Vocabulary Flashcards for English Grammar

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts from English grammar, facilitating learning and memorization.

Word

Bits of text between blank spaces; the lowest level of syntax.

Sentence

A well-organized string of words that is not itself part of a larger unit; the highest level of syntax.

Constituent

A unit that is part of a higher unit; a group of words that functions as a group in sentences.

Noun

Represents people, places, and things.

Adjective

Words that tell us more about a noun.

Verb

Words that express an action or state of being.

Pronoun

Small words that can take the place of a noun.

Adverb

Words that tell us more about verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Preposition

Words that express the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word.

Determiner

Words like 'the', 'an', 'this' that start a noun phrase.

Conjunction

Words that join two parts of a sentence.

Clause

A group of words that contains a subject and a predicate.

Finite form

A verb form that is marked for tense, number, or person.

Non-finite form

A verb form that is not marked for tense or person, such as an infinitive or participle.

Gerund

A nominal function derived from a verb.

Main Clause

An independent clause that can stand alone as a sentence.

Subordinate Clause

A dependent clause that cannot stand alone.

Complex Sentence

A sentence containing one main clause and at least one subordinate clause.

Coordinating conjunction

Joins two parts of a sentence that are grammatically equal.

Subordinating conjunction

Joins a subordinate clause to a main clause.

Ellipsis

The omission of a word or words from a sentence.

Adverbial Phrase

A group of words functioning as an adverb.

Absolute construction

A group of words that modifies the entire sentence.

Passive voice

A sentence structure where the subject receives the action.

Active voice

A sentence structure where the subject performs the action.

Complimentary

Refers to something added to enhance or complete meaning.

Clause-external

An adverbial that exists outside the clause but modifies it.

Clause-internal

An adverbial that exists within the clause.

Quantifier pronouns

Pronouns that express quantity.

Interrogative pronouns

Pronouns that are used to ask questions.

Implied subject

A subject that is understood but not explicitly stated.

Modified structure

A form of a word that has been altered to fit a certain grammatical role.

Syntagmatic relationship

The relationship between words in a sentence based on their function and placement.

Transformational grammar

A theory of grammar that deals with how phrases can relate and change.

Causative verb

A verb that indicates a cause-and-effect relationship.

Direct object

A noun or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive verb.

Indirect object

A noun or pronoun that indicates to whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed.

Subject complement

A word or phrase that follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject.

Object complement

A word or phrase that follows and modifies the direct object.

Phrasal verb

A verb combined with a preposition or adverb that creates a meaning different from the original verb.

Modifier

A word or phrase that provides description or additional information.

Infinitive clause

A clause that begins with 'to' plus a verb and acts as a noun.

Comparative adjective

An adjective that compares differences between the two objects it modifies.

Superlative adjective

An adjective that describes the highest degree of a quality.

Demonstrative pronouns

Pronouns that point to specific things.

Relative pronouns

Pronouns that introduce a relative clause.

No-count noun

Nouns that cannot be counted.

Count noun

Nouns that can be counted.

Nominalization

The process of converting a verb or an adjective into a noun.

Ambiguous structure

A sentence that has more than one possible meaning or interpretation.

Embedded clause

A clause that is included within another clause.

Discourse marker

A word or phrase used to guide the flow of a conversation.

Interjection

A word or phrase that expresses strong emotion but does not have a grammatical function.

Cohesion

The way in which different parts of a text connect and flow together.

Coherence

The overall clarity and logical flow of ideas in writing or speech.

Sociolect

A variety of language used by a particular social group.

Dialect

A particular form of a language specific to a region or social group.

Standard English

The form of the English language widely accepted as the norm.

Colloquial language

Informal language used in everyday conversation.

Contextual meaning

The meaning of a word or phrase based on its context.

Semantic field

A set of words grouped by meaning.

Pragmatics

The study of how context influences meaning in language.

Interpersonal communication

The exchange of information and feelings between people.

Formal writing

A style of writing that is more structured and adheres to specific conventions.

Informal writing

A style of writing that is more casual and conversational.

Disjunctive clause

A clause that provides additional information that is not essential to the main idea.

Extraposition

The placing of a clause or phrase out of its normal order for emphasis.

Exclamatory sentence

A sentence that expresses strong emotion.

Imperative sentence

A sentence that issues a command.

Interrogative sentence

A sentence that asks a question.

Declarative sentence

A sentence that makes a statement.

Complements

Words or phrases that complete the meaning of a given expression.

Attributes

Descriptive words associated with nouns.

Subtypes

Specific categories within a broader classification.

Exemplars

Examples or models that represent a particular class.

Variations

Different forms or adaptations within a category.

Language shift

A process where a community of speakers shifts from using one language to another.

Code-switching

The practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects.

Morphology

The study of the structure of words.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences.

Lexicon

The vocabulary of a language, including its words and expressions.

Phonetics

The study of the sounds of human speech.

Phonology

The study of the way sounds function in particular languages.

Sociolinguistics

The study of how language varies and changes in social groups.

Dialectology

The study of regional language variations.

Semantics

The study of meaning in language.

Anthropological linguistics

The study of how language influences, and is influenced by, social and cultural factors.

Language acquisition

The process of learning a language.

Language attrition

The loss of language ability over time.

Attitudinal language

Language that reflects the feelings and attitudes of the speaker.

Sociolect

A variety of language that is characteristic of a particular social class.

Registers

Variations in language used in different social settings.

Idiolect

The unique way an individual uses language.

Standard dialect

The variety of a language that is considered the norm.

Linguistic relativity

The idea that the structure of a language affects its speakers' worldview.

Etymology

The study of the origins and history of words.

Syllabification

The division of words into syllables.

Stress

Emphasis placed on a particular syllable or word in spoken language.

Intonation

The variation in pitch while speaking.

Speech acts

Alternative ways of speaking that perform actions such as requesting, commanding, or questioning.