English Flashcards
Grammar Rules (16 cards)
What is an independent clause?
An independent clause can stand as a sentence by itself. It always has a subject and a verb. The best way to identify an independent clause is to read the sentence and see if you can stop talking at the end. If you can stop, it is a complete sentence and an independent clause.
What is a dependent clause?
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Most often, clauses become dependent by adding a subordinating conjunction to the front of the clause.
e.g. While the dog chased its tail…
Although Monique made some homemade peach scones for breakfast…
What is a phrase?
A phrase lacks a subject or verb or both. A phrase does not express a complete thought and can never stand alone as a sentence.
e.g. Chasing its tail…
Making some homemade peach scones
for breakfast…
List 3 ways to separate two independent clauses.
- A period
- A semi-colon
- A comma + FANBOYS
*a semi-colon and period are the same for ACT purposes so if both are answer options, neither can be correct.
List the FANBOYS
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
How do you separate a dependent clause followed by an independent clause?
A comma
e.g.
While Mary loves dogs , Andrew loves cats.
Dependent Independent
How do you separate an independent clause straight into a dependent clause?
No comma. (you don’t)
e.g.
Mary loves dogs while Andrew loves cats.
Independent Dependent
What is a comma splice?
Joining two independent clauses with a comma. It is always incorrect.
How do you separate unnecessary information from the rest of a sentence?
Commas are used to separate unnecessary information from the rest of the sentence. Information is unnecessary if we can remove it without fundamentally changing the meaning of the sentence. Unnecessary information can be as short as a single word or as long as a lengthy phrase. Unnecessary information can be before a comma, after a comma, or between two commas.
Example: Mrs. Ellison, who is known for giving pop quizzes, is my least favorite teacher.
Example: Sitting behind the table, Mark waited to jump out and surprise his mother.
Which punctuation do you use for listing items or adjectives?
Commas are used when listing more than two items and with lists of multiple adjectives modifying the same noun.
Example: The group at the picnic table ordered coconut shrimp, hot wings, and onion rings.
Example: The old, limping dog still managed to complete the 3-mile hike.
What is the Names Rule with respect to commas?
If the identifier before the name is not specific to one person (friend, American physicist, Olympic gold medalist, high school principal), the name is necessary, and there is no comma between the identifier and the name.
If the identifier is specific to one person (best friend, youngest sister, Amazon CEO), the name is unnecessary information, and there are commas around the name.
“That” vs. “Which” Phrases
Phrases that start with “that” never get commas. Phrases that start with “which” always get commas.
“That” phrases are always necessary information to the sentence while “which” phrases are always unnecessary information.
**Correct: The dogs that live down the street are always barking.
Correct: My neighbor’s dogs, which are always barking, love to play fetch.**
“ing” and “ed” Phrases
On the ACT, “ing” and “ed” phrases most commonly appear with commas and are unnecessary information.
Correct: Excited for the car ride, Jane’s bulldog started to jump up and down.
Correct: Jane’s bulldog, excited for the car ride, started to jump up and down.
“ing” and “ed” phrases can also be necessary information when the phrase is helping to specify who or what the noun is. If the phrase is necessary, there are no commas.
Correct: The politician waving to the crowd is predicted to win the election.
Correct: The yoga pants advertised on the front page of the website were sold out.
Phrases with “Who” or “Whom” v. “That”
When talking about a person, you must always use “who” or “whom” to start the phrase. You can never use “that” to describe a person.
Incorrect: The children that were playing soccer did not notice the ice cream truck.
Correct: The children who were playing soccer did not notice the ice cream truck.
Comma rule for prepositional phrases at the beginning of a sentence?
Prepositional phrases at the front of the sentence are always followed by a comma.
Correct: On my way to work, I listened to my new favorite podcast.
Correct: After cleaning the garage, Ralph started weeding the garden.
Comma rule for prepositional phrases in the middle or end of a sentence?
Prepositional phrases in the middle or end of a sentence almost never have commas around them.
Prepositional phrases in the middle or end of a sentence only get comma(s) if they contain unnecessary information.
Correct: My mother, with her love of Easter, organized a massive Easter egg hunt.
Incorrect: The magician had a rabbit, in his hat.
