Nishita must learn English Grammar daily from the beginning.
Page Updated: 10/14/2025
English Grammar Test 10/17/2025
English Grammar Test 10/17/2025
Tenses are mainly categorized into three types.
1. Present Tense
2. Past Tense
3. Future Tense
Each of the types of tenses has four different forms.
Present Indefinite Tense
Present Progressive (Continuous) Tense
Present Perfect Tense
Present Perfect Progressive (Continuous)
Generally, simple present tense is used to indicate an action which happens – always, regularly, every day, daily, normally, generally, usually, occasionally, sometimes, often, rarely, frequently, nowadays, naturally, seldom, constantly, never, every week, every year, once a year, on a week, at times, at present, now and then, or all the time.
The stative verbs are:
Have Understand Know Believe Hate Need Hear Love Appear See Like Seem Smell Want Taste Wish Sound Own
Examples:
I know Billy Bob.
He understands it.
They love swinging in the park.
Some people do not believe in God.
I usually wake up at 6:00 AM.
He plays cricket, but his brother plays football.
Earth is bigger than Mercury.
The heat of the sun reaches the least to the polar.
Present Progressive (Continuous) Tense
The present progressive tense is used to indicate the ongoing time (now). However, the stative verbs do not usually take the form of present progressive tense even though they refer to the present time.
Now, continually, perpetually, at this moment, at the moment, right now, this season, this year, forever, etc. words or word pairs are usually signs that the verb in a sentence is in the present progressive form. However, these signs are not necessary all the time for a verb to be of present progressive tense.
Structure:
Subject + am/is/are + verb + ing + . . . . . . . . .
Example:
I am going to the college field.
He is coming here for some tips.
They are making a basketball ground.
Why are you working in that horrible place? (Interrogative)
Four teams are playing at this moment.
John is not joining the class today. (Negative)
This structure is also used to demonstrate future time.
Example:
Alex is leaving for Portugal.
I am going to complete my task.
We are leaving at 6:00 PM.
They are flying to Australia next month.
Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense is used when one intends to indicate:
an action that occurred at a time which is indefinite and has its effect on the subject
or an action that occurred many times and has the possibility to occur in the present/future
or an action that began in the past and still going on in the present.
Structure:
Subject + have/has + verb in the past participle form + . . . . . . .
Example:
Alex has read the book through. (No time is indicated)
I have read this poem many times. (Not habitual but occurred many times in the past)
He has lived in this apartment for 15 years. (Still going on)
More examples:
Their event has not been approved this year. (Negative)
Have we really done so bad? (Interrogative)
Just, already, yet, just now, ever, lately, recently, etc. are some of the signs for present perfect tense.
Note: Already comes between have/has and the past participle; yet appears with a negative form at the end of the sentence.
Example:
Alex has already reached there.
Alex has not reached yet.
I have already cleaned the house.
I have not cleaned the house yet.(Negative)
Has she already gone home? (Interrogative)
Present Perfect Progressive (Continuous)
It is the least used form of present tense. Present perfect progressive tense is used to indicate an action that began in the past and is still occurring in the present. Both present perfect and present perfect continuous tense can be used to indicate this type of action.
Structure:
Subject + have/has + been + [verb + ing] + . . . . .+ for/since + time frame.
Example:
Alex has been reading for 3 years.
I have been sleeping since 10.00 AM.
Robert has been working in that shop for 6 years.
We have been living together for four years.
Have we really been waiting for a miracle for fifteen years? (Interrogative)
She hasn’t been doing her job well enough for the last 5 years. (Negative)
A verb is a word or a combination of words that indicates action or a state of being or condition. A verb is the part of a sentence that tells us what the subject performs. Verbs are the hearts of English sentences.
Examples:
Jacob walks in the morning. (A usual action)
Mike is going to school. (A condition of action)
Albert does not like to walk. (A negative action)
Anna is a good girl. (A state of being)
Basic Forms of Verbs
There are six basic forms of verbs. These forms are as follows:
Base form: Children play in the field.
Infinitive: Tell them not to play
Past tense: They played football yesterday.
Past participle: I have eaten a burger.
Present participle: I saw them playing with him today.
Gerund: Swimming is the best exercise.
Base Verb
The base verb is the form of a verb where it has no ending (-ing, -ed, -en) added to it. It is also called the Root Verb since it is the very root form of a verb.
Examples:
I go to school every day.
You run a mile every morning.
Do your homework.
Regular Verb
The Verbs that follow the most usual conjugations are considered Regular Verbs. It is regular since it abides by most if not all of the regular grammar rules there are.
Examples:
Rehan plays cricket.
Tam called out my name.
You really walked all the way back?
Irregular Verb
The Verbs that have irregularities in terms of following grammar rules are Irregular Verbs, in general.
Examples:
Do the dishes.
I hardly ever drink enough water in a day.
She drove all the way back.
Transitive Verb
The Main Verb that takes a direct object sitting right after it would be a Transitive Verb. They usually construct the most straightforward of sentences.
Examples:
She went to the fair.
We do not like being called out loud in crowds.
I love visiting my village home.
Intransitive Verb
The main Verb that does not take a direct object specified right afterward and rather there is an indirect one mentioned somewhere along the line is called an Intransitive Verb. These verbs often make the corresponding sentences incomplete.
Example:
I laughed.
