TWO: STRUCTURE AND FORM/ Flashcards
(123 cards)
1
Q
All clauses have at least what?
A
A subject and a predicate.
2
Q
What happens if a clause is missing a subject or predicate or both?
A
Then it is considered a phrase and not a clause.
3
Q
What defines the subject in a sentence?
A
The subject is the noun or pronoun that the clause is “about.”
4
Q
The predicate does what within a sentence?
A
The predicate gives info. about the subject.
5
Q
What defines the predicate in a sentence?
A
The predicate always includes a verb; it may also contain objects, adjectives, or other parts of speech.
6
Q
What are independent clauses?
A
They’re clauses that can stand as complete sentences by themselves.
7
Q
What are dependent clauses?
A
These are clauses that cannot stand alone as complete sentences.
8
Q
This is an example of what?
The dog barks.
A
An IC.
9
Q
What is the subject & the predicate in this sentence:
The dog barks.
A
“dog” is the subject; the verb “barks” is the predicate.
10
Q
What is the subject?
The dog is barking.
A
dog
11
Q
What is the predicate made up of?
The dog is barking.
A
The predicate is made up of: The verb “is” and the gerund: “barking.”
12
Q
The following gerund is serving as what: “The dog is barking”
A
It is serving as an adjective.
13
Q
The following is an example of what?
If the dog barks
A
It is a dependent or subordinate clause (DSC)
14
Q
What is the subject and predicate in the DSC?
If the dog barks
A
“dog” is the subject and “barks” is the predicate.
15
Q
What is the culprit for why this DSC is not a complete sentence? What is the culprit doing?
If the dog barks
A
The culprit is the subordinating conjunction: “If.” The culprit sets the expectation for more information to follow.
16
Q
The following is an example of what?
The barking dog
A
This is a phrase.
17
Q
What is the gerund acting as in the phrase?
The barking dog
A
The gerund barking - is also acting as an adjective.
18
Q
Why is “The barking dog” considered to be a phrase and not a clause?
A
There is no verb to form a predicate.
19
Q
Sentences are classified as one of what four main types?
A
- simple
- compound
- complex
- compound-complex
20
Q
The most effective composition makes use of what?
A
Varying sentence structure, as this keeps readers engaged with the text rather than lulling them with repetition.
21
Q
A simple sentence is composed of what?
A
An IC which contains a subject and a predicate.
22
Q
A simple sentence may also contain what?
A
It may also contain one or more phrases attached to the IC.
23
Q
Besides a verb, what else in combination with a verb can a predicate contain?
A
The verb can be combined with another part of speech like the direct object, indirect object, or subject complement.
24
Q
What are the different parts of speech for the following sentence?
I am a writer.
A
I = subject
am = verb
a writer = subject complement
25
What are the different parts of speech for the following sentence?
I write books.
I = subject
write = verb
books = direct object
26
What are the different parts of speech for the following sentence?
I write books for children
subject = I
verb = books
direct object = books
prepositional phrase (includes the indirect object) = for children
27
What are the different parts of speech for the following sentence?
Without books, weekends would be unbearable.
adverbial phrase = without books
subject = weekends
verb = would be
subject complement = unbearable
28
The compound sentence is composed of what?
The compound sentence is composed of two or more ICs.
29
What kind of clause does a compound sentence not have?
Compound sentences do not have subordinate clauses.
30
What are the three ways in which ICs are joined together?
They're joined with a semicolon, or with a comma and coordinating conjunction.
31
Coordinating conjunctions connect what?
Equal grammatical elements
32
The following sentence is an example of what:
I love to write poetry; it serves as therapy.
It is a compound sentence with a semicolon.
33
The following is an example of what:
It is easy to write, but writing well requires dedication.
A compound sentence with a comma and coordinating conjunction.
34
A complex sentence is composed of what?
One IC with at least one subordinating conjunction.
35
How are SCs attached to an IC?
By using a subordinating conjunction - the subordinating clause is attached to the IC.
36
Subordinating conjunctions connect what?
Unequal grammatical elements.
37
Why are the grammatical elements unequal?
Because the subordinating conjunction forms a dependent relationship between an independent element and a subordinate one.
38
What is the IC and SC in the following:
If you love to read, join your local library.
SC = If you love to read
IC = join your local library.
39
What is the IC and SC in the following:
We studied the basics of composition which made us more effective writers.
IC = We studied the basics of composition
SC = which made us more effective writers.
40
Complex sentences and be arranged in what two ways?
41
As the name implies what does this compound-complex sentence do?
This type of sentence combines a compound sentence and a complex sentence.
42
What must a compound-complex sentence contain?
The compound-complex sentence must contain least two ICs and one or more SCs.
43
In terms of clauses, what are all the different clauses within this following sentence?
