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Grammar Glossary
Definitions of grammar terms
57
Grammar
Undergraduate 1
10/11/2010

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Term
Adjective
Definition
An adjective refers to and describes a noun.
Term
Adverb
Definition
Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They explain how, where, why, or when.
Term
Agreement
Definition
Agreement refers to maintaining consistency in person and number when using subjects and verbs. In addition, pronouns must agree in person and number.
Term
Antecedent
Definition
An antecedent is the word to which a pronoun refers.
Term
Apostrophe
Definition
An apostrophe indicates possession and can also be used to replace missing letters or numbers.
Term
Appositives
Definition
Appositives are words or phrases that further explain a noun or a pronoun.
Term
Article
Definition
Articles are words that modify nouns. Three common articles are the, a, and an.
Term
Auxiliary Verb
Definition
Auxiliary verbs—or helping verbs—combine with main verbs to form a complete verb. The auxiliary verbs are all the forms of do, be, and have.
Term
Bracket
Definition
Brackets contain words added to direct quotations to make them grammatically correct.
Term
Cardinal Number
Definition
Cardinal numbers are the counting numbers: 1, 2, 3, and so on.
Term
Clause
Definition
A clause contains a subject, verb, and modifiers—but is not necessarily a complete sentence.
Term
Cliché
Definition
A cliché is an expression that has lost its power although at one time it was probably clever.
Term
Colloquial
Definition
Colloquial implies that expressions and phrases are not formal. Use formal language for academic writing.
Term
Comma Splice
Definition
A comma splice is a comma used incorrectly to join two independent sentences.
Term
Complex Sentence
Definition
A complex sentence is a sentence composed of an independent clause and a dependent clause.
Term
Compound-Complex Sentence
Definition
A compound-complex sentence is a sentence with two or more independent clauses and a dependent clause.
Term
Compound Sentence
Definition
A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined either by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.
Term
Conditional
Definition
Conditional describes sentences in which a result is predicated on a condition.
Term
Conjunction
Definition
Conjunctions are words that join sentences.
Term
Coordinating Conjunction
Definition
A coordinating conjunction is a word that joins two independent clauses.
Term
Dash
Definition
Dashes are used to indicate a shift from one idea to another. Dashes can also be used to provide emphasis or clarity.
Term
Dependent Clause
Definition
A dependent clause is a phrase that cannot stand alone. Dependent clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions and followed by commas.
Term
Direct Object
Definition
A direct object receives the action of a verb.
Term
Ellipsis Points
Definition
Ellipsis is the name of the three dots used to show parts have been left out of a direct quotation.
Term
Expletive
Definition
An expletive has two meanings: it is either an expression that adds no meaning to the sentence or a vulgar expression.
Term
Fragment
Definition
A fragment is an incomplete sentence.
Term
Gerund
Definition
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun.
Term
Hyphens
Definition
A hyphen is used to connect two or more words in a sentence. Hyphenated words can act as modifiers or compound words that can stand alone.
Term
Independent Clause
Definition
An independent clause is a phrase that can stand alone as a complete sentence. While independent and dependent clauses can have a subject and a verb, only an independent clause can stand alone.
Term
Indirect Object
Definition
An indirect object receives the direct object.
Term
Indirect Quotation
Definition
An indirect quotation restates the general meaning rather than the actual words of the speaker.
Term
Infinitive
Definition
An infinitive is the non-conjugated form of a verb that begins with "to."
Term
Interjection
Definition
An interjection is a short exclamation and is normally used to show emotion.
Term
Jargon
Definition
Jargon refers to expressions used only within certain disciplines or by certain people. Because formal writing is intended to be read by a wide audience, avoid jargon.
Term
Linking Verb
Definition
Linking verbs connect the subject to a noun or an adjective. The following are linking verbs: be, get, become, taste, feel, stay, sound, and appear.
Term
Main Clause
Definition
A main clause is another name for an independent clause or a phrase that can stand alone.
Term
Misplaced Modifier
Definition
A misplaced modifier is a modifier that is not connected to the object it is modifying.
Term
Modal Verb
Definition
Modal verbs are a special set of helping verbs. The following are modal verbs: can, should, must, and may. Sometimes dare and need
Term
Modifier
Definition
A modifier changes the meaning of another word. A modifier can be a verb or adverb, but a phrase can also be a modifier.
Term
Nonrestrictive Clause
Definition
A nonrestrictive clause adds information about the antecedent but does not limit the antecedent.
Term
Noun
Definition
A noun is a person, place, or thing—tangible or abstract.
Term
Ordinal Number
Definition
Ordinal numbers tell position: first, second, third, and so on.
Term
Parallelism
Definition
Parallelism means that words in a list are grammatically similar.
Term
Parentheses
Definition
Parentheses are used to set off information that is not essential to the meaning of a sentence.
Term
Participle
Definition
English has two types of participles: present and past. The present participle is the -ing form of a verb. Normally, the past participle is formed by adding -ed to a verb, but there are irregular forms of the past participle. In addition, participles can serve as adjectives.
Term
Parts of Speech
Definition
Parts of speech refer to a way to classify words in a sentence. The following are parts of speech and covered as individual terms in the Grammar Glossary: noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, conjunction, preposition, verb, and interjection.
Term
Preposition
Definition
A preposition shows relationships between nouns. Some examples of prepositions are: over, under, around, through, in, and at.
Term
Pronoun
Definition
A pronoun takes the place of a noun.
Term
Quotation Marks
Definition
Quotation marks are used to set off someone's words or thoughts, titles of minor literary works, words that need special emphasis in a sentence, and formal definitions of words.
Term
Redundancy
Definition
Redundancy refers to unnecessary repetition.
Term
Relative Clause
Definition
A relative clause is the clause introduced by a relative pronoun. The relative pronouns are who(m), which, and that.
Term
Relative Pronoun
Definition
A relative pronoun refers to a noun in the previous clause. The relative pronouns are who(m), which, and that.
Term
Restrictive Clause
Definition
A restrictive clause is one that limits its antecedent.
Term
Run-On Sentence
Definition
A run-on sentence is two independent clauses written together without correct punctuation or conjunctions.
Term
Split Infinitive
Definition
A split infinitive is formed when an infinitive verb forms with a word inserted between "to" and the verb.
Term
Subject
Definition
The subject of a sentence is the doer, sometimes called the agent.
Term
Subordinating Conjunction
Definition
A subordinating conjunction is a word that joins an independent clause and a dependent clause.
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