A conjunction is a connector word; it connects words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. A preposition is a relationship word; it shows the relationship between two nearby words. Keep in Mind… A clause is a phrase that has a subject and a verb. Some clauses are independent. An independent clause can stand alone. Some clauses are dependent. A dependent clause …
A verb is a word that describes a physical or mental action or a state of being. This lesson will cover the role of verbs in sentences, verb forms and tenses, and helping verbs. Part I Part II The Role of Verbs in Sentences A verb describes an action or a state of being. A complete sentence must have at …
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of or refers to a specific noun. This lesson will cover (1) the role of pronouns in sentences and (2) the purpose of pronouns. Pronouns and Their Role in Sentences A pronoun takes the place of a noun or refers to a specific noun. Subject, Object, and Possessive …
Every sentence must include a subject and a verb. The subject tells who or what, and the verb describes an action or condition. Subject and verb agree in number and person. Grammatically, the part of the sentence with the verb is called the predicate. Roles of Subject and Verb A complete sentence includes a subject …
There are four types of clauses that are used to create sentences. Sentences with several clauses, and different types of clauses, are considered complex. This lesson will cover (1) independent clauses, (2) dependent clauses and subordinate clauses, and (3) coordinate clauses. Independent Clause An independent clause is a simple sentence. It has a subject, a …
An adjective is a word that describes a noun or a pronoun. An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Adjectives Adverbs Adjectives An adjective describes, modifies, or tells us more about a noun or a pronoun. Colors, numbers, and descriptive words such as healthy, good, and sharp are adjectives. KEEP IN MIND… Adjectives typically come before the noun in …
Authors use language to show their emotions and to make readers feel something too. They also use transition words to help guide the reader from one idea to the next. Tone The tone of a text is the author’s or speaker’s attitude toward the subject. The tone may reflect any feeling or attitude a person …
In order to understand, analyze, and evaluate a text, readers must know how to identify the author’s purpose and point of view. Readers also need to attend to an author’s language and rhetorical strategies. Author’s Purpose When writers put words on paper, they do it for a reason. This reason is the author’s purpose. Most …
In English, there is formal language that is used most often in writing, and informal language that is most often used in speaking, but there are situations where one is more appropriate than the other. This lesson will cover differentiating contexts for (1) formal language and (2) informal language. Formal Language Formal language is often …
Nonfiction writing is based on facts and real events, but most nonfiction nevertheless expresses a point of view. Effective readers must evaluate the author’s point of view and form their own conclusions about the points in the text. Fact and Opinion Many texts make an argument. In this context, the word argument has nothing to …
