Key Knowledge Booklet:

Language and Grammar

This organiser has been put together by Miss Iacono. It
contains lots of information that will support you in your
learning outside of the classroom. Sometimes it is hard to
think of the correct term for a word type, expression or
language device. This will help you extend your grammatical
knowledge. Many important and influential figures use
language devices in their written works or speeches.

Use it as a point of reference or as a revision tool. Advanced

prior knowledge will enhance your responses in class.

You will be tested on your booklet weekly.

Some strategies to help maximise how you use this pack:

• Copy out information to help you learn;

• Test yourself on information (Look-Cover-Test-Check);
• Read through the pack silently to deepen your
understanding.
• Bring it with you to English lessons.
 Using your Key
Knowledge Booklet
There are lots of ways to use your Knowledge booklets to
supplement your learning. The information has been designed to
help you use the correct terminology and be able to understand
language in a deeper way.

Strategies to use your knowledge booklet effectively:

Strategy Guidance

This strategy is useful for working

Copying out – writing out information
through information systematically; it
from the Q4K yourself.
has its limitations though.

Mind Mapping – writing a topic or key This strategy is a nice way to break
idea, and surrounding it with linked ideas down information, and draw links
or information. between them.

This is an extremely effective strategy

Self-quizzing – cover information that – as you get more confident, you can
you feel is learned, before testing yourself. ask more difficult questions of
yourself!
This is similar to self-quizzing; make
Quizzing at home – parents/carers
sure that whoever quizzes you pays
relatives take key information, and quiz you
close attention to accuracy of your
on it.
answers!

Blurting – write a topic or key idea, before

wiring everything you can think of. Then, This is a great way to find the gaps in
check to see what you know and have your knowledge; give it a try!
missed.

Flash-cards – on a small piece of paper or

Flash cards are particularly useful for
card, write a question or term. On the
remembering key terminology, vocab
back, write the answer or definition. Test
or dates.
yourself, or get tested by someone!
 Word Class Knowledge

Term Definition Example

Adjective Modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. The brown dog sat.
Adjectival A group of words that describe a noun or Animals that eat only grass and
phrase pronoun in a sentence plants are herbivores.

Adverb Modifies a word. Adverbs can describe how Answers questions such as how?,
something was done, the manner and in what way?, when?, where?, and
extent. to what extent?
Briskly, I walked home.
Adverbial Two or more words which play the role of an I walked in a straight line.
Phrase adverb e.g. ‘I sit in silence.’

Antonym A word opposite in meaning to another (e.g. Bright <> Dull

bad and good).

Appositive A noun or noun phrase that renames or adds His brother, an accountant with
identifying information to a noun it Arthur Andersen, was recently
immediately follows appointed.
Article The words a, an and the, which signal or Definite article:
introduce nouns. The definite article the The report. The pen. The school.
refers to a particular item. The indefinite
articles a and an refer to a general item or Indefinite article:
one not already mentioned. An apple. A school. A student.
Auxiliary A verb that combines with the main verb to I am going.
verb show differences in tense, person and voice. We did not go.
The most common auxiliaries are forms of They have gone.
be, do and have.
Conjunction A word that joins words, phrases, clauses or Coordinating conjunctions (and,
sentences. Remember to use a comma but, or, nor, yet, so and for).
before a coordinating conjunction! Subordinating conjunction: if,
because, since.

Contraction A shortened form of a word or group of Can’t = cannot

words. Typically, an apostrophe is put in the They’re = they are
position of the omitted (removed) letters in You’re = you are
the shortened word form.

Determiner Words that point out or refer to nouns. They can include articles (a/an,
the) demonstratives (this, that,
these and those), possessives (my,
its, her) and quantifiers (fewer,
some, any).
Term Definition Example

Gerund A verb that functions as a noun A verb that functions as a noun

e.g. ‘Swimming is my favourite
sport’

Lexicon/Lexis/ The vocabulary of a person, language, or No one could ever understand the
Lexical choice branch of knowledge.; a dictionary. homeless man, as he seemed to
have his own lexicon of grunts
and hiccups.

Modal Verb An auxiliary verb that expresses necessity Necessity = must

or possibility. Obligation = should
Permission = may
Probability = might
Possibility = could
Ability = can
Tentativeness = would
Modifier A word of phrase that qualifies, describes, Frayed ribbon.
or limits the meaning of a word, phrase or Dancing flowers.
clause. Worldly wisdom.

Noun A word that names a person, place, thing, Carol.

or idea. Most nouns have a plural form The park.
and a possessive form. The cup.
Democracy.

Noun Phrase A group of words that can be replaced by a The gym at the end of the street.
pronoun e.g. ‘I’ve met the last remaining
native’

Possessive The case (type) of nouns and pronouns Proper nouns: France’s greatest
that indicate ownership or possession. thinkers. Harold’s cat. The dog’s
bone.
Apostrophes are used to show possession
by most proper nouns and nouns, not Possessive pronouns [pronominal
pronouns. possessives]: ours, mine, his,
hers, theirs.
Participle A verb that functions as an adjective. Present participle = brimming,
Present participles end in –ing. gushing, glowing.
Past participles typically end in –d, -ed or
–en but may appear in other forms. Past participle = injured, broken.

