Grammar Glossary

A B C D E F G I

J K L M N O P Q R

S T U V W X Y Z

H

Grammar Glossary

Abbreviation

Action verb

Active voice

Adjective clause

Adjective

Adjective phrase

Adverb

Adverb clause

Agreement

Adverb phrase

Ambiguous reference

Antecedent

Apostrophe

Appositive phrase

Appositive

Article

Grammar Glossary

Bad, badly

Base form

Brackets

Grammar Glossary

Capitalization

Case of pronouns

Clause

Colon

Comma splice

Comma

Compound-complex sentenceComparison

of modifiers

Complement

Complex sentence

Compound sentence

Conjunction

Contraction

Grammar Glossary

Dangling modifier

Declarative sentence

Direct object

Double comparison

Double subject

Double negativeDash

Grammar Glossary

Elliptical construction

Essential clause/essential phrase

Exclamatory sentence

End marks

Grammar Glossary

Faulty coordination

Fused sentence

Grammar Glossary

General reference

Gerund

Gerund phrase

Good/well

Grammar Glossary

Hyphen

Grammar Glossary

Imperative mood

Imperative sentence

Indefinite reference

Independent clause

Indicative mood

Infinitive

Indirect object

Infinitive phrase

Intransitive verb

Interjection

Interrogative sentence

Irregular verb

Its, it’s

Italics

Grammar Glossary

Lie, lay

Linking verb

Grammar Glossary

Misplaced modifier

Modifier

Mood

Grammar Glossary

Nonessential clause/nonessential phrase

Noun

Noun clause

Number

Grammar Glossary

Objective complement

Object of a preposition

Grammar Glossary

Parallel structure

Parentheses

Participial phrase

Participle

Passive voice

Predicate

Phrase

Predicate adjective

Preposition

Predicate nominative

Prefix

Prepositional phrase

Pronoun

Grammar Glossary

Quotation marks

Grammar Glossary

Regular verb

Rise, raise

Run-on sentence

Grammar Glossary

Semicolon

Sentence

Sentence fragment

Simple sentence

Sit, set

Subject

Slow, slowly

Subject complement

Suffix

Subjunctive mood

Subordinate clause

Grammar Glossary

Tense of verbs

Transitive verb

Grammar Glossary

Underlining (Italics)

Grammar Glossary

Verb

Verbal

Verbal phrase

Verb phrase

Voice

Grammar Glossary

Weak reference

Who, whom

Wordiness

Grammar Glossary

Abbreviation—An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word of a phrase.

TX

Mr.

Ave.

Inc.

Examples: (Mister)

(Avenue)

(Incorporated)

(Texas)

Grammar Glossary

Action verb—An action verb expresses physical or mental activity.

Uncle Jim drives a school bus.

Drives is an activity.

verb

Grammar Glossary

Active voice—Active voice is the voice a verb is in when it expresses an action done by its subject.

The dog chased the squirrel across the yard.

The subject, dog, is performing the action of chasing.

subject verb

Grammar Glossary

Adjective—An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun.

Do you see that beautiful house over there?Do you see that beautiful house over there?

The adjective that modifies the noun house.

The adjective beautiful also modifies the noun house.

Grammar Glossary

Adjective clause—An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun.

We saw a car that had aluminum wheels.

The adjective clause that had aluminum wheels modifies the noun car.

Grammar Glossary

Adjective phrase—A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun is called an adjective phrase.

Dana prefers the backpack with large pockets.

The adjective phrase with large pockets modifies the noun backpack.

Grammar Glossary

Adverb—An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Mom and Dad often drive us to the lake on weekends.

The adverb often modifies the verb drive.

Grammar Glossary

Adverb clause—An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.

Trudy’s grades have improved since she cut back her TV viewing.

The adverb clause since she cut back her TV viewingmodifies the verb have improved.

Grammar Glossary

Adverb phrase—A prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb is called an adverb phrase.

After dark, the carol singers went from house to house.

The adverb phrase after dark modifies the verb went.

Grammar Glossary

Agreement—Agreement is the correspondence, or match, between grammatical forms. Grammatical forms agree when they have the same number and gender.

• of pronouns and antecedents

• of subjects and verb

Grammar Glossary

Agreement—Agreement is the correspondence, or match, between grammatical forms. Grammatical forms agree when they have the same number and gender.

