Name:_________________________________________
Class Period:___________________
PARTS OF SPEECH
How a word is used in a sentence determines its part of speech. For example, the word near can be used as four
different parts of speech.
VERB:
She will near the halfway point soon.
ADJECTIVE:
I will join the club in the near future.
ADVERB:
The date of her interview drew near.
PREPOSITION:
Plant the bushes near the house.
To find out what part of speech a word is, ask yourself, What is each word doing in this
sentence?
NOUN
Is the word naming a person, place, thing, or idea?
Example: Tom bought milk at the store.
PRONOUN
Is the word taking the place of a noun?
Example: This is my favorite brand of soup.
VERB
Is the word showing action?
Example: Greg jogged four miles.
Does the word link two words in a sentence?
Example: Ellen is the captain of the team.
ADJECTIVE
Is the word modifying a noun or pronoun?
Does it answer the question What kind? Which one(s)? How many? or How much?
Example: Three yellow tulips bloomed today.
Example: You can have these few.
ADVERB
Is the word modifying a verb, an adjective, or another adverb? Does it answer the
Question How? When? Where? or To what extent?
Example: He drove too fast on a very dark road.
PREPOSITION
Is the word showing a relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the
sentence? Is it a part of a phrase?
Example: (Because of their length) I finished both (of the chapters).
CONJUNCTION
Is the word connecting words or group of words?
Example: Jim and I like neither rice nor peas.
Example: I turned the key, but the car didn’t start.
INTERJECTION
Is the word expressing strong feelings?
Example: Hurray! We won the championship.
COMMON PREPOSITIONS
aboard
about
above
across
after
against
along
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
beyond
by
down
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into
like
near
of
off
on
out
outside
over
past
since
throughout
to
toward
under
underneath
until
up
with
within
without
HELPING VERBS
LINKING VERBS
am
is
are
was
were
be
being
been
do
does
did
has
have
had
can
could
shall
should
will
would
may
might
must
am
is
are
was
were
been
being
look
be
CLAUSES
Independent = sentence
Dependent = fragment
SENTENCE TYPES
Declarative
Imperative
Interrogative
Exclamatory
POOR SENTENCE
STRUCTURE
Fragment = cannot stand along needs something
Run-on = needs punctuation
PRONOUN USAGE
Subjective = can only be used as
the subject (ex. “I”)
Objective = can only be used as an
object in a sentence
(ex. “me”)
VERBS THAT MAY EXPRESS
ACTION OR CONDITION
appear
became
feel
grow
look
remain
seem
smell
sound
taste
VERBALS
Infinitive: a verb form that begins with the word “to” and acts as a noun, adjective, or adverb
Example:
I am learning to golf.
a verb form that ends in –ing and acts as a noun.
Gerund:
Example:
He loves swimming.
Participle: a verb form that acts as an adjective and modifies a noun or a pronoun
Example:
Preferring track, I didn’t sign up for basketball.
COMPLEMENTS
Follows an Action Verb
Follows a Linking Verb
DIRECT OBJECT (DO):
PREDICATE ADJECTIVE (PA):
Receives the action of the ACTION VERB
An adjective following the LINKING Verb,
describes the subject
* Say the Subject and ACTIOIN Verb
* Ask Whom or What
S
AV
DO
The climber threw the rope.
INDIRECT OBJECT (IO):
To whom/what or for whom/what the action is
done.
* Say the Subject, ACTION Verb, D. Object
* Ask to/for whom/what
* Look between the ACTION Verb and DO
S
AV
* Say the Subject and LINKING Verb
* Ask What
IO
DO
The climber threw me the rope.
S
LV
PA
My student is absent.
PREDICATE NOMINATIVE (PN):
A noun or pronoun following the LINKING
Verb, renames the subject
* Say the Subject and LINKING Verb
* Ask Whom or What
S
LV
PN
She is my student.
CAPITALIZATION RULES
1.
Capitalize the first word of every sentence.
2.
Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation that is a complete sentence.
3.
Capitalize the first word of a sentence in parentheses that stands by itself. Do not
capitalize a sentence within parentheses if it is contained within another sentence.
4.
Do not capitalize the first word of a quotation that cannot stand as a complete sentence.
5.
Do not capitalize an indirect quotation.
6.
Capitalize names of individuals.
7.
Capitalize titles used before a name or in place of a name.
8.
Capitalize titles that specify family relationships when they are used with a person’s
name or in place of it.
9.
Capitalize names of ethnic groups, languages, religious terms, organizations, political
parties and their members (but not party), firms, monuments, buildings, bridges, other
structures, trade names, documents, awards, laws, geographical terms, calendar terms,
historical events, planets, compass points (but not directions), ships, trains, aircraft,
specific school courses, titles of artistic or literary works.
10.
Capitalize proper adjectives formed from names of people, specific days or holidays,
names of national, ethnic, and religious groups.
