Definition: An interjection is a word or group of words that expresses emotion. They can show happiness, surprise, anger, impatience, and many other emotions. They can also be used to get attention. Interjections do not have a grammatical purpose in the sentence. They are considered parenthetical and are set off with commas.Some common (and less common) […]
Like versus as/as if/as though/such as – In casual speech people often use like when they should use as or as if. Like should only be used when followed by a noun. The clouds look like cotton balls. As, as if, and as though join clauses. It is going to rain today like as it did yesterday.It looks like as if it is going to rain.We ran between the buildings like as though it were already raining. Such […]
You have already learned about relative pronouns and relative adverbs in previous modules. Both act as subordinating conjunctions when they connect sentences. Relative pronouns, which include some interrogative and one demonstrative pronoun, introduce adjective or noun clauses. They are that, which, who, whom, and whose. These are the students who have done well on the test.These are the students. The students have done well on […]
Definition: A subordinating conjunction joins two clauses by making one clause subordinate to, or dependent on, the other. It makes a stronger connection than a coordinating conjunction does. The subordinating conjunction shows a relationship between the two clauses. Some subordinating conjunctions are made up of more than one word. Independent: It is raining hard.Independent: We might get wet. […]
Definition: A conjunctive adverb (adverbial conjunction, transitional device) can be used to join two independent clauses, making a compound sentence. Like a conjunction, it connects ideas, but it is stronger. It shows a more specific relationship and usually acts as a transition between the clauses. It can combine, compare, contrast, emphasize, summarize, illustrate, show sequence, and […]
Definition: Ideas are considered parallel when they are grammatically equal. Ideas in a series must be parallel. You might have a series of nouns, a series of verbs, a series of prepositional phrases, a series of predicates, a series of independent clauses, or a series of some other grammatical element. Each item in the series should […]
Definition: Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join words, phrases, or clauses. The correlative conjunctions are either…or, neither…nor, both…and, not only…but also, whether…or. Joining words: My uncle is not only a doctor but also a pharmacist.Joining phrases: All of these clothes are either too small or worn out.Joining clauses: Either Monica will bring drinks, or she will bring brownies. Correlative conjunctions are stronger than coordinating conjunctions and emphasize the relationship between the ideas being joined. Notice the […]
Definition: A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases, or clauses. There are several types of conjunctions and several other types of words that act as conjunctions. Joining words: You should wait before grabbing one of those tempting but hot cookies.Joining phrases: We have to drive across two states and around a lake to get to Grandmother’s house.Joining clauses: Because you didn’t do your homework, you will need […]
Content protected.