• of pronouns and antecedents

Desmond often rides his bike to school.Singular

Have all of the members paid their dues?Plural

antecedent pronoun

antecedent pronoun

subject

subject

Grammar Glossary

Agreement—Agreement is the correspondence, or match, between grammatical forms. Grammatical forms agree when they have the same number and gender.

• of subjects and verbs

The music teacher is composing an opera. Singular

Here are the topics for the projects.Plural

verb

verb

Grammar Glossary

Ambiguous reference—Ambiguous reference occurs when a pronoun incorrectly refers to either of two antecedents.

Ambiguous:

Which lives on land—the turtle or the tortoise?

A tortoise is different from a turtle only in that a tortoise lives on land, not in water.

A tortoise is different from a turtle only in that it lives on land, not in water.

Clear:

Grammar Glossary

Antecedent—An antecedent is the word or words that a pronoun stands for.

Tim doesn’t know when he will finish the essay.

The pronoun he refers to the proper noun Tim.

pronounantecedent

Grammar Glossary

Apostrophe

• contractions

A’s and B’s

someone’s backpack

wouldn’t I’ll

• plurals of letters, numerals and words used as words and’s instead of &’s

• possession player’s uniform

Grammar Glossary

Appositive—An appositive is a noun or pronoun placed beside another noun to identify or describe it.

My friend Desiree recently moved to a new house.

Desiree is an appositive that identifies friend.

Grammar Glossary

Appositive phrase—An appositive phrase consists of an appositive and its modifiers.

I think this coat belongs to Stanley, the gray-haired man with a mustache.

The gray-haired man with a mustache is an appositive phrase that describes Stanley.

Grammar Glossary

Article—The articles, a, an, and the, are the most frequently used adjectives.

A sudden gust of wind and loud rumbling in thedistance were the first signs of an impending storm.

Bad is an adjective. In most uses, badly is an adverb. A word that modifies the subject of a verb should be in adjective form.

Grammar Glossary

Bad, badly

This chicken soup tastes badly.• nonstandard

• standard This chicken soup tastes bad.

Grammar Glossary

Base form—The base form, or infinitive, is one of the four principal parts of a verb.

We heard Suzi sing the national anthem last night.

base form

Grammar Glossary

Brackets

The movie critic wrote, “The leading man’s performance was a tour de force” [an unusually skillful performance].

Grammar Glossary

Capitalization

Blvd. M.B.A.• of abbreviations and acronyms

• of first words Dear Dr. Nunez:

• of proper nouns and proper adjectives

North America

• of titles Uncle Cesare Consumers Digest

The cat sat still.

Mexican

Grammar Glossary

Case of pronouns—Case is the form a pronoun takes to show how it is used in a sentence.

She and I are taking karate lessons.

• nominative

• objective

• possessive

Is Kate going with them to the movies?

Her speech was interesting.

Grammar Glossary

Clause—A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and is used as part of a sentence.

Independent clause

Subordinate clause

She arrives at one o’clock unless the train is late.

she arrives at one o’clock

subject verb

unless the train is late

subject verb

Complete sentence

Grammar Glossary

Colon

To assemble the bookcase, you will need the following tools: a crescent wrench, a small hammer, and a Phillips screwdriver.

• before lists

• in conventional situations

7:30 p.m. Dear Sir:

Grammar Glossary

Comma

• in a series

• in compound sentences

• with nonessential phrases and clauses

• with introductory elements

• with interrupters

• in conventional situations

Grammar Glossary

Comma

Shandra, Seth, and I spent the summer working in an animal shelter.

• in a series

Commas are used to separate items in a series.

Grammar Glossary

Comma

• in compound sentences

My friend Albert plays the guitar, and I play the drums.

Commas are used with coordinating conjunctions—like and, but, and or—to join independent clauses in compound sentences.

Grammar Glossary

Comma

West Side Story, which is based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is my favorite musical.

• with nonessential phrases and clauses

Commas are used to set off nonessential phrases and clauses from the rest of the sentence.

Grammar Glossary

Comma

• with introductory elements

Sitting around the bonfire, the campers told ghost stories.

Commas are used to set off introductory elements from the rest of the sentence.

Grammar Glossary

Comma

The Gila monster, for example, is a poisonous lizard.

• with interrupters

Commas are used to set off interrupters from the rest of the sentence.

Grammar Glossary

Comma

• in conventional situations

Send the letter to 728 Lakewood Boulevard, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0827.