A = dependent clause
B = independent clause
C = independent clause
44
In terms of clauses, what are all the different clauses within this following sentence?
A = independent clause
B = dependent clause
C = independent clause
45
When it comes to the types of sentences what are the four most common errors that are made with sentence structure?
1. sentence fragments SF
2. run-on sentences Ro
3. dangling modifiers DM
4. misplaced modifiers MM
46
What are the two kinds of sentence fragments?
1. dependent clause fragments
2. phrase fragments
47
What are the ways in which sentence fragments result in some means of incompleteness?
A sentence fragment often results from a lack of subject and/or predicate.
48
What are the two primary key indicators of a sentence fragment?
The dependent clause being punctuated like a sentence is one key indicator. The other is when a phrase tries to stand alone.
49
What are the two kinds of phrases that often try to stand alone in a sentence fragment?
Both a prepositional phrase and a verbal phrase.
50
The following is an example of what?
Because I said so.
It is a dependent clause being punctuated like a sentence.
51
This is an example of what?
Which turned out for the best.
This is a phrase that tries to stand alone.
52
Why are dependent clauses masquerading as sentences easy to spot?
They're easy to spot because they begin with subordinating conjunctions.
53
When it comes to clauses what do subordinating conjunctions do?
Subordinating conjunctions turn ICs into dependent ones.
54
What are the common subordinating conjunctions?
As, although, before, because, until, when, ect....
55
The following is an example of what?
Before I go to sleep.
A dependent clause masquerading as a sentence.
56
This is an example of what?
I always put my book on the nightstand before I go to sleep.
This is an example of a dependent clause fragment which can easily be incorporated into a nearby sentence.
57
What are two reasons for why phrase fragments are easy to spot?
Because phrase fragments don't bear any resemblance to an independent element, and since they appear out of context, phrase fragments are easy to spot.
58
The following is an example of what:
On the nightstand next to my bed.
This is a phrase fragment.
59
Why isn't the phrase fragment sentence a complete sentence?
On the nightstand next to my bed.
It is missing a verb and, even though it has some nouns in it, it has no subject.
60
In what instance does a phrase fragment like:
"On the nightstand next to my bed."
become harder to spot?
The phrase fragment becomes harder to spot when it occurs next to a related sentence.
61
The following is an example of what?
The book I was reading lay in its usual place. On the nightstand next to my bed.
This is an example of a phrase fragment being harder to pick out.
62
In order to fix a phrase fragment what can you do?
To fix the phrase fragment, you could make it a complete sentence by adding the missing subject and/or predicate.
63
How can this phrase fragment be fixed?
The book I was reading lay in its usual place. On the nightstand next to my bed.
The phrase fragment being fixed:
The book I was reading lay in its usual place. It was on the nightstand next to my bed.
64
What is the different way to fix this phrase fragment?
The book I was reading lay in its usual place. On the nightstand next to my bed.
The book I was reading lay in its usual place, on the nightstand next to my bed. (this involves incorporation into a nearby sentence.)
65
What are the two ways to fix a phrase fragment?
1. By adding a missing subject and/or predicate.
2. Incorporation into a nearby sentence.
66
When it comes to the two kinds of phrase fragments, how may they be used in writing?
Phrase fragments can be used for stylistic effect; this is done for emphasis and is seen much more frequently in fiction than in nonfiction.
67
What is this sentence an example of?
It was impossible for Joe to concentrate on his driving. Or anything else, for that matter.
This is an example of a phrase fragment being used for stylistic effect.
68
What is a run-on sentence?
Run on sentences are independent clauses that have not been joined correctly.
69
What are the two kinds of run-on sentences?
The first kind is a comma splice and the second kind is a fused sentence.
70
What are the three kinds of punctuation that must be used when joining two ICs?
They must be joined by either a comma, coordinating conjunction, or with a semicolon. (& on rare occasions with a colon or dash).
71
Most run-on sentences are what?
Most run-on sentences are comma splices.
72
Besides joining together two ICs with punctuation - what are two other methods that can be used to convey info. that is within two ICs?
You can break the ICs into two separate sentences, or you might make one of the clauses dependent with a SC.
73
What are the three kinds of punctuation used to join ICs?
1. comma
2. CC
3. semicolon
74
What are the two other ways to convey info. contained in two ICs?
1. Break the ICs into two separate sentences.
2. Make one of the ICs dependent on the other by adding a SC.
75
How is a comma splice error made?
They're made when there is a comma that joins two ICs, but the CC is missing.
76
The following is an example of what?
Willie Nelson has been showing strong Mexican influences, his work has improved.
It's a comma splice error.
77
How can the comma splice error be corrected in the above sentence?
Willie Nelson has been showing strong Mexican influences, his work has improved.
