PERT Writing key terms

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, so a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

The requirement that a pronoun match the noun it refers back to in number and gender, so a plural noun takes a plural pronoun.

The form a pronoun takes to show its job in a sentence, such as subject form for subjects and object form for objects of verbs or prepositions.

The pronoun form used for subjects and for subject complements, as in she, he, they, and who.

The pronoun form used when the pronoun receives action or follows a preposition, as in me, him, them, and whom.

A singular word naming a group, such as team, committee, or audience, which usually takes a singular verb when the group acts as one unit.

A phrase that sits between a subject and its verb and can hide the true subject, as in the phrase of students in the sentence one of the students is late.

A pronoun that does not point to a specific person or thing, such as everyone, each, few, or several, and whose number decides verb and pronoun agreement.

A flaw in which a pronoun could point to more than one earlier noun, leaving the reader unsure which person or thing is meant.

The adjective and adverb forms used to compare two items or to rank three or more, usually built with -er and -est or with more and most.

An error that uses two comparison markers on one word, such as more better or most fastest, when only one is needed.

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.

A word or phrase placed too far from the element it describes, so the sentence suggests an unintended meaning.

A word, phrase, or clause that describes or limits another element in the sentence, such as an adjective or adverb.

Two or more independent clauses joined with no punctuation or with only a comma, so the sentence lacks a proper boundary between them.

A specific run-on error in which a comma alone joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

A group of words punctuated as a sentence that lacks a subject, a complete verb, or an independent clause, so it cannot stand alone.

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

A clause with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone because it begins with a word like because, although, or when and depends on a main clause.

The practice of putting items in a series or comparison in the same grammatical form, such as all nouns or all infinitive verbs.

A paired connecting word set such as either/or, neither/nor, or not only/but also, whose two parts should join matching grammatical forms.

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

A punctuation mark that separates items in a series, sets off nonessential material, and follows introductory elements.

A punctuation mark that joins two closely related independent clauses or separates items in a series that already contain commas.

A punctuation mark that follows a complete clause to introduce a list, example, or explanation.

A punctuation mark used to show possession or to mark letters left out in a contraction, as in the dog's bowl or it's.

The form of a noun or pronoun that shows ownership, formed with an apostrophe and s for most nouns or with a special pronoun form.

A clause that adds extra information about a noun but is not needed to identify it, so it is set off with commas.

A clause that is essential to identify which noun is meant and is therefore not set off with commas.

A single sentence that states the main claim of an essay and previews the direction of the supporting paragraphs.

A sentence, usually first in a body paragraph, that states the paragraph's main point and ties it to the essay's thesis.

The quality of an essay or paragraph in which every sentence supports one central idea and nothing strays off topic.

The quality of writing in which ideas connect logically and flow smoothly, often achieved through transitions and clear order.

A word, phrase, or sentence that signals the relationship between ideas, such as however, therefore, or in addition.

Specific evidence such as facts, examples, or reasons that backs up a paragraph's main point and makes it convincing.

The quality of expressing an idea in the fewest words needed, cutting repetition and empty phrases without losing meaning.

The needless repetition of an idea in different words, as when a phrase says the same thing twice.

The use of more words than necessary to make a point, often through padded phrases that can be trimmed.

The attitude a writer conveys toward the subject and audience, which should stay consistent and suit the purpose of the piece.

The writer's choice of words, which should be precise, appropriate for the audience, and consistent in level of formality.