AP Language Sentence Structure Terms Flashcards

6761595809	antecedent	The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. ex. The teacher told the students that she would be absent the next day. They knew this meant they could earn some brownie points.	0
6761595810	clause	A grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb. An independent, or main, form of this expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent, or subordinate form of this, cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent form of this. The point that you want to consider is the question of what or why the author subordinates one element should also become aware of making effective use of subordination in your own writing.	1
6761844241	subordinate clause	Like all clauses, this word group contains both a subject and a verb (plus any accompanying phrases or modifiers), but unlike the independent clause, this clause cannot stand alone; it does not express a complete thought. Also called a dependent clause, this type of clause depends on a main clause (or independent clause) to complete its meaning. Easily recognized key words and phrases usually begin these clauses. For example: although, because, unless, if, even though, since, as soon as, while, who, when, where, how and that.	2
6761816311	periodic sentence	The opposite of loose sentence, a sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. The effect of this type of sentence is to add emphasis and structural variety. It is also a much stronger sentence than the loose sentence. (Example: After a long, bumpy flight and multiple delays, I arrived at the San Diego airport.) Makes sense only when the end of the sentence is reached. Ex. The woman that was so nice and caring was found dead.	3
6761595811	loose sentence	The opposite of a periodic sentence. This is a type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses. If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause, the clause would be a complete sentence. A work containing many non-periodic sentences often seems informal, relaxed, or conversational. Generally, these sentences create loose style. The opposite of this type of sentence is the periodic sentence. Make complete sense if bought to a close before the actual ending. Ex.The woman died, because she was pushed off the cliff.	4
6761595812	parallelism	Also referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure. It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase. The effects of this are numerous, but frequently they act as an organizing force to attract the reader's attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply provide a musical rhythm.	5
6761595813	anaphora	A sub-type of parallelism, when the exact repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of successive lines or sentences. MLK used this in his famous "I Have a Dream" speech (1963).	6
6761595816	subject complement	The word or clause that follows a linking verb and complements the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it (the predicate nominative) or (2) describing it (the predicate adjective). (1) the predicate nominative - a noun that renames the subject. It, like the predicate adjective, follows a linking verb and is located in the predicate of the sentence. Example: Julia Roberts is a movie star. (movie star = predicate nominative) (2) the predicate adjective -- an adjective, a group of adjectives, or adjective clause that follows a linking verb. It is in the predicate of the sentence, and modifies, or describes, the subject. Example: Warren remained optimistic. (optimistic = predicate adjective)	7
6761595820	Simple Sentence	Contains one subject and one verb. Ex: The singer bowed to her adoring audience.	8
6761595821	Compound Sentence	Contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinate conjunction (and, but, or), or by a semicolon. Ex: The singer bowed to the audience, but the listeners requested no encores.	9
6761595822	Complex sentence	Contains an independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. Ex: You said that you would tell the truth.	10
6761595823	Compound-Complex sentence	Contains two or more principal clauses and one or more subordinate clauses. Ex: The singer bowed while the audience applauded, but the crowd requested no encores.	11
6761595826	Balanced Sentence	The phrases or clauses balance each other by virtue of their likeness or structure, meaning, and/o length. Ex. The band played their song, but the crowd was not cheering.	12