PUNCTUATION RULES
END MARKS:
1.
Use a period at the end of all declarative, most imperative sentences, and indirect
questions.
2.
Use a period at the end of an abbreviation, initial, after each number or letter of an
outline, between dollars and cents, and before a decimal.
3.
Use a question mark at the end of an interrogative sentence.
4.
Use an exclamation point at the end of an exclamatory sentence and after an interjection.
COMMAS:
1.
Use a comma after every item in a series except the last one.
2.
Use commas after the first, second, third, etc., when these introduce a series.
3.
Use commas to separate adjectives before a noun.
4.
Use a comma to separate an introductory from the rest of the sentence.
5.
Use commas to set off interrupters from the rest of the sentence.
6.
Use commas to set off nouns of direct address.
7.
Use commas to set off appositives.
8.
Use commas to set off explanatory words of a direct quote.
9.
Use a comma before a conjunction between the two parts of a compound sentence.
10.
Use a comma between the day of the month and the year.
11.
Use a comma between the name of a city and its state or country.
12.
Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter, and after the closing of any type of
letter.
SEMICOLON:
1.
Use a semicolon to join the parts of a compound sentence if no conjunction is used.
2.
Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb that joins the parts of a compound sentence.
COLON:
1.
Use a colon after the opening of a business letter.
2.
Use a colon between numerals indicating hours and minutes.
3.
Use a colon to introduce a list of items.
DASH:
1.
Use a dash to set off a long explanation that interrupts a sentence.
2.
Use a dash after a series to indicate the summary will follow.
HYPHEN:
1.
Use a hyphen if part of the word must be carried over to the next line.
2.
Use a hyphen in compound numbers and in fractions.
3.
Use a hyphen in compound nouns and compound adjectives.
APOSTROPHE:
1.
Add apostrophe and an s to form a singular possessive noun.
2.
Add apostrophe and an s to form a plural possessive that does not end in an s.
3.
Add apostrophe only to a plural possessive that ends in an s.
4.
Add apostrophe and an s to a possessive indefinite pronoun.
5.
Use an apostrophe in a contraction.
6.
Use an apostrophe to show the omission of numbers in a date.
7.
Use an apostrophe to form the plurals of letters and figures.
QUOTATION MARKS:
1.
Use quotation marks around a direct quote.
2.
Place question marks and exclamation points inside the quotation marks if they belong to
the quote itself.
3.
Use quotation marks to enclose the titles of magazine articles, chapters, short stories,
essays, poems, television and radio programs, and songs.
UNDERLINING:
1.
Underline the titles of books, newspapers, magazines, plays, movies, works of art, and
long musical compositions.
VERB TENSES AND THEIR MEANINGS:
THE SIMPLE TENSES
TENSE
EXAMPLE
simple present * Edward Hirsch writes a column
for the Washington Post.
* Erin writes in her journal every
day.
simple past
* Lisa wrote a poem yesterday.
simple future
* I will write my paper tomorrow.
* I am going to write my paper
tomorrow.
MEANING
Expresses events or situations that exist
always, usually, or habitually. These
situations existed in the past, exist now,
and will probably exist in the future.
Expresses events or situations that
occurred at one particular time in the
past. These situations began and ended
in the past.
Expresses events or situations that will
occur at one particular time in the
future.
THE PROGRESSIVE (OR CONTINUOUS) TENSES
Form: be + -ing (present participle)
Meaning: This tense conveys that an event is in progress at a particular time.
TENSE
EXAMPLE
MEANING
present progressive * Renee is writing a poem in
Expresses events or situations that
her notebook.
began in the past, are in the progress
at the present time, and will probably
continue in the future.
past progressive
* James was writing when the Expresses events or situations that
police arrived on the scene.
were in progress at a particular time
in the past.
future progressive
* Matt will be writing his
Expresses events or situations that will
novel over the summer.
be in progress at a particular time in
the future.
THE PERFECT TENSES
Form: have + past participle
Meaning: This tense conveys that an event takes place before another time or event.
TENSE
EXAMPLE
MEANING
present perfect * Bianca has written many poems
Expresses events or situations that
about her family.
began in the past and are completed at
the present time.
past perfect
* Courtney had written several
Expresses events or situations that
screenplays by the time she was
were completed before a particular
accepted to graduate school.,
time in the past.
future perfect
* Sonja will have written her lesson Expresses events or situations that will
plans when the school year starts. be completed before a particular time
in the future.
THE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE TENSES:
Form: have + been + -ing
Meaning: This tense conveys that an event is in progress immediately before and up to
another time or event. It expresses the duration of the first event.