Commas are used to separate items in addresses.

The letter should be mailed before Friday, May 8, 2009.

Commas are used to separate items in dates.

Grammar Glossary

Comma splice—A comma splice is a run-on sentence in which only a comma separates two complete sentences.

On our first night in New York City, we went to Times Square, the next day, we went to Central Park.

Comma splice

REVISED

Grammar Glossary

Comma splice—A comma splice is a run-on sentence in which only a comma separates two complete sentences.

On our first night in New York City, we went to Times Square. The next day, we went to Central Park.

Revised

Grammar Glossary

Comparison of modifiers

• comparison of adjectives and adverbs

• comparing two

• comparing more than two

Grammar Glossary

Comparison of modifiers

most (least) slowly

more (less) slowly

slowlyworstworsebad/illshortestshortershortSuperlativeComparativePositive

• comparison of adjectives and adverbs

Grammar Glossary

Comparison of modifiers

Of Mars and Venus, which planet is closer to Earth?

• comparing two

Which of these two blades cut more precisely?

Grammar Glossary

Comparison of modifiers

• comparing more than two

Lake Superior is the largest of the five Great Lakes.

Of the all the skaters, she jumps most gracefully.

Grammar Glossary

Complement—A complement is a word or word group that completes the meaning of a verb.

All of Mrs. Lozano’s students admire her.

The complement her tells us whom the students admire.

verb complement

Grammar Glossary

Complex sentence—A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.

Independent clause

Subordinate clause

My favorite animated film was Cinderella, until I saw Jungle Book.

My favorite animated film was Cinderella

until I saw Jungle Book

Grammar Glossary

Compound-complex sentence—A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

Subordinate clause

Independent clause

The sweater that I bought last week was on sale, and it fits well, too.

The sweater was on sale

that I bought last week

it fits well, too. Independent clause

Grammar Glossary

Compound sentence—A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses but no subordinate clauses.

Independent clause

Independent clause

Two of the kittens are gray, but the third kitten is orange.

two of the kittens are gray

the third kitten is orange

Grammar Glossary

Conjunction—A conjunction joins words or groups of words.

fish or fowl

through the kitchen and up the stairs

Although Boris had a cold, he insisted on performing.

Grammar Glossary

Contraction—A contraction is a shortened form of a word, a numeral, or a group of words. Apostrophes in contractions indicate where letters or numerals have been omitted.

(you are)you’re

(of the clock)o’clock

(1914)’14

Grammar Glossary

Dangling modifier—A dangling modifier is a modifying word, phrase, or clause that does not clearly and sensibly modify a word or word group in a sentence.

Riding in the convertible, the day was beautiful.

Was the day riding in the convertible? No. This phrase is a dangling modifier.

Dangling modifier

REVISED

Grammar Glossary

Dangling modifier—A dangling modifier is a modifying word, phrase, or clause that does not clearly and sensibly modify a word or word group in a sentence.

Riding in the convertible, we enjoyed the beautiful day.

Now it is clear who was riding in the convertible.

Revised

Grammar Glossary

Dash

The marine biologist spent several days—ten I think—recording the movements of the manatee and her cub.

Grammar Glossary

Declarative sentence—A declarative sentence makes a statement and is followed by a period.

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland.

My aunt lives in Missouri.

Grammar Glossary

Direct object—A direct object is a word or word group that receives the action of the verb or shows the result of the action. A direct object answers the question Whom? or What? after a transitive verb.

Rashmi visited them Tuesday afternoon.

Visited whom? Visited them. Them is the direct object.

direct object

Grammar Glossary

Double comparison—A double comparison is the nonstandard use of two comparative forms (usually more and –er) or two superlative forms (usually mostand –est) to express comparison. In standard usage, the single comparative form is correct.

Jill is the most tallest member of our family.

nonstandard

standard Jill is the tallest member of our family.

nonstandard

nonstandard

Grammar Glossary

Double negative—A double negative is the nonstandard use of two negative words when one is enough.

Alonzo can’t hardly keep his eyes open.

standard Alonzo can hardly keep his eyes open.

standard

I haven’t never been on an airplane.

I haven’t ever been on a airplane.

I have never been on a airplane.

nonstandard

Grammar Glossary

Double subject—A double subject occurs when an unnecessary pronoun is used after the subject of a sentence.

