FEUCAT Language Proficiency — Sentence Improvement & Correct UsageCheat Sheet
A printable cheat sheet for Sentence Improvement & Correct Usage, built for FEUCAT reviewers who want one go-to reference in the final stretch. Covers formulas, key definitions, common question types, and the Far Eastern University-specific twists you will see on FEUCAT day.
Exam context
For the Far Eastern University College Admission Test, Far Eastern University tests Language Proficiency under a "Core" label, with Sentence Improvement & Correct Usage in the 3rd slot across 7 chapters. FEUCAT candidates must clear the Competitive overall score cut on the 2026 paper, which draws about a meaningful share of Language Proficiency questions. Date to watch: Q3–Q4 2026.
Sentence Improvement & Correct Usage - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering sentence improvement and correct usage in Language Proficiency exams
Sections
Section Title
Punctuation Rules
Important Facts
- Apostrophe shows possession (Toast's stream) or contraction (didn't)
- Hyphen joins words (well-known); En dash shows ranges (July 10–12)
- Quotation marks cite exact speech: "I shall return"
- Ellipsis shows omission (...) or pause in speech
- Parentheses add explanations (COVID-19)
Key Definitions
Term
Period (.)
Example
The quick brown fox jumped. U.P.
Definition
Marks end of declarative sentences and abbreviates words
Term
Comma (,)
Example
Let's eat, grandma! (versus Let's eat grandma!)
Definition
Marks pauses between parts or separates list elements
Term
Semicolon (;)
Example
I went to the mall; I bought face masks.
Definition
Joins two closely related independent clauses
Term
Colon (:)
Example
Remember this: wear a mask.
Definition
Second clause explains or illustrates the first
Term
Em Dash (—)
Example
There was only one thing—face the consequences.
Definition
Creates emphasis or indicates interruptions
Section Title
Sentence Structure Errors
Important Facts
- Run-on fix: use conjunction, semicolon, or separate sentences
- Fragment fix: add missing subject or predicate
- Modifier must be next to what it describes
- Parallel structure applies to lists, comparisons, and series
- Active voice preferred over passive voice
Key Definitions
Term
Run-on Sentence
Example
I was lazy I ate whatever was available (WRONG)
Definition
Two or more sentences incorrectly joined without proper punctuation or conjunction
Term
Sentence Fragment
Example
Got tired when she finished. (WRONG - no subject)
Definition
Incomplete sentence missing subject or predicate
Term
Parallel Structure
Example
arranged, packed, drove (not drive)
Definition
Elements performing same purpose must be in same form
Term
Misplaced Modifier
Example
The coach praised the batter who hit a homerun (WRONG)
Definition
Modifier placed far from word it modifies, causing confusion
Term
Dangling Modifier
Example
With thesis defended, the trip was decided (WRONG)
Definition
Word being modified is not mentioned in sentence
Diagrams To Know
- Sentence structure diagram showing subject-verb-object
- Modifier placement flowchart
Section Title
Grammar Agreement Rules
Important Facts
- Collective nouns (team, family) usually take singular verbs
- Either/or, neither/nor: verb agrees with nearest subject
- Indefinite pronouns (everyone, someone) are usually singular
- Compound subjects joined by 'and' take plural verbs
- Subject-object distinction: he/him, she/her, they/them
Key Definitions
Term
Subject-Verb Agreement
Example
Joe likes pizza (not like)
Definition
Singular subject takes singular verb; plural subject takes plural verb
Term
Pronoun Agreement
Example
Kelly and Sue... they went (not she went)
Definition
Pronoun must match noun in number and type
Term
Verb Tense Consistency
Example
I went to store and bought pizza (not get)
Definition
Cannot shift tenses without time transition word
Section Title
Commonly Confused Words
Important Facts
- Can = ability; May = permission or possibility
- Bring = toward you; Take = away from you
- Disinterested = unbiased; Uninterested = not interested
- Ensure = make certain; Insure = buy insurance
- Nauseous = causing nausea; Nauseated = feeling nausea
Key Definitions
Term
Affect vs Effect
Example
Rain affects growth; Rain has an effect on growth
Definition
Affect (verb) = influence; Effect (noun) = result
Term
Fewer vs Less
Example
Fewer flowers, less sugar
Definition
Fewer = countable items; Less = uncountable amount
Term
Lie vs Lay
Example
I lie down; I lay the book down
Definition
Lie = recline (no object); Lay = put down (needs object)
Term
Imply vs Infer
Example
Speaker implies; Listener infers
Definition
Imply = suggest; Infer = conclude from evidence
Term
Comprise vs Compose
Example
Game comprises two halves; States compose USA
Definition
Comprise = include (whole first); Compose = make up (parts first)
Section Title
Sentence Types and Clauses
Important Facts
- FANBOYS conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
- Subordinating conjunctions: because, although, if, when, while
- Adjective clauses start with who, which, that
- Use 'that' for essential clauses; 'which' for non-essential (with commas)
- Comma splice error: joining sentences with only comma
Key Definitions
Term
Simple Sentence
Example
The mother went to the grocery.
Definition
One independent clause with subject and verb
Term
Compound Sentence
Example
Sarah walked to class, but Kevin ran.
Definition
Two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunction
Term
Complex Sentence
Example
Though he was wealthy, he was still unhappy.
Definition
One independent clause plus one or more dependent clauses
Term
Independent Clause
Example
I like pizza
Definition
Contains subject and verb; can stand alone as sentence
Term
Dependent Clause
Example
because I was hungry
Definition
Contains subject and verb but cannot stand alone
Diagrams To Know
- Sentence type classification tree
- Clause relationship diagram
Must Remember
- Subject-verb agreement: singular with singular, plural with plural
- Parallel structure: keep same form for related sentence elements
- Modifier placement: put modifier next to what it describes
- Run-on sentences need proper conjunction or punctuation
- Sentence fragments must have both subject and predicate
- Affect = verb (influence); Effect = noun (result)
- Fewer = countable; Less = uncountable amounts
- Essential clauses use 'that' (no commas); Non-essential use 'which' (with commas)
- Comma splice error: can't join sentences with comma alone
- Verb tense must be consistent unless time shift indicated
Last Minute Tips
- Read entire sentence before choosing answer - don't stop at first error you see
- Check for subject-verb agreement by identifying true subject (ignore prepositional phrases)
- For modifier errors, ask 'What is being described?' and ensure it's next to modifier
- Sound alone isn't reliable - many wrong answers 'sound right' in casual speech
- In parallel structure questions, list all elements and check they're in same form
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- Affect
- Verb
- To influence
- Water affects plant growth
Property
Affect
Values
- Effect
- Noun
- Result/consequence
- Pollution is an effect of smoking
Property
Effect
Columns
- Word
- Part of Speech
- Meaning
- Example
Table Title
Affect vs Effect Usage
Rows
Values
- Two sentences joined incorrectly
- Add conjunction or semicolon
Property
Run-on
Values
- Missing subject or verb
- Add missing part
Property
Fragment
Values
- Two sentences joined by comma only
- Add conjunction or use semicolon
Property
Comma Splice
Columns
- Error Type
- Problem
- Fix
Table Title
Sentence Error Types
Rows
Values
- No commas
- Use 'that'
- The book that I read was good
Property
Essential
Values
- Use commas
- Use 'which'
- The book, which I read, was good
Property
Non-Essential
Columns
- Type
- Punctuation
- Word Choice
- Example
Table Title
Essential vs Non-Essential Clauses
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