TENSE
EXAMPLE
MEANING
present perfect * Scott has been writing articles for Expresses events or situations that are
progressive
the Washington Post for several
in progress through the present time.
years.
past perfect
* Eve had been writing for two
Expresses events or situations that
progressive
years before her novel was
were in progress through a particular
published.
time in the past.
future perfect
* Tracy will have been writing for Expresses events or situations that will
progressive
two hours by the time we have to be in progress through a particular
leave.
time in the future.
PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES:
Prefix
aaabadamanteantiautobellibenebibiocatachroncircumcomcontracreddedemdiadisepiequiexfor-
Meaning
in, on,of, up, to
without, lacking
from, away, off
to, toward
friend, love
before, previous
against, opposing
self
war, warlike
well, good
two
life
down, away, thoroughly
time
around
with, together, very
against, opposing
belief, trust
from
people
through, across, apart
away, off, down, not
upon
equal, equally
out
away, off, from
Examples
abed, afoot
atheist, agnostic
abdicate, abjure
advance
amicable, amatory
antecedent, antedate
antipathy, antidote
autonomy, autobiography
bellicose
benefit, benefactor
bisect, biennial
biology, biosphere
catastrophe, cataclysm
chronometer, synchronize
circumspect, circumference
commotion, complicate
contradict, contravene
credible, credit
depart
demographics, democracy
diameter, diagnose
dissent, disappear
epilogue
equivalent
extract
forget, forswear
Suffix
-able
-age
-ance
-arch
-ard
-ate
-ation
-cy
-dom
-en
-er
-esce
-esque
-ess
-fic
-ful
-fy
-hood
-ible
-ion
-ish
-ism
-ist
-ition
-ity
-ize
forehomohyperhypoinininterintramagnmalmicrmismonomorneononobomniorthooverpanparaperperiphilpolypostpreprimproreretrosemisubsupersymtransultra-
before, previous
same, equal
excessive, over
under, beneath
in, into
not, opposing
among, between
within
large
bad, poorly, not
small
bad, poorly, not
one, single
die, death
new
not
against, opposing
all, everywhere
right, straight
above
all, entire
beside, beyond
through
around
love, like
many
after, following
before, previous
first, early
forward, in place of
back, backward, again
back, backward
half, partly
under, beneath
above, extra
with, together
across, beyond, over
beyond, excessively
-less
-like
-logue
-ly
-ment
-ness
-or
-ous
-ship
-some
-th
-tude
-ty
ununivis-
not, reverse of
one
to see
foretell, forefathers
homogenized
hypercritical, hypertension
hypodermic, hypothesis
intrude, invade
incapable, ineligible
intercede, interrupt
intramural, intrastate
magnitude, magnify
malfunction
microbe, microscope
misspell, misfire
monogamy, monologue
mortality, mortuary
Neolithic, neoconservative
nonentity, nonsense
objection
omniscient
orthogonal, orthodox
overbearing
panorama, pandemonium
parallel, paradox
perceive, permit
periscope, perimeter
philosophy, philanthropic
polymorphous, polygamous
postpone, postscript
prevent, preclude
primitive, primary
propel, pronoun
revoke, recur
retrospect, retrograde
semicircle, semicolon
subjugate, substitute
supersede, supernumerary
sympathy, symphony
transact, transport
ultramodern, ultrasonic,
ultraviolet
unhappy, unlock
uniform, unity
visage, visable
Meaning
able to, likely
process, state, rank
act, condition, fact
to rule
one that does excessively
having, showing
action, state, result
state, condition
state, rank, condition
cause to be, become
one who does
become, grow, continue
in the style of, like
feminine
making, causing
full of, marked by
make, cause, cause to have
state, condition
able, likely, fit
action, state, result
suggesting, like
act, manner, doctrine
doer, believer
action, state, result
state, quality, condition
make, cause to make, treat
with
lacking, without
like, similar
type of speaking or writing
like, of the nature of
means, result, action
quality, state
doer, office, action
marked by, given to
the art or skill of
apt to, showing
act, state, quality
quality, state, result
quality, state
Examples
capable, tolerable
passage, bondage
acceptance, vigilance
monarch
drunkard, wizard
separate, desolate
occupation, starvation
accuracy, captaincy
serfdom, wisdom
deepen, strengthen
teacher
convalesce, acquiesce
picturesque, grotesque
waitress, lioness
terrific, beatific
thankful, zestful
glorify, fortify
manhood, statehood
edible, possible, divisible
union, fusion
churlish, childish
barbarism, socialism
monopolist, socialist
sedition, expedition
acidity, civility
sterilize, mechanize, criticize
hopeless, countless
childlike, dreamlike
prologue
friendly, positively
refreshment, disappointment
greatness, tallness
juror, elevator, honor
religious, riotous
statesmanship
tiresome, lonesome
warmth, width
magnitude, fortitude
enmity, activity
COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS:
ACCEPT – to receive
He accepts defeat well.
EXCEPT – to take or leave out
Please take all the books off the shelf except for the red one.
