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<div class="page-wrap">
<!-- ===== SIDEBAR ===== -->
<aside class="sidebar">
<div class="sidebar-logo">
Grammar Unlocked
<span>Grades 9–12 Reference Guide</span>
</div>
<div class="sidebar-group">Introduction</div>
<nav>
<a href="#intro"><span class="code-badge">↑</span>How to Use This Book</a>
</nav>
<div class="sidebar-group">Category SA</div>
<nav>
<a href="#sa1"><span class="code-badge">SA-1</span>Word Classes</a>
<a href="#sa2"><span class="code-badge">SA-2</span>Sentence Patterns</a>
<a href="#sa3"><span class="code-badge">SA-3</span>Subject & Predicate</a>
</nav>
<div class="sidebar-group">Category VVV</div>
<nav>
<a href="#vvv1"><span class="code-badge">VVV-1</span>Phrasal Verbs</a>
<a href="#vvv2"><span class="code-badge">VVV-2</span>'Do' Support</a>
<a href="#vvv3"><span class="code-badge">VVV-3</span>Active vs. Passive</a>
</nav>
<div class="sidebar-group">Category PNM</div>
<nav>
<a href="#pnm1"><span class="code-badge">PNM-1</span>Broad-Reference 'Which'</a>
<a href="#pnm2"><span class="code-badge">PNM-2</span>Absolute Phrases</a>
</nav>
<div class="sidebar-group">Category PCI</div>
<nav>
<a href="#pci1"><span class="code-badge">PCI-1</span>Adjective Commas</a>
</nav>
<div class="sidebar-group">Category COS</div>
<nav>
<a href="#cos1"><span class="code-badge">COS-1</span>Formal vs. Informal</a>
<a href="#cos2"><span class="code-badge">COS-2</span>Inclusive Language</a>
</nav>
<div class="sidebar-group">Category SRC</div>
<nav>
<a href="#src1"><span class="code-badge">SRC-1</span>End Focus</a>
<a href="#src2"><span class="code-badge">SRC-2</span>Transition Words</a>
</nav>
<div class="sidebar-group">Reference</div>
<nav>
<a href="#appendix"><span class="code-badge">↓</span>Quick Reference</a>
</nav>
</aside>
<!-- ===== MAIN ===== -->
<main class="main">
<!-- HERO -->
<div class="hero">
<div class="hero-eyebrow">High School Grammar • Grades 9–12</div>
<h1>Grammar <em>Unlocked</em></h1>
<p class="hero-sub">Your teacher marked your paper with a code. This book tells you exactly what that code means — and how to fix it.</p>
<div class="hero-pills">
<span class="hero-pill">6 Rule Categories</span>
<span class="hero-pill">13 Feedback Codes</span>
<span class="hero-pill">Practice Every Rule</span>
<span class="hero-pill">Quick Reference Appendix</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- HOW TO USE -->
<div class="how-to-use" id="intro">
<h2>How to Use This Book</h2>
<p>When your teacher marks a code on your paper (like <strong>SA-2</strong> or <strong>VVV-3</strong>), that code points to a specific rule in this book. Here's the process:</p>
<div class="steps">
<div class="step">
<div class="step-num">1</div>
<div class="step-text">Find the code your teacher wrote on your paper.</div>
</div>
<div class="step">
<div class="step-num">2</div>
<div class="step-text">Look it up in the sidebar or the Quick Reference appendix.</div>
</div>
<div class="step">
<div class="step-num">3</div>
<div class="step-text">Read the rule, look at the examples, and figure out what went wrong in your sentence.</div>
</div>
<div class="step">
<div class="step-num">4</div>
<div class="step-text">Rewrite the sentence correctly and turn it in.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- ============================================================
CATEGORY SA — SENTENCE ARCHITECTURE
============================================================ -->
<div class="category-header" id="cat-sa">
<div>
<div class="category-badge">Category SA</div>
<h2>Sentence Architecture</h2>
<p>Rules about how sentences are built — the skeleton that holds your writing together.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- SA-1 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="sa1">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">SA-1</span>
<span class="rule-code">WCLASS</span>
<span class="rule-title">Word Classes — Using the Right Type of Word</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">Every word in a sentence plays a specific role. <strong>Content words</strong> (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) carry the meaning. <strong>Function words</strong> (the, a, in, and, but) hold the sentence together. You need to use the right type of word in the right slot — for example, you can't put an adjective where a verb belongs.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="why-matters">
<strong>Why It Matters</strong>
Using the wrong type of word makes a sentence confusing or grammatically broken. If your teacher marked SA-1, check that the word you used actually fits the grammatical role you gave it.
