ONE: PHRASES & CLAUSES Flashcards
What is a clause?
What is a phrase?
A group of words that contain neither a subject nor a predicate.
The “subject” of a sentence is what?
The actor of the sentence that has one or more nouns or pronouns, together with all their modifiers.
The “predicate of the sentence is what?
It is the “action” part of the sentence: it contains one or more verbs and all the words that follow the verb.
What is the subject and predicates of this sentence: “Jane fainted and fell to the floor.”
Jane is the subject & there are two predicates: “fainted & fell to the floor.”
What are the subjects and the predicate in this sentence: “Jane and several other girls in the audience fainted.”
The subjects are “Jane” & “several other girls in the audience.” The predicate is “fainted.”
What does this sentence demonstrate: “Jane fainted.”
It demonstrates that it is possible for a subject and a predicate to be a single word each.
What is the subject and predicate in the following sentence: “Jane fainted halfway through the movie”?
The subject is “Jane” & “fainted halfway through the movie” is the predicate.
What is the subject and predicate in the following sentence: “The woman sitting in the back of the row also fainted.”
The subject is “The woman sitting in the back of the row” & the predicate is “also fainted.”
In sentences, 2,3,4,5 what are the phrase parts of each sentence?
In sentences, 2,3,4,5 what are the phrased. The phrases are: 2. “to the floor” 3. “in the audience 4. “halfway through the movie” 5. “sitting in the back row.”
While these phrases belong to either a subject part of a sentence or the predicate part, none of them contain what?
None of them contain a subject or a predicate (although they each include a noun).
What are the pure prepositional phrases?
- “to the floor.”
- “In the audience”
What are the shorter prepositional phrases?
- “through the movie”
- “in the back row”
Prepositional phrases are phrases that function as what?
These are phrases that function as adverbs or adjectives in a sentence.
In #2 what is modifying what? “fell to the floor”
“to the floor” modifies “fell,” and so it is an adverb.
In #3 what is modifying what? “girls in the audience”
“in the audience” modifies “girls,” and so it is an adjective.
In #4 what is modifying what? “halfway through the movie”
“through the movie” functions as an adverb because it modifies an adverb “halfway” (the completed phrase is also an adverb that modifies the verb “fainted.”
In #5 what is modifying what & how come this phrase is actually trickier? The woman “sitting in the back of the row…”
“sitting” is a participle, and it is used here as an adjective to modify “woman.” The trickier part is “in the back row” because it is an adverb that modifies the adjective “sitting.” This is a combined phrase that’s an adjective which modified “woman.”
What is a participle phrase?
These are phrases that begins with a participle which functions as an adjective.
“sitting in the back of the row…” is considered to be what kind of phrase?
It is considered to be a participle phrase.
Punctuating phrases can occur where?
Punctuating phrases can occur anywhere in a sentence.
If a phrase is fewer than four words does it still need punctuation?
If a phrase is fewer than four words it does not need punctuation.
What are the two instances in which a punctuating phrase is needed?
A punctuating phrase is generally needed if phrases are longer than four words, or if phrases of any length interrupt the main sentence.
The part in quotations is an example of what: “When in doubt” you should err on the side of caution.
It is a phrase that consists of less than four words, and therefore it is not a punctuating phrase.
The part in quotations is an example of what: “When in doubt about the speed limit,” you should err on the side of caution.”
It is a phrase that consists of four words or more.
The part in quotations is an example of what: “You should, “when in doubt,” err on the side of caution.”
It is an an example of a phrase of any length in which the main sentence is being interrupted & punctuation becomes necessary.
What is the normal adjective order of participle phrases when it comes to comma usage?
Commas aren’t required if they follow the noun or pronoun. BUT if the adjective order of a participle phrase introduced the main sentence or “trail” after the main sentence, commas are required.
The part in quotations is an example of what? The woman “running down the street” is my mother.
It is the normal adjective order of a participle phrase.
The part in quotations is an example of what? “Running down the street,” the woman yelled at me to stop.”
It is an example of adjective order of a participle phrase which is introducing the main sentence, and therefore a comma is required.
The part in quotations is an example of what? “The woman yelled, running down the street.”
It is an example of an adjective order of a participle phrase in which the participle phrase trails after the main sentence, and therefore a comma is required.
What is the word of caution about certain participle phrases?
When it comes to introductory participle phrases & trailing participle phrases, it is important to not overuse them.
When it comes to introductory and trailing participle phrases, what is the dastardly problem that occurs concerning the dual action tag and its incorrect uses?
While there are instances where a person can do two thinks at once, like yelling and screaming, embellishing every sentence with dual action tags is bad writing and it leads to two actions that can’t physically happen simultaneously.
