Quick reference for tricky terms

Terms

Complement
Required (or strongly expected) by the head to complete its sense.

**Determiner Determines or specifies the noun. It’s kinda adjectival in function but not true adjective (you can’t grade it)

Gerund
A verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun in a sentence

Modifier
Optional, adding extra detail.

Nominative case
For most words, the nominative case doesn’t change their form at all. It’s marked only by position (being the subject) rather than by inflection

Noun
Can function as subject, object, and complement

Participle
A verb form that functions as an adjective (or sometimes as part of a verb phrase). Participle can form verb tense or a passive voice

Predicate
The part of a sentence (or clause) that tells us something about the subject—usually what the subject does, is, or has

Predicate nominative
A noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb (usually be, become, seem, etc.). It renames, identifies, or classifies the subject.

Possessive adjectives vs. pronouns

Adjectives: my, your, their etc

Pronouns: mine, yours, theirs etc

His/Her

Her\

  • Object form: used as an object of a verb or preposition:

I saw her at the station. (direct object)
Give it to her. (object of preposition to)

  • Possessive determiner (aka “possessive adjective”), used before a noun to show possession:

This is her book.
That’s her crown.

  • Possessive pronoun: replaces the whole noun phrase:

This book is hers. (= her book)

His/Him\

  • Object form: I saw him

  • Possessive determiner: I saw his car

  • Possessive pronoun: That’s his car

Confusing his/her\

  • her/hers/her: her same for possessive adjective and object form

  • his/his/him: his, same for possessive adjective and pronoun

Interrogative Adverbs

why, where, when, how

  • When - time

  • Where - place

  • Why - reason

  • How - manner

  • How - Quantity, amount, degree

The quirky “How”
Can be used to ask about matters related to manner (e.g., How quickly?), time (e.g., How soon?), quantity (e.g., How many?), amount (e.g., How much?), and degree (e.g., How good?).

How quickly can you get home? (manner)

How many sweets have you eaten? (Quantity)

Hints\

  • The answer to a question posed with an interrogative adverb will always be something functioning as an adverb (single word adverb or adverbial phrase/clause)

When should I remove the tin foil from the muffins? Immediately

Distributive determiners

determiners that refer to individual members of a group, one at a time or collectively.

each

Each student received a certificate. (Emphasizes every individual member separately)

every

Every child loves to play. (Emphasizes all members of the group, collectively)

either Either option is fine. (Refers to one of two possibilities)

neither Neither answer is correct. (Refers to not one nor the other of two options)

any Sometimes considered distributive in certain contexts) → Any student can apply.