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[h] Year 6 English Grammar Flashcards
[q] What are nouns?
[a] A noun is a naming word. They are used to identify a person, place, object, animal or idea.
There are several different types of noun; we most commonly use ‘common nouns’.
There are several different types of noun; we most commonly use ‘common nouns’.
Common nouns are the general names for people, places, objects or animals.
For example:
teacher church candle gorilla
[q] What are proper nouns?
[a] Proper nouns are different in that they name a specific place, object or person. They should also always start with a capital letter, such as:
London Italy Eye James Bond
Months of the year, days of the week, some religious events and brand names are also considered to be proper nouns.
[q] What is a verb?
[a] Verbs tell us the tense of the sentence. In fact, you cannot have a sentence without a verb.
Verbs can express physical actions, such as:
walk drink shout cry
Verbs can express mental actions, such as:
think guess feel consider
Verbs include ‘to be’ and ‘to have’. For example:
I am the best singer in my class. We had a lovely time in France.
[q] What is an adjective?
[a] An adjective is a describing word that can either:
• come before a noun, for example: The pupils did some remarkable work;
• come after a form of the verb ‘to be’, for example: The pupils’ work was remarkable.
• come after a form of the verb ‘to be’, for example: The pupils’ work was remarkable.
Many adjectives have similar meanings but to varying strengths. For example:
big large huge considerable colossal
A powerful adjective choice can improve the effectiveness of a sentence and add meaning for the reader, such as:
I visited the large manor house with my grandmother.
I visited the colossal manor house with my grandmother.
I visited the colossal manor house with my grandmother.
[q] What is a conjunction?
[a] A conjunction links two or more words, phrases or clauses together.
[q] What is a co-ordinating conjunction?
[a] Co-ordinating conjunctions link two main clauses together as an equal pair to create a compound sentence. We usually remember these words using the acronym ‘FANBOYS’.
for and nor but or so yet
[q] What is a subordinating conjunction?
[a] Subordinating conjunctions connect a subordinate clause, which cannot stand alone, and a main clause. You can remember some of the most useful subordinating conjunctions with the acronym ‘I SAW A WABUB’.
if since as when although
while after before until because
[q] What are pronouns?
[a] A pronoun takes the place of a noun which is already known, perhaps from a previous sentence. They are used to avoid repetition, such as:
Barry ate supper when Barry got home. Barry enjoyed his supper.
This would be better as:
Barry ate his supper when he got home. He enjoyed it.
[q] What are possessive pronouns?
[a] Possessive pronouns show ownership and take the place of a noun + apostrophe + s to show who something belongs to, such as:
It is Rachel’s birthday.
It is her birthday.
It is her birthday.
[q] What are relative pronouns?
[a] Relative pronouns give extra information related to a previously mentioned noun or pronoun. They are used at the beginning of relative clauses.
who whom whose which that
[q] What is an adverb?
[a] An adverb is a word that describes a verb or adjective; it tells you where, how or when something is done.
My brother rides his bike everywhere.
Danny bravely skied down the mountain.
Recently, we visited an interesting museum.
Danny bravely skied down the mountain.
Recently, we visited an interesting museum.
[q] What is an adverbial?
[a] An adverbial is a word or phrase that modifies the meaning of an adjective, verb, adverb or clause.
Adverbials can be grouped according to what they are describing.
Adverbials of time tell us ‘when’, such as: Every week, we write our spellings.
Adverbials of place tell us ‘where’, such as: I saw a worm on the ground.
Adverbials of number tell us ‘in what order’, such as: Firstly, turn it on.
Adverbials of frequency tell us ‘how often’, such as: We walk home daily.
Adverbials of manner tell us ‘in what manner’, such as: We will play quietly.
Adverbials of time tell us ‘when’, such as: Every week, we write our spellings.
Adverbials of place tell us ‘where’, such as: I saw a worm on the ground.
Adverbials of number tell us ‘in what order’, such as: Firstly, turn it on.
Adverbials of frequency tell us ‘how often’, such as: We walk home daily.
Adverbials of manner tell us ‘in what manner’, such as: We will play quietly.
[q] What is a preposition?
