An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase, created by using only a few of its letters or syllables to make it quicker to write or say. Common examples include "Dr." for "Doctor" or "etc." for "et cetera". Some abbreviations are formed by taking the initial letters of a series of words, such as "NASA" for "National Aeronautics and Space Administration". Abbreviations are widely used in everyday language, writing, and specialized fields to save time or space while still conveying the full meaning of the original term.

What is an "abbreviation"?

abbreviation

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A contraction is a shortened form of a word or group of words that combines them into one, often by omitting certain letters and replacing them with an apostrophe. For example, "do not" can be contracted to "don't", and "I am" becomes "I'm". Contractions are commonly used in spoken and informal written language to make speech or writing more fluid and conversational. They help convey a sense of familiarity and ease in communication, while still retaining the original meaning of the full expression.

What is a "contraction"?

contraction

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A dialect is a particular form of a language that is specific to a certain region or group of people, distinguished by unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Dialects can vary widely even within the same language, reflecting cultural and social differences. For instance, American English and British English are dialects of the English language, each with distinct words and phrases, such as "truck" in American English and "lorry" in British English. Understanding dialects is important for grasping the richness and diversity of language as it is used in different communities.

What is a "dialect"?

dialect

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An accent refers to the way in which words are pronounced, often influenced by a person's geographical origin, social background, or cultural identity. Accents can affect vowel and consonant sounds, rhythm, and intonation patterns. For example, a person from the southern United States may have a different accent compared to someone from New York City, resulting in distinct pronunciations of the same words. Accents can also reveal information about a person's identity and can vary widely even within the same language, adding richness and diversity to spoken communication.

What is an "accent"?

accent

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An apostrophe (') is a punctuation mark used in writing to indicate possession or the omission of letters in contractions. In possessive forms, it shows ownership, as in "the dog's leash," which indicates that the leash belongs to the dog. In contractions, the apostrophe replaces missing letters, such as in "do not" becoming "don't." Apostrophes are also used in some plurals of letters or symbols, like "mind your p's and q's." While helpful for clarity, it is important to use apostrophes correctly to avoid confusion in writing.

What is an "apostrophe"?

apostrophe

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An article is a type of determiner that provides information about the specificity and quantity of a noun. In English, there are two types of articles: definite and indefinite. The definite article "the" refers to a specific noun that is already known or identifiable, such as in "the cat on the porch." The indefinite articles "a" and "an" refer to non-specific nouns, indicating that the noun could be any one of a class, as in "a cat" or "an apple." Articles play an important role in communication by helping to clarify whether a noun is particular or general, contributing to the overall understanding of sentences.

What is an "article"?

article

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Agreement is a grammatical concept that refers to the correspondence between different parts of a sentence in terms of number, gender, case, or person. This typically involves ensuring that subjects and verbs match in number, singular or plural, and that nouns and pronouns agree in gender and number. For example, in the sentence "The cat sleeps," the singular subject "cat" agrees with the singular verb "sleeps." Agreement is important for maintaining clarity and grammatical correctness in communication, helping to convey the intended meaning of sentences.

What is "agreement"?

agreement

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Number is a grammatical category that indicates the quantity of a noun, pronoun, or verb in a sentence. It typically reflects whether something is singular, meaning one, or plural, meaning more than one. For example, in the sentence "The cat is sleeping," the noun "cat" is singular, indicating one animal. In contrast, in the sentence "The cats are sleeping," the noun "cats" is plural, indicating multiple animals. Number also affects verb forms and agreement in many languages, requiring that the verb matches the subject in terms of singularity or plurality. Understanding number is essential for proper sentence structure and clarity in communication.

What is "number"?

number

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A syllable is a unit of sound in a word that typically consists of a vowel sound, often accompanied by consonants. It serves as a building block of speech and can vary in length and complexity. A syllable can be simple, containing just a vowel sound like "a," or more complex, including consonants before and after the vowel, as in "cat." Syllables play a crucial role in the rhythm and flow of language, influencing how words are pronounced and understood. Understanding syllables is essential for reading, writing, and phonetics, as they help in word formation and pronunciation.