How can this dual action tag - which is physically impossible be corrected: “Grinding his cigarette with his heel, he sprinted for the door.”
KISS: He ground his cigarette with his heel and sprinted for the door.
“After the show” is a phrase because it does not include a subject or predicate.
As with phrases, clauses can occur where?
Anywhere in a sentence.
Each of the following sentences contain what three clauses that are essentially the same:
What are dependent clauses?
They are clauses that cannot stand alone as complete sentences.
What are the two kinds of dependent clauses?
The two kinds of dependent clauses are: 1. Those that serve as adverbs & 2. Those that serve as adjectives.
Why does introducing an adverb clause through the use of a clue word create word magic?
Because it abracadabra - by tacking a clue word onto an independent clause magically changes it into a dependent clause.
What are subordinate conjunctions?
They are the magic clue words that when tacked onto an independent clause (for the purposes of introducing an adverb clause) end up transforming the clause into a dependent clause.
What are the nine most common subordinate conjunctions?
- as
- although
- though
- because
- since
- if
- when
- before
- until
These sentences are examples of what?
These are examples of subordinating conjunctions Introducing an adverb clause.
If you removed “although, if, and since” from 1,2,3, what kind of sentences would you have?
You would have three independent clauses that could stand alone as sentences.
How is the adjective clause introduced?
The adjective clause is introduced by a relative pronoun.
Within a clause what does a relative pronoun serve as?
The relative pronoun serves as the subject in the clause.
What are the four relative pronouns?
The four relative pronouns include: 1. that 2. which 3. who. 4. what.
Since adjective clauses function as adjectives, they will most often be located where?
They will most often be located where adjectives have to be: near the noun or pronoun they modify.
These three sentences are examples of what?
These are examples of adjective clauses that are near the nouns or pronouns they modify.
What are the two kinds of adjective clauses depending on their relationship to what they modify?
The two kinds of adjective clauses include a restrictive modifier and a non-restrictive modifier.
The restrictive modifier does what?
It changes the meaning of the noun or pronoun it modifies. It is never offset by commas.
The nonrestrictive modifier?
The nonrestrictive modifier does not change the meaning of the noun or pronoun it modifies but gives additional information about it. It is always offset by commas.
What are the restrictive modifying clauses in these sentences?
1. The man who is wearing the silk hat is Mr. Lincoln.
2. Lincoln whom I am talking about is the grandfather of President Lincoln.
- “who is wearing the silk hat”
- “whom I am talking about”
These sentences contain what kind of clause? What don’t these kinds of clauses have?
1. The man who is wearing the silk hat is Mr. Lincoln.
2. Lincoln whom I am talking about is the grandfather of President Lincoln.
These sentences contain a restrictive modifying clause. These kinds of clauses do not have commas.
What is the modifying clause doing? 1. The man who is wearing the silk hat is Mr. Lincoln.
What is unusual about this modifying clause? 2. Lincoln whom I am talking about is the grandfather of President Lincoln.
In this sentence what is the modifier doing to the proper noun? 2. Lincoln whom I am talking about is the grandfather of President Lincoln.
This sentence contains what kind of clause? Identify the clause in the sentence: “Mr Lincoln, who is wearing a silk hat today, is the tallest man in the room.” What do these kinds of sentences have?
It contains a non restrictive modifying clause with: “who is wearing a silk hat today” These kinds of sentences have commas.
What is the modifying clause doing? “Mr Lincoln, who is wearing a silk hat today, is the tallest man in the room.”
The modifier clause is not being restricted; it simply gives additional information about Mr. Lincoln.
The nonrestrictive modifier must be…
set off with commas.
The corrupted version of this is an example of what? What is being radically changed?
This is an example of a nonrestrictive modifier that is creating confusion because the commas radically changes the meaning of the sentence.
What is the damage being done in the corrupted version of the sentence? What is causing this damage?
The commas in the corrupted version of the sentence create a nonrestrictive modifier that delivers two false bits of information.
What are the two false bits of information that is contained in the corrupted version of the sentence?
First, we are told that 90% of high school students never read a book in their lives. Second, that same 90% do not go on to college.
What is the definition of an appositive? An appositive is a grammatical form that can be what?
An appositive is a word/group of words that means the same thing as another word. An appositive is a grammatical form that can be either restrictive or nonrestrictive.
In the original version…when the commas are not removed and the modifier becomes restrictive what actually changes?
When the commas are removed and the modifier becomes restrictive - the meaning of the noun: “graduates” changes to mean only those who do not go on to college.
What are appositives used for in a sentence?
Appositives are used in a sentence to provide description or definition.
Where do appositives occur at in a sentence?
Appositives immediately follow the word it defines or describes.
Identify what the two appositives are within this sentence: “The driver should be aware of the odometer, a gauge that measures distance traveled, and the speedometer, a gauge that measures vehicle speed.”
