Syntax and Sentence Structure

Verbs that describe a change in the subject's state or condition.

Verbs that require a direct object to complete their meaning.

Verbs that are followed by a preposition and a direct object.

Verbs that are followed by an adverbial particle, which modifies the verb's meaning.

A word or phrase that functions as the object of a preposition.

A word or phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, indicating time, place, or manner.

A pronoun that refers to the object of a preposition.

Verbs that combine a verb and a preposition, followed by an adverbial particle.

The study of how words are arranged in sentences to form grammatical structures.

A group of words that functions as a single unit, but doesn't contain a subject and predicate. It can act as an adjective, adverb, noun, or verb.

A group of words that includes a subject and predicate, and can depend on other elements for its meaning.

A sentence that includes a subject and a finite verb, expressing a complete thought.

A sentence that combines two or more simple sentences, typically joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or).

The smallest unit of meaning in morphology, describing a part of speech (e.g., noun, verb).

A larger unit in syntax, describing a sentence element (e.g., subject, object).

The words used in a sentence surrounding a particular word or passage, influencing its meaning.

A type of sentence structure where two main clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, often expressing contrasting ideas.

Sentence structures introduced by conjunctions or adverbials that show a contrast or despite the action in the main clause.

Concessive clauses that do not contain a finite verb, meaning the verb does not show tense or person.

Conjunctive words that introduce concessive clauses, expressing a contrast or concession.

Non-finite concessive clauses that express a condition that should but does not exclude the result in the main clause.

Subordinating conjunctions used in conditional-concessive clauses, creating a condition that is unlikely to prevent the main clause's result.

A type of non-finite concessive clause where the subject and verb are inverted, often with a modal verb, to emphasize the contrast.

Clauses that compare the quality in the main clause to the quality in the subordinate clause, showing either equivalence or dissimilarity.

In sentences with "or," "either/or," "neither/nor," or "not only...but also," the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.

The verb 'turn' is an exception to subject-complement agreement. It usually takes a singular complement, even when the subject is plural.

The verb in a sentence with a clause as the subject is singular, regardless of the number of nouns in the complement.

The verb agrees in person with the nearest noun in a list of subjects connected by 'or,' 'either/or,' 'neither/nor,' or 'not only...but also.'

When a sentence has two or more subjects connected by 'or,' 'either/or,' 'neither/nor,' or 'not only...but also,' use a modal verb (like "will" or "can") to avoid confusion about verb agreement.

In English, there is no single pronoun that works for both genders. Use "his" or "her" in formal writing, or "their" in informal speech/writing.

Collective nouns refer to a group. The choice of pronouns (singular or plural) depends on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.

The pronoun 'his' may be used to refer to both genders in a sentence if the focus is on gender neutrality rather than specifying a specific gender.

A type of conditional sentence that combines an unreal past condition with a real present result. For example, "If he hadn't passed his entry exam, he wouldn't be studying at university."

Direct speech uses quotation marks to represent the exact words spoken. For example, "He said, 'I am going to the store.'"

Indirect speech reports someone's words without using quotation marks. For example, "He said that he was going to the store."

The shift in verb tense that occurs when reporting speech in the past tense. For example, 'He said he had a degree' (reported speech) changes from 'He said, 'I have a degree'' (direct speech).

A type of indirect speech where the reporting verb is in the present, present perfect, or future tense. There is no change in the tense of the reported statement. For example, 'She says she has a degree in Economics.'

A type of indirect speech where the reporting verb is in the past tense. The tense of the reported statement is shifted back in time. For example, 'She said she had a degree in Economics.'

Verbs that introduce reported speech, such as 'say,' 'tell,' 'ask.'

The change in verb tense or pronoun that occurs when transforming direct speech into indirect speech. For example, 'Mary, come here' (direct) becomes 'He ordered Mary to come there' (reported).

A sentence type that makes a statement or assertion about something. It usually has a subject and a verb, and it ends with a period.

A sentence that expresses a question or seeks information. It usually starts with a question word (who, what, where, when, why, how) or an auxiliary verb (do, does, did).

A sentence that gives a command or instruction. It usually starts with a verb and ends with a period.

A sentence that expresses a strong emotion, such as surprise, excitement, or anger. It usually starts with an exclamation word (Wow!, Oh!, etc.) and ends with an exclamation mark.

A sentence where the subject comes before the verb. This is the most common word order in English.

This order occurs when the verb comes before the subject in a sentence. This is used to create emphasis or change the focus of the sentence.

A statement with a word order that places the object before the subject, like "Coffee I want!"

A sentence that has a subject and a verb in the sentence, yet the word order is unconventional, for example, "Came Peter and John to the store."