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>What Went Wrong</th>
<th>Incorrect Example</th>
<th>Corrected Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Adjective used where an adverb is needed (verbs need adverbs, not adjectives)</td>
<td class="wrong">She ran <u>quick</u> to catch the bus.</td>
<td class="right">She ran <u>quickly</u> to catch the bus.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Noun used where a verb is needed</td>
<td class="wrong">He <u>decision</u> to leave surprised everyone.</td>
<td class="right">He <u>decided</u> to leave, which surprised everyone.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adverb used after a linking verb (linking verbs need adjectives)</td>
<td class="wrong">The soup tastes <u>badly</u>.</td>
<td class="right">The soup tastes <u>bad</u>.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="quick-tip">
<strong>Quick Test for Linking Verbs</strong>
If you can replace the verb with "is" or "are" and the sentence still makes sense, it's a linking verb — and you need an adjective, not an adverb. "The soup is bad" ✓ — so use "bad," not "badly."
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — SA-1</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The athlete performed <u>beautiful</u> during the final round.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">What is wrong? Rewrite the sentence correctly.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">"Beautiful" is an adjective, but it's describing the verb "performed" — so you need an adverb. <strong>Corrected:</strong> The athlete performed <em>beautifully</em> during the final round.</div>
</details>
</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 2</div>
<div class="q-sentence">After the hike, everyone felt <u>exhaustedly</u>.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">What is wrong? Rewrite the sentence correctly.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">"Felt" is a linking verb (you can say "everyone was exhausted"), so you need an adjective. <strong>Corrected:</strong> After the hike, everyone felt <em>exhausted</em>.</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">SA-1</span>
<span>You used the wrong type of word. Check whether you need a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb in that spot.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- SA-2 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="sa2">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">SA-2</span>
<span class="rule-code">SPAT</span>
<span class="rule-title">Sentence Patterns — Every Sentence Has a Skeleton</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">Every sentence in English follows one of a small set of basic patterns. The pattern depends on the type of verb you use. <strong>Transitive verbs</strong> need an object (someone receiving the action). <strong>Intransitive verbs</strong> don't. <strong>Linking verbs</strong> need a complement (a word that describes or renames the subject). If your sentence is missing a required part, or has the wrong part in the wrong slot, it breaks the pattern.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="why-matters">
<strong>Why It Matters</strong>
Sentence pattern errors are often why a sentence "sounds wrong" even if you can't immediately say why. If your teacher marked SA-2, you're likely missing a required element or using the wrong form in a slot.
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pattern</th>
<th>What It Needs</th>
<th>Incorrect Example</th>
<th>Corrected Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Linking Verb + Adjective</strong><br><small>Subject + LV + Adj</small></td>
<td>An adjective (not an adverb) after the linking verb</td>
<td class="wrong">She seems <u>nervously</u>.</td>
<td class="right">She seems <u>nervous</u>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Transitive Verb + Object</strong><br><small>Subject + V + Object</small></td>
<td>A noun phrase as the object</td>
<td class="wrong">She gave <u>to her friend</u>. (missing what she gave)</td>
<td class="right">She gave <u>the book</u> to her friend.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Intransitive Verb</strong><br><small>Subject + V</small></td>
<td>No object — the action doesn't transfer to anything</td>
<td class="wrong">The baby <u>slept the whole night</u>. (slept is intransitive)</td>
<td class="right">The baby slept <u>all night</u>. (adverb, not object)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Linking Verb + Noun Rename</strong><br><small>Subject + LV + Noun</small></td>
<td>A noun that renames the subject</td>
<td class="wrong">My best friend became <u>successfully</u>.</td>
<td class="right">My best friend became <u>a success</u>.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="quick-tip">
<strong>Quick Tip: Identify Your Verb Type First</strong>
Ask yourself: Does this verb transfer action to something? (transitive) Does it just describe a state? (linking) Does the action stay with the subject? (intransitive) Your answer tells you what the rest of the sentence needs.
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — SA-2</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The coach appeared <u>confidently</u> before the game.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Identify the error and rewrite the sentence.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">"Appeared" is a linking verb (you can say "the coach was confident"), so it needs an adjective, not an adverb. <strong>Corrected:</strong> The coach appeared <em>confident</em> before the game.</div>
</details>
</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 2</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The committee awarded <u>to the top student</u>.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">What is missing? Rewrite the sentence with the correct pattern.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">"Awarded" is a transitive verb — it needs a direct object (what was awarded). <strong>Corrected:</strong> The committee awarded <em>the scholarship</em> to the top student.</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">SA-2</span>
<span>Your sentence is missing a required part, or you used the wrong form in a sentence slot.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- SA-3 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="sa3">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">SA-3</span>
<span class="rule-code">SVB</span>
<span class="rule-title">Subject–Predicate — Make Sure They Match</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">Every sentence has two main parts: the <strong>subject</strong> (who or what the sentence is about) and the <strong>predicate</strong> (what the subject does or is). The verb in the predicate must agree with the subject in number — singular subject gets a singular verb, plural subject gets a plural verb. This is called <strong>subject-verb agreement</strong>.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="why-matters">
<strong>Why It Matters</strong>
The most common mistake here is getting confused by words that appear between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees with the actual subject — not with whatever noun happens to be closest to it.
