Honors English Punctuation Study Guide

Terms in this set (32)

person place or thing

replaces a noun or other pronoun

describes a noun, verb, or pronoun

describes adjective, verb, or adverb

shows action or state of being

connecting words, phrases, and clauses

words or utterances that show strong emotions and can stand alone or be integrated into a sentence

builds relationships between nouns, pronouns, or other words in a sentence

simple sentence

a sentence that includes one independent clause

compound sentence

a sentence that includes two independent clauses plus a comma and a conjunction

complex sentence

a sentence that includes one independent clause and one or more dependent
clauses

declarative sentence

sentences that make statements

imperative sentence

sentences that are commands

compound complex sentence

a sentence that includes two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses

interrogative sentence

sentences that ask questions

exclamatory sentence

sentence that shows strong emotions

independent clause

a group of words that contains a subject and verb, and expresses a complete thought

dependent clause

a group of words that contains a subject and a verb, but does NOT express a complete thought

coordinating conjunction

words used to join independent clauses to make compound sentences (Examples: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)

introductory phrase

dependent clauses that provide background information or 'set the stage' for the main part of the sentence, the independent clause (sometimes not always)

prepositional phrase

phrases that start with a preposition and end with a noun or pronoun

transitional element

however, therefore, nonetheless, also, otherwise, finally, instead, thus, of course, above all, for example, in other words, as a result, on the other hand, in conclusion, in addition

a group of words that sometimes look like a sentence but are missing a subject, verb,
complete thought or any combination thereof

conjunctive adverb

however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless,
otherwise

dependent marker word

a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it
a dependent clause (Ex: while, after, when)

non essential information

information that is not crucial to the message

8 parts of speech

noun
pronoun
verb
adverb
adjective
conjunction
interjection
preposition

run on sentence

when two or more independent clauses are joined without appropriate punctuation

where and why do we use commas

join 2 independent clauses by a comma and a
coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, nor, so)

after a transitional element (however, therefore,
nonetheless, also, otherwise, finally, instead, thus, of course, above all, for example, in other words, as a result, on the other hand, in conclusion, in addition)

after an introductory phrase, prepositional phrase, or
dependent clause.

to separate elements in a series. Although there is no set
rule that requires a comma before the last item in a series, it seems to be a general academic convention to include it

to separate nonessential elements from a sentence. More
specifically, when a sentence includes information that is not crucial to the message or intent of the sentence, enclose it in or separate it by commas

with quoted words.

in a date

in a number

between coordinate adjectives (adjectives that are equal
and reversible)

in a personal title

to separate a city name from the state

conjunctive adjective

adjectives that are equal and reversible

where and why do we use semicolons

to join elements of a series when individual items of
the series already include commas

to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause
restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis

to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause
begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example, that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so)

where and why do we use colons

to join 2 independent clauses when you wish to emphasize
the second clause

after an independent clause when it is followed by a list, a
quotation, appositive, or other idea directly related to the independent clause

at the end of a business letter greeting

to separate the hour and minute(s) in a time notation

to separate the chapter and verse in a Biblical reference

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