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Grammar Key Terms
Milestones Key Terms for Language and Grammar
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Grammar refers to the set of rules for language. |
| Usage | Using the correct word when there is a choice is known as correct usage (e.g., to, too, and two). |
| Phrase | A phrase is a group of words working together as a unit. For example, will be studying is a verb phrase. |
| Clause | A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. An independent clause expresses a complete thought and stands alone. A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand on its own. |
| Simple sentence | A simple sentence expresses a single complete thought and contains a subject and a verb; for example, The child rode his bicycle to school. The sentence expresses a single thought and contains the subject child and the verb rode. |
| Compound sentence | A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. For example, The child rode his bicycle to school, so he made it to his first class on time. The sentence contains two independent clauses joined by the conjunction so. |
| Complex sentence | complex sentence contains an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. For example, After the child rode his bicycle to school, he decided to stop for breakfast in the cafeteria. |
| Compound-Complex sentence | A compound-complex sentence has two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. For example, After the child rode his bicycle to school, he decided to stop for breakfast in the cafeteria, but he still made it to class on time. |
| Misplaced modifier | A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies/describes. For example, I found a gold woman’s necklace on the sidewalk. In this sentence, gold is a misplaced modifier. |
| Dangling modifier | A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is not clearly and logically related to the word or words it modifies. For example, Fixed last night, Abby could use her car. In this sentence, Fixed last night is a dangling modifier. |
| Punctuation | Punctuation refers to writing marks that help to separate and clarify ideas. Examples of punctuation are the period, comma, colon, dash, parentheses, exclamation mark, and question mark. |
| Coordinate adjectives | Adjectives that appear in a sequence to modify the same noun and are similar are coordinate adjectives; for example, it was a bright, sunny day. Coordinate adjectives usually need a comma to separate them. |
| Redundancy | Using a phrase or word that repeats something else and is unnecessary is known as redundancy. Writers should be concise and precise, thereby avoiding redundancy. |
| Context | Context refers to words and phrases that surround another word and help to explain its meaning. Sometimes a word cannot be understood without the context of the words and phrases around it. |
| Multiple-meaning word | Could mean several things |
| Context clues | Context clues are the words, facts, or ideas in a text that explain a difficult or unusual word. |
| Root | The root of a word is the foundation of a word. Knowing the meaning of the root can help a reader determine the meaning of its variations. |
| Affix | An affix refers to letters that are added to a root word that change its meaning (prefixes and suffixes). For example, when the prefix dis- is added to the word interest, the word disinterest means the opposite of the root word interest. |
| Dictionary | A dictionary is a reference book that provides the precise, or exact, meanings of words and phrases. |
| Glossary | A glossary is an alphabetical list of words and phrases and their meanings. A glossary is often found at the end of a text. |
| Figurative Language | To understand figurative language, you need to distinguish between literal and figurative meanings of words and phrases. Literal refers to the actual meaning of a word or phrase. |
| Personification | When a writer describes an object as if it were a person, he or she is using personification. |
| Simile | A simile is a comparison using like or as; for example, She is as pretty as a picture. |
| Metaphor | A metaphor is a direct comparison that states one thing is another. It isn’t meant to be literal, but descriptive. |
| Allusion | An allusion is an indirect reference to something. When a writer refers to something without mentioning it explicitly. |
| Hyperbole | Hyperbole is exaggeration beyond belief. My father can lift two tons is an example of hyperbole. |
| Idiom | Idioms are quirky sayings and expressions specific to a language. If a saying seems unfamiliar or is not understood, it may be an idiom that needs to be researched. |
| Onomatopoeia | Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the natural sound of something. Examples are meow, pop, fizz, and clop. |
| Alliteration | Alliteration is the use of the same sound to start several words in a row; for example, The beautiful butterfly blew by the bay. |
| Assonance | Assonance is the use of words that have repetition of similar vowel sounds but are not rhyming words. Examples are cake and lane or eat and eel. |
| Figure of speech | figure of speech is a word or phrase that has a meaning beyond the literal meaning of the word. Figures of speech are often used to emphasize an image, situation, or emotion for greater effect. |
| Synonym | A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same thing as another word or phrase in the same language. Examples are teacher and instructor, automobile and vehicle, tired and fatigued. |
| Antonym | An antonym is a word or phrase that means the opposite of a word or phrase in the same language. Examples are good and bad, sad and happy, stop and start. |
| Analogy | An analogy is a comparison between two things that helps to express the relationship or connection between the words. For example, Moon is to night as sun is to day. |
| Connotation | Is an implied meaning—it is the meaning the writer intends, which may not be the same thing as the literal or dictionary meaning of a word. |
| Denotation | Is the exact definition of a word. Words can have different connotations depending on how they are used. |
| Concise | Means to share as much information as possible in as few words as possible. |
| Precise | Means to be as accurate and exact as possible. |
Created by:
oberholtzerm
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