Language Review Notes

Directions: Keep these notes in the notes section of your binder. The following notes will
help you with your Language Review homework.
MONDAY SKILLS
Misplaced
Modifier-

DefinitionA word or phrase or clause that appears to

modify (change) the wrong word in the
sentence. It confuses the reader.

ExampleIncorrect Example: Soaring in

the sky, we watched the hawk
hunt for prey.
The sentence makes it sound like we were
flying in the sky & watching the hawk.

Correct Example: We watched

the hawk soar in the sky while
hunting for prey.
Dangling
Modifier

Definition Is a word, phrase, or clause that appears

to modify no word at all all bc it should
logically modify. Add the missing word to
correct this.

Example Incorrect - Walking through the

park at night, the shadows were
frightening!
Who is walking through the park? The
shadows?

Correct - Walking through the

park at night, I thought the
shadows were frightening.

Connotation Definition ExampleThe 3 words in this section have a common

Boss * Leader *
thread of meaning. Use a dictionary to look
dictator
up the meaning of the words before
Boss ( * ) neutral
deciding if they have a positive connotation
connotation. A boss can
(meaning), negative, or neutral
be positive and
connotation (meaning)
negative.
Leader (+) a leader
leads the group. It is
normally positive!
Dictator (-)
Dictators are usually
known for negative/bad
behaviors.
Context
Clues

Definition -The meaning of the word can be discovered looking at the

words and phrases surrounding it. You do NOT use a dictionary to figure
out the meaning of the word. The other words in the passage give clues to
the meaning.

Synonyms

Definition- Synonyms are words with the SAME meanings. A thesaurus is a

good tool to use in finding synonyms.

Morphology

Definition- Break words into their correct

parts. Words can be broken up into base or

Example -perception
Prefix: per base - cept -

a root word.

suffix -ion

Tuesday Skills Eliminate

wordiness/
redundancie
s

What does that mean?

When the author uses too many words. The author often repeats ideas or
writes unnecessary information. To eliminate wordiness, take out the
words that are repeated or not needed.

Spelling

How to check for misspellings?

Use a dictionary or www.dictionary.com to check the spellings of the
listed words.

Figurative
Language

DefinitionsFigurative language are words or phrases

used to paint an image in the readers
mind. Examples of figurative language are
-- hyperbole, personification, simile,
metaphor, idiom

Examples Hyperbole - Its

been forever since I
have seen you!
(exaggeration)
Personification The sun smiled at me.
(giving nonhuman
items human qualities)
Simile - She was
as pretty as a picture.
(comparing 2 items
using like or as) He was

slow like a snail.

Metaphor- He was
a hawk. (comparing 2
unlike items w/o using
like or as)
Idiom -Its raining
cats and dogs out! (well
known phrase)

Independent
clause

Definition- The clause can stand alone

as a COMPLETE SENTENCE!

Example- I made
arrangements to leave in the
morning.

Dependent
clause

DefinitionThese clauses can NOT stand alone as

complete sentences. Is NOT a complete
sentence!

ExampleSince I made arrangements

to leave in the morning.

Phrase

Definition A group of words that contain a noun or

verbals, but NOT both! Does not have a
subject (who or what is doing the action)

Example Crashing violently to the

ground

Wednesday Skills -

Greek/ Latin
Roots/Affixes

How to figure them out?

Use the definitions provided to create your definition of the word. Use
the dictionary to find the dictionary definition of the word. Google
roots/affixes to help with the remainder of the problem.

Comma Usage

When do I use them? How do I use them?

Commas are used to 1. Separate items in a series/ list
2. Signal conjunctions in a sentence
3. Organize character dialogue (use of quotation marks)
4. Separate coordinate adjectives (The cruel, callous man)
5. Set off an introductory element (Knowing he would be late, he
ran to school as fast as he could)
6. To separate parenthetical elements (The dog, looking up at
his owner with remorseful eyes, sat in the pile of the shredded
couch cushions.)

Antonyms

DefinitionWords with opposite meanings. The use of a thesaurus will help list
words with opposite meanings.
Example: Nice -- the antonym to nice is mean.

Thursday Skills
Multiple
Meaning

How can I tell which is the correct meaning?

First, look at the part of speech of the word and how it is used in the

Words

sentence. Check the dictionary to confirm the words meaning and if it

makes sense in the sentence.

Simple
Sentence

Definition Has a complete thought and contains a

SUBJECT and a VERB.

Example Mark eats at the restaurant.

Mark and Jan eat at the
restaurant.

Compound
Sentence

Definition Consists of TWO SUBJECTS and VERBS

Example Mark ate at the restaurant,

so Jan didnt cook dinner.
Jan talks at the restaurant,
but Mark remains silent.

Complex
Sentence

DefinitionConsists of ONE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

and ONE OR MORE DEPENDENT
CLAUSES.

Example Mark went to the restaurant,

because Jan didnt cook
dinner.
(always have because, since,
after, although, when, etc.)

CompoundComplex
Sentence

DefinitionConsists of TWO or more INDEPENDENT

CLAUSES and ONE or MORE DEPENDENT
CLAUSES.

Example Even though they werent

hungry, Mark went to the
restaurant, and Jan cooked
dinner at home.

Analogies-

DefinitionAnalogies show relationship between

words. There are 7 types of analogies.

Example Function
microwave:heat:helmet
:protect
The function of a microwave
is to heat food. The function
of a helmet is to protect your
head.
Degree
fascinating:interesting:c
ritical:important
Something that is fascinating
is interesting. Something
that is critical is important.
Lack
honest:integrity:hateful:peac
e
An honest person lacks
integrity. A hateful person
lacks peace.
Characteristic
Sandpaper:coarse:crime:illeg
al
A characteristic of
sandpaper is that it is
coarse. A characteristic of

crime is illegal.
Type/Kind/Categor
y
Flute:instrument:banana:frui
t
A flute is a type of
instrument and a banana is
a type of fruit.
Part-to-Whole
nose:face:buckle:belt
A nose is part of a face. A
buckle is part of a belt.
Definition
Bargain:deal:imaginary:prete
nd
A synonym of bargain is
deal. A synonym for
imaginary is pretend.