Glossary / 447predicate noun a noun that follows a linking verb and identifies the subject.
Example: Marcia is my friend. [See Parts of the Sentence, Chapter 42, Classifica-
tion of Words.]
preposition a relation word, such as in, by, for, with, and to, that connects a noun
or pronoun, or a noun phrase, to another noun (the sound of rain), to a verb
(went to the store), or to an adjective (late for the tea party). [See Parts of Speech
in Chapter 42, Classification of Words.]
prepositional phrase a word group formed by a preposition and its object(s)
and any modifier(s); functions as an adjective or adverb. Example: She super-
vised children on the playground (functions as an adjective modifying the noun
children). [See Chapter 43, Phrases and Clauses.]
present perfect tense a verb tense indicating an action or state as completed
at the time of speaking but not at any definite time in the past. Example: He
has gone.
present tense the verb tense that indicates current action or state of being.
Example: He walks.
prewriting an activity used to prepare for writing, including reading, research,
discussion, interviewing, brainstorming, journal writing, note-taking, list-making,
outlining, and so on. [See Chapter 1, Prewriting.]
primary research research conducted by the writer himself, including laboratory
work, interviews, statistical analyses, surveys, and so on. Compare with secondary
research. [See Chapter 34, Research Paper, for the research process.]
process particular method of doing something, in this case writing, in which
there is a series of steps. [See Part I for an overview.]
progressive form a verb form showing continuing action. Example: I am working.
pronoun a word used to refer to or in place of a noun, including personal, reflex-
ive, intensive, demonstrative, relative, indefinite, and interrogative pronouns. [See
Glossary entries.]
pronoun agreement the agreement of number and gender of pronouns with
their antecedents. [See Pronoun Usage in Chapter 43, Usage.]
pronoun reference the word to which a pronoun refers; antecedent.
proper noun a noun that names a specific individual, place, and so on, is not used
with an article, and is normally capitalized, such as Donald and Boston. Compare
with common noun. [See Parts of Speech in Chapter 42, Classification of Words.]
protagonist the main character in a drama, novel, or story, around whom the
action centers. Compare with antagonist.
purpose, statement of a sentence that states the topic and intended direction of a
paper; thesis sentence. [See Writing a Multi-Paragraph Paper in Chapter 2, Writing.]