[a] A preposition is a word or phrase used to describe a position, time or movement. Prepositions usually sit before nouns (or pronouns) to show their relationship to another word in the sentence, such as:
I will travel to Italy on an aeroplane.
At five o’clock, I always watch my favourite television programme.
Anna swam through the clear, blue water.
At five o’clock, I always watch my favourite television programme.
Anna swam through the clear, blue water.
The words when, as, after, until, before and since can be used as prepositions or as subordinating conjunctions in sentences.
If they are being used to explain the position of something, they are being used as a preposition.
If they are introducing a clause (a group of words including a verb), they are being used as a subordinating conjunction.
[q] What is a determiner?
[a] A determiner is a word that goes before a noun or noun phrase and identifies the noun in further detail. There are different types of determiners:
articles a girl, an elephant, the dog
demonstratives this hat, that bus, these shoes, those boys
possessives his book, her hair, my coat, their car
quantifiers some water, each person, three pencils
interrogatives which house, what letter, whose tablet
demonstratives this hat, that bus, these shoes, those boys
possessives his book, her hair, my coat, their car
quantifiers some water, each person, three pencils
interrogatives which house, what letter, whose tablet
It’s also easy to get confused by words that sometimes act as determiners and sometimes as pronouns within a sentence. Just think carefully about what job that word is doing within the sentence and where it is within the sentence. For example:
That hat is mine. Give me that back.
determiner pronoun
[q] What is the subject of a sentence?
[a] The subject is the person, noun phrase, pronoun or thing which does the verb in a clause.
[q] What is the object of a sentence?
[a] The object is the person, noun phrase, pronoun or thing which usually comes directly after the verb; it shows what the verb is acting on.
Neo plays football.
Neo is a subject.
football is an object.
Sentences can be written in the active voice or passive voice.
In active voice, the subject performs the action (the verb) to the object.
Neo plays football.
In passive voice, the subject receives the action (the verb) often with the word ‘by’ to indicate this, such as:
Football is played by Neo.
[q] What is a statement?
[a] Statements are sentences which tell you something. They end with a full stop. For example:
It will snow later today.
[q] What is a question?
[a] Questions are sentences that ask you something. They end with a question mark.
For example:
For example:
Where are you going?
[q] What is a command?
[a] Commands are sentences that tell you to do something. They usually end with a full stop. For example:
Mix the batter thoroughly.
[q] What is an exclamation?
[a] An exclamation is a sentence beginning with ‘What’ or ‘How’. It is a full sentence which ends with an exclamation mark. For example:
What wonderful children they are!
[q] What is a main clause?
[a] A main clause (or it could be called a simple sentence) is a group of words that expresses one complete thought. Every main clause must contain a subject and a verb. They can also be called independent clauses. For example:
He ran.
[q] What is a subordinate clause?
[a] Subordinate clauses do not make sense on their own (they are dependent) but when they are used with a main clause, they create a complex (multi-clause) sentence, such as:
He ran after school every day.
[q] What is a relative clause?
[a] Relative clauses are a different type of dependent (or subordinate) clause that give more detail about the subject of the main clause. They begin with a relative pronoun:
who which whose whom that where
[q] What is a noun phrase?
[a] A noun phrase is a noun and the words that modify it, such as determiners, which act as a noun together in a sentence. For example:
the bear
[q] What is an expanded noun phrase?
[a] An expanded noun phrase gives much more detail than a simple noun phrase, such as an adjective to describe the noun:
the angry bear
and a prepositional phrase to give extra details:
the angry bear with a sore paw
Expanded noun phrases allow us to give precise information quickly and concisely:
Watch out for the angry bear with a sore paw.
[q] What is a conjunction?
[a] A conjunction links two or more words, phrases or clauses together.
[q] What is a co-ordinating conjunction?
[a] Co-ordinating conjunctions link two main clauses (or independent clauses) together as an equal pair to create a compound sentence. We usually remember these words using the acronym ‘FANBOYS’:
for and nor but or yet so
main clause + co-ordinating conjunction + main clause = compound sentence
Radha drank her water. She was thirsty.
Radha drank her water for she was thirsty.
Radha drank her water for she was thirsty.
[q] What is a subordinating conjunction?
