DZI English Language key terms

The noun or noun phrase that performs the action of a verb or about which a statement is made. In a sentence, it usually controls verb agreement and comes before the predicate.

The part of a sentence that says something about the subject. It always contains a verb and may also include objects, complements, and modifying phrases that complete the statement.

A noun or noun phrase that receives the action of a transitive verb or follows a preposition. Direct objects answer what or whom; indirect objects receive the direct object.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, so a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

A noun that names a group of people, animals, or things, such as team or committee. It usually takes a singular verb when the group acts as one unit.

A verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning, as in she wrote a letter. Without an object, the sentence feels unfinished or changes meaning.

A verb that does not take a direct object, such as sleep or arrive. It may still be followed by adverbs or prepositional phrases that describe how or where.

The form a pronoun takes according to its grammatical role: subjective (I, he), objective (me, him), or possessive (my, his). Choosing correctly depends on the pronoun's function in the sentence.

The positioning of words or phrases that describe another element in a sentence. Placing a modifier far from the word it describes creates confusion or unintended meaning.

A descriptive phrase that has no logical word to attach to in the sentence, often because the intended subject is missing, as in walking home, the rain started.

A group of words containing a subject and a verb. An independent clause expresses a complete thought, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.

A clause that contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete sentence. Two independent clauses joined without proper punctuation create a run-on.

A clause with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone because it begins with a subordinating word or lacks a complete thought. It must attach to an independent clause.

A group of related words that functions as a single unit within a sentence but lacks both a subject and a verb working together, such as a prepositional phrase.

A verb form used as an adjective or to build tenses. Present participles end in -ing; past participles typically end in -ed, -en, or an irregular form.

The use of matching grammatical forms for items in a list or comparison, which makes writing clear and balanced, as in hiking, swimming, and biking rather than hiking, swimming, and to bike.

A word such as because, although, or when that introduces a dependent clause and shows its relationship to the main clause. It signals that the clause cannot stand alone.

A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses. Coordinating conjunctions join equal elements; subordinating conjunctions link a dependent clause to a main clause.

A word such as in, on, under, or between that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another part of the sentence, often indicating place, time, or direction.

Maintaining a logical and steady use of verb tense within a passage, shifting only when the time frame of events actually changes. Unnecessary shifts confuse the reader.

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action, as in the chef prepared the meal. It is usually more direct and vigorous than passive wording.

A construction in which the subject receives the action, formed with a form of be plus a past participle, as in the meal was prepared by the chef.

Information in surrounding words, phrases, or sentences that helps a reader infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word without consulting a dictionary.

A word that has a meaning very close to another word, such as begin and start. Synonyms often differ in tone, formality, or slight shade of meaning.

A word that expresses the opposite meaning of another word, such as hot and cold. Antonyms help clarify meaning through contrast in a sentence.

The emotional or cultural association a word carries beyond its literal meaning. For example, cheap and affordable share a sense but differ in tone.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, independent of the feelings or associations it may suggest. It contrasts with the word's connotation.

The central point a passage conveys about its topic. It is often stated in a topic sentence or must be inferred from the details the author emphasizes.

A fact, example, or reason that explains, illustrates, or proves the main idea of a passage. Details give the central claim its evidence and weight.

A conclusion a reader draws by combining stated information with background knowledge and logic. Inferences are not directly stated but are strongly suggested by the text.

A sentence, usually near the start of a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's main point and controls what the remaining sentences discuss.

A sentence that states the central argument or claim of an essay and previews how the writing will support it. It typically appears in the introduction.

A word or phrase such as however, therefore, or in addition that signals the relationship between ideas and helps readers follow the flow of a passage.

The quality of writing in which ideas are logically connected and easy to follow, achieved through clear organization, transitions, and consistent focus.

An error in which two independent clauses are joined only by a comma, without a coordinating conjunction or stronger punctuation such as a semicolon or period.

A punctuation mark used to join two closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list. It signals a stronger pause than a comma.

A punctuation mark used to show possession or to form contractions, as in the dog's bowl or it's. It is not used to make ordinary nouns plural.

The grammatical form showing ownership or close association, usually created with an apostrophe and s for nouns or with special pronoun forms such as its and their.

The system of marks such as periods, commas, and colons that clarifies sentence boundaries, groupings, and meaning in written language.

The skill of understanding the overall meaning or purpose of spoken language without catching every word, often by focusing on the main point and tone.

The skill of picking out specific facts, names, numbers, or instructions from spoken language. It usually requires focused attention on particular information.