Appositive 1: “a gauge that measures distance traveled.”
Appositive 2: a gauge that measure vehicle speed.
Appositives are frequently used in what field of writing?
Technical writing.
Why are appositives often used in technical writing?
Because there is a need to explain technical terms to a general audience.
For the sake of clarity, why should there be extreme care taken when using commas with appositives?
If commas are omitted from a nonrestrictive appositive, the reader is justified in concluding that the writer meant two things when they only meant one.
By removing the commas - what is the mistake that is being made?
By omitting the commas from the non-restrictive, the reader is justified in concluding that the writer meant two things when they only meant one.
Based on the wrong sentence - what would the reader justly (but wrongly conclude)
The reader would believe that either incisa or breadfruit can be Polynesian dietary mainstays, which is incorrect, for incisa is breadfruit.
Wrong: “Dollars, or pesos, are legal currency in this town.”
In the wrong sentence you must be equally careful not to do what?
You must be equally careful not to punctuate alternates as though they were nonrestrictive modifiers.
Wrong: “Dollars, or pesos, are legal currency in this town.” For someone who knows nothing about American or Mexican money… what two notions (which were unintended by the writer) can be concluded by the reader?
1) Dollars are pesos and vice versa, and 2) Only one currency is legal in the town…but the writer meant the exact opposite.
Why is the restrictive appositive like the nonrestrictive appositive?
Like the nonrestrictive, the restrictive appositive is a substitute term that usually occurs after the word it renames.
Why is the restrictive appositive unlike the nonrestrictive appositive?
Unlike the nonrestrictive, which defines and describes, a restrictive identifies a specific term.
What are restrictive appositives often limited to?
Restricted appositives are often (but not always) limited to proper nouns.
The restrictive appositive - which is limited to being a proper noun are used to clarify what?
The proper nouns are used to clarify who or what is meant.
This sentence is an example of what? “Of all the women in the world, John’s favorite is his sister Mary.”
The restrictive appositive.
What makes the sentence a restrictive appositive? “Of all the women in the world, John’s favorite is his sister Mary.”
The restrictive appositive “Mary renames the noun “sister” and identifies specifically which sister is meant (because John has more than one).
Because of the comma, this sentence is an example of what? “Of all the women in the world, John’s favorite is his sister, Mary.”
This sentence is a nonrestrictive appositive proper noun or a nonrestrictive appositive.
In this case what is the proper noun: Mary doing?
“Of all the women in the world, John’s favorite is his sister, Mary.”
Mary simply gives more information about the general noun: sister.
This sentence is an example of what? “Your next assignment is to read Shakespeare’s play: Romeo and Juliet.”
This sentence is a restrictive appositive.
What is the restrictive appositive identifying in the following sentence: “Your next assignment is to read Shakespeare’s play: Romeo and Juliet.”
The restrictive appositive is identifying which of Shakespeare’s plays is to be read.
By including commas in this following sentence: “Your next assignment is to read Shakespeare’s play: Romeo and Juliet.” You have created what?
You have created a nonrestrictive appositive.
By inserting commas and creating a nonrestrictive appositive - your intention is to do what?
Your intention is to provide more info. about the noun that the nonrestrictive appositive is modifying.
Compared to the previous sentence (“Your next assignment is to read Shakespeare’s play: Romeo and Juliet.”) what is the common error being made in the following sentence: “Your next assignment is to read Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet.”
Now you have said that Shakespeare’s play (his one play) is named Romeo and Juliet.
The use of a restrictive appositive for formal and informal titles is one instance where the appositive does what?
It is one instance where the appositive precedes the noun it renames.
When using a restrictive appositive for a formal title what happens?
You will notice that formal titles are capitalized.
What is the following sentence an example of?
“I voted for Senator Smith.”
It is a restrictive appositive being used for a formal title.
When using a restrictive appositive for an informal title what happens?
You will notice that informal titles (which are not proper nouns) are not capitalized.
What is the following sentence an example of?
“The speaker tonight will be author Paul Smith.”
This is a restrictive appositive being used for an informal title.
Every sentence, no matter how complicated it is, must have what?
It must have one independent clause.
What is the definition of an independent clause?
It is a group of words that have a subject and a predicate.
Just as there are words that introduce the dependent adverb and adjective clauses, there are words that do what?
There are words that join independent clauses.
What are the two “joining words (groups of words) used to join independent clauses?
They’re coordinating conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs.
What are the eight coordinating conjunctions?
- and
- but
- so
- or
- for
- nor
- yet
- neither
Why are coordinating conjunctions called “coordinating conjunctions”?
They’re called coordinating conjunctions because they coordinate, or put two or more ideas in equal relationship to each other.