[a] Subordinating conjunctions introduce a subordinate clause; you can remember some of the most useful ones with the acronym ‘I SAW A WABUB’:
if since as when although
while after before until because
while after before until because
The words when, after, until, before and since can be used as prepositions or as subordinating conjunctions in sentences.
If introducing a clause (a group of words including a verb), they are being used as a subordinating conjunction.
[q] What is a subordinate clause?
[a] A subordinate clause supports a main (independent) clause. The opening words of subordinate clauses show that they are dependent on the independent clause. For example:
The ferry left the port after the storm cleared.
After the storm cleared, the ferry left the port.
After the storm cleared, the ferry left the port.
[q] What is simple past tense?
[a] Simple Past is also known as Past Simple and describes events which happened at a specific time but are now completed. For example:
I played We played
You played (singular) You played (plural)
He/She/It played They played
[q] What is simple present tense?
[a] The Simple Present (also known as Present Simple) can be used to describe something that happens regularly, to give an instruction, to describe something that has been arranged or to talk about the future after certain conjunctions have been used (after, when, before, as soon as, until). For example:
I play We play
You play (singular) You play (plural)
He/She/It plays They
You play (singular) You play (plural)
He/She/It plays They
[q] What is past perfect tense?
[a] Past Perfect describes completed events of the past which happened before another
action took place.
action took place.
‘had’ + a past tense verb = past perfect tense
For example:
I had played We had played
You had played (singular) You had played (plural)
He/She/It had played They had played
You had played (singular) You had played (plural)
He/She/It had played They had played
[q] What is present perfect tense?
[a] The Present Perfect can be used to describe something that happened in the past and is continuing today, for an action that was completed recently or an action that did not happen at a specific time.
‘has’ or ‘have’ + a past tense verb = present perfect tense
For example:
I have played We have played
You have played (singular) You have played (plural)
He/She/It has played They have played
You have played (singular) You have played (plural)
He/She/It has played They have played
[q] What is a modal verb?
[a]
might/might not could/could not would/would not
must/must not may/may not ought/ought not
can/cannot should/should not shall/shall not
must/must not may/may not ought/ought not
can/cannot should/should not shall/shall not
Modal verbs can have many uses. In most cases, they work with another verb to describe the possibility of something happening, such as:
The netball team might win the tournament.
Or to describe what degree of certainty something is known. For example:
It will be very cold tonight.
They can also express the obligation for someone to do something, such as:
You must go to see the headteacher.
Or the ability to perform the action of another verb. For example:
Jonas can cartwheel perfectly.
Or to describe what degree of certainty something is known. For example:
It will be very cold tonight.
They can also express the obligation for someone to do something, such as:
You must go to see the headteacher.
Or the ability to perform the action of another verb. For example:
Jonas can cartwheel perfectly.
[q] What is present progressive?
[a] Present Progressive is also known as Present Continuous and describes events which are happening right now in the present moment.
‘am’ or ‘is’ + a present tense verb = present progressive
For example:
I am playing We are playing
You are playing (singular) You are playing (plural)
He/She/It is playing They are playing
[q] What is past progressive?
[a] Past Progressive is also known as Past Continuous and describes events which happened in the past over a period of time.
‘were’ or ‘was’ + a present tense verb = past progressive
For example:
I was playing We were playing
You were playing (singular) You were playing (plural)
He/She/It was playing They were playing
You were playing (singular) You were playing (plural)
He/She/It was playing They were playing
[q] What is tense consistency?
[a] Verb tenses tell us when an action took place in the present, past or future. In any piece of writing, it is important to be consistent with tenses. This means keeping the tense the same throughout. For example:
The heavy snow made our journey slow so we were late home
[q] What is subject/verb agreement?
[a] A singular subject needs a singular verb; a plural subject needs a plural verb. For example:
The lady’s cat was poorly.
The lady’s cats were poorly.
The lady’s cats were poorly.
Be careful!
Each of the lady’s cats were poorly. (Wrong)
Each of the lady’s cats was poorly. (Correct)
Each of the lady’s cats was poorly. (Correct)
[q] What is the subjunctive verb form?
[a] The subjunctive mood is all about how the verb appears in a sentence. Subjunctives make language sound more formal.
They can be used for:
They can be used for:
• showing conditions that are not true.
