A dependent clause is a type of clause—a group of words that contains a subject and a verb—that 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: “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” 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. I’ll 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 “that,” “which,” “who,” and “whom.”
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 bride’s sister.
Luna, who is the bride’s sister, gave the toast. |
| Whom |
|
The woman whom I gave the ring to is the bride’s sister.
Luna, whom I gave the ring to, is the bride’s 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 “have” and the past participle of the main verb (e.g., “You have grown”). The third person singular (e.g., “he,” “she,” and “it”) uses “has”; all other subjects use “have.”
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I have traveled | I haven’t traveled | Have I traveled? |
| You have traveled | You haven’t traveled | Have you traveled? |
| He/she/it has traveled | He/she/it hasn’t traveled | Has he/she/it traveled? |
| We have traveled | We haven’t traveled | Have we traveled? |
| You (plural) have traveled | You haven’t traveled | Have you traveled? |
| They have traveled | They haven’t 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., “She is starting a new job tomorrow”).
The present progressive uses a conjugated form of the auxiliary verb “be” along with the present participle (“-ing” form) of the main verb (e.g., “He is reading”).
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I am going | I am not going | Am I going? |
| You are going | You aren’t going | Are you going? |
| He/she/it is going | He/she/it isn’t going | Is he/she/it going? |
| We are going | We aren’t going | Are we going? |
| You are going | You aren’t going | Are you going? |
| They are going | They aren’t 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 “what?” or “whom?”
For example, in the sentence “Cass writes novels,” the direct object is “novels.” It answers the question “What does Cass write?”
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., “excuse the mixed metaphor”).
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., “Annie’s house”).
To form a possessive singular noun, an apostrophe and the letter “s” are added to the basic form of the noun (e.g., “the dog” becomes “the dog’s bone”). For plural nouns, typically only an apostrophe is added (e.g., “the dogs” becomes “the dogs’ toys”).
Ownership is not always literal in the context of possessive nouns. For example, “Caleb’s dad” does not mean that Caleb owns his dad. In this case, the possessive just indicates a relationship.
The bag’s strap is missing.
My friends’ 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: “mine,” “ours,” “yours,” “his,” “hers,” “theirs,” and “whose.”
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. |
| – | 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
