An independent clause (also known as a main clause) is a group of words with a main subject and verb. Independent clauses are complete thoughts and full sentences that can stand by themselves.
Independent clauses can occur on their own or be combined with a variety of dependent clauses to express more complex ideas.
The party lasted all night.
It will rain tomorrow.
Continue reading: Independent Clause | Definition, Examples & Use
A base word is the smallest part of a word that has meaning and can be used on its own. Base words can be expanded by adding affixes (i.e., prefixes and suffixes) to the beginning and/or end of the word, but they are also complete words that can stand alone.
For example, “misguided” can be broken down into three parts:
| prefix | base word | suffix |
|---|---|---|
| mis | guide | ed |
“Guide” is the base word. It can be used on its own in a sentence and still make sense, and it cannot be broken down further into smaller parts. “Mis,” meaning “wrong,” modifies the base word “guide.” Finally, the “ed” ending is an inflection that indicates that the word is being used in the past tense or as an adjective.
Continue reading: What Are Base Words? | Examples & Definition
An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that receives the direct object. The indirect object often answers the question “for whom?” or “to whom?”
An indirect object is always accompanied by a direct object, which receives the action of a verb and answers the question “what?” or “whom?”
Did you loan Janae your car?
I fed the dog his supper already.
Continue reading: Indirect Object | Examples & Pronouns
A root word is the most basic part of a word and does not have any affixes (i.e., prefixes or suffixes) attached. A root word is the fundamental unit of a word and forms the basis for a word family, or all the words that can be created using the root word.
A root word can be built on using prefixes (e.g., “pre-”, “de-,” “anti-”) and suffixes (e.g., “-able”/“-ible,” “-tion,” “-ly”). Adding prefixes or suffixes to root words creates new words.
For example, the word “proportionate” is made up of these components:
| pro | portion | ate |
|---|---|---|
| prefix | root word | suffix |
A root word like “portion” is the basis of a word family that includes many other words, such as “improportion,” “disproportional,” and “proportionality.” Word families contain words that share similar spelling as well as meaning.
Continue reading: Root Words | Definition, List & Examples
Prepositions are words that demonstrate a relationship between two parts of a phrase or sentence. They are often used to give information about:
They can also be used to express more abstract relationships (e.g., “We talked about the new project”).
According to Lena, the show won’t be finished until midnight.
Let’s put that item on the agenda for next week.
Continue reading: Prepositions | List, Examples & Definition
A simple sentence is a single independent clause with a subject and predicate. Simple sentences convey a complete thought, but they do not contain any dependent clauses (also known as subordinate clauses).
Mice love snacks.
He left.
Continue reading: Simple Sentence | Definition & Examples
Restrictive clauses are a type of relative clause (or adjective clause) that gives essential, identifying information about a noun or pronoun. Restrictive clauses typically begin with the relative pronouns “that,” “who,” “whom,” or “whose.”
Restrictive clauses (also called essential clauses) cannot be removed from a sentence without changing its meaning or making the meaning unclear.
The woman who is leading the meeting is my boss.
The person whose wallet this is must be looking for it.
I can’t find the man whom I gave my coat to.
Continue reading: Restrictive Clauses | Examples & Definition
Nonrestrictive clauses are a type of adjective clause (or relative clause) that gives nonessential, extra information about a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun. Nonrestrictive clauses begin with a relative pronoun (e.g., “which,” “who,” “whom,” or “whose”) and are set off from the sentence by commas.
Nonrestrictive clauses (also called nonessential clauses) can be removed from a sentence without changing its meaning.
My brother, who is two years younger than me, is graduating from high school.
Our next-door neighbors, whose yard is always overgrown, are out of town.
Amal’s nephew, whom he babysits frequently, is coming over today.
Continue reading: Nonrestrictive Clause | Sentences & Examples
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.
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.
The children, dressed in costumes, ran through the streets.
Continue reading: What Is a Misplaced Modifier? | Definition & Examples
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”).
The nouns or pronouns in a compound subject are joined using the coordinating conjunctions “and,” “or,” or “nor” or a correlative conjunction (e.g., “either … or“).
The irises, pansies, and violets are all in bloom.
Pizza or pasta sounds good for dinner.
Neither Caden nor his brother is coming.
Continue reading: Compound Subject | Examples & Definition
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