Coordinating conjunctions can join what four parts of a sentences?
- words
- phrases (and/or)
- dependent clauses (and/or)
- other independent clauses
When a coordinating conjunction is used to join other independent clauses (i.e. other sentences) it is always preceded by what?
A coordinating conjunction is always preceded by a comma.
In what instances may a coordinating conjunction not be preceded by a comma?
If one or both of the independent clauses are very short then a coordinating conjunction does not always have to be preceded by a comma.
When it comes to two sentences, what is a coordinating conjunction able to do?
A coordinating conjunction can be used to join two independent clauses (which are sentences).
What is this sentences an example of? “We must develop new sources of energy, but we cannot neglect conservation of existing sources.”
It is an example of a coordinating conjunction beginning a sentence.
What is this sentences an example of? “We should conserve energy but we don’t.”
This is an instance in which it is stylistically acceptable to omit a comma after a coordinating conjunction.
Why is it stylistically acceptable to omit the comma preceding “but”?
“We should conserve energy but we don’t.”
Normally the conjunction “but” joins to independent clauses, but because the second clause “we don’t” is only two words it is acceptable to omit the comma.
What is this sentences an example of? “And the next thing we have to consider is developing new sources of energy.”
This is an instance in which it is okay to start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction.
As in this sentence:”And the next thing we have to consider is developing new sources of energy.”
The conjunction “And” can be used so long as it is doing what?
The conjunction “And” can begin the sentence so long as “and” is tying it to the previous sentence.
What role do conjunctive adverbs play with independent clauses?
An independent clause can be introduced by a conjunctive adverb.
What are conjunctive adverbs equal to and what are they stylistically regarded as being?
Conjunctive adverbs are grammatically equal to coordinating conjunctions but are stylistically regarded as being a little more forceful.
What are the eight most common conjunctive adverbs?
- however
- moreover
- therefore
- nevertheless
- otherwise
- hence
- still
- thus
These sentences contain what?
1. He was a gentleman otherwise.
2. It was thus apparent to me that she was lying.
3. I will still pay the full amount.
These sentences contain conjunctive adverbs with: “otherwise,” “thus,” and “still.”
Conjunctive adverbs are different from coordinating conjunctions in what significant way?
Conjunctive adverbs are not punctuated like a coordinating conjunction and they can stand alone.
When these conjunctive adverbs:
1. however
2. moreover
3. therefore
4. nevertheless
5. otherwise
6. hence
7. still
8. thus
introduce clauses, they function as what?
They function as conjunctions.
How do you draw special attention to conjunctions that are adverbs which introduce clauses?
You draw special attention to them by putting semicolons before them and commas after them - but only when they serve as conjunctions.
What is this sentence an example of? “ You have already signed the contract; therefore, arguing about costs is pointless.”
It is a conjunctive adverb acting as a conjunction and thus introducing an independent clause.
Conjunctive adverbs, like coordinating conjunctions, may also do what?
The conjunctive adverb may also begin sentences.
When a conjunctive adverb begins a sentence what will it be followed by?
These particular kind of conjunctive adverbs are followed by commas.
What are these sentences an example of:
1. “However, I consider the cost too high.”
2. Hence, the problem was not really solved at all.
These sentences involve conjunctive adverbs which begin a sentence in which commas are necessary.
Where can adverb clauses occur in a sentence?
Adverb clauses can occur before the main clause of a sentence, in the middle of it, or after it.
When would an adverb clause be in its natural order?
An adverb clause is in its natural order when it occurs after the main clause.
When an adverb clause occurs in natural order what happens?
In this case the comma becomes optional (you may or may not use it to separate it from the main clause.)
What is this sentence an example of?
“We must solve this problem as I have told you so many times.”
This is an adverb clause occurring after the main clause in its natural order, in which the comma becomes optional.
Why does this sentence evoke a stylistic choice?
“We must solve this problem as I have told you so many times.”
The comma after “problem” becomes optional because of the adverb clause occurring in its natural order. You may put a comma after “problem,” but it’s up to you.
An adverb clause does what?
An adverb clause begins/interrupts a sentence.
When it comes to an adverb clause that begins or interrupts a sentence, you must do what?
You must separate it from the main clause with commas.
What is important to keep in mind when it comes to an adverb clause that begins or interrupts the sentence and you must separate it from the main clause with commas?
The separation with commas of an adverb clause that is interrupting or beginning a sentences must always occur no matter the length of the adverb clause.
What are these sentences examples of?
1. As I have told you so many times, we must solve this problem.
2. As I said, we must solve this problem.
3. We must, as I have told you so many times, solve this problem.
These three sentences involve adverb clauses that are beginning or interrupting a sentence and therefore must be separated from the main clause with commas.
