A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is separated from what it is intended to modify in a sentence. Misplaced modifiers can create ambiguity or change the meaning of the sentence.
Misplaced modifier exampleThe children ran through the streets dressed in costumes.
In the example above, the modifier “dressed in costumes” is supposed to modify “the children,” but instead, because of its location, it looks like it’s modifying the noun “the streets.” This placement lends itself to the interpretation that the streets are wearing costumes rather than the children.
To fix this mistake, the modifier needs to be moved next to the words it is intended to modify.
Corrected modifier examplesDressed in costumes, the children ran through the streets.
The children, dressed in costumes, ran through the streets.
A compound subject is more than one noun or pronoun joined by a conjunction that functions as the subject of a sentence or clause (e.g., “my sister and I”).
Like all subjects, a compound subject either performs the action described by the verb in the predicate (e.g., “Sarah and Alana walk”) or is described by the predicate (e.g., “Trevor and Cara are tall”).
A sentence fragment is a piece of writing that looks like a sentence but is grammatically incomplete. This is normally because it is missing a subject or a verb.
Sentence fragments can usually be spotted quite easily because they do not express a complete thought. They always lack at least one piece of information that is key to understanding the meaning.
A coordinating conjunction is a type of conjunction used to connect two words, phrases or clauses that are grammatically equal. There are seven coordinating conjunctions in the English language. You can remember these using the mnemonic FANBOYS: “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” and “so.”
These words can have other functions, but “and,” “but,” and “or” are mainly used as coordinating conjunctions.
Coordinating conjunctions indicate the relationship between the elements they connect, such as addition (“and”), contrast (“but”), choice (“or”), and result (“so”).
Knowing about coordinating conjunctions helps us to use commas correctly.
Coordinating conjunction examplesHe doesn’t like fish and chips.
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that are used to show the relationship between two words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., “both rain and snow”).
Correlative conjunctions join two grammatically equal parts of a sentence (i.e., two words, phrases, or clauses).
Correlative conjunction examplesTobin will compete in both swimming and biking.
You can either go to the store with me or stay home.
Neither snow nor rain will ruin our fun.
Sophie is not only a great student but also a star athlete.
The term interrogative is used to refer to words that help form questions (e.g., “who,” “what,” “when”). It is also used to describe sentences that ask questions, whether they use an interrogative word (e.g., “Who is that?”) or not (e.g., “Are you tired?”).
Questions with interrogative words examplesWhere are you going?
An object of a preposition (or prepositional object) is the noun or pronoun that follows a preposition (e.g., “on the table”). Every prepositional phrase must include an object in order to be complete.
Object of a preposition examplesInez went to Greece.
A determiner is a word that precedes a noun and gives information about possession (e.g., “my bike”), quantity (e.g., “two thieves”), or specificity (e.g., “that book”). Determiners, therefore, indicate details about the noun.
A compound predicate is made up of two or more verbs that share the same subject and are joined by a conjunction (e.g., “We walked and talked”).
Compound predicates include any of the verbs’ objects and modifiers. The verbs or verb phrases are joined using the coordinating conjunctions “and,” “or,” “nor,” “but,” or “yet” or a correlative conjunction (e.g., “either … or“).
Compound predicate examplesThey are driving to Dallas and then flying to New York.
We cango to the movies or watch the football game at home.
Jayden cooked dinner, washed the dishes, and swept the floor.
