Grammar - Word Classes Flashcards
What is an Adjective?
Adjectives = words that describe something.
List the types of Adjectives.
- Base = ‘normal’ adjectives
- Comparative = adjectives which compare, ends with the suffix “-er”.
- Superlative = adjectives which express an extreme, ends with the suffix “-est”.
- Attributive = pre modifying (comes before the noun)
- Predicative = post modifying (comes after the noun).
What is a Noun?
Noun = a word that names something.
List the types of Nouns.
- Proper = refers to specific people and places.
- Common = all other nouns that aren’t proper nouns. These are subdivided into 3 categories:
a. Concrete = things that exist physically
b. Abstract = things that don’t exist physically (feelings, ideas and qualities)
c. Collective = groups of people, animals or objects
What is a Verb?
Verb = a word used to describe an action, state or an occurrence, and forming the predicate of a sentence.
What are Finite and Non-Finite Verbs?
- Finite = a verb which has a subject and shows tense. They change form according to the subject.
- Non-Finite = a verb which doesn’t show tense and doesn’t change form according to the subject.
What are the 3 types of Non-Finite Verbs?
- Gerunds = verbs that act as nouns. They don’t change forms or show tense.
- Participles = they either form verb tenses with the help of auxiliary verbs, or act as adjectives
- Infinitives = the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word “to”.
What are Transitive and Intransitive Verbs?
- Transitive = dynamic verbs that require an object
- Intransitive = dynamic verbs that don’t require an object
What are the 2 Lexical Verbs?
- Dynamic = this verb denotes a physical action, usually you can physically see this happening.
- Stative = this verb denotes a state of mind, usually you cannot physically see this happening
What are Auxiliary Verbs?
Auxiliary Verbs = form the tenses, moods and voices of other verbs
What are the 2 Auxiliary Verbs?
- Primary Auxiliary = “be”, “do”, “have”. When they change tense, they become “is”, “had”, “has”.
- Modal Auxiliary = they express necessity or possibility and include: must, shall, will, should, can, may.
What is a Noun Phrase?
Noun Phrase = a phrase based on a noun but containing another word that modifies the meaning of a noun.
What are Modifiers?
Modifiers = add to the meaning of a noun (e.g. pre modifiers and post modifiers)
What are Adverbs?
Adverbs = gives us extra information on a verb, typically ends with “-ly”.
What are the 3 Categories of Adverbs?
- Conjuncts = link toa sentence with a point made previously (e.g. also, therefore, next)
- Disjuncts = comment on part of the text and its ideas, and don’t link to a previous sentence
- Adjuncts = this is the largest class, which all other adverbs fall into. They add to the meaning of the sentence through adverbials.