Language (Grammar) Terminology

Syntax

The overall term used to describe the construction of sentences.

Sentence type

The basic function of the sentence. There are four main types. It's useful to look for patterns!

Declarative sentence

A statement.

Imperative sentence

A command.

Interrogative sentence

A question. (?)

Exclamatory sentence

An exclamation.

Sentence structure

The underlying grammatical structure of a sentence. There are three main types. It's useful to look for patterns!

Simple sentence

One complete independent clause. Simple refers to grammar, not vocabulary!

Compound sentence

Two independent clauses connected by a FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) conjunction.

Complex sentence

A sentence with an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Sentence fragment

A sentence missing either a subject or main verb.

Conditional clauses

Clauses indicating a possibility. Look for, 'If...'!

Modal verb

A verb indicating a degree of possibility or certainty. Could, should, must, might, may, will, can, would, etc.

Pronouns

Words which replace nouns.

First-person pronouns

Pronouns referring to the self. I, My

Second-person pronoun (direct address)

Pronoun directly referring to somebody else. You

Third-person pronouns

Pronouns referring to others

He, she, it, they, them

Inclusive pronouns

Pronouns which indicate a shared group.

Us, our, we

Possessive pronouns

Pronouns indicating ownership

Mine, theirs, ours

Active voice

A sentence where the subject is clearly performing an action.

Luke says English is great.

Passive voice

A sentence where the subject is obscured or the object is emphasised.

It is said that English is great.

Rhetorical question

A question posed without expecting a direct response.

Hypophora

A question which is posed and immediately answered by the same person.

Tricolon

A parallel structure consisting of three equal parts.

It will help the environment, save you money, and make the world a better place.

Ellipsis

Punctuation indicating a gap or omission. (...)

Polysyndeton

The heavy use of conjunctions in a list.

He read the recipe and bought the ingredients and baked the cake.

Asyndeton

The removal of conjunctions in a list.

He read the recipe, bought the ingredients, baked the cake.

Aposiopesis

Breaking off a thought

How could they...?

Anithesis

Contrary ideas expressed in a balanced sentence

Evil men fear authority; good men cherish it.

Parenthesis

Brackets! Used for asides or for extra information.

Interjection

An abrupt remark which usually expresses feeling than thought.

Oops, wow, ouch, yikes

Adjective

Words which describe nouns. Look for patterns!

Tense

An indication of time created through verb choice. Look at any shifts in tense!

Hypothetical Question

A 'what if?' question.

Provocative question

A controversial question.

Leading question

A question which already leads you to a 'right' answer.

Loaded question

A question which makes an assumption.

Have you stopped cheating on the tests yet?

Superlatives

The highest degree of an adjective.

Fastest

Conjunctions

Words which connect sentences and clauses.