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>What Went Wrong</th>
<th>Incorrect Example</th>
<th>Corrected Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Verb agrees with a nearby noun instead of the real subject</td>
<td class="wrong">The box of chocolates <u>were</u> on the table.</td>
<td class="right">The box of chocolates <u>was</u> on the table. (Subject is "box," not "chocolates")</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Collective noun treated as plural when it acts as a unit</td>
<td class="wrong">The team <u>are</u> celebrating their win.</td>
<td class="right">The team <u>is</u> celebrating its win. (The team acts as one unit)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Indefinite pronoun (each, everyone, nobody) treated as plural</td>
<td class="wrong">Everyone on the two teams <u>were</u> exhausted.</td>
<td class="right">Everyone on the two teams <u>was</u> exhausted. ("Everyone" is always singular)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="quick-tip">
<strong>Quick Test: The Pronoun Swap</strong>
Replace the entire subject with "he," "she," "it," or "they." The pronoun that sounds right tells you whether your subject is singular or plural — and which verb form to use.
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — SA-3</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The list of complaints <u>were</u> sent to the principal.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Fix the subject-verb agreement error.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">The subject is "list" (singular), not "complaints." <strong>Corrected:</strong> The list of complaints <em>was</em> sent to the principal.</div>
</details>
</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 2</div>
<div class="q-sentence">Neither of the players <u>were</u> ready for the match.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Fix the subject-verb agreement error.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">"Neither" is always singular. <strong>Corrected:</strong> Neither of the players <em>was</em> ready for the match.</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">SA-3</span>
<span>Your subject and verb don't agree in number. Find the real subject and match the verb to it.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- ============================================================
CATEGORY VVV — VERBS, VOICE, AND VERBALS
============================================================ -->
<div class="category-header" id="cat-vvv">
<div>
<div class="category-badge">Category VVV</div>
<h2>Verbs, Voice, and Verbals</h2>
<p>Rules about how verbs work — including multi-word verbs, helper verbs, and active vs. passive voice.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- VVV-1 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="vvv1">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">VVV-1</span>
<span class="rule-code">PHVB</span>
<span class="rule-title">Phrasal Verbs — Two-Word Verbs and Their Particles</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">A <strong>phrasal verb</strong> is a verb made up of two (sometimes three) words — a verb plus a small word called a <strong>particle</strong> (like <em>up, out, off, down, in</em>). Together they create a meaning that's different from the verb alone. The particle is part of the verb, not a preposition. Common errors include separating the particle from the verb when you shouldn't, or confusing the particle with a preposition.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="why-matters">
<strong>Why It Matters</strong>
Misplacing the particle changes the meaning of the sentence or makes it sound unnatural. "She looked up the word" means she searched for it. "She looked the word up" also works. But "She looked up" (without an object) means something completely different.
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>What Went Wrong</th>
<th>Incorrect Example</th>
<th>Corrected Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Particle placed too far from the verb, breaking the meaning</td>
<td class="wrong">She looked the very long and confusing word up.</td>
<td class="right">She looked up the very long and confusing word. (Move the particle before a long object)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Particle omitted, changing the meaning</td>
<td class="wrong">I need to call my grandmother. (meaning: phone her) — but written as: I need to call <u>on</u> my grandmother. (meaning: visit her)</td>
<td class="right">Use the correct particle for the meaning you intend: <em>call</em> (phone) vs. <em>call on</em> (visit).</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Particle confused with a preposition</td>
<td class="wrong">She ran up the stairs. (preposition — "stairs" is the object of "up") vs. She ran <u>up</u> a huge bill. (phrasal verb — "up" is a particle)</td>
<td class="right">Test: Can you move the word? "She ran a huge bill up" ✓ (particle). "She ran the stairs up" ✗ (preposition).</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="quick-tip">
<strong>Quick Test: The Move Test</strong>
Try moving the small word to after the object. If it still makes sense, it's a particle (part of the phrasal verb). If it sounds wrong, it's a preposition.