Abner Doubleday, contrary to popular belief, he did not create the game of baseball.

standard Abner Doubleday, contrary to popular belief, did not create the game of baseball.

Grammar Glossary

Elliptical construction—An elliptical construction is a clause from which words have been omitted.

Joel is much taller than his brothers.

The words are tall have been omitted from the clause.

[are tall].

Grammar Glossary

End marks

• with sentences

• with abbreviations

Grammar Glossary

End marks

Mark set the record for the high jump.declarative

interrogative

exclamatory

Has he set any other records?

Yes! He’s set six records!

• with sentences

Don’t forget to attend the next meet.imperative

Grammar Glossary

End marks

In 1964, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Was the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr.?

• with abbreviations

Grammar Glossary

Essential clause/essential phrase—An essential, or restrictive, clause or phrase is necessary to the meaning of a sentence and is not set off by commas.

The woman who manages the volunteers is Mrs. Anton.

The clause who manages the volunteers is essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Grammar Glossary

Exclamatory sentence—An exclamatory sentence expresses strong feeling and is followed by an exclamation point.

What a surprise this is!

I can’t wait to go to the concert!

faulty

Grammar Glossary

Faulty coordination—Faulty coordination occurs when unequal ideas are presented as though they were coordinate. Usually, the clauses are strung together with coordinating conjunctions like and or but.

At the age of sixty-five, my grandmother retired from

teaching school, but within a year she grew bored, for

she missed being around her colleagues and interacting

with students, so she decided to become a substitute

teacher, and now she is back in the classroom nearly

every day, and she is enjoying life again.REVISED

At the age of sixty-five, my grandmother retired from teaching

school. Within a year, however, she grew bored, for she missed

being around her colleagues and interacting with students. As a

result, she decided to become a substitute teacher. Now she is back

in the classroom nearly every day and is enjoying life again.

revised

Grammar Glossary

Faulty coordination—Faulty coordination occurs when unequal ideas are presented as though they were coordinate. Usually, the clauses are strung together with coordinating conjunctions like and or but.

fused

Grammar Glossary

Fused sentence—A fused sentence is a run-on sentence in which no punctuation separates complete sentences.

Our pecan trees produce hundreds of pecans usually we share with neighbors.

revised Our pecan trees produce hundred of pecans;usually we share with neighbors.

Our pecan trees produce hundreds of pecans. Usually we share with neighbors.

General reference

Grammar Glossary

General reference—A general reference is the incorrect use of a pronoun to refer to a general idea rather than to a specific noun.

The team’s star player, Yolanda, has been sidelined by an injury. That may be the reason for their low morale.

What does That refer to?

REVISED

Grammar Glossary

General reference—A general reference is the incorrect use of a pronoun to refer to a general idea rather than to a specific noun.

revised That the team’s star player, Yolanda, has been sidelined by an injury may be the reason for their low morale.

That refers to Yolanda’s being sidelined by an injury.

Grammar Glossary

Gerund—A gerund is a verb form ending in –ingthat is used as a noun.

Swimming is good exercise.

The gerund swimming is the subject of the sentence.

Grammar Glossary

Gerund phrase—A gerund phrase consists of a gerund and any modifiers and complements it has.

On weekends, Alberto enjoys playing soccer with his friends.

Gerund—playingComplement of the gerund—soccer with his friendsThe gerund phrase is the direct object of the sentence.

Grammar Glossary

Good/well

For a beginner, Julian is a good golfer.

For a beginner, Julian plays golf well.

Good is an adjective. Well may be used as an adjective, meaning “in good health” or “satisfactorily.” Well may also be used as adverb, meaning “capably.”

Good modifies the noun golfer.

Well modifies the verb plays.

adjective

adverb

Grammar Glossary

Hyphen

The Ecology Club at school organ-ized a recycling campaign.

• to divide words

• in compound numbers

• with prefixes

The Ecology Club has ninety-seven members.

The Ecology Club began a recycling campaign in mid-September.

Grammar Glossary

Imperative mood—The imperative mood is used to express a direct command or request.

Put that magazine down!

Read what the sign says.

Grammar Glossary

Imperative sentence—An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request and is followed by either a period or an exclamation point.

Please turn the TV off.

Turn that TV off!

request

command

indefinite reference

Grammar Glossary

Indefinite reference—An indefinite reference is the incorrect use of the pronoun you, it, or they to refer to no particular person or thing.

revised

They claim that the football team is the best ever.

