Grammar Glossary

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Grammar Glossary
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Grammar Glossary
Abbreviation
Adverb
Antecedent
Action verb
Adverb clause
Apostrophe
Active voice
Appositive
Adverb phrase
Adjective
Appositive phrase
Adjective clause
Agreement
Article
Ambiguous reference
Adjective phrase
3
Grammar Glossary
Bad, badly
Base form
Brackets
4
Grammar Glossary
Capitalization
Comma splice
Compound-complex sentence
Case of pronouns
Comparison of modifiers
Compound sentence
Clause
Complement
Colon
Complex sentence
Conjunction
Comma
Contraction
5
Grammar Glossary
Dangling modifier
Double comparison
Double negative
Dash
Declarative sentence
Double subject
Direct object
6
Grammar Glossary
Elliptical construction
Exclamatory sentence
End marks
Essential clause/ essential phrase
7
Grammar Glossary
Faulty coordination
Fused sentence
8
Grammar Glossary
General reference
Gerund
Gerund phrase
Good/well
9
Grammar Glossary
Hyphen
10
Grammar Glossary
Imperative mood
Indicative mood
Interrogative sentence
Imperative sentence
Indirect object
Intransitive verb
Irregular verb
Indefinite reference
Infinitive
Infinitive phrase
Italics
Independent clause
Its, its
Interjection
11
Grammar Glossary
Lie, lay
Linking verb
12
Grammar Glossary
Misplaced modifier
Modifier
Mood
13
Grammar Glossary
Nonessential clause/ nonessential phrase
Noun
Noun clause
Number
14
Grammar Glossary
Objective complement
Object of a preposition
15
Grammar Glossary
Parallel structure
Phrase
Preposition
Predicate
Prepositional phrase
Parentheses
Predicate adjective
Participial phrase
Pronoun
Predicate nominative
Participle
Passive voice
Prefix
16
Grammar Glossary
Quotation marks
17
Grammar Glossary
Regular verb
Rise, raise
Run-on sentence
18
Grammar Glossary
Semicolon
Slow, slowly
Suffix
Subject
Sentence
Subject complement
Sentence fragment
Subjunctive mood
Simple sentence
Subordinate clause
Sit, set
19
Grammar Glossary
Tense of verbs
Transitive verb
20
Grammar Glossary
Underlining (Italics)
21
Grammar Glossary
Verb
Verbal
Verbal phrase
Verb phrase
Voice
22
Grammar Glossary
Weak reference
Who, whom
Wordiness
23
Grammar Glossary
AbbreviationAn abbreviation is a shortened form
of a word of a phrase.
Mr.
Examples
(Mister)
Ave.
(Avenue)
Inc.
(Incorporated)
TX
(Texas)
24
Grammar Glossary
Action verbAn action verb expresses physical or
mental activity.
verb
Uncle Jim drives a school bus.
Drives is an activity.
25
Grammar Glossary
Active voiceActive voice is the voice a verb is
in when it expresses an action done by its
subject.
subject
verb
The dog chased the squirrel across the yard.
The subject, dog, is performing the action of
chasing.
26
Grammar Glossary
AdjectiveAn 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.
27
Grammar Glossary
Adjective clauseAn 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.
28
Grammar Glossary
Adjective phraseA 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.
29
Grammar Glossary
AdverbAn 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.
30
Grammar Glossary
Adverb clauseAn adverb clause is a subordinate
clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an
adverb.
Trudys grades have improved since she cut back
her TV viewing.
The adverb clause since she cut back her TV
viewing modifies the verb have improved.
31
Grammar Glossary
Adverb phraseA 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.
32
Grammar Glossary
AgreementAgreement 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

33
Grammar Glossary
AgreementAgreement is the correspondence, or
match, between grammatical forms. Grammatical
forms agree when they have the same number and
gender.

