E1-a Supply prepositions, conjunctions, infinitive parts, articles, and verb parts when needed for clarity.
preposition A word (such as between, in, or of ) that indicates the relation between a word in a sentence and its object.
In many instances, when you forget to include these small words, the reader may be puzzled or have to pause to figure out what you mean.
Insert missing prepositions.
conjunction A word that relates sentence parts by coordinating, subordinating, or pairing elements, such as and, because, or either . . . or.
FOR MULTILINGUAL WRITERS
If you are not a native speaker of American English, prepositions may be challenging because native speakers of English use prepositions in ways that do not translate directly. The best way to understand when prepositions are needed is to read widely and study the work of other writers. See also T3.
Insert missing conjunctions.
infinitive A verb form consisting of the word to plus the base form of the verb: to run.
A conjunction is generally needed to connect the final item in a series, such as financial and emotional strain in the first example and graphite in the second.
Restore the to omitted from an infinitive if needed for clarity.
article An adjective that precedes a noun and identifies a definite reference to something specific (the) or an indefinite reference to something less specific (a or an).
Insert missing articles.
FOR MULTILINGUAL WRITERS
Nonnative speakers of English may be unsure when and when not to use the articles a,an, and the. For more advice on the use of articles, see T1.
Insert other missing words that help clarify or complete a sentence.
