FY13CE English flashcards

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

Context clue

Information in surrounding words or sentences that helps a reader infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word, such as a definition, synonym, antonym, or example.

Connotation

The emotional or cultural association a word carries beyond its dictionary meaning; for example, 'cheap' suggests poor quality while 'inexpensive' is neutral.

Homophone

A word that sounds the same as another but differs in meaning and often spelling, such as 'principal' (main) and 'principle' (rule).

Prefix

A word part attached before a root that changes meaning, such as 'un-' in 'unhappy' or 'pre-' in 'preview'; it does not usually change the part of speech.

Idiom

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be deduced from its individual words, such as 'break the ice' meaning to start a conversation.

Run-on sentence

Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction; fix it with a period, semicolon, or comma plus coordinating conjunction.

Dangling modifier

An introductory phrase that does not logically describe the sentence's subject, as in 'Walking home, the rain started'; revise so the subject performs the action.

Subject-verb agreement

The rule that a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb, ignoring prepositional phrases between them.

Parallel structure

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list, comparison, or correlative pair, such as 'to read, to write, and to edit'.

Comma splice

Joining two independent clauses with only a comma; correct it by adding a conjunction, replacing the comma with a semicolon, or splitting into two sentences.

Active voice

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action, as in 'The committee approved the plan'; it is usually clearer and more direct than passive voice.

Main idea

The central point of a passage that all supporting details explain or illustrate; it is broader than any single detail and is often stated in the first or last paragraph.

Inference

A conclusion drawn from textual evidence plus reasoning rather than stated directly; a valid inference must be supported by the passage, not merely plausible.

Author's purpose

The reason an author writes a text, commonly to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain; the dominant mode shapes the passage's structure and language.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice and punctuation; examples include objective, critical, sympathetic, and sarcastic.

Fact versus opinion

A fact can be verified by evidence, while an opinion expresses judgment or belief and often contains words such as 'should', 'best', or 'beautiful'.

Thesis statement

A single sentence in an essay's introduction that states the writer's arguable position and previews the main supporting points.

Topic sentence

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that states the paragraph's controlling idea and is then supported by evidence, examples, and explanation.

Transition

A word or phrase that shows the relationship between ideas, such as 'however' for contrast, 'therefore' for cause, and 'for instance' for example.

Revision versus editing

Revision improves content, organization, and clarity; editing corrects grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Revision should be completed before editing.

Wordiness

Using more words than necessary, as in 'due to the fact that' instead of 'because'; concise writing replaces inflated phrases with precise verbs.

Cohesion

The quality that makes a text hold together, achieved through repeated key terms, clear pronoun references, transitions, and a consistent point of view.

Signpost language

Words such as 'first', 'however', and 'in conclusion' that signal the structure of a lecture or conversation and mark where key information appears.

Listening inference

Understanding meaning not stated directly, using tone of voice, hesitation, and discourse markers such as 'well' or 'to be honest' to judge attitude.

Note-taking shorthand

Abbreviations and symbols used to record spoken information quickly, such as 'w/' for with, '→' for leads to, and '↑' for increase.

Intonation

The rise and fall of voice pitch in speech; rising intonation often signals a question or uncertainty, while falling intonation signals a statement.

Turn-taking

The system by which speakers alternate in conversation, managed by polite signals such as 'May I add...' or 'Could I finish?' to avoid interruption.

Word stress

The emphasis placed on one syllable of a word, which can change meaning or part of speech, as in PREsent (noun) versus preSENT (verb).

Paraphrasing strategy

Describing an unknown word's function or using a synonym instead of switching languages, as in 'a tool for cutting paper' for 'scissors'.

Register

The level of formality in language chosen for an audience and setting, ranging from formal ('Would you mind if...?') to informal ('Mind if...?').

False friend

A word that looks similar across two languages but differs in meaning, such as English 'actual' versus Spanish 'actual' meaning current.

Sense-for-sense translation

Translating meaning and natural target-language grammar rather than word-for-word form, which preserves the source text's intent and readability.

Back-translation

Translating a target text back into the source language to check for meaning shifts, omissions, or additions before finalizing the translation.