• of pronouns and antecedents

antecedent
pronoun
Singular
Desmond often rides his bike to school.
antecedent
pronoun
Plural
Have all of the members paid their dues?
34
Grammar Glossary
AgreementAgreement is the correspondence, or
match, between grammatical forms. Grammatical
forms agree when they have the same number and
gender.

• of subjects and verbs

subject
verb
Singular
The music teacher is composing an opera.
subject
verb
Plural
Here are the topics for the projects.
35
Grammar Glossary
Ambiguous referenceAmbiguous reference occurs
when a pronoun incorrectly refers to either of
two antecedents.
Ambiguous
A tortoise is different from a turtle only in
that it lives on land, not in water.
Which lives on landthe turtle or the tortoise?
A tortoise is different from a turtle only in
that a tortoise lives on land, not in water.
Clear
36
Grammar Glossary
AntecedentAn antecedent is the word or words
that a pronoun stands for.
pronoun
antecedent
Tim doesnt know when he will finish the essay.
The pronoun he refers to the proper noun Tim.
37
Grammar Glossary
Apostrophe

• contractions

wouldnt
Ill

• plurals of letters, numerals and words used as
  words

As and Bs
ands instead of s
players uniform

• possession

someones backpack
38
Grammar Glossary
AppositiveAn 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.
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Grammar Glossary
Appositive phraseAn 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.
40
Grammar Glossary
ArticleThe articles, a, an, and the, are the
most frequently used adjectives.
A sudden gust of wind and loud rumbling in the
distance were the first signs of an impending
storm.
41
Grammar Glossary
Bad, badly
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.
This chicken soup tastes badly.

• nonstandard

• standard

This chicken soup tastes bad.
42
Grammar Glossary
Base formThe base form, or infinitive, is one of
the four principal parts of a verb.
base form
We heard Suzi sing the national anthem last
night.
43
Grammar Glossary
Brackets
The movie critic wrote, The leading mans
performance was a tour de force an unusually
skillful performance.
44
Grammar Glossary
Capitalization
Blvd.
M.B.A.

• of abbreviations and acronyms

Dear Dr. Nunez
The cat sat still.

• of first words

• of proper nouns and proper adjectives

North America
Mexican

• of titles

Uncle Cesare
Consumers Digest
45
Grammar Glossary
Case of pronounsCase is the form a pronoun takes
to show how it is used in a sentence.
She and I are taking karate lessons.

• nominative

• objective

Is Kate going with them to the movies?

• possessive

Her speech was interesting.
46
Grammar Glossary
ClauseA clause is a group of words that contains
a subject and a verb and is used as part of a
sentence.
subject
verb
Independent clause
she arrives at one oclock
subject
verb
Subordinate clause
unless the train is late
She arrives at one oclock unless the train is
late.
Complete sentence
47
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

730 p.m.
Dear Sir
48
Grammar Glossary
Comma

• in a series

• in compound sentences

• with nonessential phrases and clauses

• with introductory elements

• with interrupters

• in conventional situations

49
Grammar Glossary
Comma

• in a series

Shandra, Seth, and I spent the summer working in
an animal shelter.
Commas are used to separate items in a series.
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Grammar Glossary
Comma

• in compound sentences

My friend Albert plays the guitar, and I play the
drums.
Commas are used with coordinating
conjunctionslike and, but, and orto join
independent clauses in compound sentences.
51
Grammar Glossary
Comma

• with nonessential phrases and clauses

West Side Story, which is based on Shakespeares
Romeo and Juliet, is my favorite musical.
Commas are used to set off nonessential phrases
and clauses from the rest of the sentence.
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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.
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Grammar Glossary
Comma

• with interrupters

The Gila monster, for example, is a poisonous
lizard.
Commas are used to set off interrupters from the
rest of the sentence.
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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.
55
Grammar Glossary
Comma spliceA comma splice is a run-on sentence
in which only a comma separates two complete
sentences.
Comma splice
On our first night in New York City, we went to
Times Square, the next day, we went to Central
Park.
REVISED
56
Grammar Glossary
Comma spliceA comma splice is a run-on sentence
in which only a comma separates two complete
sentences.
Revised
On our first night in New York City, we went to
Times Square. The next day, we went to Central
Park.
57
Grammar Glossary
Comparison of modifiers