The comma splice can be corrected by inserting the CC "and" after the comma.
Correcting the comma splice error with a CC:
Willie Nelson has been showing strong Mexican influences, and his work has improved.
78
How can the comma splice error be corrected with a SC - which is used to create a DC?
Willie Nelson has been showing strong Mexican influences, his work has improved.
By using a SC at the beginning of the sentence - turning it into a dependent clause.
Correcting the comma splice error with a SC:
Since Willie Nelson has been showing strong Mexican influences, his work has improved.
79
What are the two other means of punctuation that can be used to correct the comma splice error?
Willie Nelson has been showing strong Mexican influences, his work has improved.
The comma after "influences" could either be replaced with a semicolon or a period.
Correcting the comma splice error with a semicolon:
Willie Nelson has been showing strong Mexican influences; his work has improved.
Correcting the comma splice error with a period:
Willie Nelson has been showing strong Mexican influences. His work has improved.
80
How is a fused sentence error made?
The fused sentence error is made when a punctuation mark (with its corresponding coordinating conjunction between two ICs) is missing.
81
The following is an example of what?
My mother was in a good mood I took the opportunity to ask for money.
This is a fused sentence which involves punctuation that is missing.
82
What are three ways to correct a fused sentence in which punctuation is missing?
My mother was in a good mood I took the opportunity to ask for money.
The first way involves inserting a period after mood, the second way involves inserting a semicolon after mood, and the third way involves using a conjunction that connects the clauses with a comma.
The fused sentence in which the error is fixed with a period:
My mother was in a good mood. I took the opportunity to ask for money.
The fused sentence in which the error is fixed with a semicolon:
My mother was in a good mood; I took the opportunity to ask for money
The fused sentence in which the error is corrected with a coordinating conjunction & comma:
My mother was in a good mood, so I took the opportunity to ask for money. (adding a comma and the CC so properly joins these two ICs.)
83
What is one final way to correct the fused sentence error besides using different kinds of punctuation/ using a CC?
My mother was in a good mood I took the opportunity to ask for money.
By adding a SC at beginning of the sentence - making it a DC.
The fused sentence error in which a SC is used to correct the sentence:
Because my mother was in a good mood, I took the opportunity to ask for money.
84
What are DMs?
DMs are word groups that suggest a particular subject is to follow.
85
Why does the modifier dangle in a DM?
The DM dangles because the intended subject is completely missing.
86
If the intended actor/subject does not show up what does a DM attach themselves to?
The DM attaches itself to whatever subject does happen to take the stage.
87
What is this sentence an example of?
Opening the window to let in the night air, a bat flew into the room.
It is an instance in which a DM is attaching itself to the wrong subject.
88
Where is the DM attaching to/ grabbing on to the wrong actor in the sentence?
Opening the window to let in the night air, a bat flew into the room.
Since the "bat" is the only possible subject in the - that's what the DM grabs on to.
89
Due to the modifier acting on the incorrect/ impossible subject - what are the two ways in which this sentence can be corrected?
Opening the window to let in the night air, a bat flew into the room.
The sentence can be corrected by either placing the correct actor on stage in the modifying clause or by changing the main clause to reflect the intended subject.
The DM being corrected by inserting the intended subject in the modifying clause:
When I opened the window to let in the night air, a bat flew into the room.
The DM being corrected by changing the main clause to reflect the expected actor/subject:
Opening the window to let in the night air, I saw a bat fly into the room (as a writer, I prefer this correction.)
90
To avoid confusion what should be done with misplaced modifiers?
You should keep your modifiers close to the things they modify.
91
How is a MM like a DM?
The MM also grabs onto the wrong part of the sentence.
92
Why is the occurrence of a MM different?
It is different because the thing intended to be modified is too far away.
93
This sentence is an instance/ issue of what?
The instructor told everyone to count at least eight hours at the library for research at the beginning of class.
It is an instance of the subject of the MM being too far away.
94
Presumably the instructor did what as opposed to what in this sentence?
The instructor told everyone to count at least eight hours at the library for research at the beginning of class.
Presumably the instructor made an announcement at the beginning of class, instead of sending everyone to the library for the rest of the day.
95
How can this sentence with the MM be corrected?
The instructor told everyone to count at least eight hours at the library for research at the beginning of class.
By moving the modifier "at the beginning of class" close to the thing it is supposed to modify:
The MM corrected by moving the modifier close to the thing it is supposed to modify:
At the beginning of class, the instructor told everyone to count on at least eight hours at the library for research.
96
In what way do most people use LOOSE SENTENCES?
In casual conversation, most people tend to use "loose sentences"; that is, sentences that get the information across without consciously building to a climax.
97
How do LOOSE SENTENCES usually begin and end?
They start with the most important bit of information, and then have extra phrases, modifiers, and additional info. tacked on.
