Grammar Usage & Sentence Structure Flashcards

What is a complete sentence?

Answer: A sentence with subject and predicate

A complete sentence, also known as an independent clause, must contain at least two essential components: a subject and a predicate. The subject tells who or what the sentence is about, while the predicate contains the verb and provides information about the subject's action or state of being. Together, these elements form a complete thought that can stand alone.

What is subject-verb agreement?

Answer: Subject and verb match in number

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammatical rule stating that the verb in a sentence must correspond in number (singular or plural) with its subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular; if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. For example, "The dog runs" (singular) versus "The dogs run" (plural), ensuring grammatical correctness and clarity.

What is a run-on sentence?

Answer: Two independent clauses without proper connection

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts that could stand alone as sentences) are joined together without correct punctuation or a coordinating conjunction. This creates confusion for the reader because the ideas are not clearly separated or related. Proper connection typically involves using a comma and a conjunction, a semicolon, or separating them into distinct sentences.

What is a fragment?

Answer: An incomplete sentence

A sentence fragment is a group of words that looks like a sentence but is missing a subject, a verb, or both, or it expresses an incomplete thought. Unlike a complete sentence, a fragment cannot stand alone. It often leaves the reader wondering what happened or who performed an action, hindering clear communication.

What is parallel structure?

Answer: Using the same grammatical form

Parallel structure, or parallelism, involves using the same grammatical form for items in a list, series, or comparison. This means that if you are listing nouns, all items should be nouns; if you are listing verbs, all should be verbs in the same tense, and so on. Maintaining parallel structure improves readability, creates a sense of rhythm, and emphasizes the equal importance of the ideas presented.

What is the purpose of punctuation?

Answer: To clarify meaning and separate ideas

Punctuation marks are essential tools in writing that serve to clarify the meaning of sentences and separate distinct ideas. They guide the reader through the text, indicating pauses, questions, exclamations, and the relationships between clauses and phrases. Without proper punctuation, sentences can become ambiguous or difficult to understand, leading to misinterpretation.

What is an independent clause?

Answer: A complete sentence on its own

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Because it conveys a full idea, an independent clause can stand alone as a simple sentence. It forms the fundamental building block of more complex sentences, often combined with other independent or dependent clauses.

What is the role of conjunctions?

Answer: To connect words or clauses

Conjunctions are words that serve as connectors, linking words, phrases, clauses, or even entire sentences. They establish relationships between these elements, indicating addition, contrast, cause and effect, or choice. Common conjunctions like "and," "but," "or," "so," and "because" are vital for creating coherent and grammatically correct complex sentences.

Why is proper verb tense important?

Answer: To ensure consistency and clarity

Proper verb tense is crucial for indicating when an action occurred and maintaining a clear timeline within a text. Consistent and correct verb tense helps readers follow the sequence of events without confusion. Inconsistent tenses can make writing unclear and difficult to understand, disrupting the flow and meaning of the narrative or argument.