Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words. It looks at where a word came from, how its form and meaning have changed over time, and what languages it has passed through. For example, the word "ballet" comes from the French language, which borrowed it from Italian, and it originally came from a Latin word meaning "to dance". Etymology helps us understand the roots and evolution of words in different languages.

What is "etymology"?

etymology

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Phonetics is the study of the sounds of human speech. It focuses on how sounds are produced, transmitted, and perceived. Phonetics analyzes the physical properties of speech sounds, such as their articulation, which is how they are made, acoustics, which is how they travel through the air, and auditory perception, which is how they are heard. This field is essential for understanding the building blocks of language, as it provides insights into how different sounds can create meaning and how they vary across languages and dialects.

What is "phonetics"?

phonetics

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Linguistics is the scientific study of language, focusing on its structure, meaning, and use in communication. It explores how languages evolve, how sounds and words form, and how people use language in different social and cultural contexts. Linguistics helps improve language teaching, translation, and understanding of human communication.

What is "linguistics"?

linguistics

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Declension is a grammatical process in which nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and sometimes articles change their form to express different grammatical categories such as case, number, and gender. This process helps indicate the role of a word in a sentence, such as whether it is a subject, object, or possessive. For example, in Latin, the noun "puella," meaning "girl," can change to "puellae" for the genitive case, meaning "of the girl." In English, declension is less prominent but can be seen in pronouns, such as "I," used as a subject, "me," used as an object, and "my," used for possession. Understanding declension is important for analyzing how different languages convey meaning through word forms and their relationships in sentences.

What is "declension"?

declension

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to conjugate

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Gender is a grammatical category that classifies nouns, pronouns, and adjectives based on their association with masculine, feminine, or neuter qualities. This classification can affect word forms and agreement in a sentence. For example, in languages like Spanish and French, nouns are often assigned a gender, such as "doctor," which can be "médico" for a male doctor and "médica" for a female doctor in Spanish. In English, gender is less prominent, but it still appears in pronouns, such as "he" for masculine and "she" for feminine. Understanding gender is important for maintaining grammatical agreement and clarity in communication.

What is "gender"?

gender

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subjunctive

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A prefix is a type of affix that is added to the beginning of a base word or root to modify its meaning. Prefixes can change the meaning of the word in various ways, such as indicating negation, repetition, or degree. For example, the prefix "un-" can be added to the word "happy" to form "unhappy", which means not happy. Other examples include "redo", where the prefix "re-" indicates doing something again, and "preview", where "pre-" means before. Prefixes are important in word formation, allowing for the creation of new words and the expansion of vocabulary in many languages.

What is a "prefix"?

prefix

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A suffix is a type of affix that is added to the end of a base word or root to modify its meaning or grammatical function. Suffixes can change the part of speech, tense, or number of a word. For example, adding the suffix "-ing" to the verb "run" forms "running,", indicating an ongoing action. Similarly, adding the suffix "-ful" to the noun "beauty" creates the adjective "beautiful", which describes something that has beauty. Suffixes play an important role in word formation and help expand vocabulary in many languages.

What is a "suffix"?

suffix

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adjectival

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adverbial

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Jargon refers to specialized words or expressions used by a particular profession, group, or field that may be difficult for outsiders to understand. It serves to facilitate communication among those within the same field by using precise terminology, but it can create barriers for those not familiar with the language. For example, in medicine, terms like "hypertension" and "myocardial infarction" are common jargon that might confuse someone without a medical background. While jargon can enhance clarity among experts, it may also lead to misunderstandings if used inappropriately with a general audience.

What is "jargon"?

jargon

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sarcasm

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An allusion is a literary device where a reference is made to a person, place, event, or work of literature that is not explicitly mentioned but is expected to be recognized by the reader. This reference is used to add meaning or context to the text by drawing on the reader's knowledge of the alluded-to subject. For example, if a character is described as "fighting a losing battle against overwhelming odds", it alludes to the historical event of the Battle of Thermopylae, where a small group of Greek warriors faced a much larger Persian army. This allusion helps convey that the character is facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Allusions enrich the text by connecting it to broader cultural or historical references.

What is an "allusion"?

allusion

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analogy

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Alliteration is a literary device where the same consonant sound is repeated at the beginning of stressed syllables in closely positioned words. It often creates rhythm, emphasis, or a musical effect in writing. For example, in the phrase "whispering winds wove through the willows," the repeated "w" sound mimics the quiet, calming effect of a gentle breeze moving through trees, enhancing the overall atmosphere of tranquility in the scene. This technique is used to enhance the texture of language, making phrases more engaging and memorable.

What is "alliteration"?

alliteration

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to articulate

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affirmative

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A euphemism is a word or phrase used to replace a term that may be considered harsh, unpleasant, or offensive. It aims to soften the impact of the original term and make it more acceptable in conversation. For example, instead of saying "die," one might say "pass away." Euphemisms are often used in sensitive topics such as death, bodily functions, or discomforting situations. While they can help to convey a message in a gentler way, they may also obscure the truth or make communication less direct.

