CA POST key terms

A word that sounds the same as another word but has a different spelling and meaning, such as "their" and "there." Choosing the correct one depends on the sentence's meaning, not on how the word sounds.

A letter that is written in a word but not pronounced, such as the "k" in "knife" or the "b" in "debt." Writers often misspell these words by leaving the silent letter out.

One unit of spoken sound built around a single vowel sound, like the three beats in "re-port-ing." Saying a word slowly and counting its beats helps a writer spell it correctly.

The spelling rule that doubles a final consonant before a suffix when a word ends in a short vowel plus a consonant, as in "stop" becoming "stopped." Doubling keeps the earlier vowel short.

The process of changing a singular noun into its plural form. English uses several patterns, including adding "-s" or "-es," changing "-y" to "-ies," and irregular forms such as "child" to "children."

A shortened form made by joining two words with an apostrophe, such as "can't" for "cannot" or "it's" for "it is." The apostrophe must go exactly where letters were removed.

Information in the surrounding words, sentence, or paragraph that helps a reader work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Clues may take the form of a definition, an example, a synonym, or a contrast.

A word that means the same as, or nearly the same as, another word, such as "brief" and "short." Recognizing synonyms helps a reader understand a passage and choose the best word when writing.

A word that means the opposite of another word, such as "guilty" and "innocent." Contrast words like "but" or "unlike" often signal that an antonym clue is nearby.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, apart from any feelings or associations it may carry. Official reports and legal writing generally rely on denotation so that meaning stays exact.

The emotional or cultural association a word carries beyond its literal meaning, such as the suspicion implied by "snoop" compared with the neutral "investigate." Word choice can shift how a reader reacts.

The basic part of a word that carries its core meaning and to which prefixes and suffixes are attached, as "port" in "transport" or "report." Recognizing roots helps a reader decode unfamiliar words.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from the literal words, such as "backup is on the way" or "in hot water." Idioms are figurative and usually out of place in formal reports.

The central point that a paragraph or passage is about, the single statement the rest of the text supports. Questions often ask for the best restatement of it in different words.

A fact, example, or reason inside a passage that explains or proves the main idea. Recognizing details helps a reader separate essential information from background or filler.

A conclusion a reader draws by combining evidence in the text with general knowledge, rather than reading it stated outright. A valid inference must be supported by what the passage actually says.

The reason a writer produced a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain a process. Identifying the purpose helps a reader decide how much weight to give the information.

The attitude a writer takes toward the subject, revealed through word choice and detail, such as serious, sarcastic, official, or urgent. Tone belongs to the writer, not to the reader.

A statement of personal belief or judgment that cannot be proven true or false, unlike a verifiable fact. Reports and summaries should keep verified facts separate from opinion.

A way of organizing text that explains why something happened and what resulted, often signaled by words like "because," "therefore," and "as a result." Spotting the pattern helps a reader follow the reasoning.

A short restatement of a passage's main points in the reader's own words, with minor details left out. A good summary covers the whole text rather than only its opening lines.

A text with words removed at regular intervals in which the reader supplies the missing words so the passage reads correctly. It tests comprehension of meaning together with awareness of sentence structure.

A word or phrase such as "however," "therefore," or "meanwhile" that shows how one idea connects to the next. The correct choice depends on the relationship between the two ideas.

The quality of a passage whose ideas are logically connected and arranged in a clear order, so a reader can follow it without confusion. Coherence depends on organization and on linking words.

The arrangement and order of words within a sentence, together with the rules that govern that order. Correct syntax makes a sentence's meaning clear and prevents misreading.

A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought, such as "Ran to the corner." It must be completed or attached to another sentence.

Two or more complete sentences written together with no correct punctuation or connecting word between them. It is repaired with a period, a semicolon, or a conjunction.

A specific kind of run-on in which two complete sentences are joined by only a comma, as in "The car stopped, the driver got out." A period, semicolon, or conjunction is needed.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number, so a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb. Errors often appear when phrases sit between subject and verb.

A descriptive phrase that does not clearly attach to the word it is meant to describe, usually at the start of a sentence, as in "Running late, the report was rushed." The doer must be named right after the comma.

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison, such as "interviewing witnesses, taking notes, and writing reports." Matching forms make a sentence easier to read and remember.

The rule that a pronoun must match the noun it refers to in number and gender, as in "Each officer must file his or her report." A mismatch leaves the reader unsure who is meant.

Expressing an idea in the fewest words that still keep it clear, by cutting redundant pairs, empty phrases, and needless repetition. Concise sentences are easier to read and harder to misread.