For example: If I were in charge, I would make lunch breaks two hours long.
• making a command more formal.
For example: The teacher demands that you be present in P.E.
• making a wish more formal.
For example: My dad wishes to be able to purchase a Ferrari.
• making a request more formal.
For example: Our queen requests that you be at the palace gates for 9am.
For example: If I were in charge, I would make lunch breaks two hours long.
• making a command more formal.
For example: The teacher demands that you be present in P.E.
• making a wish more formal.
For example: My dad wishes to be able to purchase a Ferrari.
• making a request more formal.
For example: Our queen requests that you be at the palace gates for 9am.
The subjunctive verb form isn’t common in everyday British speech. However, it is often used after formal verbs such as require, demand, suggest, propose.
[q] What is active voice?
[a] In an active sentence, the subject performs the action (the verb) to the object. For example:
The family boarded the plane.
[q] What is passive voice?
[a] In a passive sentence, the thing that would normally be the object gets turned into the subject through the use of the passive form of the verb. They often include a prepositional phrase starting with ‘by’. For example:
The plane was boarded by the family.
Sometimes the prepositional phrase can be removed and the sentence will still make sense – you just won’t know who/what performed the verb. For example:
The plane was boarded.
Helpful Hint – If faced with sentences like this, try adding ‘by John’. If this makes sense, the sentence must be written in the passive voice.
[q] What is a capital letter?
[a] A capital letter is always used to start a sentence.
For example:
For example:
He loves to eat cake.
Proper nouns must also begin with a capital letter.
For example:
For example:
Martinez visited London with her friend, Mary.
The personal pronoun ‘I’ is always written as a capital letter.
For example:
For example:
Shall I put the books away?
[q] What is a full stop?
[a] A full stop is the most common way of ending a sentence. Full stops are used at the end of statements and at the end of most commands.
For example: The boat sailed on the azure sea.
For example: The boat sailed on the azure sea.
[q] What is a question mark?
[a] A question mark is used to end a sentence that is a direct question.
For example:
For example:
Would you like a piece of cake?
HINT: Do not use a question mark after an indirect question or a reported question.
For example: Jack asked Amy to marry him.
For example: Jack asked Amy to marry him.
[q] What is an exclamation mark?
[a] An exclamation mark is used to end a sentence that is an exclamation (a sentence beginning with ‘What’ or ‘How’ that includes a verb).
For example:
What a tasty cake we made!
An exclamation mark can also be used:
• for an exclamation phrase. For example: How wonderful!
• to show strong emotion. For example: It’s amazing!
• if someone is shouting. For example: “Go away!” she shouted.
• if the sentence is a command. For example: Don’t touch it!
• for an exclamation phrase. For example: How wonderful!
• to show strong emotion. For example: It’s amazing!
• if someone is shouting. For example: “Go away!” she shouted.
• if the sentence is a command. For example: Don’t touch it!
[q] What is a comma?
[a] A comma is used to separate units of meaning in a sentence.
[q] Commas in lists
[a] A comma can be used to separate items in a list.
For example:
For example:
Peter bought some crisps, pizzas, cakes and sweets for his party.
[q] Commas to clarify meaning
[a] A comma can be used to clarify the meaning of a sentence.
For example:
Anna is a pretty tall girl. This tells us that Anna is quite tall.
Anna is a pretty, tall girl. This tells us that Anna is pretty and tall.
Anna is a pretty, tall girl. This tells us that Anna is pretty and tall.
[q] Commas after fronted adverbials
[a] A comma is always used after a fronted adverbial.
For example:
For example:
Despite feeling tired, Keisha stayed up to watch the match.
[q] What are inverted commas?
[a] Inverted commas are used around the speech in direct speech. It is also important to include a comma (or ? or !) inside the speech marks.
For example:
For example:
“Are you feeling better?” Dad asked.
Inverted commas can be used to show that words are being quoted.
For example:
For example:
He described the book as ‘the must-read book of the year’.
Inverted commas show that a word is being used ironically.
For example:
For example:
Mendes couldn’t hide her disgust as the so-called ‘expert’ got all of the facts wrong.
Inverted commas can be used when referring to the title of a book or a film.
For example:
For example:
We watched the film ‘Wall-E’ after reading the book.