John ran.
A ghast of cold wind blew.
23 Helping Verbs (Memorize them!)
There are twenty-three (23) helping verbs that should be memorized since they are used so often. If you will memorize them, it will make knowing and understanding verbs much easier. They are usually grouped in the following six groups:
Group 1: is, am, are, was, were (linking verbs when used alone)
Group 2: be, being, been (show action or state of being)
Group 3: has, have, had (show action when used alone)
Group 4: do, does, did (show action when used alone)
Group 5: shall, will, should, would (cannot be used alone)
Group 6: may, might, must, can, could (cannot be used alone)
Finite Verbs
Finite verbs are the actual verbs that are called the roots of sentences. It is a form of a verb that is performed by or refers to a subject and uses one of the twelve forms of tense and changes according to the number/person of the subject.
Example:
Alex went to school. (Subject – Alex – performed the action in the past. This information is evident only by the verb ‘went’.)
Robert plays hockey.
He is playing for Australia.
He is one of the best players. (Here, the verb ‘is’ directly refers to the subject itself.)
Non-finite Verbs
Non-finite Verbs are not actual verbs. They do not work as verbs in the sentence rather they work as nouns, adjectives, adverbs, etc. Non-finite verbs do not change according to the number/person of the subject because these verbs, also called verbals, do not have any direct relation to the subject. Sometimes they become the subject themselves.
The forms of non-finite verbs are – infinitive, gerund, and participle (participles become finite verbs when they take auxiliary verbs.)
Example:
Alex went abroad to play (Infinitives)
Playing cricket is his only job. (Present participle)
I have a broken bat. (Past participle)
Walking is a good habit. (Gerund)
Action Verbs
Action verbs indicate what the subject of a sentence performs. Action verbs can make the listener/reader feel emotions, see scenes more vividly and accurately.
Action verbs can be transitive or intransitive.
Transitive verbs must have a direct object. A transitive verb demands something/someone to be acted upon.
Example:
I painted the car. (The verb ‘paint’ demands an object to be painted)
She is reading the newspaper. (The verb ‘read’ asks the question “what is she reading?” – the answer is the object)
Intransitive verbs do not act upon anything. They may be followed by an adjective, adverb, preposition, or another part of speech.
Example:
She smiled. (The verb ‘smile’ cannot have any object since the action of ‘smiling’ does not fall upon anything/anyone)
I wake up at 6 AM. (No object is needed for this verb)
Linking Verb
A linking verb adds details about the subject of a sentence. In its simplest form, it connects the subject and the complement — that is, the words that follow the linking verb. It creates a link between them instead of showing action.
Often, what is on each side of a linking verb is equivalent; the complement redefines or restates the subject.
Generally, linking verbs are called ‘be’ verbs which are - am, is, are, was, were. However, there are some other verbs that can work as linking verbs. Those verbs are:
Act, feel, remain, appear, become, seem, smell, sound, grow, look, prove, stay, taste, turn.
Some verbs in this list can also be action verbs. To figure out if they are linking verbs, you should try replacing them with forms of the be verbs. If the changed sentence makes sense, that verb is a linking verb.
Example:
She appears ready for the game. (She is ready for the game.)
The food seemed delicious. (The food was delicious.)
You look happy. (You are happy.)
Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs are also called helping verbs. An auxiliary verb extends the main verb by helping to show time, tense, and possibility. The auxiliary verbs are – be verbs, have, and do.
They are used in the continuous (progressive) and perfect tenses.
Linking verbs work as main verbs in the sentence, but auxiliary verbs help main verbs.
Do is an auxiliary verb that is used to ask questions, to express negation, to provide emphasis, and more.
Example:
Alex is going to school.
They are walking in the park.
I have seen a movie.
Do you drink tea?
Don’t waste your time.
Please, do submit your assignments.
Modal Verbs
A modal verb is a kind of auxiliary verb. It assists the main verb to indicate possibility, potentiality, ability, permission, expectation, and obligation.
The modal verbs are can, could, must, may, might, ought to, shall, should, will, would.
Example:
I may want to talk to you again.
They must play their best game to win.
She should call him.
I will go there.
Reflexive Verb
When the Subject and the Object are the same and the Verb reflects on the Subject, that is the Reflexive Verb. These Verbs are often used with Reflexive Pronouns like - myself, himself, herself, itself etc.
Examples:
He has done it himself.
I'll watch it myself.
Ergative Verb
Ergative Verbs can be used as Transitive and Intransitive Verb. They are also called Labile Verb in English.
Intransitive Verbs Transitive Verbs
The door opens. I opened the door.
Phrasal Verb
An idiomatic phrase consisting of a Verb and another element, most likely an Adverb or a Preposition is called a Phrasal Verb.
Examples:
She broke down in tears.
Don't look down upon the poor.
I'll see to it.
Lexical Verb
Lexical Verb is the main or principal verb of a sentence which typically takes the major responsibility of a Verb that represents the action of the Noun or Pronoun.
Examples:
He ran to his father.
I laughed out loud.
Rina tried her best.
DE-Lexical Verb
Delexical Verbs lack importance when it comes to meaning since these Verbs hardly have meanings of their own when used individually. The meaning is taken out of the Verbs and put into the Noun. Take, have, make, give etc. are Delexical Verbs.
Examples:
He took a shower.
I had a cold drink.
