Clause a Group of Words That Contains a Verb and Its Subject

Complete Sentences Grammar Vocabulary I

1) Clause – a group of words that contains a verb and its subject – that is, a subject/verb unit.

2) Independent Clause – can stand by itself as a sentence.

3) Subordinate/Dependent Clause – does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself.

4) Main Clause – the primary clause in a sentence which also contains at least one dependent clause or phrase

5) Subordinator – words like if, when, because, whenever, although, or before which when put before a clause make the clause dependant.

6) Fragment – phrases or dependent clauses punctuated as if they were a complete sentence.

7) Phrase – a group of related words that does not contain a verb and its subject.

Complete Sentences Grammar II

1) Gerund Phrase – a phrase consisting of an ‘ing’ verb which functions as a noun.

2) Infinitive Phrase – consists of an infinitive (some form of ‘to be’), its modifiers, and its complements.

3) Participial Phrase – a phrase which contains a verb that functions as an adjective or adverb in a sentence

4) Run-On or Run-Together Sentence - occurs when two sentences are joined with no punctuation between them or with only a comma connecting them.

5) Modifier – a modifier makes another word precise; modifiers most often are adjectives or adverbs. Make sure your modifiers are next to the words they modify!!!

Grammar Terms #3

6) Tense Consistency – having the same use of time placement throughout a sentence or document. Keep it consistent!!

7) Parallel Structure – using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance (ex ‘he swam, ate, and tanned at the beach’)

Punctuation Vocabulary

1) Comma – indicates a pause, separation, or items within a list within a sentence.

2) Semicolon – divides some compound sentences. Separates items in series that contain commas.

3) Colon – introduces a list or long quotation. Don’t use a colon if it’s a natural part of the sentence (ex. My three favorite foods are peanut butter, BBQ ribs, and cookies.)

4) Ellipses – three dots which indicate an omission of words

5) Hyphen – joins parts of some compound words

6) Dash or Parenthesis - sets off words, phrases, or material which are not connected or which interrupt the flow of the sentence.

7) Direct Quotation – exact words from another source or speaker set off by quotation marks. (“I feel lost,” Sheila said.)

8) Indirect Quotation – a summary of what a speaker said, but not their exact words; do not use quotation marks (ex. Bill talked about how he didn’t want to go to school.)

9) Divided Quotation – a single quotation separated by a reference to who’s spoken (ex. “It’s cold outside,” Bill said, “Thank goodness I wore a jacket.”)

9th Grade Punctuation Vocabulary

1) Semicolon – divides some compound sentences. Separates items in series that contain commas.

2) Colon – introduces a list or quotation.

3) Ellipses – used in writing or printing to indicate an omission, especially of letters or words

4) Hyphen – joins parts if some compound words.

5) Comma - used to indicate a separation of elements or a natural pause within the structure of a sentence

6) Direct Quotation - a report of the exact words used

7) Indirect Quotation – a report of something stated but not using the exact words (does not take quotation marks)

8) Divided Quotation – a continuing quotation separated by a reference explaining the identity of the speaker (ex. “You know,” said Bruce, “this is the best peanut butter sandwich ever!”)

9) Heading – the address of the letter’s sender and date which is placed at the top right of the letter

10) Inside Address – the name of the recipient of the letter placed on the left margin just above the salutation

11) Salutation – the initial phrase addressing the recipient (‘Dear John:’ – colon used for a formal letter, a comma for a more informal one)