
👉 What it includes: An adjective + modifiers or complements.
✅ The house with the red door is mine.
(Adjective phrase = “with the red door,” describing “house”)
✅ She is very good at math.
(Adjective phrase = “very good at math,” describing “She”)
what is an infinitive phrase and what does it include?
- Infinitive Phrase (Uses “to” + base verb)
👉 What it does: Acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
👉 What it includes: “to” + verb + modifiers.
✅ I love to play the piano.
(Infinitive phrase = “to play the piano,” acting as a noun)
✅ She has a lot of homework to finish before bedtime.
(Infinitive phrase = “to finish before bedtime,” acting as an adjective describing “homework”)
what is a participle phrase and what does it include?
- Participle Phrase** (Uses a verb ending in -ing or -ed, acting as an adjective)**
👉 What it does: Describes a noun.
👉 What it includes: A present (-ing) or past (-ed) participle + modifiers.
✅ The girl crying in the corner needs help.
(Participle phrase = “crying in the corner,” describing “girl”)
✅ The book written by my favorite author is amazing.
(Participle phrase = “written by my favorite author,” describing “book”)
What is a phrase in grammar?
A phrase is a group of words that work together as a single part of a sentence but do not have both a subject and a verb. Because of this, a phrase cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
what is an adjective phrase and what does it include?
Describes a noun using an adjective+modifiers
The house with the blue roof is mine. (bue roof=adjective)
Life on the road was an opportunity for adventure. (road= adjective, on=preposition, the=definite article)
does there need to be a comma in between an independent clause and a dependent clause joined by a subordinating conjunction? why? what are some examples of subordinating conjunctions?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO when the dependent clause introduces ESSENTIAL INFORMATION, not just an after thought/ a clause that is DIRECTLY RELATED
- because, since, although, when, if, before, unless, while
Example: after years of saving, David went to Paris for his honeymoon because it was his dream.
what is an adjective clause?
a clause that has both a subject and a verb and MODIFIES the noun in a sentence
for example: I know Katie, who is a doctor
what are transitory phrases and where should commas be place around them?
They show relationships like cause and effect, contrast, or examples. Common ones include for example, in fact, however, therefore, and as a result. When a transitional phrase starts a sentence, it should be followed by a comma (e.g., However, she decided to stay). When it appears in the middle of a sentence, it should be surrounded by commas on both sides (e.g., She decided, however, to stay). If it comes at the end, it usually needs a comma before it (e.g., She decided to stay, however).
what are some key examples of subordinating conjunctions?
because, since, although, when, if, before, unless, while
what is an intensifier
an adverb that increases the intensity of an adjective, adverb, or verb
when are commas used with appositives?
when they are nonessetnial to the understanding of a sentence and provide additional information (e.g.My brother, a talented musician, plays the guitar.
(The phrase “a talented musician” just adds extra information; we already know we’re talking about “my brother.”)
2. No commas for essential appositives (important to meaning)
If the appositive is necessary to identify the noun, do not use commas.
Example:
The poet Robert Frost wrote “The Road Not Taken.”
(Without “Robert Frost,” we wouldn’t know which poet is being talked about, so no commas.
3. Appositives at the beginning or end of a sentence
If an appositive comes at the beginning, use a comma after it.
A brilliant scientist, Marie Curie won two Nobel Prizes.
If an appositive comes at the end, use a comma before it if it’s extra information.
I admire my teacher, Mr. Johnson.
When are appositives essential vs nonessential in a sentence?
If the appositive names a specific person, place, or thing after a general noun, it’s usually essential (No commas).
The artist Van Gogh painted “Starry Night.” (No commas)
If the appositive adds extra details but doesn’t change the meaning, it’s nonessential (Use commas).
Van Gogh, a famous artist, painted “Starry Night.” (Use commas)