She made some arrangements.
Stative Verb
The Verbs that describe the state of being are called Stative or Being Verbs.
Examples:
I need some boxes.
You belong to the pomp and power.
He smells danger.
They remember what happened that day.
Dynamic Verb
The Verbs that entail continuous or progressive action of the Subject are called Dynamic or Fientive Verbs. They express the Subject’s state of being on the move.
Examples:
He’s running fast.
Keep hitting the ball hard.
The dog goes for a walk every afternoon.
Intensive Verb
The Verbs that focus intensely on just the Subject are called Intensive Verbs. Intensive Verbs are also called Linking or Copular Verbs.
Examples:
You seem happy.
It appears to be just perfect.
She looks stunning.
He's become rather irritable.
Extensive Verb
All the Verbs that do not focus intensively on just the Subject (as the Intensive Verbs) of the sentence are Extensive Verbs.
Examples:
He loves her.
She runs too fast.
Ron sells fish.
Participle
A participle is a Verb form where they retain some of the characteristics and functions of both Verbs and adopt those of the Adjectives.
Examples:
Present Participle (Verb + -ing)
Have I become a laughing stock?
Cycling is a well-rounded exercise.
Past Participle
I have taken a hint.
Have you given it enough thought?
Perfect Participle (Having + Past Participle)
Having said that, I was quite worried.
Having stepped out of my comfort zone, I saw a whole new world.
Gerund
The Verbs having -ing endings that function like Nouns in sentences are called Gerunds.
Examples:
Smoking is injurious to health.
Walking is good for health.
I love swimming.
Infinitive
The 'to + Verb' forms where the Verbs are at their base or stem forms while they function as Nouns, Adjectives or Adverbs instead of Verbs.
Examples:
I wanted to help you out.
Are you trying to go there?
I just love to flaunt my new Ferarri.
Nishita’s must learn 5 vocabulary words per day and do his vocabulary test every day.
Click: Vocabulary Test 9/24/2025
waive v. To relinquish, especially temporarily, as a right or claim.
wampum n. Beads strung on threads, formerly used among the American Indians as currency.
wane v. To diminish in size and brilliancy.
wantonness n. Recklessness.
warlike adj. Belligerent.
wavelet n. A ripple.
weak-kneed adj. Without resolute purpose or energy.
weal n. Well-being.
wean v. To transfer (the young) from dependence on mother's milk to another form of nourishment.
wearisome adj. Fatiguing.
wee adj. Very small.
well-bred adj. Of good ancestry.
well-doer n. A performer of moral and social duties.
well-to-do adj. In prosperous circumstances.
whereabouts n. The place in or near which a person or thing is.
whereupon adv. After which.
wherever adv. In or at whatever place.
wherewith n. The necessary means or resources.
whet v. To make more keen or eager.
whimsical adj. Capricious.
whine v. To utter with complaining tone.
wholly adv. Completely.
wield v. To use, control, or manage, as a weapon, or instrument, especially with full command.
wile n. An act or a means of cunning deception.
winsome adj. Attractive.
wintry adj. Lacking warmth of manner.
wiry adj. Thin, but tough and sinewy.
witchcraft n. Sorcery.
witless adj. Foolish, indiscreet, or silly.
witling n. A person who has little understanding.
witticism n. A witty, brilliant, or original saying or sentiment.
wittingly adv. With knowledge and by design.
wizen v. To become or cause to become withered or dry.
wizen-faced adj. Having a shriveled face.
working-man n. One who earns his bread by manual labor.
workmanlike adj. Like or befitting a skilled workman.
workmanship n. The art or skill of a workman.
wrangle v. To maintain by noisy argument or dispute.
wreak v. To inflict, as a revenge or punishment.
wrest v. To pull or force away by or as by violent twisting or wringing.
wretchedness n. Extreme misery or unhappiness.
writhe v. To twist the body, face, or limbs or as in pain or distress.
writing n. The act or art of tracing or inscribing on a surface letters or ideographs.
wry adj. Deviating from that which is proper or right.
yearling n. A young animal past its first year and not yet two years old.
zealot n. One who espouses a cause or pursues an object in an immoderately partisan manner.
zeitgeist n. The intellectual and moral tendencies that characterize any age or epoch.
zenith n. The culminating-point of prosperity, influence, or greatness.
zephyr n. Any soft, gentle wind.
zodiac n. An imaginary belt encircling the heavens within which are the larger planets.
vignette n. A picture having a background or that is shaded off gradually.
vincible adj. Conquerable.
vindicate v. To prove true, right, or real.
vindicatory adj. Punitive.
vindicative adj. Revengeful.
vinery n. A greenhouse for grapes.
viol n. A stringed instrument of the violin class.
viola n. A musical instrument somewhat larger than a violin.
violator n. One who transgresses.
violation n. Infringement.
violoncello n. A stringed instrument held between the player's knees.
virago n. A bold, impudent, turbulent woman.
virile adj. Masculine.
virtu n. Rare, curious, or beautiful quality.
virtual adj. Being in essence or effect, but not in form or appearance.
virtuoso n. A master in the technique of some particular fine art.
virulence n. Extreme poisonousness.
virulent adj. Exceedingly noxious or deleterious.
visage n. The face, countenance, or look of a person.
viscount n. In England, a title of nobility, ranking fourth in the order of British peerage.