Who is they?

The fans claim that the football team is the best ever.

Grammar Glossary

Independent clause—An independent clause (also called a main clause) expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence.

Dad hired a contractor to build the deck.

subject verb

Grammar Glossary

Indicative mood—The indicative mood is used to express a fact, an opinion, or a question.

George Washington was the first U.S. president.

My aunt makes the best apple pie.

Don’t you live next door to the Sandovals?

fact

opinion

question

Grammar Glossary

Indirect object—An indirect object is a word or word group that often comes between a transitive verb and its direct object and tells to whom or to what or for whom or for what the action of the verb is done.

Kathleen gave the dog a rubber toy.

Kathleen gave what? toy—direct objectKathleen gave a toy to whom? dog—indirect object

verbdirect

object

indirect

object

Grammar Glossary

Infinitive—An infinitive is a verb form, usually preceded by to, that is used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

We all wanted to swim, so Mom took us to the pool.

Grammar Glossary

Infinitive phrase—An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and its modifiers and complements.

To become a doctor is his goal.

To become—infinitiveTo become a doctor—infinitive phraseThe infinitive phrase acts as the subject of the sentence.

Grammar Glossary

Interjection—An interjection expresses emotion and has no grammatical relation to the rest of the sentence.

Wow! Look at those fireworks.

Ouch! That cut hurts.

Grammar Glossary

Interrogative sentence—An interrogative sentence asks a question and is followed by a question mark.

Have you ever seen the Rockies?

When does the movie start?

Grammar Glossary

Intransitive verb—An intransitive verb is a verb that does not take an object.

The wind howls fiercely.

John sat at the desk.

Grammar Glossary

Irregular verb—An irregular verb is a verb that forms its past and past participle in some way other than by adding –d or –ed to the base form.

[have] paidpaid[is] payingpay

[have] chosenchose[is] choosingchoose

[have] beenwas, were[is] beingbe

Past participle

PastPresent participle

Base form

Grammar Glossary

Italics (Underlining)

• for titlesThe Great Gatsby [book]

The Water Carrier [long musical composition]

• for words, letters, and symbols used as such and for foreign words

Mississippi has four i’s, four s’s, and two p’s.

A fait accompli is anything that is done that cannot be undone.

Grammar Glossary

Its, it’s

The gerbil is your pet. You need to clean its cage.the gerbil’s

It’s been a long time since it’s been cleaned.It has it has

Its is a possessive pronoun. It’s is a contraction for “it is” or “it has.”

Grammar Glossary

Lie, lay

“You look tired, Mom. Perhaps you should lay your work aside and lie down for a while,” I suggested.

The verb lie means “to rest,” “to recline,” or “to be in a certain place.” The verb lay means “to put [something] in place.”

[have] laidlaid[is] layinglay

[have] lainlay[is] lyinglie

Past participle

PastPresent participle

Base form

Grammar Glossary

Linking verb—A linking verb connects the subject with a word that identifies or describes the subject.

Sparrows are determined nest builders.

The linking verb are connects sparrows and its description–determined.

misplaced

Grammar Glossary

Misplaced modifier—A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that seems to modify the wrong word or words in a sentence.

The humpback whales entertained the passengers aboard the tour boat, leaping gracefully out of the gentle ocean waves.

Was the tour boat leaping gracefully? No, the modifier is misplaced.

REVISED

Grammar Glossary

Misplaced modifier—A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that seems to modify the wrong word or words in a sentence.

revised Leaping gracefully out of the gentle ocean waves, the humpback whales entertained the passengers aboard the tour boat.

Now, the modifier sensibly modifies the noun whales. The whales were leaping gracefully.

Happy modifies the proper noun Harriet.

Grammar Glossary

Modifier—A modifier is a word or word group that makes the meaning of a word or word group more specific.

Harriet is happy.

The children laughed excitedly. Excitedly modifies the verb laughed.

Grammar Glossary

Mood—Mood is the form a verb takes to indicate the attitude of the person using the verb.

• imperative mood

• indicative mood

• subjunctive mood

Grammar Glossary

Imperative mood—The imperative mood is used to express a direct command or request.

Put that magazine down!

Read what the sign says.

Grammar Glossary

Indicative mood—The indicative mood is used to express a fact, an opinion, or a question.

George Washington was the first U.S. president.

My aunt makes the best apple pie.