• comparison of adjectives and adverbs

• comparing two

• comparing more than two

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Grammar Glossary
Comparison of modifiers

• comparison of adjectives and adverbs

Positive Comparative Superlative
short shorter shortest
bad/ill worse worst
slowly more (less) slowly most (least) slowly
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Grammar Glossary
Comparison of modifiers

• comparing two

Of Mars and Venus, which planet is closer to
Earth?
Which of these two blades cut more precisely?
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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.
61
Grammar Glossary
ComplementA complement is a word or word group
that completes the meaning of a verb.
verb
complement
All of Mrs. Lozanos students admire her.
The complement her tells us whom the students
admire.
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Grammar Glossary
Complex sentenceA complex sentence has one
independent clause and at least one subordinate
clause.
My favorite animated film was Cinderella, until I
saw Jungle Book.
Independent clause
My favorite animated film was Cinderella
Subordinate clause
until I saw Jungle Book
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Grammar Glossary
Compound-complex sentenceA compound-complex
sentence has two or more independent clauses and
at least one subordinate clause.
The sweater that I bought last week was on sale,
and it fits well, too.
The sweater was on sale
Independent clause
Subordinate clause
that I bought last week
it fits well, too.
Independent clause
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Grammar Glossary
Compound sentenceA compound sentence has two or
more independent clauses but no subordinate
clauses.
Two of the kittens are gray, but the third kitten
is orange.
Independent clause
two of the kittens are gray
Independent clause
the third kitten is orange
65
Grammar Glossary
ConjunctionA 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.
66
Grammar Glossary
ContractionA 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)
youre
(of the clock)
oclock
(1914)
14
67
Grammar Glossary
Dangling modifierA dangling modifier is a
modifying word, phrase, or clause that does not
clearly and sensibly modify a word or word group
in a sentence.
Dangling modifier
Riding in the convertible, the day was beautiful.
Was the day riding in the convertible? No. This
phrase is a dangling modifier.
REVISED
68
Grammar Glossary
Dangling modifierA 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.
Revised
Now it is clear who was riding in the
convertible.
69
Grammar Glossary
Dash
The marine biologist spent several daysten I
thinkrecording the movements of the manatee and
her cub.
70
Grammar Glossary
Declarative sentenceA declarative sentence makes
a statement and is followed by a period.
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland.
My aunt lives in Missouri.
71
Grammar Glossary
Direct objectA 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.
direct object
Rashmi visited them Tuesday afternoon.
Visited whom?
Visited them. Them is the direct object.
72
Grammar Glossary
Double comparisonA double comparison is the
nonstandard use of two comparative forms (usually
more and er) or two superlative forms (usually
most and 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.
73
Grammar Glossary
Double negativeA double negative is the
nonstandard use of two negative words when one is
enough.
nonstandard
Alonzo cant hardly keep his eyes open.
standard
Alonzo can hardly keep his eyes open.
I havent never been on an airplane.
nonstandard
I havent ever been on a airplane.
standard
I have never been on a airplane.
74
Grammar Glossary
Double subjectA 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.
nonstandard
Abner Doubleday, contrary to popular belief, did
not create the game of baseball.
standard
75
Grammar Glossary
Elliptical constructionAn elliptical
construction is a clause from which words have
been omitted.
Joel is much taller than his brothers.
are tall.
The words are tall have been omitted from the
clause.
76
Grammar Glossary
End marks

• with sentences

• with abbreviations

77
Grammar Glossary
End marks

• with sentences

Mark set the record for the high jump.
declarative
interrogative
Has he set any other records?
exclamatory
Yes! Hes set six records!
Dont forget to attend the next meet.
imperative
78
Grammar Glossary
End marks

