ACCUPLACER ESL Language Use key terms

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number: a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb, regardless of words in between.

The requirement that a pronoun match the noun it stands for in number and gender, so a singular antecedent takes a singular pronoun such as it or she, not they.

Keeping verbs in the same tense across a sentence or paragraph unless a genuine shift in time requires a change, which prevents confusing jumps between past, present, and future.

The form of an adjective or adverb used to compare two things, made by adding -er or by placing more before the word, as in faster or more careful.

The form of an adjective or adverb that ranks one item above all others in a group, made with -est or most, as in tallest or most efficient.

A descriptive word or phrase placed too far from the word it describes, creating an unintended meaning, as in "He almost drove the car for three hours."

An opening descriptive phrase that has no logical word to describe in the main clause, as in "Walking home, the rain started," where the rain is not walking.

A comparison that sets two unlike things side by side or omits the group being compared, as in "Her score was higher than any student," which compares a score to a person.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

A group of words with a subject and a verb that cannot stand alone because it opens with a subordinating word such as because, when, although, or who.

An incomplete sentence punctuated as if it were whole, usually missing a subject, a verb, or the words needed to finish the thought.

Two or more independent clauses joined with no punctuation at all, or with only a comma, instead of a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction.

One of the seven joining words and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet, used to link words or independent clauses of equal grammatical weight.

A word such as because, although, while, or if that turns an independent clause into a dependent one and shows how it relates to the main idea.

A sentence made of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a colon.

A sentence containing one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, which may come before or after the main clause.

A dependent clause beginning with who, which, that, or whose that describes a noun in the main clause, as in "the book that I lost."

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or a pair, such as all nouns or all -ing phrases, so the sentence reads smoothly and stays balanced.

The level of formality in word choice suited to a situation, ranging from casual talk with friends to formal academic or business writing.

The feelings and associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning, which may be positive, negative, or neutral and can shape the tone of a sentence.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, apart from any emotional associations or suggestions the word may also carry.

One of two or more words that sound alike but are spelled differently and mean different things, such as their, there, and they're.

The grammatical shape a word takes as a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb, which must fit the job that word does in the sentence.

The sentence, usually placed first in a paragraph, that states the main idea and tells the reader what the rest of the paragraph will explain.

The quality of a paragraph in which every sentence supports the single main idea, with no unrelated details or side topics worked in.

A word or phrase such as however, therefore, or in addition that signals how one idea connects to the next and guides the reader through the text.

The clear link between a pronoun and the noun it stands for; when two nouns could fit, the reader cannot tell which person or thing is meant.

The arrangement of sentences in a paragraph so ideas follow a sensible sequence, such as time order, cause to effect, or general to specific.

An error in which two independent clauses are joined by only a comma; the sentence needs a period, a semicolon, or a coordinating conjunction instead.

A punctuation mark used between two closely related independent clauses, or between items in a list whose items already contain commas.

A mark used to show that letters have been left out of a contraction or to show possession, as in don't and the student's book.

The comma placed before the conjunction in a list of three or more items, as in "bread, milk, and eggs."

The use of uppercase letters for the first word of a sentence, for proper nouns and titles, and for the pronoun I.

A group of words starting with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun, such as in the morning or under the desk.

A verb combined with a preposition or adverb that together create a new meaning, as in give up, look after, or turn down.

The habitual pairing of words that fluent speakers expect together, such as make a decision rather than do a decision.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words, such as break the ice or on the other hand.