Nagano Entrance English 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.

Keeping verbs in the same or logically connected time frame throughout a sentence or paragraph, shifting tense only when the actual time of the events changes.

A verb form made with have or has plus a past participle, used for actions that began in the past and still matter now, or for experience at an unstated time.

Two time markers used with perfect tenses: for introduces a length of time such as three years, while since introduces the starting point such as 2020 or last April.

A sentence pattern where the receiver of the action becomes the subject, formed with be plus a past participle, often used when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

A clause that describes a noun and is introduced by who, which, that, whose, or where, either defining exactly which person or thing is meant or adding extra information.

A verb form used as an adjective or inside a larger verb phrase, such as the -ing form in a running boy or the -ed form in a broken window.

Using to plus the base form of a verb to answer the question why, as in I went to the station to meet my friend.

The -ing form of a verb used as a noun, so it can be a subject, object, or the thing a preposition refers to, as in Swimming is fun.

Forms used to compare two or more things, usually made by adding -er and -est to short adjectives or by placing more and most before longer ones.

The choice between a, an, the, and no article, depending on whether the listener can identify the specific thing meant and whether the noun is countable.

The difference between nouns you can count one by one, which take a plural form, and nouns treated as a mass, which normally take singular verbs and no plural ending.

A word or phrase such as some, many, much, a few, a little, or enough that shows how much or how many of something is meant.

A singular word naming a group, such as team, family, or class, which normally takes a singular verb in standard written English.

A sentence with an if-clause and a result clause, where the verb forms show whether the situation is real, unlikely, or impossible.

A special verb form used after certain words like suggest, insist, or it is important that, where the base form appears regardless of the subject, as in that he go.

Telling what someone else said without quoting directly, which usually requires shifting pronouns, time words, and verb tense back one step.

A question placed inside a longer sentence, where the word order becomes statement order and no question mark is needed, as in Do you know where he lives?

A short question added to the end of a statement to ask for agreement or confirmation, using the opposite polarity and a matching auxiliary verb.

A pattern that introduces the existence of something, with the verb agreeing with the noun that follows, as in There are two chairs.

A pair or group of words that native speakers naturally use together, such as make a decision or heavy rain, where a different word would sound wrong.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words, such as under the weather for feeling ill.

A verb combined with a particle such as up, off, or out, which together carry a meaning that may differ from the base verb, as in give up.

A linking word or phrase such as however, therefore, or in addition that shows how one sentence or paragraph relates logically to the one before it.

The way a text holds together through pronouns, repeated key words, and linking devices, so the reader can follow the flow of ideas.

The sentence, usually first, that states the main idea of a paragraph and tells the reader what the rest of the paragraph will explain.

The central point a passage is making, which the details support, and which is broader than any single fact in the text.

A specific fact, example, or reason in a text that backs up the main idea or answers a question about it.

A conclusion the reader draws from evidence in the text rather than from a sentence stated directly, often signalled by words like suggest or imply.

Reading quickly to locate a specific piece of information, such as a name, date, or number, without reading every word in order.

Reading quickly to get the general sense of a passage, often by looking at the first sentences of paragraphs and at headings.

Information in the surrounding words or sentences that helps a reader guess the meaning of an unfamiliar word without a dictionary.

Restating the meaning of a sentence or passage in different words while keeping the same content, often tested by asking which option is closest in meaning.

A change in word order, part of speech, or sentence structure made when moving between Japanese and English so the result sounds natural in the target language.

A single sentence in an essay that states the writer's main claim and signals how the rest of the essay will support it.

A short plan listing the main points and their order before writing, used to keep a composition organised and on topic.

The pattern in conversation where speakers alternate, using signals such as a question, a pause, or a short response to hand the chance to speak to another person.

Language choices such as could you, would you mind, or softening phrases that show respect and reduce the force of a request or disagreement.