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — VVV-1</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">Please fill the form out before you leave.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Is this correct? If not, rewrite it.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your answer here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">Both "fill out the form" and "fill the form out" are correct when the object is short. However, the more natural and preferred order is: <em>Please fill out the form before you leave.</em></div>
</details>
</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 2</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The teacher handed the very difficult and confusing assignment out at the end of class.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Rewrite this sentence so the particle is in the better position.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">When the object is long, move the particle before it: <em>The teacher handed out the very difficult and confusing assignment at the end of class.</em></div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">VVV-1</span>
<span>Your phrasal verb has a particle placement issue, or you confused a particle with a preposition.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- VVV-2 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="vvv2">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">VVV-2</span>
<span class="rule-code">DOSUP</span>
<span class="rule-title">'Do' Support — Using 'Do,' 'Does,' and 'Did' Correctly</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">In English, when you form a question or a negative statement with most verbs, you need the helper verb <strong>do / does / did</strong>. This is called "do support." The main verb stays in its base form (no -s, no -ed) when "do" is present, because "do" carries the tense and agreement instead.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>What Went Wrong</th>
<th>Incorrect Example</th>
<th>Corrected Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Main verb incorrectly inflected when "do" is already carrying the tense</td>
<td class="wrong">She doesn't <u>likes</u> spicy food.</td>
<td class="right">She doesn't <u>like</u> spicy food. ("Doesn't" already carries the 3rd person singular — don't add -s to the main verb too)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Past tense added to the main verb when "did" is already there</td>
<td class="wrong">Did you <u>finished</u> the homework?</td>
<td class="right">Did you <u>finish</u> the homework? ("Did" carries the past tense)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Missing "do" support in a question</td>
<td class="wrong">You like pizza?</td>
<td class="right">Do you like pizza?</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="quick-tip">
<strong>Quick Rule</strong>
When you use do/does/did, the main verb always goes back to its plain base form. Think of it this way: "do" already did the heavy lifting — the main verb gets to relax.
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — VVV-2</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">He doesn't <u>knows</u> the answer.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Fix the error.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">"Doesn't" already carries the agreement. The main verb should be in base form. <strong>Corrected:</strong> He doesn't <em>know</em> the answer.</div>
</details>
</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 2</div>
<div class="q-sentence">Did she <u>went</u> to the concert last night?</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Fix the error.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">"Did" already carries the past tense. <strong>Corrected:</strong> Did she <em>go</em> to the concert last night?</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">VVV-2</span>
<span>You have an error with do/does/did. Remember: when "do" is present, the main verb stays in its base form.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- VVV-3 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="vvv3">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">VVV-3</span>
<span class="rule-code">VOICE</span>
<span class="rule-title">Active vs. Passive Voice — Who's Doing What?</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">In <strong>active voice</strong>, the subject of the sentence does the action: <em>The dog bit the man.</em> In <strong>passive voice</strong>, the subject receives the action: <em>The man was bitten by the dog.</em> Active voice is almost always stronger, clearer, and more direct. Use passive voice only when the person doing the action is unknown, unimportant, or when you deliberately want to shift focus to the receiver.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="why-matters">
<strong>Why It Matters</strong>
Passive voice can make writing feel vague and weak. If your teacher marked VVV-3, you likely used passive voice where active voice would be clearer and more powerful.
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Voice</th>
<th>Example</th>
<th>When to Use It</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Active</strong> (preferred)</td>
<td class="right">The committee approved the new policy.</td>
<td>Almost always — it's direct and strong.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Passive</strong> (weak use)</td>
<td class="wrong">The new policy was approved by the committee.</td>
<td>Avoid when you know who did the action.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Passive</strong> (acceptable use)</td>
<td class="right">The suspect was arrested. (We don't need to say who arrested them)</td>
<td>OK when the actor is unknown or irrelevant.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — VVV-3</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The essay was written by Marcus in one night.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Rewrite this in active voice.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content"><strong>Active voice:</strong> Marcus wrote the essay in one night.</div>
</details>
</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 2</div>
<div class="q-sentence">Mistakes were made during the experiment.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Is passive voice acceptable here? Why or why not?</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your answer here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">It depends on context. If you know who made the mistakes, active voice is better: <em>The lab team made mistakes during the experiment.</em> If the actor is genuinely unknown or unimportant, passive is acceptable — but it can also sound like you're deliberately avoiding blame.</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">VVV-3</span>
<span>You used passive voice where active voice would be clearer. Rewrite so the subject does the action.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- ============================================================
CATEGORY PNM — POST-NOUN MODIFIERS
============================================================ -->
<div class="category-header" id="cat-pnm">
<div>
<div class="category-badge">Category PNM</div>
<h2>Post-Noun Modifiers</h2>
<p>Rules about descriptive phrases that come after a noun — and how to punctuate them.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- PNM-1 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="pnm1">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">PNM-1</span>
<span class="rule-code">BREF</span>
<span class="rule-title">Broad-Reference 'Which' — Make Sure 'Which' Points to Something Specific</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">The word <strong>"which"</strong> should refer to a specific, single noun — not to a whole idea or situation. When "which" refers to an entire clause or a vague general idea, your reader won't know exactly what it's pointing to. This is called a <strong>broad reference</strong> error.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>What Went Wrong</th>
<th>Incorrect Example</th>
<th>Corrected Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>"Which" refers to a whole situation, not a specific noun</td>
<td class="wrong">She forgot to submit the assignment, <u>which</u> caused her to fail. (What caused her to fail — forgetting? the assignment? the situation?)</td>
<td class="right">Her failure to submit the assignment caused her to fail the course. (Rewrite to eliminate the ambiguity)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>"Which" has no clear noun to attach to</td>
<td class="wrong">He arrived late and missed the introduction, <u>which</u> was unfortunate.</td>
<td class="right">His late arrival was unfortunate; he missed the introduction. (Or: It was unfortunate that he arrived late and missed the introduction.)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="quick-tip">
<strong>Quick Fix</strong>
If you can't point to a single specific noun that "which" refers to, rewrite the sentence. Often the easiest fix is to turn the "which" clause into its own sentence or to name the thing directly.
