Writing Effective Sentences Flashcards

1
Q

What is a simple sentence/independent clause?

A

A complete sentence with a subject and a verb.

E.g. Elaine (subject) typed (verb) up her notes.

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2
Q

What is a verb?

A

The verb is the word that tells what action the subject is doing or links the subject to a modifier.

E.g. of an action verb: Elaine (subject) took (verb) notes on the meeting.
E.g. of a linking verb: They (subject) were (verb) long (modifier).

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3
Q

What is a compound sentence?

A

A compound sentence is made by conjoining two independent clauses.

E.g. of two independent clauses: Sam saw a design flaw. He wrote a memo.
E.g. of a compound sentence: Sam saw a design flaw, so he wrote a memo.

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4
Q

What is a coordinating conjunction?

A

A coordinating conjunction is a conjunction placed between words, phrases, clauses, or sentences of equal rank. A comma should be inserted before a coordinating conjunction.

E.g. of coordinating conjunction: “Sam asked his boss, and his boss decided it was time to go.”

“And” is the coordinating conjunction.

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5
Q

Should you put a comma before a coordinating conjunction?

A

Yes.

E.g. Sam’s boss was busy, so she asked Sam to write the memo.

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6
Q

Should you put a comma between just two subjects or two verbs being joined?

A

No.

INCORRECT: The designers, and the builders got the memo.
CORRECT: The designers and the builders got the memo.

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7
Q

What is a complex sentence?

A

A complex sentence is a sentence made up of a independent clause and a subordinate clause.

E.g. Teachers went on strike because their pay was too low.

Independent clause -> Teachers went on strike
Subordinating conjunction -> because
Subordinate clause -> their pay was too low.
Whole sentence = complex sentence.

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8
Q

When should you use a comma in the case of complex sentences?

A

If the subordinate clause comes at the start of the sentence, use a comma. If the subordinate clause comes at the end of a sentence, do not use a comma EXCEPT in the cases where the subordinating conjunction is “although, even though, though”.

Correct uses of comma:
While teachers were on the picket line, kids stayed home.
Kids stayed home while teachers were on the picket line.
A school board did not concede to teachers’ demands, even though the public supported the teachers.

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9
Q

What is a noun?

A

A noun names a person (e.g. woman or Anne), a place (e.g. drugstore or Florida, a thing (e.g. car or Titanic), or an idea (e.g. truth or Buddhism).

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10
Q

What is a proper noun?

A

A proper noun refers to a specific person, place, thing, or idea.

E.g. “Anne went to the market.”

“Anne” is the proper noun.

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11
Q

What is a common noun?

A

A common noun is a more general noun.

E.g. “That woman is dangerous.”

“Woman” is a common noun.

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12
Q

What is a pronoun?

A

A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun (when being replaced this noun is referred to as the antecedent). There are three types of pronouns: subject, object, and possessive.

E.g. Steven lost his address book. It held many important phone numbers.

“It” is a pronoun, “Steven” is the noun being replaced, also known as the “antecedent”.

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13
Q

What is a subject pronoun?

A

A subject pronoun is one of three types of pronouns; it replaces the subject of a sentence..

E.g. Steven called home. He was very worried.

“Steven” is the subject. “He” is the subject pronoun.

List of subject pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they

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14
Q

What is an object pronoun?

A

An object pronoun is one of three types of pronouns; it replaces the object of a verb or of a preposition.

E.g. “His wife called Steven. She asked him what the problem was.

“Him” is the object pronoun, the object of a verb.

E.g. She and Steven looked for it.

“it” is an object pronoun, the object of a preposition.

List of object pronouns: me, you, him, her, it, us, them

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15
Q

What is a possessive pronoun?

A

A possessive pronoun replaces a possessive noun.

E.g. “Steven needed Kelly’s number. He called 411 to get her number.”

“Kelly’s” is a possessive noun. “Her” is a possessive pronoun.

List of possessive pronouns: my, mine, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, ours, their, theirs

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