COM-FSM Placement key terms

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, even when words sit between them.

A grammatical form referring to exactly one person, thing, or idea. Singular nouns and pronouns require matching singular verb forms in standard written English.

A grammatical form referring to more than one person, thing, or idea. Plural nouns typically take plural verbs and plural pronouns in standard written English.

A group of words placed between a subject and its verb, often beginning with a preposition. It does not change whether the verb is singular or plural.

The rule that a pronoun must match the noun it refers back to in number and gender, so a singular noun takes a singular pronoun such as it or he.

A word that stands in for a noun or noun phrase, such as he, she, it, they, or which. Pronouns keep writing from repeating the same noun over and over.

The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun later in the sentence refers to. Readers need a clear, nearby antecedent to understand what a pronoun means.

An incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought, often written as though it were a full sentence. Fragments must be joined to or expanded into complete sentences.

Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction. The error can be fixed with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus coordinating conjunction.

A specific run-on error in which a comma alone joins two independent clauses. A period, semicolon, or conjunction is needed in place of the bare comma.

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

A group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone as a sentence because it begins with a subordinating word such as because or although.

One of the connecting words and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet, used to join words or clauses of equal grammatical rank.

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison, such as all verbs or all noun phrases, so the sentence reads smoothly and clearly.

A word or phrase that describes, limits, or adds detail to another word. A modifier must sit close to the word it describes to avoid confusion.

A descriptive phrase that does not clearly attach to the word it is meant to describe, often because the intended subject is missing from the main clause.

The form of a verb that shows when an action happens, such as past, present, or future. Consistent tense keeps a passage's timeline clear to readers.

A punctuation mark used to show possession or to mark where letters have been left out in a contraction, as in Maria's book or don't.

A grammatical form showing ownership or close association, usually made with an apostrophe and s for nouns, as in the teacher's desk.

A shortened word or phrase formed by leaving out letters and marking the gap with an apostrophe, such as it's for it is.

A punctuation mark used to separate items in a list, set off introductory or nonessential material, and join clauses with a conjunction.

A punctuation mark that joins two closely related independent clauses or separates items in a complex list, showing a stronger pause than a comma.

A punctuation mark that introduces a list, an explanation, or a quotation after a complete clause, signaling that details follow.

The use of uppercase letters at the start of sentences and for proper nouns such as names, places, and titles of specific works.

The name of a specific person, place, organization, or thing, such as Guam or Mr. Cruz, which is capitalized in standard English writing.

Writing words with the correct sequence of letters. Placement tests check common patterns such as doubling consonants and dropping silent e before suffixes.

The central point a passage communicates about its topic. It is usually stated in a topic sentence or must be inferred from the details given.

A sentence, often at the start of a paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point and signals what the rest of the paragraph will explain.

A fact, example, or reason that explains or proves the main idea of a passage. Details answer questions about who, what, when, where, or why.

A reasonable conclusion a reader draws by combining stated details with general knowledge, even though the passage never states the conclusion directly.

Information in nearby words or sentences that helps a reader work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word without using a dictionary.

The meaning a word takes on in a particular sentence or passage, which may differ from its most common dictionary sense.

The reason a writer creates a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Purpose shapes the tone and structure of a passage.

The attitude a writer expresses toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and sentence style, such as humorous, serious, or critical.

The order in which events or steps are presented in a passage. Words such as first, next, and finally signal the sequence to readers.

A word or phrase that connects ideas and shows how sentences or paragraphs relate, such as however, therefore, or in addition.

A number written as one whole number over another, such as three-fourths, that represents part of a whole or a division of two quantities.

The top number in a fraction, which tells how many equal parts are being counted or described.

The bottom number in a fraction, which tells how many equal parts make up one whole. It cannot be zero.

Fractions that name the same value even though the numbers differ, such as one-half and two-fourths. Multiplying or dividing top and bottom by the same number creates them.

A number written with a decimal point to show whole units and parts of a whole, such as 2.75. Place value determines each digit's worth.

A ratio comparing a number to one hundred, written with the percent sign. Fifty percent means fifty out of every hundred.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written with a colon as in three to four. It shows how much of one thing exists relative to another.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, such as one over two equals three over six. Proportions are solved by cross-multiplying.

The value a digit has based on its position in a number, such as ones, tens, tenths, or hundredths. It is essential for reading and comparing decimals.

The agreed sequence for evaluating expressions: parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction, working left to right.

A letter or symbol that stands for an unknown or changing number in an expression or equation, such as x in three x plus two.

A mathematical statement that two expressions are equal, joined by an equals sign. Solving it means finding the value of the variable that makes it true.

The average of a set of numbers, found by adding all the values and dividing by how many values there are.

The middle value in a set of numbers arranged in order from least to greatest. With an even count, it is the average of the two middle values.

The value that appears most often in a set of numbers. A set may have one mode, several modes, or none at all.

The total distance around the outside edge of a two-dimensional shape, found by adding the lengths of all its sides.

The amount of surface a two-dimensional shape covers, measured in square units. For a rectangle it equals length times width.