definitions Flashcards
abbreviation
might be standard (pm) or invented (tomoz)
acronym
initial letters of a phrase that are then pronounced as a word e.g. lol = laugh out loud
affixation
adding a prefix or suffix to an existing word to make a new word
blending
parts of two words put together to make a new word e.g. breakfast+lunch > brunch
borrowing
taking words from other languages - shampoo, bungalow
clipping
creation of a new word by dropping one or more syllables e.g. Thurs, flu
coinage
construction and addition of new words to the language - words that are completely made up
colloquialism
informal word, phrase or pronunciation typical of informal speech
compounding
two words compounded to make a new word
contraction
missing letters e.g. can’t, don’t, I’m
conversion
changing a word class e.g. making a noun a verb > I am Netflixing
deletion
deleting double letters e.g. stil / wil
deviant spellings
happenin’ to abbreviate; baybee to accentuate words or convey phonology
emoticons
pictures made from punctuation to convey tone e.g:-)
initialism
a phrase is represented by its initials e.g btw = by the way
letter and number homophones
a number or letter stands for all or part of a word because it sounds the same e.g. U = you;
homophones
R = are; 2 = to / too; 4 = for; gr8 = great
logograms
graphic units associated with words or actions e.g. x = a kiss
mixed mode
increased use of ‘colloquial’, casual or non-standard grammar
neologism
a newly created word/expression
vowel deletion
vowels missed out to save space or reduce key taps e.g alwys = always
proper noun
A noun naming a distinctive person, place or other unique reference which is marked with a capital letter in written language
abstract noun
Nouns that refer to a concept or thing that has no physical qualities e.g. fear, experience
concrete noun
A noun that refers to physical things like people, objects or substances
dynamic verb
A verb that expresses an action rather than a state that can be used in the progressive aspect. (to think > I think / I am thinking; to listen > I listen / I am listening)
stative verb
A verb that expresses a state of being or process in which there is no obvious action.
Usually not used in the progressive aspect. (to believe > I believe; to love > I love)
evaluative adjective
Adjective that can be measured and compared (e.g. good, great, poor)
descriptive adjective
Adjective that describe properties which cannot be measured. Might be bound to colour, material etc.
adverb
A word that shows how an action is completed e.g. quickly, slowly, happily, loudly
conjunction
A closed class word whose function is to join together two parts of a sentence
preposition
A closed word class such as in, on, of, that expresses a relationship between two lexical items
definite article
The word the used in English to refer to a person or thing that is identified or specified
indefinite article
The word a or an used in English to refer to a person or thing that is not identified or specified
ordinal number
Numbers indicating the order of a sequence e.g first, second
cardinal number
The basic form of a number e.g. one, two, three
interrogative
A grammatical mood expressing a question in which the subject and verb are inverted. Has he not left?
imperative
A grammatical mood expressing a directive (command, warning). Leave immediately
negative
something that isn’t true or not the case e.g no, never, nobody etc
