English English Grammar Syllabus

Name the main types of adverbs by what they tell.

Adverbs of manner (how), time (when), place (where), frequency (how often), and degree (to what extent).

How are many adverbs formed from adjectives?

By adding the suffix -ly to the adjective (quick → quickly, careful → carefully), though some adverbs (fast, well, hard) do not follow this rule.

What is a preposition?

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word, often indicating position, direction, or time (e.g., in, on, at, under, before).

What is a prepositional phrase?

A prepositional phrase is a group of words beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun called its object (e.g., 'on the table', 'after lunch').

Give three prepositions of time and three of place.

Time: at, on, in, before, after. Place: in, on, under, over, between, beside.

What is a conjunction?

A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases, or clauses together (e.g., and, but, or, because, although).

What is a coordinating conjunction, and what are the seven (FANBOYS)?

A coordinating conjunction joins elements of equal grammatical rank. The seven are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (FANBOYS).

What is a subordinating conjunction? Give examples.

A subordinating conjunction joins a dependent clause to an independent clause, such as because, although, since, if, when, while, and unless.

What are correlative conjunctions? Give an example pair.

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join balanced elements, such as either…or, neither…nor, both…and, and not only…but also.

What is an interjection?

An interjection is a word or short phrase that expresses sudden emotion or feeling and is grammatically independent (e.g., Wow!, Ouch!, Oh!, Hurray!).

How is an interjection usually punctuated?

With an exclamation mark for strong emotion (Wow!) or a comma for milder emotion (Well, I'm not sure).

What is a simple sentence?

A simple sentence contains one independent clause—a single subject and predicate—and expresses a complete thought (e.g., 'The dog barked').

What is an independent clause?

An independent clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

What is a compound sentence?

A compound sentence joins two or more independent clauses, usually with a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon (e.g., 'I cooked dinner, and she washed the dishes').

How are the two independent clauses in a compound sentence typically joined?

With a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS), or with a semicolon (e.g., 'It rained, so we stayed home' / 'It rained; we stayed home').

What is a dependent (subordinate) clause?

A dependent clause has a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone (e.g., 'because she was tired').

What is a complex sentence?

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause (e.g., 'Because it was raining, we stayed inside').

When a complex sentence begins with a dependent clause, what punctuation is used?

A comma is placed after the introductory dependent clause (e.g., 'When the bell rang, the students left').

What is a compound-complex sentence?

A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause (e.g., 'Although she was tired, she finished her work, and then she went to bed').

What is the minimum clause structure required for a compound-complex sentence?

At least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

What is the simple present tense used for, and how is it formed?

The simple present expresses habits, general truths, and repeated actions. It uses the base verb, adding -s/-es in the third person singular (I work; she works).

How is the present continuous (progressive) tense formed and used?

It is formed with am/is/are + the present participle (verb + -ing) and describes an action happening now (e.g., 'They are studying').

What is the simple past tense used for, and how is it formed for regular verbs?

It expresses a completed action in the past. Regular verbs add -ed to the base form (walk → walked), while irregular verbs change form (go → went).

How is the past continuous tense formed?

With was/were + the present participle (verb + -ing) to describe an ongoing action in the past (e.g., 'She was reading when I called').

How is the simple future tense formed?

With the modal will (or shall) + the base form of the verb (e.g., 'I will travel tomorrow'); 'be going to' + base verb is also used for future plans.

What is the difference between 'will' and 'be going to' for the future?

'Will' often expresses spontaneous decisions, predictions, or promises; 'be going to' expresses prior plans or intentions and predictions based on present evidence.

What are the three main uses of a period (full stop)?

To end a declarative (statement) or imperative sentence, to mark many abbreviations (Dr., etc.), and historically after initials (J. K. Rowling).

Name three common uses of the comma.

To separate items in a list, to set off introductory words or clauses, and to separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. (Also to set off nonessential information.)

What is the Oxford (serial) comma?

The Oxford comma is the comma placed before the final 'and' or 'or' in a list of three or more items (e.g., 'red, white, and blue').

What are the two main uses of a semicolon?

To join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction (e.g., 'I was tired; I went to bed'), and to separate items in a list that already contain commas.

What is the difference between a semicolon and a comma when joining two independent clauses?

A semicolon can join two independent clauses on its own; a comma alone cannot (doing so creates a comma splice) and must be paired with a coordinating conjunction.