HESI A2 Grammar flashcards

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

Comma splice

A sentence error in which two independent clauses are joined only by a comma with no conjunction. Correct it with a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction, or a period separating two sentences.

Run-on sentence

Two or more independent clauses fused together without correct punctuation or conjunction. Unlike a comma splice, no comma appears at the join. Fix with a period, semicolon, or comma plus FANBOYS conjunction.

Sentence fragment

A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a finite verb, or a complete thought. Dependent clauses and participial phrases alone are common fragments.

Independent clause

A clause containing a subject and a finite verb that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Two independent clauses joined without proper punctuation create a run-on or comma splice.

Dependent clause

A clause with a subject and verb that begins with a subordinating word such as because, although, when, or which, and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)

The seven conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Preceded by a comma, they can join two independent clauses and prevent a comma splice.

Semicolon use

Joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction, or separates items in a series that already contain commas. It never joins a clause to a fragment.

Colon use

Follows a complete independent clause to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation. It should not separate a verb from its object or a preposition from its object.

Nonessential clause commas

A clause or appositive that adds extra, nonidentifying information is set off by commas. Removing it leaves the sentence's core meaning intact.

Essential clause

A clause that identifies which person or thing is meant and therefore takes no commas. Example: The student who won the award is absent.

Subject-verb agreement

The verb must match the sentence's true subject in number, ignoring interrupting prepositional phrases. Compound subjects with and are plural; with or or nor, the nearer subject controls.

Indefinite pronoun agreement

Each, either, neither, everyone, anybody, nobody, and someone are singular and take singular verbs and pronouns. Both, few, many, and several are plural.

Collective noun agreement

Words like team, group, jury, and family are singular when acting as one unit and plural when members act individually. American usage usually treats them as singular.

Pronoun case after prepositions

Objects of prepositions take object pronouns: between you and me, for her and him, with whom. Subject forms such as I and who are incorrect in this position.

Who versus whom

Who is a subject pronoun replacing he or she; whom is an object pronoun replacing him or her. Test by substituting the personal pronoun to choose correctly.

Dangling modifier

An introductory phrase that does not logically describe the subject of the main clause. Revise by naming the correct doer immediately after the comma.

Misplaced modifier

A modifier placed too far from the word it describes, causing ambiguity. Limiting words such as only, almost, and just should sit directly before the word they limit.

Parallel structure

Items in a series or paired by correlative conjunctions must share grammatical form, such as all infinitives, all gerunds, or all nouns. Mixed forms create faulty parallelism.

Past perfect tense

Formed with had plus a past participle, it marks the earlier of two past actions. Example: She had finished the report before the meeting began.

Present perfect tense

Formed with has or have plus a past participle, it describes action begun in the past that continues or remains relevant now. Example: He has worked here for years.

Tense consistency

Verbs in a sentence or passage should shift tense only when the time frame actually changes. Unnecessary shifting confuses the sequence of events.

Affect versus effect

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence; effect is usually a noun meaning result. Effect can be a verb meaning to bring about, as in effect change.

Lie versus lay

Lie means to recline and is intransitive: I lie down. Lay means to place something and needs an object: Lay the chart on the desk. Past tense of lie is lay.

Its versus it's

Its is the possessive form with no apostrophe. It's is the contraction of it is or it has. The same pattern applies to whose versus who's and their versus they're.

Fewer versus less

Fewer modifies countable plural nouns: fewer patients, fewer errors. Less modifies uncountable or mass nouns: less time, less pain, less equipment.

Apostrophe for possessives

Add apostrophe s for singular nouns and plural nouns not ending in s. Add only an apostrophe to plural nouns ending in s. Possessive pronouns take no apostrophe.

Comparative versus superlative

Use the comparative form, with -er or more, for two items. Use the superlative, with -est or most, for three or more. Avoid doubling forms like more better.

Double negative

Combining two negative words in one clause, as in can't hardly or don't have no, produces nonstandard English. Use a single negative or a positive form.

Like versus as

Like is a preposition followed by a noun or pronoun: She runs like a deer. As is a conjunction followed by a clause: Do as I say.

Adjective versus adverb

Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns and follow linking verbs: The soup smells good. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs: He works carefully.

Capitalization rules

Capitalize proper nouns, languages, days, months, titles before names, and sentence beginnings. Do not capitalize seasons, general subjects, or titles used descriptively after a name.

Faulty comparison

Comparing items that are not logically parallel, as in The nurses at this hospital are better than the other hospital. Revise so both sides compare like things.