What is a "syllable"?

syllable

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A vowel is a speech sound produced with an open vocal tract, allowing air to flow freely without significant obstruction. Vowels are typically characterized by their resonance and can be voiced or voiceless, although most vowels in English are voiced. In the English alphabet, the letters "a," "e," "i," "o," and "u" represent vowel sounds, and "y" can also function as a vowel in certain contexts. Vowels are essential for forming syllables and words, and they play a key role in determining the pronunciation and meaning of words in a language.

What is a "vowel"?

vowel

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A consonant is a speech sound produced when airflow is partially or completely blocked in the vocal tract. Unlike vowels, which are produced with an open vocal tract, consonants involve some form of closure or narrowing, creating distinct sounds. In the English alphabet, consonants include letters such as "b," "c," "d," "f," "g," "h," and so on. Consonants can be classified based on their place and manner of articulation, such as stops, fricatives, and nasals. Understanding consonants is essential for phonetics, spelling, and pronunciation in language.

What is a "consonant"?

consonant

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Voice is a grammatical feature that indicates the relationship between the action of the verb and the participants in a sentence. In English, there are two primary voices: active and passive. In the active voice, the subject performs the action of the verb, as in the sentence "The cat chased the mouse," where "the cat" is the doer of the action. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action, as in "The mouse was chased by the cat," where "the mouse" is acted upon. Voice is essential for emphasizing different aspects of a sentence, allowing speakers to highlight either the doer of the action or the receiver, thus shaping the focus and clarity of the information presented.

What is "voice"?

voice

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auxiliary

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A complement is a word or group of words that completes the meaning of a verb, adjective, or noun in a sentence. Complements provide essential information that clarifies or specifies the subject or object. There are several types of complements, including subject complements, which follow linking verbs and describe or identify the subject, as in "She is a teacher," where "a teacher" complements the subject "She." Object complements, on the other hand, follow and provide more information about a direct object, as in "They elected him president," where "president" complements the direct object "him." Understanding complements is important for grasping how different elements in a sentence work together to convey complete ideas.

What is a "complement"?

complement

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compound

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A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence, creating relationships between different parts of the text. The main types of conjunctions include coordinating conjunctions, which connect elements of equal importance, and subordinating conjunctions, which link a dependent clause to an independent clause. Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to connect related elements. Understanding conjunctions is essential for constructing coherent sentences and clarifying relationships between ideas.

What is a "conjunction"?

conjunction

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prepositional

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A determiner is a word that introduces a noun and provides information about specificity, quantity, or possession. Determiners help to clarify which noun is being referred to in a sentence. Common examples include articles like "a," "an," and "the," which indicate whether a noun is general or specific. Other types of determiners include possessive words like "my" and "their," which show ownership, and quantifiers like "some," "many," or "few," which indicate quantity. For example, in the phrase "the dog," "the" is the determiner that specifies which dog is being discussed. In English, determiners always appear before the noun, and their use may differ in other languages, where they might have different forms or rules for agreement with the noun they modify.

What is a "determiner"?

determiner

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Fluency refers to the ability to speak or write a language smoothly and effortlessly, with a natural flow of speech and minimal pauses or hesitations. In language learning, fluency encompasses not only the speed of communication but also the capacity to express thoughts and ideas clearly and coherently. A fluent speaker can navigate conversations easily, understand and respond appropriately, and use a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Fluency can be developed through practice and exposure to the language in various contexts, such as conversations, reading, and writing. It is an important aspect of effective communication, as it enables individuals to convey their messages confidently and effectively.

What is "fluency"?

fluency

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A gerund is a verb form that ends in "-ing" and functions as a noun in a sentence. Gerunds can be used in various roles, such as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition. For example, in the sentence "Swimming is fun," the gerund "swimming" serves as the subject. In "I enjoy reading," "reading" acts as the object of the verb "enjoy." Gerunds allow for the expression of actions in a noun form, making them useful for conveying activities, hobbies, or ongoing actions in a clear and concise manner.

