Test preparation

An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence because it has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and needs an independent clause to make sense. Coordinating conjunctions connect independent clauses only.
Example:

·       Independent: She finished her homework.

·       Independent: She went to sleep.

Joined with coordinating conjunction: She finished her homework, and she went to sleep.

The main function of coordinating conjunctions is to join sentence clauses of equal importance, be it words, phrases, or independent clauses. They help maintain the balance in a sentence and make the structure smoother and more coherent. For example- She cleaned the room and arranged the books.

Yes, but use them sparingly and mainly for emphasis or a conversational tone.
Example: But I didn't give up.

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it connects two independent clauses.
Example: I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.

There are seven primary coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

If you are discussing a specific amount of time, money, weight, distance, or volumne, which is considered as one unit or a total quantity, use singular verb. It is because measurements are treated as a single idea, instead of individual parts.

Examples:

• Ten miles is too far to walk.
• Five hundred rupees is not enough for the Rakhi gift.
• Two liters of water is enough for the recipe.
• Three hours is a long time to wait.

Titles of books, plays, movies, etc., may appear plural but are treated as singular. It is because these books, plays, or movies refer to a single entity.

Examples:

• "The Great Gatsby" is a wonderful movie.
• "Pride and Prejudice" is a classic novel by Jane Austen.

The direct and indirect speech or narration refers to reporting a speaker's words. Some of the popular key rules include:

• Tense shift (present to past)

• Changing personal pronouns

• Using proper reporting verbs

Adjusting time expressions (e.g., “now”? “then”)
However, these rules differ for assertive, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences.

In a sentence, when two subjects are joined by 'or' or 'nor', the verb should agree with the nearest subject. The rule followed here is the proximity rule.

Examples:

• Either the teacher or the students have the answer.
• Either the students or the teacher has made a mistake.