[q] What is an apostrophe?
[a] An apostrophe is used to show the omission of letters or it can be used to show possession.
[q] What is an apostrophe for omission?
[a] An apostrophe for omission shows that letters are missing.
For example:
For example:
I am – I’m do not – don’t they will – they’ll
[q] What is an apostrophe for possession?
[a] An apostrophe for possession shows ownership.
For example:
Diana’s hat blew off in the wind.
Be careful! Plural words (that end in ‘s’) have the apostrophe after the ‘s’.
For example:
For example:
The boy’s coat was muddy. (one boy)
The boys’ coats were muddy. (more than one boy)
The children’s coats were muddy. (‘children’ is already plural)
[q] What is parenthesis?
[a] Parenthesis is the addition of extra information or an afterthought in writing. It can be a word, a phrase or a clause. There are three possible ways to punctuate parenthesis:
• a pair of commas;
• a pair of brackets;
• a pair of dashes.
When the parenthesis is removed, the sentence still makes grammatical sense.
For example:
• a pair of commas;
• a pair of brackets;
• a pair of dashes.
When the parenthesis is removed, the sentence still makes grammatical sense.
For example:
I moved to New York in 2011 (I was five years old).
still makes sense as:
I moved to New York in 2011.
[q] What is a colon?
[a] A colon is used to separate two independent clauses when the second clause explains or illustrates the first clause.
For example:
For example:
Kennedy was late for school: his alarm hadn’t gone off.
[q] What is a semi-colon?
[a] A semi-colon is used to separate two closely related independent clauses instead of using a conjunction. It is often used in more formal writing.
For example:
For example:
Jennifer is a pleasure to teach; she always tries hard in every lesson.
[q] What is a single dash?
[a] A single dash is used to separate two independent clauses that are closely related to each other. It is often used in more informal writing.
For example:
For example:
I enjoy playing on my trampoline – I can jump higher than my sister.
[q] What is a hyphen?
[a] A hyphen is punctuation that is used to avoid ambiguity by joining two words together. A hyphen can be used to create a compound noun where it would be confusing if we did not.
For example:
For example:
I saw a young passer-by staring through the window.
A hyphen can be used in a compound adjective before a noun.
For example:
For example:
The tired-looking teacher slumped at his desk.
We sometimes need to use a hyphen with a word that has a prefix, to avoid doubling up a vowel and changing the pronunciation.
For example:
For example:
We will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere soon.
[q] What are synonyms?
[a] Synonyms are words which have the same (or a very similar) meaning to each other. An example of this is the word ‘great’ and the word ‘excellent’. Both of these words share the same meaning.
My best friend is great at football.
My best friend is excellent at football.
My best friend is excellent at football.
In this sentence, it does not matter which word you choose to use; both words give the sentence the same meaning.
[q] What are antonyms?
[a] Antonyms are words which have the opposite meaning to each other. An example of this is the word ‘always’ and the word ‘never’. These words have the opposite meaning.
My best friend always scores goals.
My best friend never scores goals.
In this sentence, using an antonym gives the sentence the opposite meaning.
[q] What is a prefix?
[a] A prefix is a set of letters that goes in front of a root word and changes its meaning. An example of a prefix is ‘un-’ which means ‘not’.
un- + happy = unhappy
unhappy means not happy
[q] Which prefixes do I need to know and what do they mean?
[a] dis- means away, separate or not. dis- + agree = disagree (not agree)
de- means off, down, away or from. de- + part = depart (part from)
mis- means wrong or incorrect. mis- + count = miscount (wrongly count)
over- means ‘to excess’ or ‘too much’. over- + eat = overeat (eat too much)
re- means again or back. re- + apply = reapply (apply again)
super- means above or over. super- + human = superhuman (above human)
anti- means against or opposing. anti- + freeze = antifreeze (against frozen)
auto- means self. auto- + biography = autobiography (self biography)
de- means off, down, away or from. de- + part = depart (part from)
mis- means wrong or incorrect. mis- + count = miscount (wrongly count)
over- means ‘to excess’ or ‘too much’. over- + eat = overeat (eat too much)
re- means again or back. re- + apply = reapply (apply again)
super- means above or over. super- + human = superhuman (above human)
anti- means against or opposing. anti- + freeze = antifreeze (against frozen)
auto- means self. auto- + biography = autobiography (self biography)
[q] What is a suffix?