vista n. A view or prospect.
visual adj. Perceptible by sight.
visualize v. To give pictorial vividness to a mental representation.
vitality n. The state or quality of being necessary to existence or continuance.
vitalize v. To endow with life or energy.
vitiate v. To contaminate.
vituperable adj. Deserving of censure.
vivacity n. Liveliness.
vivify v. To endue with life.
vivisection n. The dissection of a living animal.
vocable n. a word, especially one regarded in relation merely to its qualities of sound.
vocative adj. Of or pertaining to the act of calling.
vociferance n. The quality of making a clamor.
vociferate v. To utter with a loud and vehement voice.
vociferous adj. Making a loud outcry.
vogue n. The prevalent way or fashion.
volant adj. Flying or able to fly.
volatile adj. Changeable.
volition n. An act or exercise of will.
volitive adj. Exercising the will.
voluble adj. Having great fluency in speaking.
voluptuous adj. having fullness of beautiful form, as a woman, with or without sensuous or sensual quality.
voracious adj. Eating with greediness or in very large quantities.
vortex n. A mass of rotating or whirling fluid, especially when sucked spirally toward the center.
votary adj. Consecrated by a vow or promise.
votive adj. Dedicated by a vow.
vulgarity n. Lack of refinement in conduct or speech.
vulnerable adj. Capable of receiving injuries.
waif n. A homeless, neglected wanderer.
waistcoat n. A vest.
Dr. Nehemiah: 1. They might waive the rule in this case.
Dr. Nehemiah: 2. Consisting of 117 rules recorded on strings of wampum beads, the Great Law was designed to help the Haudenosaunee live in harmony.
Dr. Nehemiah: 3. The faint crescent of a waning moon hung over the trees.
Dr. Nehemiah: 4. The protesters were outraged by the wantonness with which the historic building was demolished.
Dr. Nehemiah: 5. They are large, muscular people, with a warlike and aggressive culture.
Dr. Nehemiah: 6. Their phrase depends on the relative position of the signal and its analyzing wavelet.
Dr. Nehemiah: 7. The weak-kneed crowd was too afraid to protest the dictator's harsh new laws.
Dr. Nehemiah: 8. She slapped his cheek and a bright red weal sprang up on it.
Dr. Nehemiah: 9. Mothers wean children early and in some cases do not breast-feed at all.
Dr. Nehemiah: 10. Their little world became wearisome and difficult as alliances broke and were reformed.
Dr. Nehemiah: 11. The wee child fell down off the chair.
Dr. Nehemiah: 12. The well-bred man remained polite even under pressure.
Dr. Nehemiah: 13. The well-doer helped his neighbor after the fire.
Dr. Nehemiah: 14. They both came from well-to-do backgrounds.
Dr. Nehemiah: 15. Her parents did not know her whereabouts.
Dr. Nehemiah: 16. I found some food and fed the wolf, whereupon he vanished into the shadows.
Dr. Nehemiah: 17. Wherever you put the painting, it won't look right.
Dr. Nehemiah: 18. There was nothing on the globe wherewith to bribe him.
Dr. Nehemiah: 19. Here's an extract to whet your appetite.
Dr. Nehemiah: 20. Last night, our couch got a little whimsical and changed up the infield a bit.
Dr. Nehemiah: 21. The tired child decided to give a whine.
Dr. Nehemiah: 22. I am not wholly convinced by this argument.
Dr. Nehemiah: 23. Those that wield power must take the blame.
Dr. Nehemiah: 24. Could be used to wile away long winter evenings in caving huts.
Dr. Nehemiah: 25. He slid those dark eyes toward her, full of winsome appeal.
Dr. Nehemiah: 26. It was a grey, wintry day.
Dr. Nehemiah: 27. She wound her wiry arms around his neck.
Dr. Nehemiah: 28. Hocus Pocus is a movie with three witches that perform witchcraft.
Dr. Nehemiah: 29. I suddenly realized how foolish I was acting, scared witless by a simple dream.
Dr. Nehemiah: 30. The witling thought he could manipulate us.
Dr. Aarya: 31. She made a clever witticism about the situation.
Dr. Aarya: 32. He wittingly deceived them by pretending to be honest.
Dr. Aarya: 33. The apple began to wizen on the counter.
Dr. Aarya: 34. The wizen-faced old man smiled kindly.
Dr. Aarya: 35. A hardworking man built the sturdy wooden table.
Dr. Aarya: 36. The team produced a workmanlike, if uninspired, performance.
Dr. Aarya: 37. The furniture was praised for its superb workmanship.
Dr. Aarya: 38. Two brothers began to loudly wrangle over their toys.
Dr. Aarya: 39. The tornado will wreak terrible damage on the town.
Dr. Aarya: 40. The officer had to wrest the weapon from him.
Dr. Aarya: 41. The town's people endured the wretchedness of a long, cold winter.
Dr. Aarya: 42. The injured player began to writhe on the ground in pain.
Dr. Aarya: 43. I am writing about dogs and cars for my essay.
Dr. Aarya: 44. His wry humor made everyone chuckle at the serious situation.
Dr. Aarya: 45. The small, curious yearling happily grazed near its mother.
Dr. Aarya: 46. The environmental zealot protested against the use of plastic.
Dr. Aarya: 47. The movie successfully captured the hopeful zeitgeist of the decade.
