AP SSC Special English (Second Language) key terms

The most important point a passage makes about its topic. It is broad enough to cover the whole text, not just one detail, and is often stated in the first or last sentence.

A sentence, usually at the start of a paragraph, that announces what the paragraph is about. The remaining sentences explain, illustrate, or prove it.

A fact, example, reason, or statistic that explains or proves the main idea. Details answer questions like who, what, when, where, why, and how much.

A conclusion a reader draws from clues in the text plus general knowledge, even though the writer never states it directly. For example, wet umbrellas and dark clouds imply it has been raining.

The writer's attitude towards the subject, shown through word choice. It may be serious, humorous, critical, sympathetic, or ironic, and it differs from the reader's own feelings.

Reading quickly through a text looking only for one specific piece of information, such as a date, a name, or a number, while ignoring everything else.

Reading rapidly to grasp the general sense of a passage without attending to every word. Readers skim headings, first sentences, and key nouns to decide whether closer reading is needed.

A word or phrase such as however, therefore, or in addition that links sentences and shows how ideas relate. These links help the reader follow the writer's argument smoothly.

A conjunction or adverb joining clauses or sentences and signalling relationships like cause, contrast, result, or addition, for example because, although, so, and moreover.

A group of words containing a subject and verb that cannot stand alone as a sentence because it begins with a word like because, when, if, or which. It depends on a main clause.

A clause introduced by who, whom, whose, which, or that that describes a noun in the main clause. It may be defining, giving essential information, or non-defining, set off by commas.

The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun or relative pronoun refers back to. Clear writing keeps the antecedent obvious so readers know exactly who or what is meant.

A sentence pattern in which the subject performs the action, as in The committee approved the plan. It is usually clearer and more direct than the passive.

A sentence pattern in which the subject receives the action, formed with a form of be plus the past participle, as in The plan was approved. It suits writing where the doer is unknown or unimportant.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and intervening phrases do not change this.

A singular noun naming a group, such as team, jury, or family. It usually takes a singular verb when the group acts as one unit and a plural verb when members act separately.

A verb form used as an adjective or to build tenses: the present participle ends in -ing, the past participle usually in -ed, -en, or an irregular form such as written.

The -ing form of a verb used as a noun, as in Swimming is healthy or She enjoys reading. It can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

The base form of a verb, usually preceded by to, as in to write or to leave. It can act as a noun, adjective, or adverb, and follows certain verbs like decide and want.

A helping verb such as can, may, must, should, or might that expresses ability, permission, obligation, or possibility. It is followed by the base verb without to.

Conveying what someone said without quoting the exact words, usually shifting tense and pronouns, as in She said she was tired. Time and place words may also change.

The exact words a speaker used, placed inside quotation marks with reporting verbs such as said or asked. Punctuation shows where the spoken words begin and end.

A sentence expressing a condition and its result, usually with if. The first conditional uses present tense with will; the second uses past tense with would for unreal situations.

A letter group added to the front of a word to change its meaning, as un- in unhappy or re- in rewrite. Knowing common prefixes helps guess unfamiliar words.

A letter group added to the end of a word, often changing its part of speech, as -ness turns kind into kindness and -less turns hope into hopeless.

The basic form of a word before prefixes or suffixes are attached. Recognising roots such as port, meaning carry, helps decode related words like transport and portable.

A word with a meaning close to another word, such as begin and commence. Synonyms are rarely identical, because each carries its own shade of meaning and level of formality.

A word with an opposite meaning to another, such as generous and mean. Antonyms help clarify meaning, especially when a passage contrasts two ideas.

The feelings or associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Thin and slim share a sense but differ in connotation, one neutral or negative, the other approving.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as to let the cat out of the bag, meaning to reveal a secret.

A verb combined with an adverb or preposition that creates a new meaning, as give up means surrender. The particle cannot usually be replaced by a synonym.

The habitual pairing of words that native users expect together, such as heavy rain or make a decision. Using the wrong partner, like strong rain, sounds unnatural.

A letter written to an official, editor, or institution, following a fixed layout of sender's address, date, salutation, body, and closing. The style is polite and avoids contractions.

The greeting that opens a letter, such as Dear Sir or Madam when the name is unknown, or Dear Mr Rao when it is known. It must match the closing used.

The phrase ending a letter, such as Yours faithfully after Dear Sir or Madam, or Yours sincerely after a named person. It is followed by a comma and the writer's signature.

A formal letter describing a faulty product or poor service, stating clearly what went wrong, what action is wanted, and any evidence such as a receipt number, in a calm, firm tone.

A short public announcement displayed on a board or wall, giving information such as a meeting, lost item, or cancellation. It uses a heading, brief factual lines, and a date.

A short paid notice in a newspaper or online site, grouped by category such as situations vacant or to let. Space is limited, so abbreviations and omitted words are common.

Dividing a piece of writing into paragraphs, each built around one idea, with a clear opening, supporting sentences, and a link to the next point. It guides the reader through the argument.

Writing that tells a story of events, usually in time order, with a setting, characters, a complication, and a resolution. Vivid verbs and sensory detail make it engaging.

Writing that paints a picture of a person, place, or object using sensory details and precise adjectives, often organised from general impression to specific features or by position.

Condensing a passage into short headings and points, using abbreviations, symbols, and indentation instead of full sentences, so the structure and key facts remain visible for revision.

Stating the main points of a text briefly in your own words, keeping essential ideas and leaving out examples and repetition. A summary is much shorter than the original.

The ability to locate information quickly using contents pages, indexes, headings, dictionaries, and glossaries. It supports independent study and efficient research.

The full record of a word in a dictionary, showing spelling, pronunciation, part of speech, numbered senses, example phrases, and sometimes origin and related forms.

A word printed at the top corner of a dictionary page showing the first and last entries on that page, so users can find a word without reading every line.

A small mark placed before a syllable in a dictionary's pronunciation guide to show that it is spoken more strongly, as in the first syllable of TAble.