• with abbreviations

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.?
79
Grammar Glossary
Essential clause/essential phraseAn 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.
80
Grammar Glossary
Exclamatory sentenceAn exclamatory sentence
expresses strong feeling and is followed by an
exclamation point.
What a surprise this is!
I cant wait to go to the concert!
81
Grammar Glossary
Faulty coordinationFaulty 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.
faulty
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
82
Grammar Glossary
Faulty coordinationFaulty 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.
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.
83
Grammar Glossary
Fused sentenceA fused sentence is a run-on
sentence in which no punctuation separates
complete sentences.
fused
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.
84
Grammar Glossary
General referenceA general reference is the
incorrect use of a pronoun to refer to a general
idea rather than to a specific noun.
General reference
The teams star player, Yolanda, has been
sidelined by an injury. That may be the reason
for their low morale.
What does That refer to?
REVISED
85
Grammar Glossary
General referenceA general reference is the
incorrect use of a pronoun to refer to a general
idea rather than to a specific noun.
That the teams star player, Yolanda, has been
sidelined by an injury may be the reason for
their low morale.
revised
That refers to Yolandas being sidelined by an
injury.
86
Grammar Glossary
GerundA gerund is a verb form ending in ing
that is used as a noun.
Swimming is good exercise.
The gerund swimming is the subject of the
sentence.
87
Grammar Glossary
Gerund phraseA gerund phrase consists of a
gerund and any modifiers and complements it has.
On weekends, Alberto enjoys playing soccer with
his friends.
Gerundplaying Complement of the gerundsoccer
with his friends The gerund phrase is the direct
object of the sentence.
88
Grammar Glossary
Good/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.
For a beginner, Julian is a good golfer.
adjective
Good modifies the noun golfer.
adverb
For a beginner, Julian plays golf well.
Well modifies the verb plays.
89
Grammar Glossary
Hyphen
The Ecology Club at school organ- ized a
recycling campaign.

• to divide words

• in compound numbers

The Ecology Club has ninety-seven members.

• with prefixes

The Ecology Club began a recycling campaign in
mid-September.
90
Grammar Glossary
Imperative moodThe imperative mood is used to
express a direct command or request.
Put that magazine down!
Read what the sign says.
91
Grammar Glossary
Imperative sentenceAn 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.
request
Turn that TV off!
command
92
Grammar Glossary
Indefinite referenceAn indefinite reference is
the incorrect use of the pronoun you, it, or they
to refer to no particular person or thing.
They claim that the football team is the best
ever.
indefinite reference
Who is they?
The fans claim that the football team is the best
ever.
revised
93
Grammar Glossary
Independent clauseAn independent clause (also
called a main clause) expresses a complete
thought and can stand by itself as a sentence.
subject
verb
Dad hired a contractor to build the deck.
94
Grammar Glossary
Indicative moodThe indicative mood is used to
express a fact, an opinion, or a question.
George Washington was the first U.S. president.
fact
opinion
My aunt makes the best apple pie.
question
Dont you live next door to the Sandovals?
95
Grammar Glossary
Indirect objectAn 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.
direct object
indirect object
verb
Kathleen gave the dog a rubber toy.
Kathleen gave what? toydirect object Kathleen
gave a toy to whom? dogindirect object
96
Grammar Glossary
InfinitiveAn 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.
97
Grammar Glossary
Infinitive phraseAn infinitive phrase consists
of an infinitive and its modifiers and
complements.
To become a doctor is his goal.
To becomeinfinitive To become a
doctorinfinitive phrase The infinitive phrase
acts as the subject of the sentence.
98
Grammar Glossary
InterjectionAn interjection expresses emotion
and has no grammatical relation to the rest of
the sentence.
Wow! Look at those fireworks.
Ouch! That cut hurts.
99
Grammar Glossary
Interrogative sentenceAn interrogative sentence
asks a question and is followed by a question
mark.
Have you ever seen the Rockies?
When does the movie start?
100
Grammar Glossary
Intransitive verbAn intransitive verb is a verb
that does not take an object.
The wind howls fiercely.
John sat at the desk.
101
Grammar Glossary
Irregular verbAn 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.
Base form Present participle Past Past participle
be is being was, were have been
choose is choosing chose have chosen
pay is paying paid have paid
102
Grammar Glossary
Italics (Underlining)
The Great Gatsby book