Dr. Aarya: 48. Her performance reached the zenith of athletic excellence.
Dr. Aarya: 49. A soft zephyr gently lifted the dry leaves across the quiet lawn.
Dr. Aarya: 50. My friend Zoey and Emma do not believe in zodiac sign.
Dr. Nehemiah: 51. A classic vignette of embassy life.
Dr. Nehemiah: 52. I give you the easily vincible Straw Man.
Dr. Nehemiah: 53. I decided to vindicate his claim.
Dr. Nehemiah: 54. The lawyer requested vindicatory damages to clear the client's name.
Dr. Nehemiah: 55. She was always known as a vindictive person.
Dr. Nehemiah: 56. The vinery was full of grapes.
Dr. Nehemiah: 57. I heard him dusting his viol in the band room.
Dr. Nehemiah: 58. The viola is like a mini-violin.
Dr. Nehemiah: 59. The child is a violator of privacy.
Dr. Nehemiah: 60. The restaurant had only one health code violation.
Dr. Nehemiah: 61. The solo part is for the violoncello and piano.
Dr. Nehemiah: 62. After Billy dropped his toys, the virago harshly scolded him.
Dr. Nehemiah: 63. He was a powerful, virile man.
Dr. Nehemiah: 64. Small articles of virtu include jewels, diamonds, etc.
Dr. Nehemiah: 65. He is a virtual prisoner in his own home.
Dr. Nehemiah: 66. She is the well-known cello virtuoso.
Dr. Nehemiah: 67. He was clearly pained by the virulence of the attacks.
Dr. Nehemiah: 68. The poison was so virulent that it killed the fish instantly.
Dr. Nehemiah: 69. The beautiful voice at odds with his grim visage.
Dr. Nehemiah: 70. I got to meet the viscount.
Dr. Nehemiah: 71. I looked out on a crowded vista of hills and rooftops.
Dr. Nehemiah: 72. She appreciates the visual arts such as painting and film.
Dr. Nehemiah: 73. I tend to close my eyes and try to visualize my best solution.
Dr. Nehemiah: 74. The dog had so much vitality and energy.
Dr. Nehemiah: 75. A good diet can vitalize your body and mind.
Dr. Nehemiah: 76. The harsh criticism could vitiate her confidence, but she stayed strong.
Dr. Nehemiah: 77. He knew his actions were vituperable, but he did them anyway.
Dr. Nehemiah: 78. She spoke with vivacity, and everyone listened with a smile.
Dr. Nehemiah: 79. The teacher used bright visuals to vivify the lesson, and the students became more engaged.
Dr. Nehemiah: 80. Some scientists defended vivisection, but many others condemned it as cruel.
Dr. Nehemiah: 81. The child repeated each vocable carefully, and his teacher praised his effort.
Dr. Nehemiah: 82. The word was used in the vocative case, and it directly addressed the listener.
Dr. Nehemiah: 83. His vociferance filled the room, and everyone turned to see what he was shouting about.
Dr. Nehemiah: 84. She began to vociferate her complaints, and no one could ignore her protest.
Dr. Nehemiah: 85. The crowd was vociferous in their support, and the players fed off their energy.
Aarya’s must learn English Grammar every day and do his English Grammar test every day!
Aarya’s English Test 9/24/2025
A __________ is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
complete subject
simple subject
declarative sentence
sentence
complete predicate
2. A ___________ makes a statement. It ends with a period.
adverb phrase
predicate
declarative sentence
relative clause
interrogative pronoun
3. An ____________ asks a question. It ends with a question mark.
exclamatory sentence
interrogative sentence
declarative sentence
interrogative pronoun
imperative sentence
4. An ___________ gives a command or makes a request. It ends with a period.
imperative sentence
interrogative sentence
intransitive verb
intransitive sentence
exclamatory sentence
5. An ___________ expresses strong feeling. It ends with an exclamation point.
imperative sentence
intransitive verb
interrogative pronoun
exclamatory sentence
interrogative sentence
6. The ____________ of a sentence names whom or what the sentence is about.
simple predicate
complete predicate
prepositional phrase
predicate part
subject part
7. The ___________ of the sentence tells what the subject does or has. It can also tell what the subject is or is like.
subject part
complete subject
simple subject
prepositional phrase
predicate part
8. A ___________ does not express a complete thought. It can be missing a subject, a predicate, or both.
complete subject
simple subject
complete predicate
sentence fragment
predicate part
9. The __________ includes all the words in the subject of a sentence.
predicate part
simple predicate
simple subjectc
omplete predicate
complete subject
10. The ____________ includes all the words in the predicate of a sentence.
complete predicate
complete subject
simple subject
simple predicate
noun phrase
11. The ____________ is the main word or word group in the complete subject.
simple predicate
complete predicate
predicate part
simple subject
complete subject
12. The ___________ is the main word or word group in the complete predicate.
compound subject
simple predicate
simple sentence
compound sentence
compound predicate
13. A ______________ consists of two or more simple subjects that have the same predicate. The subjects may be joined by and, or, both... and, either... or, or neither... or.
simple sentence
compound predicate
compound sentence
simple predicate
compound subject
14. A _______________ consists of two or more simple predicates, or verbs that have the same subject. The verbs may be connected by and, or, but... and, either... or, or neither or."