Don’t you live next door to the Sandovals?

fact

opinion

question

Grammar Glossary

Subjunctive mood—The subjunctive mood is used to express a suggestion, a necessity, a condition contrary to fact, or a wish.

Mrs. Chen recommended that Gloria audition for the leading role.

If I were you, I would have a skilled mechanic inspect the used car.

suggestion

condition contrary to fact

nonessential clause

Grammar Glossary

Nonessential clause/nonessential phrase—A nonessential, or nonrestrictive, clause or phrase adds information not necessary to the main idea in the sentence and is set off by commas.

Diana discussed her trip to Florida, which took place last month.

nonessential phrase

The twins, sitting quietly for a change, posed for the picture.

(person)

(place)

(thing)

Grammar Glossary

Noun—A noun names a person, a place, a thing, or an idea.

Elizabeth Pena

Paris

mountain

knowledge (idea)

Grammar Glossary

Noun clause—A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun.

The main message of Ms. Pinckney’s talk was that we should always be punctual.

The subordinate clause that we should always be punctualworks as a noun—a predicate nominative.

Grammar Glossary

Number—Number is the form a word takes to indicate whether the word is singular or plural.

townsleavesmen childrenPlural

townleafmanchildSingular

Grammar Glossary

Objective complement—An objective complement is a word or word group that helps complete the meaning of a transitive verb by identifying or modifying the direct object.

transitive verb

direct object

Sandy called her grandfather a hero.

objective complement

Sandy called whom? grandfather—direct objectSandy called her grandfather what exactly? hero—objective complement

Grammar Glossary

Object of a preposition—An object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun that ends a prepositional phrase.

She heard a composition on the radio by hermusic teacher.

Radio is the object of the prepositional phrase on the radio. Teacher is the object of the prepositional phrase by her music teacher.

nonparallel

Grammar Glossary

Parallel structure—Parallel structure is the use of the same grammatical forms or structures to balance related ideas in a sentence.

parallel

Each day, I reserve time for exercising and to write in my journal.

Each day, I reserve time for exercising and for writing in my journal.

Each day, I reserve time to exercise and to write in my journal.

Grammar Glossary

Parentheses

A praying mantis (see illustration C) is the only insect that can turn its head from side to side.

A praying mantis is the only insect that can turn its head from side to side. (See illustration C.)

Grammar Glossary

Participial phrase—A participial phrase consists of a participle and any complements and modifiers it has.

Admired for his courage, my cousin is an impressive young man.

Admired is the participle.Admired for his courage is the participial phrase.The participial phrase acts an adjective and modifies cousin.

Grammar Glossary

Participle—A participle is a verb form that can be used an adjective.

Blushing, Tina accepted the award.

Blushing is used as an adjective to describe Tina.

Grammar Glossary

Passive voice—The passive voice is the voice the verb is in when it expresses an action done to its subject.

The president was elected with 60 percent of the vote.

The subject president receives the action of the verb elect. The sentence does not indicate who did the act of electing.

Grammar Glossary

Phrase—A phrase is a group of related words that does not contain both a verb and its subject and that is used as a single part of speech.

Our champion swimmer is an appositive phrase.At the Kansas City meet is a prepositional phrase.

Steve, our champion swimmer, will represent King Junior High at the Kansas City meet.

Grammar Glossary

Predicate—The predicate is the part of a sentence that says something about the subject.

Will she perform a solo?

Horace may be responsible for that prank.

Subject: shePredicate: Will perform a solo

Subject: HoracePredicate: may be responsible for that prank

Grammar Glossary

Predicate adjective—A predicate adjective is an adjective that completes the meaning of a linking verb and modifies the subject of the verb.

linking verb

predicate adjectivesubject

The trees looked red in the evening light.

Red is a predicate adjective that describes the subject trees.

Grammar Glossary

Predicate nominative—A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that completes the meaning of a linking verb and identifies or refers to the subject of the verb.

linking verb

predicate nominativesubject

My sister will be a lawyer soon.

Lawyer is a predicate nominative that refers to the subject sister.

Grammar Glossary

Prefix—A prefix is a word part that is added before a base word or root.

un

re

self

mid

+ fair = unfair

+ elect = reelect

+

+

esteem =

=

self-esteem

April mid-April

Grammar Glossary

Preposition—A preposition shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to some other word in the sentence.

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is located in the east.

