Definition of Modal Verb A modal verb is a type of verb that joins up with another verb to create a mood or situation. Also known as a “modal auxiliary verb,” a modal verb expresses uncertainty, necessity, permission, or ability. Unlike…
Category: Grammatical Terms
Helping Verb
Definition of Helping Verb A helping verb is a verb that precedes the main verb in a sentence. A helping verb is also called an “auxiliary verb,” and words may or may not separate a helping verb from the main…
Prepositional Phrase
Definition of Prepositional Phrase Prepositional phrase is a group of words comprising a preposition, its object, and a modifier of the object. In a longer sentence, this phrase modifies verbs, nouns, clauses, and phrases. A prepositional phrase usually comes at…
Possessive Pronoun
Definition of Possessive Pronoun A possessive pronoun is used to show possession, or to point out the person who owns the object. It replaces a noun within a sentence. Possessive pronouns include: my/mine your/yours his hers its our/ours their/theirs whose…
Demonstrative Pronoun
Definition of Demonstrative Pronoun Demonstrative pronoun is a pronoun that points towards the noun it replaces, indicating it in time, space, and distance. It can be singular or a plural; it may be a near demonstrative, “this, that,” or a…
Coordinating Conjunction
Definition of Coordinating Conjunction Coordinating conjunction is a type of conjunction that connects two syntactically equal, and similarly constructed clauses, phrases, and words. In fact, it joins the elements which are similar in structure and importance. Coordinating conjunction is a…
Personal Pronoun
Definition of Personal Pronoun A personal pronoun represents a particular person, a thing, a place, an animal, or a group. Its purpose is to avoid repetition of a noun in the sentence, or in the text. It appears in the…
Phrase
Definition of Phrase A grammatical term, which is a group of words, functions as a meaningful part or unit within a clause or sentence is called phrase. It consists of a headword that determines the grammatical nature of the unit…
Interjection
Definition of Interjection An interjection is a short expression that writers use to express emotion. Interjections can stand alone, or they can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence. Interjections can convey emotions without necessarily connecting to the…
Conjunction
Definition of Conjunction Etymologically, the term “conjunction” is derived from an old French term meaning “joining together.” In grammar, a conjunction connects sentences, phrases, clauses, and words. A conjunction can also add meaning to the other words within a sentence.…
Clause
Definition of Clause The word “clause” has been derived from the Medieval Latin word “clausa,” meaning the close of a period, a termination, or a conclusion. In grammar, a clause is a combination of words within a sentence that is…
Pronoun
Definition of Pronoun A pronoun is a grammatical term that replaces a noun, noun clause, or noun phrase in a sentence to avoid its repetition. A pronoun is a traditional part of speech that originated from the Latin word “pronomen,”…