Parts of Speech & Points of Grammar... stuff we need to know
Noun
A noun is the name of a place, person or thing, quality, or act. |
Pronoun
A word used instead of a noun. For example instead of saying Mary went to the shops - we could say she went to the shops. Therefore, the pronoun is 'she'. Pronouns are words such as he, she, they, their, her, him, etc. |
Adjective
An adjective describes a noun. in the phrase, this is a pretty garden, 'pretty' is the adjective as it describes the noun, garden. |
Verb
A word used to state an action. For example: run, walk, talk, eat, sing. |
Adverb
An adverb describes a verb. He walked slowly i.e. slowly is the adverb. |
Antonym
A word of opposite meaning to another: ugly-beautiful hot-cold |
Synonym
A word of similar meaning to another e.g. big - large tiny - small |
Homonym
A word having the same sound and spelling as anoher but a different origin and meaning e.g. res (meaning repose) and rest (meaning remainder. |
Homophone
A word pronounced the same as another but having different spelling and meaning, e.g. foul/fowl, wood/would, pearl/purl. |
Euphemism
A substitution by a mild word or expression for one that is considered blunt or harsh. For example, loo instead of lavatory. Loo is the euphemism. The phrase 'spend a penny' is a euphemism for using the lavatory. To pass away is a euphemism for to die.
A substitution by a mild word or expression for one that is considered blunt or harsh. For example, loo instead of lavatory. Loo is the euphemism. The phrase 'spend a penny' is a euphemism for using the lavatory. To pass away is a euphemism for to die.
Oxymoron
A figure of speech that combines incongruous and apparently contradictory words and meanings for a special effect. The term 'bitter-sweet' is an oxymoron.
A figure of speech that combines incongruous and apparently contradictory words and meanings for a special effect. The term 'bitter-sweet' is an oxymoron.
Solecism
A deviation from conventional usage in grammar, syntax or pronunciation. For example (ain't done nothing) (I never ought to have come) (You didn't ought to do it.)
A deviation from conventional usage in grammar, syntax or pronunciation. For example (ain't done nothing) (I never ought to have come) (You didn't ought to do it.)
Cliché
A trite over-used expression which is lifeless. A very large number of idioms have become cliches through excessive use. The following sentence contains eight common ones.
When the grocer, who was fit as a fiddle, had taken stock of the situation he saw the writing on the wall but decided to turn over a new leaf and put his house in order by taking a long shot at eliminating his rival in the street - who was also an old hand at making the best of a bad job.
A trite over-used expression which is lifeless. A very large number of idioms have become cliches through excessive use. The following sentence contains eight common ones.
When the grocer, who was fit as a fiddle, had taken stock of the situation he saw the writing on the wall but decided to turn over a new leaf and put his house in order by taking a long shot at eliminating his rival in the street - who was also an old hand at making the best of a bad job.
Tautology
The use of redundant words e.g. I myself personally. Two twins.
The use of redundant words e.g. I myself personally. Two twins.
Periphrasis
A roundabout way of speaking or writing, know also as circumlocution thus using many words or very long words where a few simple words will do. For example: her olfactory system was suffering from a temporary inconvenience (i.e. her nose was blocked).
A roundabout way of speaking or writing, know also as circumlocution thus using many words or very long words where a few simple words will do. For example: her olfactory system was suffering from a temporary inconvenience (i.e. her nose was blocked).