SLE Test of Written Expression key terms

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.

The requirement that a pronoun match the noun it refers back to in number and gender, so a singular antecedent takes a singular pronoun.

The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun later in the sentence stands for and refers back to.

A singular word naming a group of people or things, such as team or committee, which usually takes a singular verb in American English.

A pronoun that does not point to a specific person or thing, such as everyone, each, nobody, or several; most singular forms take singular verbs.

A word group placed between a subject and its verb, often beginning with of or along with, that does not change the verb's number.

An introductory descriptive phrase whose implied subject is missing or differs from the subject of the main clause, creating an illogical or comic statement.

A descriptive word or phrase positioned so that it appears to modify the wrong element of the sentence rather than the intended one.

A modifier placed between two sentence parts so that it could logically attach to either one, leaving the meaning unclear.

The use of matching grammatical forms for items in a series or for elements joined by a coordinating conjunction, which keeps the sentence balanced and readable.

A paired conjunction such as either...or or not only...but also that must join grammatically equal elements to keep the sentence parallel.

Two or more independent clauses joined with no punctuation or with only a comma, so the sentence's clause boundaries are not properly marked.

An error in which a comma alone links two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction or other valid connector.

A group of words punctuated as a sentence that lacks a subject, a complete verb, or an independent clause, so it cannot stand alone.

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

A clause with a subject and verb that begins with a subordinating word and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

One of the seven joining words for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, used to connect grammatically equal words, phrases, or clauses.

A phrase built on a participle, such as running quickly or written in pencil, that acts as an adjective describing a noun.

A verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun, as in Swimming is good exercise, and can serve as a sentence subject or object.

The base form of a verb preceded by to, such as to run or to decide, which can act as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action of the verb, generally producing clearer and more direct writing.

A construction in which the subject receives the action, formed with a form of be plus a past participle, often hiding who performs the action.

A punctuation mark used to show possession, as in the manager's report, or to mark omitted letters in a contraction such as don't.

The grammatical form showing ownership, usually by adding an apostrophe and s to a singular noun, with different rules for plural nouns.

A shortened word form in which an apostrophe replaces omitted letters, such as it's for it is or they're for they are.

The conventions governing when to insert a comma, including after introductory elements, around nonessential information, and between items in a series.

A clause that adds extra, nonessential information about a noun and is set off by commas because removing it would not change the core meaning.

A clause that identifies which noun is meant and is essential to the sentence's meaning, so it is not set off by commas.

A punctuation mark that links two closely related independent clauses or separates items in a series that already contain commas.

A punctuation mark that introduces a list, an explanation, or a quotation after a complete clause, signaling that what follows elaborates on what came before.

A short dash that joins parts of a compound word or phrase, such as well-known or a two-year contract, to show they form a single unit.

A long horizontal mark used to set off an abrupt break in thought or a parenthetical remark more emphatically than commas would.

A word, phrase, or clause inserted as an aside that interrupts the main sentence and is set off by commas, dashes, or parentheses.

One of two or more words that sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning, such as their, there, and they're, a common source of errors.

The mistaken use of a word that sounds similar to the intended one but means something different, often producing an unintentionally funny result.

The emotional or cultural association a word carries beyond its literal meaning, which affects tone and can make a word choice inappropriate.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, considered apart from the feelings or associations it may suggest.

The unnecessary repetition of meaning in a sentence, as in free gift or return back, which weakens concision and clarity.

The use of more words than needed to express an idea, often through empty phrases and padding that obscure the main point.

A style that conveys meaning in the fewest words necessary without losing clarity or important detail, valued in business and technical prose.

A sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main idea and controls what the remaining sentences develop.

The quality of a paragraph in which every sentence supports one central idea, with nothing off-topic included.

The quality of writing in which ideas are logically connected and flow smoothly, so readers can follow the reasoning from point to point.

A word, phrase, or sentence that signals the relationship between ideas, such as however, therefore, or in addition, guiding the reader through the text.

The arrangement of ideas in a sequence that makes sense to readers, such as chronological, cause-to-effect, or general-to-specific organization.

A faulty pronoun use in which the pronoun could refer to more than one preceding noun, leaving the sentence's meaning unclear.

An illogical comparison in which unlike things are compared or a needed word such as other is omitted, as in my car is faster than John.

The use of two negative words in one clause, as in I don't have no money, which is nonstandard in formal written English.

The conventional formal variety of English used in edited writing, characterized by accepted grammar, spelling, and punctuation conventions.

The final careful reading of a text to find and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and formatting before it is submitted.

The process of reviewing a draft to improve clarity, organization, word choice, and correctness, going beyond surface error correction.