[a] A suffix is a set of letters that goes at the end of a root word, changing or adding to its meaning. It can also show whether a word is a noun, a verb, an adjective or an adverb.
noun: darkness
verb: darken
adjective: darker
adverb: darkly
[q] Which suffixes do I need to know and what do they do?
[a] -ate changes a noun or an adjective into a verb. An example is hibernate.
-ise changes a noun or an adjective into a verb. An example is advertise.
-ify changes a noun or an adjective into a verb. An example is solidify.
-en changes an adjective into a verb. An example is darken.
-ation changes a verb into a noun. An example is adoration.
-ly changes an adjective into an adverb. An example is slowly.
-ous changes a noun into an adjective. An example is poisonous.
[q] What is a suffix?
[a] A word family is a group of words which may share a common root word or morphology. An example of this is the ‘happy’ word family:
unhappy
happiness
happily
unhappiness
[q] Which suffixes do I need to know and what do they do?
[a] The mit family. Examples are commit, emit and permit.
The gram family. Examples are diagram, program and grammar.
The press family. Examples are pressure, suppress and impressed.
The vent family. Examples are invent, adventure and intervention.
The sign family. Examples are signal, signature and design.
The spect family. Examples are inspect, spectacles and spectacular.
The temp family. Examples are temporary, temperature and temptation.
The solve family. Examples are resolve, solvent and dissolve.
The phon family. Examples are telephone, phonics and symphony.
The struct family. Examples are instructor, destructive and construct.
The gram family. Examples are diagram, program and grammar.
The press family. Examples are pressure, suppress and impressed.
The vent family. Examples are invent, adventure and intervention.
The sign family. Examples are signal, signature and design.
The spect family. Examples are inspect, spectacles and spectacular.
The temp family. Examples are temporary, temperature and temptation.
The solve family. Examples are resolve, solvent and dissolve.
The phon family. Examples are telephone, phonics and symphony.
The struct family. Examples are instructor, destructive and construct.
[q] What is Standard English?
[a] Standard English is the term used to describe the form of the English language that is widely accepted as correct. It is used in formal speaking and in formal writing. It does not include any slang or incorrect grammar.
[q] What are the common mistakes people make with Standard English?
[a] • Mixing up was and were, e.g. We was shopping. It were massive.
• Using ain’t instead of haven’t, e.g. I ain’t got it.
• Using no instead of any, e.g. She hasn’t got no lunch.
• Using should of instead of should have, e.g. You should of known.
• Using seen instead of saw, e.g. I seen him yesterday.
• Using done instead of did, e.g. I done all my work.
• Using them instead of those, e.g. I want one of them.
• Using none instead of any, e.g. I don’t want none of that.
• Using come instead of came, e.g. I only come to see the paintings.
• Incorrectly using borrow and lend, e.g. Can you borrow her a pencil?
• Incorrectly using are and our, e.g. It’s are cousin.
• Using ain’t instead of haven’t, e.g. I ain’t got it.
• Using no instead of any, e.g. She hasn’t got no lunch.
• Using should of instead of should have, e.g. You should of known.
• Using seen instead of saw, e.g. I seen him yesterday.
• Using done instead of did, e.g. I done all my work.
• Using them instead of those, e.g. I want one of them.
• Using none instead of any, e.g. I don’t want none of that.
• Using come instead of came, e.g. I only come to see the paintings.
• Incorrectly using borrow and lend, e.g. Can you borrow her a pencil?
• Incorrectly using are and our, e.g. It’s are cousin.
[q] What is formal vocabulary?
[a] Formal vocabulary is a type of speech or writing used for ‘serious’ situations. It is the style of language you would use for a formal text, such as a letter of complaint. An example of a sentence containing formal vocabulary is:
I wish to acquire a more contemporary device.
[q] What is informal vocabulary?
[a] Informal vocabulary is a more relaxed type of speech or writing used in everyday situations. It is the style of language you would use in an informal text, such as a diary entry or a postcard. The formal sentence written above changed into more informal vocabulary would be:
I want to get a more up-to-date gadget.
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