AFFECT – to influence
Lack of sleep affects the quality of your work.
EFFECT – n., result; v., to accomplish
The subtle effect of the lighting made the room look ominous.
Can the university effect such a change without disrupting classes?
A LOT (two words) – many
A LOT (one word) – NOT the correct form
ALL READY – prepared
Dinner was all ready when the guests arrived.
ALREADY – by this time
The turkey was already burned when the guests arrived.
ALTOGETHER – entirely
Altogether, I thought that the student’s presentation was well planned.
ALL TOGETHER – gathered, with everything in one place
We were all together at the family reunion last spring.
ASCENT – climb
The plane’s ascent made my ears pop.
ASSENT – agreement
The Martian assented to undergo experiments.
CAPITAL – seat of government. Also financial resources
The capital of Virginia is Richmond.
The firm had enough capital to build the new plant.
CAPITOL – the actual building in which the legislative body meets.
The governor announced his resignation in a speech given at the capitol today.
CITE – to quote or document
I cited ten quotes from the same author in my paper.
SIGHT – vision
The sight of the American flag arouses different emotions in different parts of the world.
SITE – position or place
The new office building was built on the site of a cemetery.
COMPLEMENT – n., something that completes; v., to complete
A nice dry white wine complements a seafood entrée.
COMPLIMENT – n., praise; v., to praise
The professor complimented Betty on her proper use of a comma.
CONSCIENCE – sense of right and wrong
The student’s conscience kept him from cheating on the exam.
CONSCIOUS – awake
I was conscious when the burglar entered the house.
COUNCIL - a group that consults or advises
The men and women on the council voted in favor of an outdoor concert.
COUNSEL – to advise
The parole officer counseled the convict before he was released.
ITS – of or belonging to it
The baby will scream as soon as its mother walks out of the room.
IT’S – contraction for it is
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
LIE – to lie down (a person or animal. Hint: people can tell lies)
I have a headache, so I’m going to lie down for a while.
(also lying, lay, has/have lain – The dog has lain in the shade all day.)
LAY – to lay an object down
“Lay down that shotgun, Pappy!” the sheriff demanded of the crazed moonshiner.
The town lay at the foot of the mountain.
(Also laying, laid, has/have laid – At that point, Pappy laid the shotgun on the ground.)
LOSE - v., to misplace or not win
Tom glared at Mikey, “IF you lose that new lunchbox, don’t even think of coming home!”
LOOSE – adj., to not be tight; v., (rarely used) – to release
The burglar’s pants were so loose that he was sure to lose the race with the cop chasing.
While waiting trial, he was never set loose from jail because no one would post his bail.
PASSED – verb, past tense of “to pass,” to have moved
The tornado passed through the city quickly, but it caused great damage.
PAST – belonging to a former time or place
Who was the past president of Microsquish Computers?
Go past the fire station and turn right.
PRECEDE – to come before
Pre-writing precedes the rough draft of good papers.
PROCEED – to go forward
He proceeded to pass back the failing grades on the exam.
PRINCIPAL – adj., most important; n., a person who has authority
The principal ingredient in chocolate chip cookies is chocolate chips.
The principal of the school does the announcements each morning.
PRINCIPLE – a general or fundamental truth
The study was based on the principle of gravity.
QUOTE – v., to cite
I would like to quote Dickens in my next paper.
QUOTATION – n., the act of citing
The book of famous quotations inspired us all.
STATIONARY – standing still
The accident was my fault because I ran into a stationary object.
STATIONERY – writing paper
My mother bought me the stationery that was on recycled paper.
THAN – use with comparisons
I would rather go out to eat than eat at the dining hall.
THEN – at that time, or next
I studied for my exam for seven hours, and then I went to bed.
THEIR – possessive form of they
Their house is at the end of the block.
THERE – indicated location (hint: think of “here and there”)
There goes my chance of winning the lottery!
THEY’RE – contraction for “they are”
They’re in Europe for the summer – again!
THROUGH – by means of; finished; into or out of
He plowed right through the other team’s defensive line.
THREW – past tense of throw
She threw away his love letters.
THRU – abbreviated slang for through; not appropriate in standard writing
We’re thru for the day!
TO – toward
I went to the University of Richmond.
TOO – also, or excessively
He drank too many screwdrivers and was unable to drive home.
TWO – a number
Only two students did not turn in the assignment.
WHO – pronoun, referring to a person or persons
Jane wondered how Jack, who is so smart, could be having difficulties in calculus.
WHICH – pronoun, replacing a singular or plural thing(s); not used to refer to persons
Which section of history did you get into?
THAT – used to refer to things or a group or class of people
I lost the book that I bought last week.
WHO – used as a subject or as a subject complement (see above)
John is the man who can get the job done.
WHOM – used as an object
Whom did Sarah choose as her replacement?