Clarity Through Grammar/Mechanics - AP English Language and Composition
- Identify the error: 'Everyone should do their best.'
- Correct: 'Everyone should do his or her best.'. 'Everyone' is singular; 'their' is plural, creating disagreement.
- Choose the correct punctuation: 'I bought apples, oranges and bananas.'
- Correct: 'I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.'. Oxford comma prevents misreading and clarifies list structure.
- What is a fused sentence?
- A fused sentence is two independent clauses joined without punctuation or conjunction. Also called run-on; clauses run together without proper connection.
- Find and correct the error: 'Each of the students have a book.'
- Correct: 'Each of the students has a book.'. 'Each' is singular indefinite pronoun requiring singular verb.
- What is a misplaced modifier?
- A misplaced modifier is a phrase placed awkwardly in a sentence so it appears to modify an unintended word. Positioned where it seems to modify wrong word, creating confusion.
- Choose the correct possessive form: 'The dogs bone is missing.'
- Correct: 'The dog's bone is missing.'. Singular possession requires apostrophe before 's'.
- What is an antecedent in grammar?
- An antecedent is the noun that a pronoun refers to. The word that the pronoun replaces or refers back to.
- What is a compound sentence?
- A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction. Multiple complete thoughts connected by coordinating conjunction and comma.
- Find and correct the error: 'She said that she would call, however, she did not.'
- Correct: 'She said that she would call; however, she did not.'. Conjunctive adverbs like 'however' need semicolon before them.
- What is passive voice?
- Passive voice occurs when the subject receives the action of the verb. Subject receives action rather than performing it actively.
- What is a dependent clause?
- A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and needs an independent clause. Contains subject and verb but cannot express complete thought alone.
- What is a split infinitive?
- A split infinitive occurs when an adverb is placed between 'to' and the verb. Traditionally avoided in formal writing for clarity and flow.
- What is an appositive?
- An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. Provides additional information about the noun it follows.
- Choose the correct word: 'The principal/principle of the school.'
- Correct: 'The principal of the school.'. Principal = person in charge; principle = fundamental rule or belief.
- What is a comma splice?
- A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with a comma. Creates a run-on sentence error that needs correction with semicolon or period.
- Find and correct the error: 'He loves pizza he eats it daily.'
- Correct: 'He loves pizza; he eats it daily.'. Semicolon properly separates two related independent clauses.
- What is a run-on sentence?
- A run-on sentence has two or more independent clauses without proper punctuation. Lacks proper punctuation or conjunctions between independent clauses.
- Identify the error: 'I like coffee she prefers tea.'
- Correct: 'I like coffee, but she prefers tea.'. Two independent clauses need comma and conjunction to connect properly.
- Find and correct the error: 'She almost drove her kids to school every day.'
- Correct: 'She drove her kids to school almost every day.'. 'Almost' should modify 'every day', not 'drove' for correct meaning.
- Identify the error: 'Its raining heavily.'
- Correct: 'It's raining heavily.'. Contraction 'it's' means 'it is'; possessive 'its' has no apostrophe.
- What is subject-verb agreement?
- Subject-verb agreement means the subject and verb must agree in number. Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs.
- What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?
- 'Affect' is a verb; 'effect' is a noun. Remember: affect = action verb, effect = end result noun.
- Identify the error: 'My friend, she is coming over.'
- Correct: 'My friend is coming over.'. Redundant pronoun 'she' unnecessary when subject is already stated.
- Choose the correct conjunction: 'She is tired, she continues to work.'
- Correct: 'She is tired, but she continues to work.'. Two independent clauses need comma plus coordinating conjunction.
- Identify the error: 'Neither the teacher nor the students is ready.'
- Correct: 'Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.'. 'Neither...nor' with plural second subject takes plural verb.
- What is parallel structure?
- Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words for related ideas. Creates rhythm and balance by repeating grammatical forms.
- Choose the correct sentence: 'She likes hiking, to swim, and cycling.'
- Correct: 'She likes hiking, swimming, and cycling.'. All items in series must use same grammatical structure.
- Find and correct the error: 'Because I was tired.'
- Correct: 'I went to bed early because I was tired.'. Dependent clause needs independent clause to form complete sentence.
- What is an Oxford comma?
- An Oxford comma is the final comma before 'and' or 'or' in a list of items. Eliminates ambiguity in series by clearly separating all items.