• for titles

The Water Carrier long musical composition

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

Mississippi has four is, four ss, and two ps.
A fait accompli is anything that is done that
cannot be undone.
103
Grammar Glossary
Its, its
Its is a possessive pronoun. Its is a
contraction for it is or it has.
the gerbils
The gerbil is your pet. You need to clean its
cage.
It has
it has
Its been a long time since its been cleaned.
104
Grammar Glossary
Lie, lay
The verb lie means to rest, to recline, or
to be in a certain place. The verb lay means
to put something in place.
Base form Present participle Past Past participle
lie is lying lay have lain
lay is laying laid have laid
You look tired, Mom. Perhaps you should lay your
work aside and lie down for a while, I suggested.
105
Grammar Glossary
Linking verbA 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
descriptiondetermined.
106
Grammar Glossary
Misplaced modifierA misplaced modifier is a
word, phrase, or clause that seems to modify the
wrong word or words in a sentence.
misplaced
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
107
Grammar Glossary
Misplaced modifierA 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.
108
Grammar Glossary
ModifierA modifier is a word or word group that
makes the meaning of a word or word group more
specific.
Happy modifies the proper noun Harriet.
Harriet is happy.
The children laughed excitedly.
Excitedly modifies the verb laughed.
109
Grammar Glossary
MoodMood is the form a verb takes to indicate
the attitude of the person using the verb.

• imperative mood

• indicative mood

• subjunctive mood

110
Grammar Glossary
Imperative moodThe imperative mood is used to
express a direct command or request.
Put that magazine down!
Read what the sign says.
111
Grammar Glossary
Indicative moodThe indicative mood is used to
express a fact, an opinion, or a question.
George Washington was the first U.S. president.
fact
opinion
My aunt makes the best apple pie.
question
Dont you live next door to the Sandovals?
112
Grammar Glossary
Subjunctive moodThe 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.
suggestion
If I were you, I would have a skilled mechanic
inspect the used car.
condition contrary to fact
113
Grammar Glossary
Nonessential clause/nonessential phraseA
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 clause
nonessential phrase
The twins, sitting quietly for a change, posed
for the picture.
114
Grammar Glossary
NounA noun names a person, a place, a thing, or
an idea.
(person)
Elizabeth Pena
(place)
Paris
(thing)
mountain
knowledge
(idea)
115
Grammar Glossary
Noun clauseA noun clause is a subordinate clause
used as a noun.
The main message of Ms. Pinckneys talk was that
we should always be punctual.
The subordinate clause that we should always be
punctual works as a nouna predicate nominative.
116
Grammar Glossary
NumberNumber is the form a word takes to
indicate whether the word is singular or plural.
Singular child man leaf town
Plural children men leaves towns
117
Grammar Glossary
Objective complementAn 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
objective complement
Sandy called her grandfather a hero.
Sandy called whom? grandfatherdirect
object Sandy called her grandfather what exactly?
heroobjective complement
118
Grammar Glossary
Object of a prepositionAn object of a
preposition is the noun or pronoun that ends a
prepositional phrase.
She heard a composition on the radio by her music
teacher.
Radio is the object of the prepositional phrase
on the radio. Teacher is the object of the
prepositional phrase by her music teacher.
119
Grammar Glossary
Parallel structureParallel structure is the use
of the same grammatical forms or structures to
balance related ideas in a sentence.
Each day, I reserve time for exercising and to
write in my journal.
nonparallel
Each day, I reserve time to exercise and to write
in my journal.
parallel
Each day, I reserve time for exercising and for
writing in my journal.
120
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.)
121
Grammar Glossary
Participial phraseA 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.
122
Grammar Glossary
ParticipleA 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.
123
Grammar Glossary
Passive voiceThe 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.
124
Grammar Glossary
PhraseA 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.
Steve, our champion swimmer, will represent King
Junior High at the Kansas City meet.
Our champion swimmer is an appositive phrase. At
the Kansas City meet is a prepositional phrase.
125
Grammar Glossary
PredicateThe predicate is the part of a sentence
that says something about the subject.
Will she perform a solo?
Subject she Predicate Will perform a solo
Horace may be responsible for that prank.
Subject Horace Predicate may be responsible for
that prank
126
Grammar Glossary
Predicate adjectiveA predicate adjective is an
adjective that completes the meaning of a linking
verb and modifies the subject of the verb.
predicate adjective
subject
The trees looked red in the evening light.
linking verb
Red is a predicate adjective that describes the
subject trees.
127
Grammar Glossary
Predicate nominativeA 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.
predicate nominative
subject
My sister will be a lawyer soon.
linking verb
Lawyer is a predicate nominative that refers to
the subject sister.
128
Grammar Glossary
PrefixA prefix is a word part that is added
before a base word or root.
un