compound subject
simple predicate
compound predicate
simple subject
simple sentence
15. A _______________ has one subject and one predicate.
compound subject
compound predicate
compound sentence
simple predicate
simple sentence
16. A _______________ is a sentence that contains two or more simple sentences joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or) or by a semicolon.
simple predicate
noun
simple sentence
compound sentence
compound predicate
17. ____________ are words that names a person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
noun
concrete nouns
common noun
proper noun
18. A ____________ names any person, place, thing, or, idea.
noun
common noun
plural noun
proper noun
concrete nouns
19. A __________ names a particular person, place, thing, or idea. It should be capitalized.
concrete nouns
common noun
plural nouns
noun
proper noun
20. _______________ name ideas you can see or touch.
concrete nouns
common nouns
plural nouns
proper nouns
nouns
21. _____________ name ideas, qualities, and feelings that can't be seen or touched.
nouns
proper nouns
collective nouns
common nouns
abstract nouns
22. ____________ are nouns that are made of two or more words.
concrete nouns
compound nouns
collective nouns
possessive nouns
abstract nouns
23. _____________ names one person, place, thing, or idea.
concrete nouns
collective nouns
singular nouns
compound nouns
abstract nouns
24. _________ names more than one person, place, idea, or thing.
plural nouns
collective nouns
compound nouns
abstract nouns
concrete nouns
25. _____________ names a group of people, animals, things, or ideas.
concrete nouns
possessive nouns
plural nouns
compound nouns
collective nouns
26. ____________ tell who or what owns or has something.
transitive verbs
possessive nouns
collective nouns
plural nouns
concrete nouns
27. A ___________ is a word made by combining two words and leaving out one or more letters. An apostrophe shows where the letters have been omitted.
compound sentence
plural noun
contraction
compound subject
compound noun
28. An __________ is a noun that is placed next to another noun to identify it or add information about it.
abstract noun
adverb
adverb clause
appositive
adjective
29. An __________ is a group of words that includes an appositive and other words that modify the appositive.
noun clause
adverb clause
adjective phrase
adjective clause
appositve phrase
30. An _________ is a word that expresses action.
intransitive verb
action verb
adjective
appositive
adverb
31. A _________ receives the action of a verb. It answers the question whom? or what? after an action verb.
preposition
direct object
common noun
plural noun
verb phrase
32. A __________ has a direct object.
transitive verb
collective noun
linking verb
verb
verb phrase
33. An__________ does not have a direct object.
intransitive verb
action verb
adverb
abstract noun
adjective
34. An _________ answers the question "to whom?" or "for whom?" or "to what?" or "for what?" an action is done.
intransitive
interrogative sentence
imperative sentence
intransitive verb
indirect object
35. A _________ connects the subject of a sentence with a noun or an adjective in the predicate.
transitive verb
linking verb
verb phrase
preposition
predicate adjective
36. A ________________ is a noun that follows a linking verb. It renames or identifies the subject.
common noun
concrete noun
predicate noun
plural noun
collective noun
37. A __________ is an adjective that follows a linking verb. It describes, or modifies, the subject.
gerund phrase
superlative adjective
comparative adjective
proper adjective
predicate adjective
38. The _________ of a verb expresses action that happens regularly. It can also express a general truth.
present tense
future tense
past progressive form
past tense
future perfect tense
39. The ________ of a verb expresses action that already happened.
past tense
past progressive form
intransitive verb
future perfect tense
present tense
40. A ________ helps the main verb express action or make a statement.
future tense
transitive verb
past tense
helping verb
past progressive form
Capitalization Rules
Rule 1. Capitalize the first word of a document and the first word after a period.
Rule 2. Capitalize proper nouns—and adjectives derived from proper nouns.
Examples:
the Golden Gate Bridge
the Grand Canyon
a Russian song
a Shakespearean sonnet
a Freudian slip
With the passage of time, some words originally derived from proper nouns have taken on a life, and authority, of their own and no longer require capitalization.
Examples:
herculean (from the mythological hero Hercules)
quixotic (from the hero of the classic novel Don Quixote)
draconian (from ancient-Athenian lawgiver Draco)
The main function of capitals is to focus attention on particular elements within any group of people, places, or things. We can speak of a lake in the middle of the country, or we can be more specific and say Lake Michigan, which distinguishes it from every other lake on earth.
Capitalization Reference List
Brand names
Companies
Days of the week and months of the year
Governmental matters
Congress (but congressional), the U.S. Constitution (but constitutional), the Electoral College, Department of Agriculture. Note: Many authorities do not capitalize federal or state unless it is part of the official title: State Water Resources Control Board, but state water board; Federal Communications Commission, but federal regulations.Historical episodes and eras
the Inquisition, the American Revolutionary War, the Great DepressionHolidays
Institutions
Oxford College, the Juilliard School of MusicManmade structures
the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower, the TitanicManmade territories
Berlin, Montana, Cook CountyNatural and manmade landmarks
Mount Everest, the Hoover DamNicknames and epithets
Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson; Babe Ruth, the Sultan of SwatOrganizations
American Center for Law and Justice, Norwegian Ministry of the EnvironmentPlanets
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, but policies vary on capitalizing earth, and it is usually not capitalized unless it is being discussed specifically as a planet: We learned that Earth travels through space at 66,700 miles per hour.Races, nationalities, and tribes
Eskimo, Navajo, East Indian, Caucasian, African AmericanReligions and names of deities
Note: Capitalize the Bible (but biblical). Do not capitalize heaven, hell, the devil, satanic.Special occasions
the Olympic Games, the Cannes Film FestivalStreets and roads
Lowercase Reference List
Here is a list of categories not capitalized unless an item contains a proper noun or proper adjective (or, sometimes, a trademark). In such cases, only the proper noun or adjective is capitalized.