The prepositions of and in describe Berlin’s relationship to Germany and its location.

Grammar Glossary

Prepositional phrase—A prepositional phrase is a group of words beginning with a preposition and ending with its object.

Before work, Dan always feeds the birds.

Before is the preposition, and work is its object.

Grammar Glossary

Pronoun—A pronoun is used in place of one or more nouns or pronouns.

His muscles ached, she was sunburned, and their feet were sore, but all in all they had had a wonderful day.

All of the guests helped themselves to more of the spinach salad.

Grammar Glossary

Quotation marks

• for direct quotations

• with other marks of punctuation

• for titles

Grammar Glossary

Quotation marks

• for direct quotations

“Learning a few simple rules,” said the teacher, “will help you avoid many common spelling errors.”

Grammar Glossary

Quotation marks

• with other marks of punctuation

“Through which South American countries does the Amazon River flow?” asked Enrique.

Which popular poem by Alfred Noyes begins with the line “The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees”?

Grammar Glossary

Quotation marks

• for titles

“Song of the Trees”

“Mama Is a Sunrise”

“Many Rivers to Cross”

(short story)

(short poem)

(song)

Grammar Glossary

Regular verb—A regular verb is a verb that forms its past and past participle by adding –d or –ed to its base form.

[have] drowneddrowned[is] drowningdrown

[have] attackedattacked[is] attackingattack

[have] askedasked[is] askingask

Past participlePastPresent participle

Base form

Grammar Glossary

Rise, raise

The river rose rapidly.

They raised a white flag to signal surrender.

The verb rise means “to move upward” or “to go up.” Rise does not take an object. The verb raise means “to lift (something) up.” Raise usually takes an object.

The river moved upward rapidly.

They lifted a white flag up to signal surrender.

run-on

Grammar Glossary

Run-on sentence—A run-on sentence is two or more complete sentences run together as one.

revised

We were looking for the keys he grew a little impatient.

We were looking for the keys. He grew a little impatient.

Grammar Glossary

Semicolon

• in compound sentences with no conjunction

• in compound sentences with conjunctive verbs

• between items in a series when the items contain commas

Grammar Glossary

Semicolon

• in compound sentences with no conjunction

My sister plays violin in her school’s symphony orchestra; her goal is to become first chair.

Grammar Glossary

Semicolon

• in compound sentences with conjunctive verbs

I play that movie’s soundtrack nearly every day;consequently, I know the lyrics of all of its songs.

Grammar Glossary

Semicolon

• between items in a series when the items contain commas

The band’s cross-country tour includes concerts in Seattle, Washington; Albuquerque, New Mexico;Cincinnati, Ohio; and Miami, Florida.

Grammar Glossary

Sentence—A sentence is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

subject

Mr. Holland will give his presentation in the auditorium.

verb

Grammar Glossary

Sentence fragment—A sentence fragment is a group of words that is punctuated as if it were a complete sentence but that does not contain both a subject and a verb or that does not express a complete thought.

fragment In 2002, the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

sentence In 2002, the Winter Olympic Games will be held in Salt Lake City.

Grammar Glossary

Simple sentence—A simple sentence has one independent clause and no subordinate clauses.

The cheetah is an endangered species.

How many other species are endangered?

subject verb

subject verb

Grammar Glossary

Sit, set

The scientists sat quietly, watching the televised launch of the space shuttle Atlantis.

On top of the television, the science teacher sether model of the space shuttle Atlantis.

The verb sit means “to be seated” or “to rest.” Sitseldom takes an object. The verb set usually means “to place (something somewhere)” or “to put (something somewhere).” Set usually takes an object.

Grammar Glossary

Slow, slowly

“Slow drivers can be as much of a menace on the road as fast drivers,” said Erwin.

Dr. Emmet spoke very slowly, with a pronounced accent.

Slow is used as both an adjective and an adverb. Slowly is used as an adverb. In most adverb cases, it is better to use slowly than to use slow.

adjective

adverb

Grammar Glossary

Subject—The subject tells whom or what a sentence is about.

Finally, the train entered the station.

subject

Grammar Glossary

Subject complement—A subject complement is a word or word group that completes the meaning of a linking verb and identifies or describes the subject.

Linus was impressive in the play last night.

Impressive describes the subject, Linus.

linking verb

subject complementsubject

Grammar Glossary

Subjunctive mood—The subjunctive mood is used to express a suggestion, a necessity, a condition contrary to fact, or a wish.

