A dependent clause is a type of clauseโa group of words that contains a subject and a verbโthat cannot stand on its own as a sentence. Dependent clauses are also known as subordinate clauses.
A dependent clause must always be connected to an independent clause (also known as a main clause) to form a complete sentence.
If it rains, we will move inside.
I want the scarf that Yuki made.
Continue reading: Dependent Clause | Examples & Definition
English has four demonstrative pronouns: โthis,โ โthat,โ โthese,โ and โthose.โ Demonstrative pronouns draw attention to a thing or person that is clear from context or that has already been mentioned.
The choice of demonstrative pronoun depends on the number (singular or plural) and the relative distance (near or far) of the thing being referenced.
| Near (proximal) | Far (distal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | This is my favorite shirt. | Look at that! I think it might be an eagle. |
| Plural | These are so good. Would you like to try one? | Put those in the laundry room. Iโll wash them tomorrow. |
Continue reading: Demonstrative Pronouns | Examples, Definition & List
The indicative mood is a verb form used to state facts or opinions or ask questions.
In English, there are three grammatical moods. The indicative mood is used far more frequently than the other two moods: the imperative and subjunctive.
Colin will go to the store on Tuesday.
I think skiing is too dangerous for children.
Are penguins a type of bird?
Continue reading: Indicative Mood | Examples, Definition & Use
Relative pronouns are pronouns that are used to introduce a relative clause, a group of words that gives more information about a noun or noun phrase. The primary English relative pronouns are โthat,โ โwhich,โ โwho,โ and โwhom.โ
There are two types of relative clauses (also known as adjective clauses):
The relative clause follows the noun or noun phrase it modifies (called the antecedent).
| Pronoun | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| That |
|
The house that is closest to the river flooded. |
| Which |
|
My house, which is near the river, almost flooded last year. |
| Who |
|
The woman who gave the toast is the brideโs sister.
Luna, who is the brideโs sister, gave the toast. |
| Whom |
|
The woman whom I gave the ring to is the brideโs sister.
Luna, whom I gave the ring to, is the brideโs sister. |
Continue reading: What Is a Relative Pronoun? | Examples & List
The present perfect tense of a verb is used to discuss a past action or event that has effects in the present. It is used to refer to actions that started in the past and are continuing in the present, actions that have recently ended, or changes that have happened over time.
The present perfect uses a form of the auxiliary verb โhaveโ and the past participle of the main verb (e.g., โYou have grownโ). The third person singular (e.g., โhe,โ โshe,โ and โitโ) uses โhasโ; all other subjects use โhave.โ
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I have traveled | I havenโt traveled | Have I traveled? |
| You have traveled | You havenโt traveled | Have you traveled? |
| He/she/it has traveled | He/she/it hasnโt traveled | Has he/she/it traveled? |
| We have traveled | We havenโt traveled | Have we traveled? |
| You (plural) have traveled | You havenโt traveled | Have you traveled? |
| They have traveled | They havenโt traveled | Have they traveled? |
Continue reading: Present Perfect Tense | Examples & Use
The present progressive (also referred to as the present continuous) is a verb tense that is used when describing a temporary action that is currently happening. It can also be used when describing future plans (e.g., โShe is starting a new job tomorrowโ).
The present progressive uses a conjugated form of the auxiliary verb โbeโ along with the present participle (โ-ingโ form) of the main verb (e.g., โHe is readingโ).
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I am going | I am not going | Am I going? |
| You are going | You arenโt going | Are you going? |
| He/she/it is going | He/she/it isnโt going | Is he/she/it going? |
| We are going | We arenโt going | Are we going? |
| You are going | You arenโt going | Are you going? |
| They are going | They arenโt going | Are they going? |
Continue reading: Present Progressive Tense | Examples & Use
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb. The direct object often answers the question โwhat?โ or โwhom?โ
For example, in the sentence โCass writes novels,โ the direct object is โnovels.โ It answers the question โWhat does Cass write?โ
Bring the newspaper to me.
Where did you put it?
Continue reading: What Is a Direct Object? | Definition & Examples
A mixed metaphor is a figure of speech that combines two incompatible metaphors into one comparison.
Mixed metaphors are often unintentional. When writers intentionally use them, they often signal their use (e.g., โexcuse the mixed metaphorโ).
Children are little sponges, soaking up knowledge. One day, they will blossom into flowers of wisdom. [Children are compared to sponges in the first sentence and seeds in the second]
Continue reading: What Is a Mixed Metaphor? | Definition & Examples
A possessive noun is the noun form that is used to show ownership. It indicates the person or thing that possesses something and typically immediately precedes another noun indicating what is possessed (e.g., โAnnieโs houseโ).
To form a possessive singular noun, an apostrophe and the letter โsโ are added to the basic form of the noun (e.g., โthe dogโ becomes โthe dogโs boneโ). For plural nouns, typically only an apostrophe is added (e.g., โthe dogsโ becomes โthe dogsโ toysโ).
Ownership is not always literal in the context of possessive nouns. For example, โCalebโs dadโ does not mean that Caleb owns his dad. In this case, the possessive just indicates a relationship.
The bagโs strap is missing.
My friends’ย apartments are all very small.
Continue reading: Possessive Nouns | Examples & Plural Forms
A possessive pronoun is a type of pronoun that is used to demonstrate ownership of something. In English, there are seven possessive pronouns: โmine,โ โours,โ โyours,โ โhis,โ โhers,โ โtheirs,โ and โwhose.โ
Possessive pronouns are very similar to possessive determiners, but there are differences between the two:
| Possessive pronouns | Possessive determiners |
|---|---|
| That coat is not mine. | My coat has silver buttons. |
| I think these seats are ours. | Our seats are in the back. |
| Is this car yours? | Your car is very nice. |
| That stuff is his. | His stuff is all over the living room. |
| That cat of hers is always causing problems. | Her cat is so aggressive. |
| โ | This building is very large; its elevator holds fifty people. |
| Theirs is the best pizza in the city. | Their pizza has a cornmeal crust. |
| Whose is this? | Talia, whose laptop was stolen yesterday, is filing a police report. |
Continue reading: Possessive Pronouns | Examples & List
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