fair

unfair
re

elect

reelect
self

esteem

self-esteem
mid


April
mid-April
129
Grammar Glossary
PrepositionA 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 Berlins
relationship to Germany and its location.
130
Grammar Glossary
Prepositional phraseA 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.
131
Grammar Glossary
PronounA 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.
132
Grammar Glossary
Quotation marks

• for direct quotations

• with other marks of punctuation

• for titles

133
Grammar Glossary
Quotation marks

• for direct quotations

Learning a few simple rules, said the teacher,
will help you avoid many common spelling errors.
134
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?
135
Grammar Glossary
Quotation marks

• for titles

Song of the Trees
(short story)
Mama Is a Sunrise
(short poem)
Many Rivers to Cross
(song)
136
Grammar Glossary
Regular verbA regular verb is a verb that forms
its past and past participle by adding d or ed
to its base form.
Base form Present participle Past Past participle
ask is asking asked have asked
attack is attacking attacked have attacked
drown is drowning drowned have drowned
137
Grammar Glossary
Rise, raise
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 rose rapidly.
The river moved upward rapidly.
They raised a white flag to signal surrender.
They lifted a white flag up to signal surrender.
138
Grammar Glossary
Run-on sentenceA run-on sentence is two or more
complete sentences run together as one.
We were looking for the keys he grew a little
impatient.
run-on
We were looking for the keys. He grew a little
impatient.
revised
139
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

140
Grammar Glossary
Semicolon

• in compound sentences with no conjunction

My sister plays violin in her schools symphony
orchestra her goal is to become first chair.
141
Grammar Glossary
Semicolon

• in compound sentences with conjunctive verbs

I play that movies soundtrack nearly every day
consequently, I know the lyrics of all of its
songs.
142
Grammar Glossary
Semicolon

