English Grammar

Some compound subjects have _____ parts that really make up _____ unit.

two; one

Clause

a group of words that has a subject and a verb, or a predicate

Main clause (independent)

a group of words with a subject and predicate that can be its own sentence

Subordinate clause

a group of words with subject and predicate, but cannot be its own sentence (can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs)

Brackets

Use brackets to enclose information that you insert into a quotation for clarity

Parentheses

Use parentheses to set off supplemental material that is not intended to be part of the main statement

Comma

- Use commas (with the conjunction) to join main clauses in a compound sentence - Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series - use commas to set off non-essential phrases or clauses - use commas to set off an appositive or appositive phrase if it is not essential to meaning of sentence - Use a comma after a long prepositional phrase - Use commas to set off introductory participles and participial phrases. - Use commas after all introductory adverbs and adverb clauses

Helping/Auxiliary Verb

A verb that assists the main verb usually using verb tense

Linking verb

A word that connects the subject with the rest of the sentence

Action verb

A word that describes something being done.

Preposition

A word that shows relationship between nouns in a sentence

Delayed subjects occur when the verb comes _______ the subject in a sentence. In these inverted sentences, the _________ _________ must agree with the verb.

Before; Delayed Subject

______________ sentences often have the subject placed between the helping and main verb. The trick here is to turn the sentence into a __________ to make sure you find the complete predicate / full verb phrase.

Interrogative; statement

___________ __________ seem to create a compound subject, but they do not

Intervening Expressions

Predicate

Main verb in a sentence

Predicate Nominative

Nouns that come after the linking verb, renames the subject

Verb Phrase

One or two words acting as a verb and work with the subject

Semicolon

Semicolons to separate main clauses, Use a semicolon to separate the items in a series when one or more of these items contain commas.

Subject

The main topic of the sentence, a noun or pronoun.

Colon

Use a colon to introduce a long or formal quotation, Use a colon to introduce a list, hour and minute of precise time, between the chapter and verse in biblical references, after the salutation of a business letter

Dash

Use a dash to indicate an abrupt break or change in thought within a sentence, Use a dash to set off and emphasize supplemental information

Period

Use a period at the end of a declarative sentence and at the end of a polite command

Question Mark

Use a question mark to indicate a direct question

Exclamation Point

Use an exclamation point to show strong feeling and indicate a forceful command, do not use unnecessarily

When a sentence contains a _________ verb—and a noun comes before and after that verb—the verb must agree with the subject, not the predicate nominative (the noun coming after the verb.)

linking

Compound subjects joined by or, nor, either ... or, neither ... nor the verb must agree with the subject ________ the verb.

nearer

collective noun

one word that represents a whole group

Compound subjects connected with and or both ... and ... require a ________ verb

plural

Some nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning take a _______ verb (scissors, trousers, tidings)

plural

conjunctions

pronoun, takes place of subject because subject can't be found in prepositional phrase.

Compound subjects preceded by many a, every, or each will always take a __________ verb.

singular

Expression of an amount (a measurement, percentage, fraction, etc.) may be singular or plural depending upon how it is used. A noun of amount is _____________ when the amount is thought of as a single unit.

singular

Some nouns that are in plural in form but singular in meaning take a _________ verb (mumps, measles, news, mathematics)

singular

Collective nouns take a __________ verb when they refer to a group as a unit. Collective nouns take a _________ verb when they refer to the individuals within the group.

singular; plural

A verb must agree with its _________.

subject