Mrs. Chen recommended that Gloria audition for the leading role.

If I were you, I would have a skilled mechanic inspect the used car.

suggestion

condition contrary to fact

Grammar Glossary

Subordinate clause—A subordinate clause (also called a dependent clause) does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Margaret and Melanie are two six-year-old girls who live in San Marcos, Texas.

Grammar Glossary

Suffix—A suffix is a word part that is added after a base word or root.

safe

busy

swim

knowledge

+ ly = safely

+ ly = busily

+

+

er =

=

swimmer

able knowledgeable

Grammar Glossary

Tense of verbs—The tense of verbs indicates the time of the action or state of being expressed by the verb.

• Present

• Past

• Future

• Present perfect

• Past perfect

• Future perfect

Grammar Glossary

Present

they writehe, she, it writesyou writeyou writewe writeI write

Past

they wrotehe, she, it wroteyou wroteyou wrotewe wroteI wrote

Grammar Glossary

Future

they will (shall) writehe/she/it will (shall) writeyou will (shall) writeyou will (shall) writewe will (shall) writeI will (shall) write

Present perfect

they have writtenhe, she, it has writtenyou have writtenyou have writtenwe have writtenI have written

Grammar Glossary

Past perfect

they had writtenhe/she/it had writtenyou had writtenyou had writtenwe had writtenI had written

Grammar Glossary

Future perfect

they will (shall) have written

he/she/it will (shall) have written

you will (shall) have written

you will (shall) have written

we will (shall) have writtenI will (shall) have written

Grammar Glossary

Transitive verb—A transitive verb is an action verb that takes an object.

Marcia washed her minivan yesterday.

Washed what? Her minivan.

Grammar Glossary

Underlining (Italics)

• for titlesThe Great Gatsby [book]

The Water Carrier [long musical composition]

• for words, letters, and symbols used as such and for foreign words

Mississippi has four i’s, four s’s, and two p’s.

A fait accompli is anything that is done that cannot be undone.

Grammar Glossary

Verb—A verb expresses an action or state of being.

We walked slowly down the steep hill.

The grasshopper is near the fence.

Walked expresses an action.

Is expresses a state of being.

Grammar Glossary

Verbal—A verbal is a form of a verb used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. (See also participle and infinitive.)

The children were amazed by the leaping lemurs.

To leave was hard.

Leaping is the verbal. It is used an adjective to modify lemurs.

To leave is the verbal. It is used as the subject of the sentence.

Grammar Glossary

Verbal phrase—A verbal phrase consists of a verbal and any modifiers and complements it has. (See also participial phrase and infinitive phrase.)

Running fast, the squirrel reached the safety of the tree.

Running fast is the verbal phrase. Running is the verbal.

Grammar Glossary

Verb phrase—A verb phrase consists of a main verb and at least one helping verb.

Have you seen Rich today?

Have seen is the verb phrase. Have is the helping verb. Seen is the main verb.

We will go to San Francisco next week.

Will go is the verb phrase. Will is the helping verb. Go is the main verb.

Grammar Glossary

Voice—Voice is the form a transitive verb takes to indicate whether the subject of the verb performs or receives the action.

Patricia MacLachlan wrote the book Sarah, Plain and Tall.

The book Sarah, Plain and Tall was written by Patricia MacLachlan.

active voice

passive voice

The subject performs the action of writing.

The subject receives the action.

Grammar Glossary

Weak reference—A weak reference is the incorrect use of a pronoun to refer to an antecedent that has not been expressed.

Jane Austen was a prolific writer; many of them have been made into films.

Jane Austen was a prolific writer; many of her novels have been made into films.

weak

revised

Grammar Glossary

Who, whom

For two weeks last summer, I visited my pen pal Emile, who lives in Montreal, Quebec.

My pen pal Emile, whom I have known for five years, has taught me much about French Canadian traditions.

The pronoun who has different forms in the nominative and objective cases. Who is the nominative form; whom is the objective form.

Grammar Glossary

Wordiness—Wordiness is the use of more words than necessary or the use of fancy words where simple ones will do.

In the event that it rains, we will not cancel the party that we have planned in celebration of Cinco de Mayo but instead, as an alternative, will hold the party indoors, not outdoors.

If it rains, we will hold our Cinco de Mayo party indoors.

• wordy

• revised

The End