What is a "euphemism"?

euphemism

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Irony is a way of using language to say something that is intentionally contrary to what is meant, often to criticize or mock. It employs clever or sarcastic language to highlight flaws or shortcomings indirectly. For example, if someone who is consistently late is called "Mr. Punctual", the remark uses irony to emphasize the opposite of the truth and to subtly criticize the person's lack of punctuality. This form of irony is used to express disapproval or mock someone or something by pointing out their flaws in an indirect and often humorous way.

What is "irony"?

irony

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A paradox is a statement that seems to contradict itself but often reveals a deeper truth. It challenges logic, common sense, or expectations by presenting two seemingly incompatible ideas that somehow coexist. For example, "Less is more" may appear contradictory, yet it suggests that simplicity can lead to greater effectiveness. Paradoxes are commonly used in literature and philosophy to provoke thought and encourage deeper analysis of complex ideas.

What is a "paradox"?

paradox

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Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. It is used to emphasize a point or create a strong impression by overstating something beyond its normal limits. For example, saying "I have told you a million times" is an exaggeration meant to stress the speaker's frustration with repetition. Hyperbole adds emphasis and can make descriptions more vivid or dramatic.

What is "hyperbole"?

hyperbole

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A pun is a form of wordplay that uses the multiple meanings of a word or similar-sounding words to create a humorous or clever effect. It involves a play on words where a word or phrase is used in a way that suggests different meanings or interpretations. For example, in the phrase "I used to be a baker, but I could not make enough dough", the pun is on the word "dough", which refers both to the mixture used to make bread and slang for money. This play on words adds humor by linking two different meanings of the same word. Puns are often used to add wit or a clever twist to writing and speech.

What is a "pun"?

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rhetorical

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Satire is a form of writing that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock people, institutions, or social practices. The goal of satire is often to highlight flaws, absurdities, or injustices in a way that provokes thought and encourages change. By presenting issues in a humorous or exaggerated manner, satire aims to make its critique more engaging and impactful, shedding light on the shortcomings or contradictions in the subject being satirized.

What is "satire"?

satire

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tautology

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idiolect

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An asterisk (*) is a symbol used in writing and printing for various purposes. It often serves as a reference mark to indicate a footnote or additional information at the bottom of a page, allowing readers to find supplementary details without interrupting the flow of the main text. In mathematics and programming, the asterisk is used to denote multiplication or to represent a wildcard character that can stand in for any value. Additionally, it can signify omission or censorship in written content, such as replacing letters in sensitive words. The asterisk is a versatile tool that enhances clarity and functionality in written communication.

What is an "asterisk"?

asterisk

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to punctuate

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A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a language that can distinguish meaning. It is a basic building block of speech and can be a single sound or a group of sounds that represent a specific letter or combination of letters. For example, in English, the words "bat" and "pat" differ by one phoneme, the initial sounds /b/ and /p/. Phonemes are important in phonetics and linguistics because they help define the sounds used in a language, contributing to pronunciation and the overall structure of words.

What is a "phoneme"?

phoneme

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Semantics is the study of meaning in language. It focuses on how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning and how those meanings can change based on context. Semantics examines various aspects of meaning, including literal meanings, implied meanings, and the relationships between words. This field helps to understand how language communicates ideas and how misunderstandings can arise from differences in interpretation.

What is "semantics"?

semantics

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Syntax refers to how words and phrases are organized to create grammatical sentences in a language. It includes the rules that dictate the arrangement of different parts of a sentence, such as subjects, verbs, and objects, to ensure that the intended meaning is clear. Proper syntax is important for effective communication, as it helps convey ideas accurately and understandably. Changes in syntax can also influence the style and tone of language, affecting how a message is perceived. Understanding syntax is crucial for language learners and anyone studying how languages work.

What is "syntax"?

syntax

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Mood is a grammatical feature that conveys the speaker's attitude toward the action or state described by the verb in a sentence. It reflects how the speaker feels about the likelihood, necessity, or desirability of the action. The three main moods in English are the indicative mood, which states facts or asks questions, such as "She is reading a book," the imperative mood, which gives commands or requests, such as "Close the door," and the subjunctive mood, which expresses wishes, hypothetical situations, or conditions contrary to fact, such as "If I were rich." Understanding mood is essential for grasping the nuances of meaning in language and how speakers express their intentions.

What is "mood"?

mood

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Lexis refers to the complete set of words and expressions in a language, encompassing both individual words and phrases. It includes all vocabulary items, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and idiomatic expressions, and represents the linguistic resources available for communication. The study of lexis involves understanding how words are formed, used, and related to one another in meaning and context. This concept is essential in fields such as linguistics, language teaching, and translation, as it helps in analyzing how language functions and how meanings are conveyed in different situations.

What is "lexis"?

lexis

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A lexicon is the complete set of words and their meanings in a language or within a specific field or subject. It serves as a mental dictionary for speakers, encompassing not only the words themselves but also information about their pronunciation, grammatical behavior, and usage. A lexicon is essential for effective communication, as it provides the vocabulary necessary to express thoughts and ideas accurately and meaningfully.

What is a "lexicon"?

lexicon

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homophone

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homonym

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

Language and Grammar

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