Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Grammar and Vocab WEEK ONE Weekly Words 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Abscond Blandishment Candor Engender Ephemeral Foil Licentious Portent Scurrilous Vitriolic Abscond Definition: To run away Sentence: The greedy accountant was caught at the airport before he could abscond with the company’s profits. Blandishment Definition: A flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something. Sentence: Even though the salesman produced every blandishment he could think of from his bag of tricks, his prospect wouldn’t be budged by his flattery. Candor Definition: The quality of being honest and straightforward Sentence: Because the author writes with such candor about his experiences, his readers will feel as if they are actually a part of his life. Engender Definition: Cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition). Sentence: By revealing the president’s secrets, the reporter hoped to engender feelings of paranoia among the public. Ephemeral Definition: Anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day Sentence: An ephemeral stay in the waiting room was a nice treat compared to my usual long waits. Foil Definition: Hinder or prevent an effort, plan, or desire. Sentence: Once again, Superman foiled the villain's plans to take over the planet. Licentious Definition: Lacking moral discipline Sentence: After being warned about his lewd and licentious behavior, my nephew continued to misbehave and got suspended from school. Portent Definition: A sign of something about to happen Sentence: Some people believe that a cat crossing the road before us is a portent of something unpleasant. Scurrilous Definition: Making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation. Sentence: When the judge learned about the scurrilous accusations made against him, he immediately called for his personal lawyer to sue the magazine. Vitriolic Definition: Filled with bitter criticism or malice. Sentence: What was supposed to be a civil debate turned into a debate reaching vitriolic levels, ending with both participants screaming obscenities. Grammar Subject-Verb Agreement Subject-Non Essential Clause-Verb Parenthetical clause: a clause set off by commas that can be removed without affecting the fundamental meaning of the sentence. Cross it out and check subject-verb agreement without it Example: Galaxies, far from being randomly scattered throughout the universe, (appears/appear) to be distributed in bubbleshaped patterns. Subject-Prepositional Phrase-Verb Prepositional phrase: Begins with a preposition (in the box, under the table, over the hill, etc.). Prepositional phrases always end when you get to the verb. Example: Changes in the balance of trade (seems/seem) remote from everyday concerns, but they can drastically affect how we spend our money. If you don’t see an error the first time you read a sentence, try crossing out prepositional phrases and checking for subject-verb agreement. Prepositional Phrase-Verb-Subject Example: Along the Loup Canal in Nebraska (extend/extends) a series of parks, lakes, and trails owned and operated by the Loup power district. Try reading sentence beginning with the subject and adding the verb at the end to see what sounds correct. Subjects connected by “and” vs “or” As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and. Example: A car and a bike (are/is) my means of transportation. Two singular subjects connected by or, either/or, or neither/nor require a singular verb. Examples: My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today. Neither Juan nor Carmen is available. Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations. Neither/Nor + Verb Neither (Singular Noun) Nor (Singular Noun) = Singular Verb Example: Neither the book nor the pencil is sitting on the table OR Neither the books nor the pencils are sitting on the table. NOT Neither the book nor the pencil are sitting on the table. The verb in an or, either/or, or neither/nor sentence agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it. Example: Neither the plates nor the serving bowl goes on that shelf. Neither the serving bowl nor the plates go on that shelf. “Of” Phrases A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. Try getting rid of the description after “of” to determine what is correct. Example: A bouquet of yellow roses (lend/lends) color and fragrance to the room.