TT Clerical Entrance key terms

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number: a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb, even when other words sit between them.

A group of words containing both a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause cannot and must be attached to a main clause.

A word that joins words, phrases or clauses. Coordinating conjunctions such as 'and' and 'but' link equal parts, while subordinating conjunctions such as 'because' introduce a dependent clause.

A sentence pattern in which the subject receives the action rather than doing it, formed with a form of 'to be' plus a past participle, as in 'the form was signed'.

A describing word or phrase placed so that it seems to describe the wrong thing, usually because the person or thing it should describe is missing from the sentence.

Two or more independent clauses written together with no correct punctuation or joining word; it confuses the reader and must be split or properly joined.

One of two or more words that sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning, such as 'their', 'there' and 'they're'; these cause frequent spelling errors in office writing.

A word part added to the front of a base word to change its meaning, such as 'un-' in 'unpaid' or 're-' in 'resend'.

A word part added to the end of a base word that changes its meaning or its grammatical form, such as '-ment' in 'payment' or '-ly' in 'quickly'.

A word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word, such as 'begin' and 'start'; recognising them helps in vocabulary questions and in understanding formal notices.

A word whose meaning is the opposite of another word, such as 'arrive' and 'depart'; spotting opposites helps in vocabulary questions and in following written instructions accurately.

A hint found in the words or sentences around an unfamiliar word that lets a reader work out its meaning without reaching for a dictionary.

A letter that is written in a word but not pronounced, such as the 'k' in 'knee' or the 'b' in 'debt'; such words have to be memorised for correct spelling.

The central point that a paragraph or passage is making, which the other sentences explain or support; finding it is the first step in answering comprehension questions.

A conclusion a reader reaches by combining details given in a passage with general knowledge, even though the writer never states that conclusion outright.

The sentence, usually the first in a paragraph, that states what the paragraph is about and controls the details that follow it.

A fact, example or reason given in a passage to explain, illustrate or prove the main idea; details answer the questions who, what, when, where and why.

The value a digit carries because of its position in a number; in 4,706 the 7 stands for seven hundreds, while the 4 stands for four thousands.

Replacing a number with a nearby, simpler number at a stated level of accuracy, such as turning 3,847 into 3,800 when rounding to the nearest hundred.

The agreed sequence for working out a calculation: brackets first, then powers, then multiplication and division, then addition and subtraction, working from left to right.

The result of adding a set of numbers and dividing the total by how many numbers were added; a common way to describe a group of figures with one number.

A way of writing a number as a part of one hundred, so that 25 per cent means 25 out of every 100; used for discounts, interest, tax and comparisons.

Money charged or earned for the use of a sum, worked out only on the original amount by multiplying principal, rate and time together.

Arranging names or words by the letters of the alphabet, compared letter by letter from the beginning; it is the basis of most name filing systems.

The organised keeping of papers, cards or records so they can be found quickly, usually arranged by name, number, date or subject.

A note in a file or index that points to another place where related information is kept, used when an item could sensibly be filed under more than one heading.

A small card on which one item of information, such as a name and address, is recorded so that records can be sorted and searched easily.

Arranging items by date or time, from earliest to latest or the reverse, a common order for letters and case files.

Reading a finished document closely to find and correct mistakes in spelling, punctuation, grammar, figures or layout before it is sent or filed.

An extra character added to a code so that a simple calculation can confirm the code was copied correctly; when the calculation fails, a typing error is indicated.

Checking that information already written down matches the original document, a separate step from entering the information in the first place.

A difference between two things that ought to agree, such as a figure on an invoice and the same figure in a register; it must be traced and corrected.

A copying mistake in which two neighbouring characters are swapped, such as writing 3,451 instead of 3,541, often caught by checking against the original.

A short written message used inside an organisation to pass information or instructions between staff, usually without a formal greeting or signature.

The list of items to be dealt with at a meeting, circulated beforehand so that those attending know what will be discussed and can prepare.

The official written record of what was discussed and decided at a meeting, kept as evidence and usually read and approved at the next meeting.

A document from a seller to a buyer listing the goods or services supplied and the amount owed, sent to request payment.

The duty to keep private information seen at work from being shared with anyone who is not entitled to see it.