7th grade grammar

Example

What type of sentence is this? When the lights went out, we lit candles, and Grandma told stories.

1. Simple = one main clause. Compound = two main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon. Complex = a main clause + a subordinate clause. Compound-complex = two main clauses + at least one subordinate clause.
2. So the answer is: compound-complex

Answer: compound-complex

Example

Is this a phrase, a main clause or a subordinate clause? across the frozen lake

1. A phrase has no subject + verb. A main clause has a subject + verb and makes sense alone. A subordinate clause has a subject + verb but depends on a main clause.
2. So the answer is: phrase

Answer: phrase

Example

Which sentence is written correctly, with the describing words next to what they describe? • Nadia ate only one biscuit. • Nadia ate one only biscuit. • Only Nadia ate one biscuit and nothing else. • Nadia only ate one biscuit only.

1. A modifier must sit next to the word it describes; otherwise the sentence says something silly (like keys running for a bus).
2. So the answer is: Nadia ate only one biscuit.

Answer: Nadia ate only one biscuit.

Example

Is the group of words in brackets an independent clause, a dependent clause, or a phrase? [until the rain stops]

1. A clause has a subject and a verb. An independent clause makes sense alone; a dependent clause needs a main clause. A phrase has no subject–verb pair.
2. 'Until' introduces a dependent clause.
3. So the answer is: dependent clause

Answer: dependent clause

Example

What job does the clause in brackets do? The problem is [that we have no money].

1. Adjective clauses describe nouns (who, which, that, whose, where); adverb clauses modify verbs (when, because, if, until, as if); noun clauses act as subjects or objects (what, that, whoever, why).
2. It completes 'is' and renames 'the problem'.
3. So the answer is: noun clause

Answer: noun clause

Example

What type of sentence is this? When the fox crept closer, the hens woke up, and the farmer grabbed his torch.

1. Sentence type depends on how many independent and dependent clauses there are.
2. Two independent clauses + one dependent clause.
3. So the answer is: compound-complex

Answer: compound-complex

Example

How is the prepositional phrase in brackets used? The team trained [in the rain].

1. A prepositional phrase (preposition + noun group) works as an adjective when it describes a noun and as an adverb when it modifies a verb.
2. It tells us WHERE/IN WHAT CONDITIONS they trained.
3. So the answer is: like an adverb (tells where, when or how about a verb)

Answer: like an adverb (tells where, when or how about a verb)

Example

Read the question and choose. Which sentence means that you came close to eating but did NOT eat any? • You ate the almost cake. • You almost ate the cake. • Almost the cake you ate. • You ate almost the cake.

1. Place limiting words directly before the word they limit: 'only Maya' (no one else), 'almost all' (not quite all).
2. So the answer is: You almost ate the cake.

Answer: You almost ate the cake.

Example

Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. Many of the shops ___ closed on Sundays.

1. -one, -body, -thing words, each, either and neither are singular; both, few, many and several are plural; some, all, most, none and any follow the noun after 'of'.
2. 'Many' is plural.
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "Many of the shops are closed on Sundays."
4. So the answer is: are

Answer: are

Example

Choose the correct pronoun for formal writing. Invite ___ you like.

1. Use who/whoever for subjects and whom/whomever for objects and after prepositions. (In casual speech, many people use 'who' everywhere.)
2. You like HIM/THEM → object of 'like' → 'whomever' (formal).
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "Invite whomever you like."
4. So the answer is: whomever

Answer: whomever

Example

Choose the correct word. The diamond turned out to be ___.

1. Adjectives (good, bad, real) describe nouns or follow linking verbs; adverbs (well, badly, really) describe verbs, adjectives and other adverbs.
2. After 'to be', use the adjective 'real'.
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The diamond turned out to be real."
4. So the answer is: real

Answer: real