• between items in a series when the items contain
  commas

The bands cross-country tour includes concerts
in Seattle, Washington Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cincinnati, Ohio and Miami, Florida.
143
Grammar Glossary
SentenceA sentence is a group of words that
contains a subject and a verb and expresses a
complete thought.
subject
verb
Mr. Holland will give his presentation in the
auditorium.
144
Grammar Glossary
Sentence fragmentA 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.
In 2002, the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake
City.
fragment
sentence
In 2002, the Winter Olympic Games will be held in
Salt Lake City.
145
Grammar Glossary
Simple sentenceA simple sentence has one
independent clause and no subordinate clauses.
subject
verb
The cheetah is an endangered species.
subject
verb
How many other species are endangered?
146
Grammar Glossary
Sit, set
The verb sit means to be seated or to rest.
Sit seldom takes an object. The verb set usually
means to place (something somewhere) or to put
(something somewhere). Set usually takes an
object.
The scientists sat quietly, watching the
televised launch of the space shuttle Atlantis.
On top of the television, the science teacher set
her model of the space shuttle Atlantis.
147
Grammar Glossary
Slow, slowly
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
Slow drivers can be as much of a menace on the
road as fast drivers, said Erwin.
adverb
Dr. Emmet spoke very slowly, with a pronounced
accent.
148
Grammar Glossary
SubjectThe subject tells whom or what a sentence
is about.
subject
Finally, the train entered the station.
149
Grammar Glossary
Subject complementA subject complement is a word
or word group that completes the meaning of a
linking verb and identifies or describes the
subject.
subject complement
subject
Linus was impressive in the play last night.
linking verb
Impressive describes the subject, Linus.
150
Grammar Glossary
Subjunctive moodThe 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.
suggestion
If I were you, I would have a skilled mechanic
inspect the used car.
condition contrary to fact
151
Grammar Glossary
Subordinate clauseA 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.
152
Grammar Glossary
SuffixA suffix is a word part that is added
after a base word or root.
safe

ly

safely
busy

ly

busily
swim

er

swimmer
knowledge


able
knowledgeable
153
Grammar Glossary
Tense of verbsThe tense of verbs indicates the
time of the action or state of being expressed by
the verb.

• Past perfect

• Present

• Future perfect

• Past

• Future

• Present perfect

154
Grammar Glossary
Present
I write we write
you write you write
he, she, it writes they write
Past
I wrote we wrote
you wrote you wrote
he, she, it wrote they wrote
155
Grammar Glossary
Future
I will (shall) write we will (shall) write
you will (shall) write you will (shall) write
he/she/it will (shall) write they will (shall) write
Present perfect
I have written we have written
you have written you have written
he, she, it has written they have written
156
Grammar Glossary
Past perfect
I had written we had written
you had written you had written
he/she/it had written they had written
157
Grammar Glossary
Future perfect
I will (shall) have written we will (shall) have written
you will (shall) have written you will (shall) have written
he/she/it will (shall) have written they will (shall) have written
158
Grammar Glossary
Transitive verbA transitive verb is an action
verb that takes an object.
Marcia washed her minivan yesterday.
Washed what? Her minivan.
159
Grammar Glossary
Underlining (Italics)
The Great Gatsby book

• for titles

The Water Carrier long musical composition

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

Mississippi has four is, four ss, and two ps.
A fait accompli is anything that is done that
cannot be undone.
160
Grammar Glossary
VerbA verb expresses an action or state of being.
We walked slowly down the steep hill.
Walked expresses an action.
The grasshopper is near the fence.
Is expresses a state of being.
161
Grammar Glossary
VerbalA 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.
Leaping is the verbal. It is used an adjective to
modify lemurs.
To leave was hard.
To leave is the verbal. It is used as the subject
of the sentence.
162
Grammar Glossary
Verbal phraseA 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.
163
Grammar Glossary
Verb phraseA verb phrase consists of a main verb
and at least one helping 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.
Have you seen Rich today?
Have seen is the verb phrase. Have is the helping
verb. Seen is the main verb.
164
Grammar Glossary
VoiceVoice 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.
active voice
The subject performs the action of writing.
passive voice
The book Sarah, Plain and Tall was written by
Patricia MacLachlan.
The subject receives the action.
165
Grammar Glossary
Weak referenceA 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.
weak
revised
Jane Austen was a prolific writer many of her
novels have been made into films.
166
Grammar Glossary
Who, whom
The pronoun who has different forms in the
nominative and objective cases. Who is the
nominative form whom is the objective form.
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.
167
Grammar Glossary
WordinessWordiness 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.

• wordy

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

• revised

168
The End