Animals
antelope, black bear, Bengal tiger, yellow-bellied sapsucker, German shepherdElements
Always lowercase, even when the name is derived from a proper noun: einsteinium, nobelium, californiumFoods
Lowercase except for brand names, proper nouns and adjectives, or custom-named recipes: Tabasco sauce, Russian dressing, pepper crusted bluefin tuna, Mandy's Bluefin SurpriseHeavenly bodies besides planets
Never capitalize the moon or the sun.Medical conditions
Epstein-Barr syndrome, tuberculosis, Parkinson's diseaseMinerals
Plants, vegetables, and fruits
poinsettia, Douglas fir, Jerusalem artichoke, organic celery, Golden Delicious applesSeasons and seasonal data
spring, summertime, the winter solstice, the autumnal equinox, daylight saving time
Rule 3. A thorny aspect of capitalization: where does it stop? When does the Iraq war become the Iraq War? Why is the legendary Hope Diamond not the Hope diamond? Everyone writes New York City, so why does the Associated Press Stylebook recommend New York state? There aren't always easy formulas or logical explanations. Research with reference books and search engines is the best strategy.
In the case of brand names, companies are of little help, because they capitalize any word that applies to their merchandise. Domino's Pizza or Domino's pizza? Is it Ivory Soap or Ivory soap, a Hilton Hotel or a Hilton hotel? Most writers don't capitalize common nouns that simply describe the products (pizza, soap, hotel), but it's not always easy to determine where a brand name ends. There is Time magazine but also the New York Times Magazine. No one would argue with Coca-Cola or Pepsi Cola, but a case could be made for Royal Crown cola.
If a trademark starts with a lowercase word or letter (e.g., eBay, iPhone), many authorities advise capitalizing it to begin a sentence.
Example: EBay opened strong in trading today.
Rule 4. Capitalize titles when they are used before names, unless the title is followed by a comma. Do not capitalize the title if it is used after a name or instead of a name.
Examples:
The president will address Congress.
Chairman of the Board William Bly will preside at the conference.
The chairman of the board, William Bly, will preside.
The senators from Iowa and Ohio are expected to attend.
Also expected to attend are Senators Buzz James and Eddie Twain.
The governors, lieutenant governors, and attorneys general called for a special task force.
Governor Fortinbrass, Lieutenant Governor Poppins, and Attorney General Dalloway will attend.
NOTE
Out of respect, some writers and publishers choose to capitalize the highest ranks in government, royalty, religion, etc.
Examples:
The President arrived.
The Queen spoke.
The Pope decreed.
Many American writers believe this to be a wrongheaded policy in a country where, theoretically, all humans are perceived as equal.
Rule 5. Titles are not the same as occupations. Do not capitalize occupations before full names.
Examples:
director Steven Spielberg
owner Helen Smith
coach Biff Sykes
Sometimes the line between title and occupation gets blurred. One example is general manager: is it a title or an occupation? Opinions differ. Same with professor: the Associated Press Stylebook considers professor a job description rather than a title, and recommends using lowercase even before the full name: professor Robert Ames.
However, titles replacing someone's first name are generally capitalized.
Example: Here comes Professor Ames.
Rule 6a. Capitalize a formal title when it is used as a direct address. The more formal the title, the more likely it is to be capitalized.
Examples:
Will you take my temperature, Doctor?
We're sorry to report, Captain, that we're headed for choppy waters.
That's what you say, mister.
Good afternoon, sweetheart.
Rule 6b. Capitalize relatives' family names (kinship names) when they immediately precede a personal name, or when they are used alone in place of a personal name.
Examples:
I found out that Mom is here.
You look good, Grandpa.
Andy and Opie loved Aunt Bee's apple pies.
However, these monikers are not capitalized when they are used with possessive nouns or pronouns; when preceded by articles such as a, an, or the; when they follow the personal name; or when they do not refer to a specific person.
Examples:
I found out that my mom is here.
Joe's grandpa looks good.
He's the father of her first child.
The James brothers were notorious robbers.
There's not one mother I know who would allow that.
Rule 6c. Capitalize nicknames in all cases.
Examples:
Meet my brothers, Junior and Scooter.
I just met two guys named Junior and Scooter.
Rule 7. Capitalize specific geographical regions. Do not capitalize points of the compass.
Examples:
We had three relatives visit from the West.
Go west three blocks and then turn left.
We left Florida and drove north.
We live in the Southeast.
We live in the southeast section of town.
Most of the West Coast is rainy this time of year. (referring to the United States)
The west coast of Scotland is rainy this time of year.
Some areas have come to be capitalized for their fame or notoriety:
Examples:
I'm from New York's Upper West Side.
I'm from the South Side of Chicago.
You live in Northern California; he lives in Southern California.
Rule 8. In general, do not capitalize the word the before proper nouns.