What is a "gerund"?

gerund

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Collocation refers to the habitual combination of words that frequently occur together in a language. These combinations may involve two or more words that are often used in close proximity to convey specific meanings or to sound more natural to native speakers. For example, in English, one might say "make a decision" rather than "do a decision", or "strong coffee" instead of "powerful coffee". Understanding collocations is important for language learners and speakers, as it helps them use words in ways that sound more fluent and idiomatic. Collocations can vary between languages and can change over time, reflecting the dynamic nature of language use.

What is a "collocation"?

collocation

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An idiom is a group of words whose meaning cannot be understood by looking at the individual words alone. Idioms often convey a figurative meaning that is culturally specific and may not translate directly into other languages. For example, the idiom "kick the bucket" means "to die", and its literal interpretation does not reflect this meaning. Idioms enrich language by adding color and expressiveness, allowing speakers to convey complex ideas or emotions in a clear way. Understanding idioms is important for effective communication, as they are commonly used in both spoken and written language.

What is an "idiom"?

idiom

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Slang is a type of informal language that consists of words, phrases, or expressions that are often specific to a particular group, subculture, or community. Slang terms can change quickly and may not be understood by people outside of the group. It is commonly used in casual conversation and can convey a sense of identity, belonging, or cultural connection among speakers. Slang often reflects current trends, attitudes, and social issues, making it dynamic and adaptable. While it can add flavor and personality to language, slang is typically not used in formal writing or speech.

What is "slang"?

slang

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A proverb is a short, well-known saying that expresses a general truth, principle, or piece of advice based on common sense or experience. Proverbs often reflect cultural values and wisdom, using simple language to convey deeper meanings. For example, the proverb "A stitch in time saves nine" suggests that taking care of a problem early can prevent it from becoming much worse later. Proverbs are commonly used in everyday conversation to illustrate points, offer guidance, or provide insight into human behavior and relationships.

What is a "proverb"?

proverb

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imperative

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An interjection is a word or phrase that expresses a strong emotion or reaction and is often used independently from the main sentence. Interjections can convey a wide range of feelings, such as surprise, joy, anger, or excitement. Common examples include "wow," "ouch," "hey," "oh," and "hurray." Interjections are usually followed by punctuation, such as an exclamation mark, to emphasize the emotional response. For instance, in the sentence "Wow! That is amazing," the interjection "wow" shows excitement. Understanding interjections is important for recognizing how emotions are conveyed in speech and writing, adding depth and expressiveness to communication.

What is an "interjection"?

interjection

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Intonation refers to the variation in pitch while speaking, which helps convey meaning, emotion, and attitude. It involves the rise and fall of voice pitch over phrases and sentences, indicating whether a statement is a question, a command, or an expression of surprise, among other things. For example, in English, a rising intonation at the end of a sentence often suggests a question, while a falling intonation may indicate a statement or command. Intonation is important for effective communication, as it can change the intended meaning and help listeners interpret the speaker's emotions and intent.

What is "intonation"?

intonation

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transitive

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intransitive

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linguistic

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A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things by stating that one thing is another, highlighting a particular quality or aspect they share, without using "like" or "as". For example, saying "Time is a thief" suggests that time steals moments from lives, even though time is not literally a thief. Metaphors help convey meanings and emotions in a more vivid and imaginative way by creating direct comparisons between different concepts.

What is a "metaphor"?

metaphor

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progressive

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punctuation

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quote

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A double negative is a linguistic construction in which two negative words or elements are used in the same clause or sentence, often resulting in a meaning that can be confusing or lead to ambiguity. In standard English, using a double negative typically produces a positive meaning, although this is not the case in all languages or dialects. For example, in the sentence "I do not want no cake," the two negatives "do not" and "no" combine to imply that the speaker does want cake, contrary to the intended meaning. In informal speech and some dialects, double negatives can be used for emphasis, but in formal writing and standard English, they are generally considered incorrect and should be avoided to ensure clarity. Understanding double negatives is important for effective communication and for recognizing variations in language use.

What is a "double negative"?

double negative

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Here you will learn some English words about language and grammar, such as "contraction", "voice", "syllable", etc. that are needed for the TOEFL exam.

Words related to "Language and Grammar" | Essential Vocabulary for TOEFL