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — PNM-1</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The team won the championship, which made everyone happy.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Is "which" used correctly here? If not, rewrite the sentence.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your answer here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">"Which" refers to the entire event (winning the championship), not a specific noun. Better options: <em>Winning the championship made everyone happy.</em> Or: <em>The team's championship win made everyone happy.</em></div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">PNM-1</span>
<span>Your "which" doesn't point to a specific noun. Rewrite to make the reference clear.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- PNM-2 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="pnm2">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">PNM-2</span>
<span class="rule-code">ABSP</span>
<span class="rule-title">Absolute Phrases — A Descriptive Add-On That Needs a Comma</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">An <strong>absolute phrase</strong> is a descriptive group of words that adds detail to the whole sentence — it has its own subject and a participle (an -ing or -ed verb form), but it is not a complete sentence on its own. It must be separated from the main clause with a <strong>comma</strong>. Absolute phrases are a powerful writing tool that add vivid detail.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>What Went Wrong</th>
<th>Incorrect Example</th>
<th>Corrected Example</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Missing comma between the absolute phrase and the main clause</td>
<td class="wrong">Her hands trembling she signed the contract.</td>
<td class="right">Her hands trembling, she signed the contract.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Absolute phrase at the end — missing comma</td>
<td class="wrong">He walked into the room his eyes scanning every face.</td>
<td class="right">He walked into the room, his eyes scanning every face.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="quick-tip">
<strong>How to Spot an Absolute Phrase</strong>
It has its own noun + a participle (-ing or -ed form), but it can't stand alone as a sentence. If you can remove it and the main sentence still makes complete sense, you've found your absolute phrase — and it needs a comma.
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — PNM-2</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The sun setting behind the mountains the hikers set up camp for the night.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Add the missing punctuation.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content"><strong>Corrected:</strong> The sun setting behind the mountains<em>,</em> the hikers set up camp for the night.</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">PNM-2</span>
<span>Your absolute phrase is missing a comma. Separate it from the main clause with a comma.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- ============================================================
CATEGORY PCI — PUNCTUATION AND COORDINATION
============================================================ -->
<div class="category-header" id="cat-pci">
<div>
<div class="category-badge">Category PCI</div>
<h2>Punctuation and Coordination</h2>
<p>Rules about commas, coordination, and how to join ideas correctly.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- PCI-1 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="pci1">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">PCI-1</span>
<span class="rule-code">CADJ</span>
<span class="rule-title">Adjective Commas — When Do Two Adjectives Need a Comma Between Them?</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">When two adjectives both independently describe a noun, put a comma between them. These are called <strong>coordinate adjectives</strong>. But when one adjective describes the other adjective + noun as a unit, no comma is needed. These are called <strong>cumulative adjectives</strong>. There are two easy tests to figure out which type you have.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="why-matters">
<strong>The Two Tests</strong>
<strong>Test 1 — Flip the order:</strong> Can you reverse the adjectives and still sound natural? If yes, use a comma. | <strong>Test 2 — Insert "and":</strong> Can you put "and" between the adjectives and still sound natural? If yes, use a comma.
