English Language Terms

English Language terminology that should be used in the exam!

?

Polyseme

Words which can mean lots of different things.

E.g. Box - A 3D rectangle used to store things; A type of fighting which involves punching ('Let's box!')

1 of 12

Synonym

Words which are similar in meaning are synonymous with each other.

E.g. Cold, freezing, chilly, Nippy

2 of 12

Metaphor

A comparison where it is said that one thing is another.

E.g. Mutton dressed as lamb.

E.g2. The game was decided my sudden-death.

E.g3. I could have died (of embarrassment).

3 of 12

Vocatives

Words used to refer to a particular person in speech.

E.g. 'Hey Alex, do you want to go to the ciema tomorrow?'

E.g2. 'Here's my homework, Miss.'

4 of 12

Lexicon

The vocabulary we use.

E.g. Children don't have a very broad lexicon.

5 of 12

Denotation

The meaning of a word as written in the dictionary.

E.g. Love - A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness.

6 of 12

Idiomatic Language

Expressions used to convey a meaning through an action which is unlikely to happen.

E.g. Let's play it by ear.

E.g2. Up the creek without a paddle.

7 of 12

Tag Question

A question attatched to the end of a sentence or statement, which is in some way rhetorical.

E.g. 'I enjoyed that, didn't you?'

E.g2. 'We should do something tomorrow, shouldn't we?'

8 of 12

Homonym

Words which have the same spelling, but sound different and have different meanings.

E.g. Dove - a species of bird associated with peace/

I dove into the water.

9 of 12

Filled pause

A gap in speech shown by a hesitational vocal noise.

E.g. Errrrm

10 of 12

Homophone

Words which are pronounced in the same way, but are spelt differently and mean different things.

E.g. Their, they're, there.

11 of 12

Deixis

Expressions that can't be understood unless you know the context of what is being said.

E.g. 'That boy over there' - You wouldn't know which boy was meant unless you could see who the speaker was gesturing to.

12 of 12

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar English Language resources:

See all English Language resources »