SLE Test of Written Expression flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Subject-verb agreement

A singular subject requires a singular verb; a plural subject requires a plural verb. Phrases between subject and verb do not change the verb's number.

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

A pronoun must match its antecedent in number and gender. Indefinite pronouns like each, everyone, and nobody are singular and take singular pronouns.

Who vs. whom

Who is a subject pronoun replacing he, she, or they. Whom is an object pronoun replacing him, her, or them. Test by substituting the pronoun in the clause.

Dangling modifier

A modifying phrase that does not logically modify the subject of the main clause. Revise by naming the correct subject or rewriting the phrase as a clause.

Comparative and superlative

Use -er/-est for one-syllable adjectives and more/most for most longer adjectives. Never combine both forms, as in more better.

Linking verb adjective

Linking verbs such as be, seem, become, feel, taste, and look take predicate adjectives, not adverbs, because they describe the subject rather than the action.

Sentence fragment

A group of words that lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. Correct by adding the missing element or attaching it to a main clause.

Comma splice

Two independent clauses joined by only a comma. Fix by adding a coordinating conjunction, using a semicolon, or making one clause dependent.

Parallel structure

Items in a series, pairs joined by correlative conjunctions, and elements in a list must share the same grammatical form for clarity and balance.

Compound-complex sentence

A sentence containing at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. It combines coordination and subordination in one structure.

Active voice

The subject performs the action of the verb. Active voice is usually clearer and more direct than passive voice, which makes the subject receive the action.

Subordination

Joining ideas so that one is grammatically less important than the other, using subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, when, if, and since.

Nonrestrictive clause

A clause that provides extra, nonessential information about a noun and is set off by commas. A restrictive clause is essential and is not set off by commas.

Semicolon use

A semicolon joins two independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction, or separates series items that contain commas. Do not place it before a coordinating conjunction.

Colon use

A colon introduces a list, explanation, or quotation after a complete independent clause. Do not place a colon between a verb and its object or a preposition and its object.

Apostrophe possessive

Add 's to singular nouns and to plural nouns not ending in s; add only an apostrophe to plural nouns ending in s. Never use an apostrophe for a simple plural.

Quotation mark placement

Periods and commas go inside closing quotation marks; colons and semicolons go outside. Use single quotation marks only for a quotation within a quotation.

Hyphen vs. dash

A hyphen joins parts of a compound word or modifier before a noun. A dash sets off parenthetical or emphatic material and is longer than a hyphen.

Affect vs. effect

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence. Effect is usually a noun meaning result. Effect as a verb means to bring about.

Its vs. it's

Its is possessive; it's is the contraction of it is or it has. The same pattern applies to your/you're and whose/who's.

Lie vs. lay

Lie (lay, lain) means to recline and is intransitive. Lay (laid, laid) means to put or place something and requires an object.

Connotation vs. denotation

Denotation is the literal dictionary meaning of a word. Connotation is the emotional or cultural association it carries, which affects tone and audience response.

Fewer vs. less

Use fewer for countable items and less for uncountable quantities. Use between for two items and among for three or more.

Redundancy

Repeating the same idea in different words, as in advance planning or free gift. Edit to remove unnecessary repetition and tighten the sentence.

Topic sentence

The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph, usually near the beginning. It should be broad enough to cover the paragraph but specific enough to guide development.

Paragraph unity

Every sentence in a paragraph supports the main idea expressed in the topic sentence. Sentences that stray from the central point should be removed or relocated.

Coherence

The logical and orderly relationship of ideas in writing, achieved through chronological, spatial, order-of-importance, or cause-and-effect arrangement and clear transitions.

Transitional words

Words and phrases that signal relationships between ideas, such as however for contrast, therefore for cause and effect, and for instance for example.

Thesis statement

The controlling idea of an essay, usually presented in the introduction. It should be specific, arguable, and supported by the body paragraphs.

Revision vs. editing

Revision addresses content, organization, and clarity. Editing addresses grammar, punctuation, and word choice. Proofreading is the final check for surface errors.

Proofreading checklist

A systematic review of subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement, tense consistency, sentence completeness, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization to catch surface errors.

Conciseness

Eliminating unnecessary words, redundancy, and empty phrases such as due to the fact that. Concise writing is clearer and more forceful.