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Type</th>
<th>Example</th>
<th>Test Result</th>
<th>Comma?</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Coordinate</strong> — both describe the noun independently</td>
<td>"a dark, stormy night"</td>
<td>"a stormy, dark night" ✓ | "a dark and stormy night" ✓</td>
<td><strong>Yes — use a comma</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Cumulative</strong> — one builds on the other</td>
<td>"a little old lady"</td>
<td>"an old little lady" ✗ | "a little and old lady" ✗</td>
<td><strong>No comma</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Coordinate</strong></td>
<td>"a brave, courageous soldier"</td>
<td>"a courageous, brave soldier" ✓ | "a brave and courageous soldier" ✓</td>
<td><strong>Yes — use a comma</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Cumulative</strong></td>
<td>"a talented young musician"</td>
<td>"a young talented musician" ✗ | "a talented and young musician" ✗</td>
<td><strong>No comma</strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — PCI-1</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">It was a long boring lecture.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Apply the two tests. Does this need a comma?</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your answer here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">Test: "a boring long lecture" ✓ | "a long and boring lecture" ✓ — both work, so these are coordinate adjectives. <strong>Corrected:</strong> It was a long, boring lecture.</div>
</details>
</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 2</div>
<div class="q-sentence">She wore a beautiful red dress.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Apply the two tests. Does this need a comma?</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your answer here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">Test: "a red beautiful dress" ✗ | "a beautiful and red dress" ✗ — neither sounds natural, so these are cumulative adjectives. <strong>No comma needed.</strong> "She wore a beautiful red dress" is correct as written.</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">PCI-1</span>
<span>Comma error between adjectives. Apply the Flip Test and the "and" Test to decide.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- ============================================================
CATEGORY COS — CODE, STYLE, AND SOCIOLINGUISTICS
============================================================ -->
<div class="category-header" id="cat-cos">
<div>
<div class="category-badge">Category COS</div>
<h2>Code, Style, and Sociolinguistics</h2>
<p>Rules about matching your language to your audience and writing inclusively.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- COS-1 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="cos1">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">COS-1</span>
<span class="rule-code">REG</span>
<span class="rule-title">Formal vs. Informal Language — Match Your Words to Your Audience</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">The way you talk with your friends is different from the way you write a school essay — and that's completely normal. Every language has different <strong>registers</strong> (levels of formality). In academic writing, you are expected to use <strong>Standard Academic English</strong>: complete sentences, formal vocabulary, no slang, no contractions, and no casual phrasing. This isn't about one way of speaking being "better" — it's about using the right tool for the right situation.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="why-matters">
<strong>Why It Matters</strong>
Using informal language in a formal essay signals to the reader that you haven't thought carefully about your audience. It can undermine an otherwise strong argument.
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>What Went Wrong</th>
<th>Informal / Incorrect</th>
<th>Formal / Corrected</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Slang or casual phrasing in an academic essay</td>
<td class="wrong">The author's argument is kind of all over the place.</td>
<td class="right">The author's argument lacks coherence and clear organization.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Contraction in formal writing</td>
<td class="wrong">It's clear that the policy doesn't work.</td>
<td class="right">It is clear that the policy does not work.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Second-person "you" in academic writing</td>
<td class="wrong">When you read the novel, you can see the theme clearly.</td>
<td class="right">A careful reading of the novel reveals the theme clearly.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Filler phrases</td>
<td class="wrong">In today's society, people basically just want to be happy.</td>
<td class="right">People fundamentally seek happiness and fulfillment.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — COS-1</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The main character is super stressed out about the whole situation.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Rewrite this sentence in formal academic language.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content">Possible revision: <em>The protagonist experiences significant anxiety regarding the circumstances he faces.</em> (Or any version that removes "super," "stressed out," and "the whole situation.")</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">COS-1</span>
<span>Your language is too informal for this context. Revise using formal academic vocabulary and phrasing.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- COS-2 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="cos2">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">COS-2</span>
<span class="rule-code">INCL</span>
<span class="rule-title">Inclusive Language — Write for Everyone</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">Avoid language that assumes gender or excludes groups of people. The most common issue is using <strong>"he"</strong> as a default pronoun when referring to a person whose gender is unknown. Modern academic writing has several accepted solutions.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Strategy</th>
<th>Problematic Version</th>
<th>Inclusive Version</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Use singular "they"</strong> (widely accepted in modern usage)</td>
<td class="wrong">Every student must submit <u>his</u> essay by Friday.</td>
