Parts of Speech: Definitions and other key points
Phrase: A group of words that has no subject or verb, or a group of words that has only a
subject, or a group of words that has only a verb. A noun phrase: the full moon (no
verb). A verbal phrase: Walking down the hallway (no subject). A prepositional phrase:
After the football game (no subject, no verb).
Clause: A group of words that includes both a subject and a verb.
Independent Clause: A group of words that has a subject and a verb and completes an
idea: Henry rode his bike. “Henry” is the subject; “rode” is the verb. The idea is
completed.
Dependent Clause: A group of words that has a subject and a verb but that does not
complete an idea: When Henry rode his bike. “Henry” is the subject; “rode” is the verb,
but the idea is not completed—what about “when Henry rode his bike”?
Prepositions:
 These words often show location or direction (under, in, above, between).
 They create prepositional phrases (under the bed).
 A prepositional phrase begins with the preposition and ends with a noun (or
pronoun). Under = preposition
bed = noun
 The noun (or pronoun) is called the object of the preposition. bed= object of
preposition.
 The words between the preposition and its object are all part of the prepositional
phrase. Under the 4-posted queen-sized bed = a prepositional phrase.
 A prepositional phrase never includes the subject or verb of the sentence. Under
the 4-posted queen-sized bed hid the scared animal. Verb = hid Subject =
animal Note: the subject and verb are not part of the prepositional phrase.
Coordinating Conjunctions:
 There are only 7 of them
 FANBOYS is a way to memorize all 7 of them (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So)
 They connect words, phrases, and clauses (the pairs have to be the same type—
two nouns, two phrases, two independent clauses, etc)
o Pam and Robert are married. (“and” combining 2 nouns: Pam, Robert)
o Pam is climbing that rock and carving her name in it. (“and” combining 2
verbal phrases: climbing the rock, writing her name on it).
o Pam feels bad for destroying nature, and she will erase her name from the
rock. (“and” combining 2 Independent Clauses: Pam feels bad for
destroying nature, she will erase her name from the rock).
 When combining 2 IC’s with one of the FANBOYS, a comma must come in front
of the coordinating conjunction (IC , and IC).
Parts of Speech: Definitions and other key points
Subordinating Conjunctions:
 WABBITS is a way to memorize 7 of them (When, As, Because, Before, If,
Though, Since).
 They make clauses become dependent.
 They are the first word of the dependent clause.
 They must be in a sentence that also has an independent clause.
 If a sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction, use a comma at the end of
the dependent clause: If I go to the bank, I can deposit my check. (DC, IC)
 If the dependent clause follows the independent clause, do not use a comma
between the IC and the DC: I can deposit my check if I go to the bank. (IC DC)
Relative Pronouns:
 They are like subordinating conjunctions in that they make clauses become
dependent (DC makers).
 They do not ask questions (the “who” in “Who are you?” is not a relative
pronoun; it is an interrogative pronoun).
 Relative pronouns can function as the subject of the dependent clause they
created: The man who is going on vacation is standing by the palm tree. (“who”
is the subject of the verb “is going”)
 The dependent clause can interrupt the independent clause; in the sentence above,
the independent clause “The man is standing by the palm tree” is interrupted by
the dependent clause “who is going on vacation.”
Conjunctive Adverbs:
 They are transitional words.
 They show the relationship between 2 independent clauses.
 The conjunctive adverb belongs to the second of the 2 independent clauses.
 The conjunctive adverb is found in isolation; it is surrounded by punctuation; it
can’t be directly next to words.
 In the second sentence that the conjunctive adverb belongs to, it can be the first
word, the last word, or it can be somewhere in the middle of that IC.
o I like ice cream. However, I am lactose intolerant.
o I like ice cream. I am lactose intolerant, however.
o I like ice cream. I am, however, lactose intolerant.
Note: In the examples above, the conjunctive adverb shows the contradictory
relationship between the content information of the 2 independent clauses “I like
ice cream” and “I am lactose intolerant.” The conjunctive adverb “however”
belongs to the second independent clause, and it is surrounded by punctuation.
You are allowed to use a semi-colon where the period has been used.