Grammar Terms Flashcards
Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a shortened version of a written word or phrase used to replace the original (e.g., ASAP, bldg., Mr., Mrs., AC). Abbreviations may be used wherever acceptable. The commonly used abbreviations vary by industry or field of study or endeavor.
Adjective
An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun (e.g., tall man). It is termed a modifier because it adds something to a noun (modifies the noun). An adjective can precede a noun (black cat) or follow it (The meal was delicious). An adjective is sometimes used to modify groups of words, such as noun phrases (the astonishing turn of events) or noun clauses (it appeared obcious that the contestant was drunk).
Adverb
An adverb is a word or clause that typically describes or modifies a verb (He ate noisily). It can also modify an adjective (She is extremely short) or another adverb (He sang exceptionally poorly). In fact, an adverb can be used to modify anything, except a noun. This includes phrases (almost out of sight), participles clauses (a well-earned vacation), an pronouns (nearly everyone).
Analogy
An analogy is a comparison of two things which are alike in some respects in order to explain or clarify an idea or object by showing how similar it is to something familiar. Although a simile and analogy are somewhat similar, a simile normally is more artistic, done for effect and emphasis. In contrast, the analogy serves more to explain a thought process or reasoning, or the abstract, in terms of the tangible.
Antecedent
An antecedent is the word, group of words, or clause to which a pronoun in a sentence refers. The antecedent may follow the pronoun, although it usually precedes it (e.g., William telephoned to say he would be late. They encountered Tom and said hello to him.)
Antonym
An antonym is a word that has the exact opposite meaning of another (e.g., slow is an antonym of fast; poor is an antonym of excellent).
Auxiliary Verb
An auxiliary verb is a verb that accompanies another verb in order to help to express the person, tense, mood, voice, or condition of the latter verb. The verbs to have, to be, to do, can, may, and shall are commonly used auxiliary verbs. An auxiliary verb is also termed a helping verb.
Clause
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb, but represents only part of a compound sentence or complex sentence. The other types of clauses are: independent clause and subordinate clause. The subordinate clauses are: adjective clause, adverb clause, and noun clause.
Independent Clause
An independent clause expresses a thought completely on its own (e.g., I run every morning). It contains both a subject and a predicate that can stand alone as a complete sentence. It expresses a complete thought. In contrast, the subordinate clause is incomplete and requires an independent clause to express the idea fully (e.g., I prefer French cuisine, although Italian food is fine). An independent clause is also termed a main clause.
Subordinate/Dependent Clause
A subordinate clause is a group of words containing both a subject and a predicate that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It requires an independent clause to express the idea fully. A subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun normally introduces the subordinate clause (e.g., I prefer French cuisine, although Italian food is fine).
Adjective Clause
An adjective clause modifies a noun or pronoun in the independent clause (e.g., The man, who was also a gambler, usually carried large amounts of cash). “man, who was also a gambler” is the adjective clause.
Adverb Clause
An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb in the independent clause (e.g., Shortly after the sun sets, twilight begins). “Shortly after the sun sets” is the adverb clause.
Noun Clause
A noun clause acts as a noun in an independent clause (e.g., whoever finishes first can take the rest of the day off). “whoever finishes first” is the noun clause.
Collective Noun
A collective noun is a noun that refers to individual persons or items as a group, such as number, total, audience, or clergy. A collective noun can be considered to be singular or plural (e.g., The number of rejects was extremely high. A number of attendees at the convention have already left). “number” and “number” in both instances are collective nouns.
Comma ,
A comma is equivalent of a brief pause. It is used to mark a division in a sentence, as may be cause by a word, phrase, or clause, particularly when accompanied by a pause. The comma also separates items in a list, designates thousands in numerals, and separates types of information in bibliographic and other data. Commas are used for clarity and to make sentences less unwieldy.
Complex Sentence
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses (e.g., The dog quickly discovered the cat, which had left the safety of its hiding place). In the preceding example, the independent clause is the first part. The subordinate clause is the second part. See also compound sentence.
Compound Sentence
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and no subordinate clause. A comma and a conjunction separate the independent clauses (e.g., I finished my work for the day, and now I am ready to go out).
Compounding
Compounding is the act of joining two words to create a new word. Examples of words formed include walkout, blackout, and doghouse.
Conjunction
A conjunction is a word (e.g., and, but, or) used to connect words, phrases, or clauses. There are three types: subordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, and coordinating conjunctions.
Subordinating Conjunction
Subordinating conjunctions (e.g., whether, unless) join subordinate clauses to main clauses.
Correlative Conjunction
Correlative conjunctions (e.g., either … or, neither … nor) are used in pairs to join alternatives or equal elements.
Coordinating Conjunction
Coordinating conjunctions are normally used to join like with like, such as a noun with another noun, an adjective with another adjective, an adverb with another adverb, etc. (e.g., a fork and a knife, hot but dry, quickly but quietly, Jack and Jill). Common coordinating conjunctions include and, but, for, or, nor, either, yet, and so.
Contraction
Contraction is a term used to describe a word formed by combining two words into one and replacing the letter(s) omitted with an apostrophe (e.g., can’t, don’t, I’m). The three common constructions of contractions are the following: 1. A verb plus not (e.g., can’t, don’t, didn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t, wasn’t). 2. A pronoun plus a verb (e.g., I’m, he’s, she’s, we’re, you’re, they’re). 3. A noun plus a verb (Bill’s: formed from Bill + is).
Direct Object
A direct object is a word, phrase, or clause that tells what the action of the verb acted upon or sought to accomplish. It represents the result or objective of the action (e.g., He closed the door. She did whatever was asked. “I’ll see you later,” he responded).
Double Negative
A double negative is produced by using two negatives in a clause or sentence. This results from combining the negative form of a verb (e.g., can’t, won’t, dislike), or “not,” with a negative pronoun (e.g., nobody, nothing, or nobody), a negative adverb (e.g., never, hardly, rarely), a negative conjunction (e.g., neither, nor), or “not.” Some obvious examples of double negatives are: I didn’t see nobody; She is not unattractive.
Ellipsis
An ellipsis is a set of three dots or periods in a row (…). They are used between two phrases or sentences to indicate that a word or phrase has been omitted. An ellipsis is also used when bits or quips of information have been taken from a long quatation or when wanting to signify a trailing off in thought or to leave it to the reader’s imagination to complete. When the ellipsis appears at the end of the sentence, a period precedes it. Consequently, there are four dots instead of three at the end of that sentence.