<td class="right">Every student must submit <u>their</u> essay by Friday.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Use "he or she"</strong></td>
<td class="wrong">A doctor should always listen to <u>his</u> patients.</td>
<td class="right">A doctor should always listen to <u>his or her</u> patients.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Pluralize the subject</strong> (often the cleanest solution)</td>
<td class="wrong">A student should check <u>his</u> work carefully.</td>
<td class="right">Students should check <u>their</u> work carefully.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Rewrite to eliminate the pronoun</strong></td>
<td class="wrong">If a writer is unsure, <u>he</u> should ask for help.</td>
<td class="right">A writer who is unsure should ask for help.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — COS-2</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">Each employee must complete his performance review by the end of the month.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Rewrite this sentence using two different inclusive strategies.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your two revised sentences here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content"><strong>Strategy 1 (singular "they"):</strong> Each employee must complete <em>their</em> performance review by the end of the month.<br><strong>Strategy 2 (pluralize):</strong> All employees must complete <em>their</em> performance reviews by the end of the month.</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">COS-2</span>
<span>You used gendered language where inclusive language is more appropriate. See the strategies above.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- ============================================================
CATEGORY SRC — SENTENCE RHYTHM AND COHESION
============================================================ -->
<div class="category-header" id="cat-src">
<div>
<div class="category-badge">Category SRC</div>
<h2>Sentence Rhythm and Cohesion</h2>
<p>Rules about emphasis, flow, and how to guide your reader through your ideas.</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- SRC-1 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="src1">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">SRC-1</span>
<span class="rule-code">ENDF</span>
<span class="rule-title">End Focus — Put Your Most Important Idea Last</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">In English, the <strong>end of a sentence</strong> is the position of greatest emphasis. Readers naturally stress the last idea they read. If you bury your most important or surprising information in the middle of a sentence, it loses its punch. One powerful technique for controlling emphasis is the <strong>cleft sentence</strong>: starting with "It was..." or "It is..." to push the key idea to the end.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Version</th>
<th>Example</th>
<th>Effect</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Buried emphasis</strong></td>
<td class="wrong">A fly is in my soup. (The emphasis falls on "soup" — but the surprising thing is the fly)</td>
<td>Weak — the key information doesn't land with impact.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>End focus (cleft)</strong></td>
<td class="right">It was in my soup that I found a fly. (Now "fly" is at the end — maximum impact)</td>
<td>Strong — the surprising information hits at the end.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Reordering</strong></td>
<td class="right">In my soup, there was a fly.</td>
<td>Also effective — "fly" still ends the sentence.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="quick-tip">
<strong>Cleft Sentence Formula</strong>
It + was/is + [the thing you want to emphasize] + that + [the rest of the sentence]<br>
Example: <em>It was her dedication that won her the scholarship.</em>
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — SRC-1</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The coach's halftime speech inspired the team to win.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Rewrite as a cleft sentence to emphasize "the coach's halftime speech."</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your cleft sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content"><strong>Cleft version:</strong> It was the coach's halftime speech that inspired the team to win.</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">SRC-1</span>
<span>Your key information is buried. Try reordering the sentence or using a cleft construction to put the emphasis at the end.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- SRC-2 -->
<div class="rule-block" id="src2">
<div class="rule-header">
<span class="rule-id">SRC-2</span>
<span class="rule-code">TRANS</span>
<span class="rule-title">Transition Words — Punctuating the Words That Guide Your Reader</span>
</div>
<div class="rule-body">
<div class="the-rule">
<div class="the-rule-icon">📌</div>
<div>
<div class="the-rule-label">The Rule</div>
<div class="the-rule-text">Words like <em>however, furthermore, therefore, on the other hand, in addition,</em> and <em>surprisingly</em> are called <strong>transition words</strong> (or metadiscourse markers). They help your reader follow your logic. When they appear at the beginning of a sentence or interrupt the middle of one, they must be set off with <strong>commas</strong>.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="example-table-wrap">
<table class="example-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Position</th>
<th>Incorrect</th>
<th>Corrected</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Opening a sentence</strong></td>
<td class="wrong">Furthermore the study found no significant difference.</td>
<td class="right">Furthermore<u>,</u> the study found no significant difference.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Interrupting the middle</strong></td>
<td class="wrong">The proposal however was rejected by the committee.</td>
<td class="right">The proposal<u>,</u> however<u>,</u> was rejected by the committee.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Opening attitude word</strong></td>
<td class="wrong">Surprisingly no one was injured in the accident.</td>
<td class="right">Surprisingly<u>,</u> no one was injured in the accident.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="why-matters">
<strong>Common Transition Words to Know</strong>
<em>however, therefore, furthermore, moreover, in addition, on the other hand, in contrast, as a result, consequently, nevertheless, for example, in fact, surprisingly, unfortunately, luckily, first, finally, in conclusion</em>