Pronoun A pronoun is a word that can replace He, she, it, their
a noun, noun phrase, or noun clause.
Proper noun The name of a particular person, place or Proper nouns:
thing. Proper nouns are capitalised. Names = Sam, Kathy.
Common nouns name classes of people, Places = Birmingham.
places or things; common nouns are not Things = The Book Thief.
capitalised. Common nouns:
Classes of people = singer.
Classes of animal = cats.
Places = cities, towns, church.
Things = books, cars, tables.
Preposition A word that indicates the relationship – He hid under the table.
often spatial – of one word to another.
A word indicating position. She went out the window.
A word that relates the object to another
word/phrase in the sentence. At, by, for, of, in, into, on, to,
with, near, beside.
Prepositional The definition of a prepositional phrase is a Across the desert,
Phrase series of words made up of a preposition Out of nowhere,
and its object. Near the mouse,

Subordinating A subordinating conjunction is a As, Because, Although, Though,

conjunction conjunction (a connecting word or Even Though, Whereas, If
phrase) that introduces a dependent
clause, joining it to a main clause
 Quest for Knowledge- Language devices

Term Definition Example

Alliteration. The same letter or sound at the The sweet birds sang.
beginning of adjacent or closely Peter Piper picked a pepper.
connected words.

Allusion When the volcano erupted, the

Reference to another event, person, nearby forest was swallowed up
place or work of literature. The in dust and ash like Jonah.” In
allusion is usually implied rather than the Bible, Jonah was swallowed
explicit and provides another layer of whole by a whale.
meaning to what is being said

Use of language where the meaning is They made me cut it out.

Ambiguity / unclear or has two or more possible Another thing, I grew six and a
Ambiguous meanings or interpretations. half inches last year. That’s also
language how I practically got T.B and
came out here for all these damn
check-ups and stuff. I’m pretty
healthy though.”
The words “they” and “here”
used by the speaker are
ambiguous.
Antonym A word opposite in meaning to Bright <> Dull
another (e.g. bad and good).

Anaphora The repetition of a phrase at the start I came; I saw; I conquered!

of successive clauses, sentences or
paragraphs

Anthropomorphis was sold and taken away, and I

m The endowment of human never saw her again. She was
characteristics to something that is not broken-hearted, and so was I,
human and we cried; but she comforted
me as well as she could …”
The story is told from the loyal
pet’s perspective. The dog
possesses human traits

Antithesis “Antithesis” literally means “opposite” That’s one small step for a man –
one giant leap for mankind. (Neil
Armstrong, 1969)

Colloquialism A word or expression appropriate to Colloquial: They wanted to get

informal conversation, not usually even. Formal: they wanted to
suitable for academic or business retaliate.
writing.
Term Definition Example
Contrast Contrast is a rhetorical device It was the best of times; it was
through which writers identify the worst of times.
differences between two She is stupid, but she’s also
subjects. A good way of brilliant…
engaging.
Direct address Use of personal pronouns, like ‘You must agree that this is a
‘you’ and ‘your’, to involve your tragic image.’
reader.

Dysphemism The use of extreme words instead Opposite to euphemism.

of more moderate or accurate Referring to somebody as a tub
words. of lard instead of suggesting
they are overweight.

Emotive language Vocabulary to make the There are thousands of animals

audience/reader feel a particular at the mercy of our selfishness
emotion. and disregard for kindness.

Epizeuxis The repetition of a word or phrase O horror, horror, horror."—

in immediate succession, typically Macbeth
within the same sentence, for "Education, education,
forcefulness or emphasis. education."—Tony Blair

Explicit meaning Literal meaning of a sentence or This means …

(Denotation) word. A clearly stated textual The literal semantic ...
meaning or detail, that leaves no This denotes …
room for confusion or doubt
(obvious; direct quote).
Extended metaphor A comparison between two unlike Also known as a conceit.
(conceit) things that continues throughout a
series of sentences in a paragraph,
or lines in a poem. .

Ethos Appeals to ethos are those that I have studied this topic for the
involve or influence the ethical past ten years.
reasons an audience should This is a national problem, one
believe an argument. every citizen and every parent
should find concerning.

Euphemism A mild or indirect word or ‘The old man passed away’ is a

expression substituted for one softer way of saying he died.
considered to be too harsh or
blunt when referring to something
unpleasant or embarrassing.
 Term Definition Example
Hyperbole ( Hyperbole is an overstatement or “The ball bounced to the sky,"
Exaggeration) exaggeration of speech for an effect the ball did not literally reach
the sky, but the hyperbolic
expression suggests the ball
bounced extremely high,

Hypophora A writer raises a question and then What should young people do
immediately provides an answer. with their lives today? Many
things, obviously.