98
If you want to keep readers reading, what is important?
It is important to put the most important bit of information at the end of your sentence. This makes the important bit of info. the last thing the reader considers before stopping at the period, and therefore gives it greater impact.
99
The PERIODIC SENTENCE does what? Why is it called a periodic sentence?
It makes the important bit of info. the last thing the reader considers before stopping at the period, and therefore gives it greater impact.
It's a "periodic" because you're trying to move the reader along in your sentence to the climax, which should occur at or near the period.
100
What is this sentence an example of? What is the sentence - which eventually leads to a particular conclusion trying to do?
This is a "periodic" sentence. The important info. that precedes the $25,000 scholarship builds excitement as the reader realizes that something important is going to happen. If you put the important info. at the beginning of the sentences, there's no compelling reason to keep reading.
101
What is the following sentence an example of?
This is the opposite of a "periodic" sentence in which there is no compelling reason to keep reading.
102
What is the problem with employing solely periodic sentences?
By employing only periodic sentences, you will have created yet another pattern to distract your reader's attention. In most cases, the key to an engaging, lively style is variety.
103
What is considered to be the NORMAL SENTENCE order?
It is:
subject - verb - object.
104
INVERTED sentences can follow what three different kinds of patterns?
1. Adverb clause - subject - verb (Blessed is the man who...) - Jesus
2. object - subject - verb (Help you I will) - Yoda
105
Parallel construction involves having what?
Two or (more) ideas that are parallel.
106
How is parallelism helpful with the expression of ideas?
Through parallelism, ideas become easier to grasp when grammatical forms are also parallel.
107
In writing you should strive for balance when doing what?
You should strive for balance with voice (active vs. passive), verb tense (past vs. present), & POV (1st person vs. second, or third).
108
Readers are more comfortable with parallel construction when it is used in what two kinds of ways?
When using parallelism for items in a series or using parallelism when pairing ideas.
109
What are the two purposes of parallelism?
1. pairing ideas
2. items in a series
110
Parallelism with ideas calls for what three kinds of conjunctions?
For pairing ideas : coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, or "like" or "as" become necessary.
111
What are the three kinds of conjunctions used in parallelism when it comes to pairing ideas?
1. coordinating conjunctions
2. correlative conjunctions
3. "like" or "as"
112
What is this an example of?
This is a jarring parallel sentence with idea pairing and items in a series.
113
Why is this sentence jarring when it comes to parallelism?
It is jarring because the third item in the list doesn't match.
114
What is not correct in the parallel construction of the sentence?
How can the sentence be corrected?
The gerunds "communicating" & "processing" sets up the expectation that the item series will be gerunds, but "mathematical" is not a gerund.
The correct use of parallelism for items in a series:
The system has capabilities such as communicating with other computers, processing records, and performing mathematical functions.
115
What are readers expecting when it comes to a list series?
Readers expect the grammatical forms of all items in a series to be the same (in this case employing gerund as nouns that name the system's capabilities.)
116
The following is a JFK quote:
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
What kind of techniques are being used in the preceding JFK quote?
Not only is parallelism being employed but also inversion and repetition for heightened effect.
117
Consider how you might rearrange the following sentence through the rules of periodic construction:
He was fired because he stole from the company, was often late for work, and lied on his application.
Because he stole from the company, was often late for work, and lied on his application, he was fired.
118
With the featured periodic construction, what can be removed from a smoother flow?
Because he stole from the company, was often late for work, and lied on his application, he was fired.
The serial comma can be removed for more concise/style purposes: Because he stole from the company, was often late for work, and lied on his application he was fired.
119
Consider how you might rearrange the following sentence through the rules of periodic construction:
The child was starving, exhausted, and filthy.
adj - subj- verb.
Starving, exhausted, and filthy the child was.
120
Consider how you might rearrange the following sentence through the rules of periodic construction:
My boss threatened to fire me, cut my salary, or demote me.
What am I starting to notice about rearranging into the periodic structure?
I was threatened with a salary cut, demotion, or being fired by my boss.
It seems like you have to switch to passive to make a sentence periodic.
121
Consider how you might rearrange the following sentence through the rules of periodic construction:
Since she has joined the discussion group, she is better emotionally, mentally, and morally.
Emotionally, mentally, and morally she is better after having joined the discussion group.
122
How could this be even more concise?
Emotionally, mentally, and morally she is better after having joined the discussion group.
This could be more concise:
She feels better emotionally, mentally, and morally since joining the discussion group.
123
Consider how you might rearrange the following sentence through the rules of periodic construction:
In the last softball season, Joan hit thirty-seven home runs, stole six bases, and was walked eleven times.
Joan walked eleven times, stole six bases, and hit thirty-seven home runs in the last softball season.
