Sentences
Parts of speech
Punctuation
Parts of an essay
Easily confused words
100
Sometimes called a "fused sentence," this sentence has at least two parts, either one of which can stand by itself (in other words, two independent clauses), but the two parts have been smooshed together instead of being properly connected.
What is a run-on sentence.
100
"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes Silver white winters that melt into springs..." The words white, blue, satin, silver, white belong to this part of speech.
What is an adjective.
100
Use this punctuation if you want to make a list of things that are separated by a comma, or form a bond between two statements.
What is a semicolon.
100
Every paper you write should have a main point, a main idea, or central message. The argument(s) you make in your paper should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures your position on this main idea is known by this term.
What is a thesis statement.
100
Accept vs except Choose the correct word to complete this sentence: "I accept/except your gift."
What is accept. Accept means to receive. Except means to exclude; "I'll give you all of my books except for my English book."
200
One way the sentence "Judy leads a charmed life she never seems to have a serious accident" can be corrected is by inserting a semicolon between "life; she" because of this rule.
When two independent clauses must be connected somehow, a semicolon can be used if the two ICs relate in some way. A comma by itself cannot be used without creating a comma splice.
200
"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings..." The words roses, whiskers, kittens, kettles, mittens, packages, and strings are known as this part of speech.
What is a noun.
200
This punctuation mark is used to show possession and to form a contraction.
What is an apostrophe.
200
This is the part of the essay that should begin with a "hook" that grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to read on.
What is the introductory paragraph.
200
affect/effect - Choose the correct word: "He affects/effects me strangely whenever he winks at me."
What is affect. Affect means to influence something. Effect means a result or to cause something to happen. "Your wink has the strangest effect on me."
300
This is a group of related words containing a subject and a verb.
What is a clause.
300
Base form Past form Present participle Past participle to work I can work. I work. I worked. I am working. I have worked. to write I can write. I write. I wrote. The words work and write belong to this part of speech.
What is a verb.
300
Use this punctuation mark before a list or an explanation that is preceded by a clause that can stand by itself. Think of it as a gate, inviting one to go on.
What is a colon.
300
This sentence is the most general sentence in a paragraph. What does "most general" mean? It means that there are not many details in the sentence, but that the sentence introduces an overall idea that you want to discuss later in the paragraph.
What is the topic sentence.
300
passed vs past "I passed/past the old school on the way to my grandmother's house."
What is passed Passed is the past tense of to proceed without pause. Past means no longer current, or over. "Dinosaurs roamed the earth in the past."
400
This is a group of related words that does not include a subject and verb.
What is a phrase.
400
These words often tell when, where, why, or under what conditions something happens or happened. They frequently end in -ly; however, many words and phrases not ending in -ly serve the same function, and an -ly ending is not a guarantee that a word is from this part of speech.
What is an adverb.
400
This punctuation mark proves to be a handy device when you're quoting material and you want to omit some words. The punctuation mark consists of three evenly spaced dots (...) with spaces between the punctuation and surrounding letters or other marks.
What is an ellipsis.
400
These words and phrases are useful for showing the reader where one section ends and another begins. They signal the end of one set of ideas and the beginning of another. In essence, they smoothly lead the reader from one idea to another.
What is a transition.
400
two/too/to You cannot spend two/too/to much time studying.
What is too Two refers to the number two. "It is two o'clock in the morning." To is a preposition indicating direction. "We went to the beach."
500
Choose the correct pronoun to complete this sentence; "Each of the clerks does a good deal of work around (his/her, his, her, or their) office."
What is his/her OR his or her because the antecedent "each" is an indefinite singular pronoun.
500
These are words that connect parts of a sentence. They have a big following of FANBOYS.
What are conjunctions.
500
Though there are many uses for this punctuation mark, most students overuse it. Remember, a pause in reading is not always a reliable reason to use this punctuation mark.
What is a comma.
500
The topic sentence is followed by "supporting" or "detail" sentences because that explain the idea expressed in the topic sentence. What are things these sentences might include to support the main idea of the paragraph?
What are examples, illustrations, and/or facts.
500
their/there/they're Choose the correct forms to complete this sentence: "Their/There/They're very happy with their/there/they're new BMW."
What is 1) they're 2) their Their means they own something. That new BMW is their dream car. There means at or in that place. There was only one hotel on the island. They're is the contraction for they are. They're very happy with the new BMW they just bought.
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