SC Flashcards
any pronoun
replace with antecedent - does it make sense? Does antecedent exist AS A NOUN in the sentence (aka NOT an adjective)
comparison maker:
unlike, like, as, than
Are we comparing apples to apples?
should:
Eg. the train should arrive now
WRONG
moral obligation NOT likelihood
farther vs. further
farther = distance further = degree of something other than distance
where vs. in which
where = a real place
in which = metaphorical place
DO NOT USE WHERE FOR METAPHORICAL PLACE
comma which vs. comma -ing
which modifies a NOUN
comma-in modifies a CLAUSE
whose modifies…
people or place
NOUN modifier
who modifies…
people only
NOUN modifier
which modifies…
NOT people
NOUN modifier
less vs. fewer
less used for uncountable items (eg. patience)
fewer used for countable items (eg. hats)
The vs. A number of…
The number = singular
A number = plural (means some, many)
between vs. among
between = TWO things among = THREE or more things
try and vs. try to
“try and” discusses two parallel but SEPARATE verbs
If related: try to
Eg. try to establish NOT try and establish
Colloquial error
like vs. as
COMPARISON MARKERS
Like: used to compare nouns (only nouns can follow like)
As: used to compare clauses (i.e. when there’s a verb)
like vs. such as
DO NOT use like to introduce examples
Use “such as”
comma which vs. comma with
comma-which: modifies the noun right before the comma (noun modifier)
comma-with: modifies the entire clause before the comma (adverbial modifier)
if vs. whether
if: requires a consequence - if…then..
whether: does not
Eg. I do not know whether I will go
fives times older than vs. fives times as old as
Use times..as..as for multiplication
to be of the conviction THAT
or to be of the conviction OF?
to be of the conviction THAT
whether
OR whether or not?
Just whether
Whether or not is redundant
plan TO
or plan ON?
plan TO
compared TO
or compared WITH?
BOTH WORK!
rather than vs. instead of
rather than: better to use when comparing two VERBS
instead of: better to use when comparing two NOUNS
remembered for
OR remembered because of?
remembered for
that following a noun
noun modifier
that following a working verb
“reset”: signals a new subject-verb-object structure will follow (complex sentence)
;
each statement must be able to stand alone as an independent sentece
Often followed by: however, therefore, in addition
For And Nor But Or Yet So
Conjunctions
Links two independent clauses
comma + conjunction
comma -ing vs. NO comma -ing
comma -ed vs. NO comma -ed
with comma = ADVERBIAL modifier
withOUT comma = noun modifier
relating two things vs. three things
two things: comparative - better, worse, more (which need a than!)
three things: superlative - best, worst, most
The price fell by more than a 35% decrease
REDUNDANT
increase vs. greater
greater used for COMPARISONS
needs “than”
opening modifier
does noun following comma make sense as subject of modifier?
both…
and
both X an Y
must be PARALLEL
either…
or
Either X or Y
must be PARALLEL
not…
but
Not X but Y
must be PARALLEL
X and Y
X, Y, and Y
list of two: no comma
list of three or more: comma + and comes before last item
Between X…
and Y
Distinguish X…
from Y
more
requires THAN for comparison
THAN is the marker!
unlike
comparison marker
than
comparison marker
X of Y’s
WRONG
X of Y
or Y’s X
Thy are meeting for lunch tomorrow
vs. they will meet for lunch tomorrow
They WILL MEET…
use future not present progressive!!
present progressive means it’s happening RIGHT NOW
Consider you as a friend
WRONG
Consider X Y
NOT Consider X as Y