</div>
<div class="practice-wrap">
<div class="practice-title">Practice — SRC-2</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 1</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The results were inconclusive. However the team decided to proceed with the project.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Add the missing comma.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content"><strong>Corrected:</strong> The results were inconclusive. However<em>,</em> the team decided to proceed with the project.</div>
</details>
</div>
<div class="practice-q">
<div class="q-label">Question 2</div>
<div class="q-sentence">The scientist in addition to her research taught three undergraduate courses.</div>
<div class="q-prompt">Add commas to set off the transition phrase.</div>
<textarea class="answer-box" placeholder="Write your corrected sentence here..."></textarea>
<details class="reveal">
<summary>Show Answer</summary>
<div class="reveal-content"><strong>Corrected:</strong> The scientist<em>,</em> in addition to her research<em>,</em> taught three undergraduate courses.</div>
</details>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="teacher-tag">
<span class="tag-label">Teacher Code:</span>
<span class="tag-chip">SRC-2</span>
<span>Your transition word is missing a comma. Set it off with a comma at the start of a sentence, or with commas on both sides if it interrupts the middle.</span>
</div>
</div>
<!-- ============================================================
APPENDIX
============================================================ -->
<div class="appendix-section" id="appendix">
<h2>Quick Reference — All Feedback Codes</h2>
<p style="font-size:0.9rem; color:#555; margin-bottom:1rem;">Use this table to quickly find the rule your teacher marked on your paper.</p>
<div class="ref-table-wrap">
<table class="ref-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Code</th>
<th>Short Name</th>
<th>What It Means</th>
<th>Quick Fix</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">SA-1</td>
<td>WCLASS</td>
<td>You used the wrong type of word (e.g., adjective where an adverb is needed).</td>
<td>Identify what role the word plays in the sentence and use the correct form.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">SA-2</td>
<td>SPAT</td>
<td>Your sentence is missing a required element or has the wrong form in a slot.</td>
<td>Identify your verb type (transitive, intransitive, linking) and check what each one requires.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">SA-3</td>
<td>SVB</td>
<td>Subject and verb don't agree in number.</td>
<td>Find the real subject (ignore phrases between subject and verb) and match the verb to it.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">VVV-1</td>
<td>PHVB</td>
<td>Phrasal verb particle is misplaced or confused with a preposition.</td>
<td>Use the Move Test: if you can move the word after the object, it's a particle.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">VVV-2</td>
<td>DOSUP</td>
<td>Error with do/does/did — main verb incorrectly inflected.</td>
<td>When do/does/did is present, the main verb always stays in its base form.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">VVV-3</td>
<td>VOICE</td>
<td>Passive voice used where active voice would be clearer.</td>
<td>Rewrite so the subject does the action: [Subject] + [Verb] + [Object].</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">PNM-1</td>
<td>BREF</td>
<td>"Which" refers to a vague idea instead of a specific noun.</td>
<td>Rewrite to name the thing directly, or split into two sentences.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">PNM-2</td>
<td>ABSP</td>
<td>Absolute phrase is missing a comma.</td>
<td>Add a comma between the absolute phrase and the main clause.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">PCI-1</td>
<td>CADJ</td>
<td>Comma error between two adjectives.</td>
<td>Apply the Flip Test and the "and" Test. If both work, add a comma.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">COS-1</td>
<td>REG</td>
<td>Language is too informal for academic writing.</td>
<td>Replace slang, contractions, and casual phrasing with formal vocabulary.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">COS-2</td>
<td>INCL</td>
<td>Gendered language used where inclusive language is expected.</td>
<td>Use singular "they," "he or she," pluralize the subject, or rewrite to eliminate the pronoun.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">SRC-1</td>
<td>ENDF</td>
<td>Key information is buried in the middle of the sentence.</td>
<td>Reorder the sentence or use a cleft construction (It was X that...) to put emphasis at the end.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="code-cell">SRC-2</td>
<td>TRANS</td>
<td>Transition word is missing a comma.</td>
<td>Comma after a transition at the start of a sentence; commas on both sides if it interrupts the middle.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>Diagnostic Tests — At a Glance</h3>
<div class="ref-grid">
<div class="ref-card">
<h4>Linking Verb Test (SA-1, SA-2)</h4>
<p>Substitute "is/are" for the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, it's a linking verb — use an adjective, not an adverb.</p>
</div>
<div class="ref-card">
<h4>Pronoun Swap Test (SA-3)</h4>
<p>Replace the whole subject with he/she/it/they. The right pronoun tells you if the subject is singular or plural.</p>
</div>
<div class="ref-card">
<h4>Move Test (VVV-1)</h4>
<p>Try moving the small word after the object. If it still makes sense, it's a particle (phrasal verb). If not, it's a preposition.</p>
</div>
<div class="ref-card">
<h4>Flip Test (PCI-1)</h4>
<p>Reverse the adjectives. If it still sounds natural, use a comma. Also try inserting "and" — if that works too, definitely use a comma.</p>
</div>
<div class="ref-card">
<h4>Cleft Formula (SRC-1)</h4>
<p>It + was/is + [emphasis] + that + [rest of sentence]. Use to push important information to the end.</p>
</div>
<div class="ref-card">
<h4>Do-Support Rule (VVV-2)</h4>
<p>When do/does/did is present, the main verb always stays in its plain base form. "Do" carries the tense so the main verb doesn't have to.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page-footer">
<p><strong>Grammar Unlocked</strong> • High School Reference Guide • Grades 9–12</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.3rem;">A companion to the classroom feedback code system. Find your code, read the rule, fix the sentence.</p>
</div>
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