Examples:
We visited the Grand Canyon.
They're fans of the Grateful Dead.
In special cases, if the word the is an inseparable part of something's official title, it may be capitalized.
Example: We visited The Hague.
Rule 9. It is not necessary to capitalize city, town, county, etc., if it comes before the proper name.
Examples:
the city of New York
New York City
the county of Marin
Marin County
Rule 10a. Always capitalize the first word in a complete quotation, even midsentence.
Example: Lamarr said, "The case is far from over, and we will win."
Rule 10b. Do not capitalize quoted material that continues a sentence.
Example: Lamarr said that the case was "far from over" and that "we will win."
Rule 11. For emphasis, writers sometimes capitalize a midsentence independent clause or question.
Examples:
One of her cardinal rules was, Never betray a friend.
It made me wonder, What is mankind's destiny?
Rule 12. Capitalize the names of specific course titles, but not general academic subjects.
Examples:
I must take history and Algebra 101.
He has a double major in European economics and philosophy.
Rule 13. Capitalize art movements.
Example: I like Surrealism, but I never understood Abstract Expressionism.
Rule 14. Do not capitalize the first item in a list that follows a colon.
Example: Bring the following: paper, a pencil, and a snack.
For more on capitalization after a colon, go to "Colons," Rules 1, 3, and 4.
Rule 15. Do not capitalize "the national anthem."
Rule 16a. Composition titles: which words should be capitalized in titles of books, plays, films, songs, poems, essays, chapters, etc.? This is a vexing matter, and policies vary. The usual advice is to capitalize only the "important" words. But this isn't really very helpful. Aren't all words in a title important?
The following rules for capitalizing composition titles are virtually universal.
Capitalize the title's first and last word.
Capitalize all adjectives, adverbs, and nouns.
Capitalize all pronouns (including it).
Capitalize all verbs, including all forms of the state of being verbs (am, is, are, was, will be, etc.).
Capitalize no, not, and the interjection O (e.g., How Long Must I Wait, O Lord?).
Do not capitalize an article (a, an, the) unless it is first or last in the title.
Do not capitalize a coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but, for, yet, so) unless it is first or last in the title.
Do not capitalize the word to, with or without an infinitive, unless it is first or last in the title.
Otherwise, styles, methods, and opinions vary; for instance, certain short conjunctions (e.g., as, if, how, that) are capped by some, lowercased by others.
A major bone of contention is prepositions. The Associated Press Stylebook recommends capitalizing all prepositions of more than three letters (e.g., with, about, across). Other authorities advise lowercase until a preposition reaches five or more letters. Still others say not to capitalize any preposition, even big words like regarding or underneath.
Hyphenated words in a title also present problems. There are no set rules, except to always capitalize the first element, even if it would not otherwise be capitalized, such as to in My To-go Order (some would write My To-Go Order). Some writers, editors, and publishers choose not to capitalize words following hyphens unless they are proper nouns or proper adjectives (Ex-Marine but Ex-husband). Others capitalize any word that would otherwise be capped in titles (Prize-Winning, Up-to-Date).
Rule 16b. Many books have subtitles. When including these, put a colon after the work's title and follow the same rules of composition capitalization for the subtitle.
Example: The King's English: A Guide to Modern Usage
Note that A is capitalized because it is the first word of the subtitle.
Suppose you are reviewing a book whose title on the cover is in capital letters: THE STUFF OF THOUGHT. Beneath, in smaller capital letters, is the subtitle, LANGUAGE AS A WINDOW INTO HUMAN NATURE. All sides would agree that the main title should be written, The Stuff of Thought. But depending on which capitalization policy you choose, the subtitle might be any of the following:
Language As a Window Into Human Nature
Language as a Window Into Human Nature
Language As a Window into Human Nature
Language as a Window into Human Nature
Any title of more than two words can be a challenge. How would you capitalize a title such as not yet rich? Since the first and last word in any title are always capitalized, the only question is whether to cap yet. In this case, yet is an adverb, and adverbs are always capped. So make it Not Yet Rich.
Now suppose the title is rich yet miserable. This time yet is one of the seven coordinating conjunctions (the others are and, or, nor, but, for, and so). Since coordinating conjunctions are not capitalized in titles, the right answer is Rich yet Miserable.
Here are two correctly capitalized titles: Going up the Road and Going Up in a Balloon. In the first title, up is a preposition, and short prepositions are not capitalized. In the second title, Up is an adverb and should be capped.
Along the same lines, compare the following three titles: I Got It off the Internet, Please Put It Off for Today, and I Hit the Off Switch. In the first example, the preposition off is lowercase. But the word must be capped in the second example because put off, meaning "to postpone," is a two-word phrasal verb (a verb of two or more words). One-word verbs, helping verbs, and phrasal verbs are always capitalized. Off is also capped in the third sentence because the word functions as an adjective in that title, and adjectives are always capitalized.
Although the seven coordinating conjunctions are not capitalized, you may have noticed there are many more than seven conjunctions in English. Most of these are called subordinating conjunctions, because they join a subordinate clause to a main clause. Familiar examples include as, although, before, since, until, when.
There are three approaches to capping subordinating conjunctions: capitalize them all, lowercase them all, or capitalize them if they are words of four letters or more. Take your pick.
Capitalizing composition titles is fraught with gray areas. Pick a policy and be consistent.