Imagery Detailed description which incorporates When a writer uses imagery, he

many of the five senses -- sight, sound, or she creates a "mental picture"
smell, taste and touch for the reader. Metaphors,
powerful words etc. form
imagery.

Imperative Instructional language. A command. Get on board and join us!

You must act now!

Implicit Suggested though not directly expressed; This implies …

implied meaning a reader deduces or This suggest …
infers. This connotes …
The metaphorical semantic …

Humour Often in non fiction, writer’s will use Sarcasm = Well, this day was a
sarcasm, puns or irony. total waste of a good outfit.

Litotes To make an understatement by using a Saying someone is "not a bad

negative to emphasise a positive. singer" actually means you
enjoyed hearing them sing.

Not too bad” for “very good” is

an understatement.
Term Definition Example
Metaphor The comparison of one thing to The curtain of the night.
another without the use of like or as: All the world is a stage.
“A man is but a weak reed”; “The road
was a ribbon of moonlight.”

Metonymy Using a physical object to indicate a the word "crown" can refer to a
larger idea. king or even an entire royal
family. Journalists often refer to
the United States government as
"Washington,"

Onomatopoeia Words that imitate the sound they “Plunk," "whiz," or "pop."
describe.

Oxymoron A figure of speech in which apparently Beautiful monster

contradictory terms appear in She sprinted slowly.
conjunction.

Parallelism Using elements in sentences that are "My fellow Americans, ask not
grammatically similar or identical in what your country can do for
structure, sound, meaning, or meter. you, ask what you can do for
This technique adds symmetry, your country.
effectiveness, and balance to the
written piece.
Pathos A quality that evokes pity or sadness. “If we don’t leave this place
soon, we’ll be yelling for help.
Evokes= arouses There’s no one to help us here,
let’s get out of here and live.” –
This statement evokes emotions
of fear.
Personification Describing an inanimate object with "The sun smiled down on me"
human or lifelike qualities is called depicts the sun as "smiling" to
personification. express the idea that sun rays
feel friendly and warm, although
a sun is incapable of literally
smiling.
Repitition The repeating of a word or phrase. The politician declared, “We
will fight come what may, we
will fight on all fronts, we will
fight for a thousand years.

Rhetorical A rhetorical question is a figure of Do you want to be a failure for

Question speech in the form of a question that the res of your life?
is asked to make a point rather than
to elicit an answer.

Simile Compares two unlike things; however, For example, "she ran like the
a simile compares using "like" or "as wind."

Statistics Factual data used in a persuasive 80% of people agreed that this
way. A numerical fact. would change their community
for the better.

Tone The Writer’s attitude. This intonation Father: “We can’t go on

of our speech determines what vacation this summer.”
message we desire to convey. Son: “Yeah, great! That’s what I
expected.”

The son’s tone is sarcastic.

Tricolon Tricolon is a rhetorical term that You are talking to a man who
consists of three parallel clauses, has laughed in the face of
phrases, or words, which happen to death, sneered at doom, and
come in quick succession without any chuckled at catastrophe.
interruption.

You can also refer to it as a triadic

sentence.
 Quest for Knowledge- Clauses and sentences
Term Definition Example
Adjective Modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. The brown dog sat.
Article The words a, an and the, which signal or Definite article:
introduce nouns. The definite article the The report. The pen. The school.
refers to a particular item. The indefinite
articles a and an refer to a general item or Indefinite article:
one not already mentioned. An apple. A school. A student.

Clause A clause is a group of words that has both a Michael bought a new
subject and a verb. Every complete computer.
sentence is made up of at least one clause. Michael bought a new
computer, but he still has the
old one.

Compound Two or more independent clauses joined by Caesar conquered Gaul;

sentence a coordinating conjunction, a correlative Alexander the Great conquered
conjunction, or a semi-colon/colon. the world.
Compound Two or more simple subjects joined by a Hemmingway and Fitzgerald had
subject coordinating or correlative conjunction. little in common.
Conjunction A word that joins words, phrases, clauses or Coordinating conjunctions (and,
sentences. Coordinating conjunctions join but, or, nor, yet, so and for).
grammatically equivalent elements. Correlative conjunctions (both,
Correlative conjunctions join the same kind and; either, or; neither, nor).
of elements. Subordinate conjunctions Subordinating conjunction: if,
introduce dependent clauses. because, since.

Contraction A shortened form of a word or group of Can’t = cannot

words. Typically, an apostrophe is put in the They’re = they are
position of the omitted (removed) letters in You’re = you are
the shortened word form.

Dependent A dependent clause – also known as a Subordinating conjunction: if,

clause subordinate clause – is an incomplete because, since.
independent clause; it lacks either a noun or
verb or it has both but does not express a Relative pronoun: who, which,
complete thought that makes sense. that.
Dependent clauses usually start with a
relative pronoun (which, that) a The cat, which was restless,
participle (dancing, shouting) or a meowed.
subordinating conjunction (because,
though).
 Quest for Knowledge- Clauses and sentences
Term Definition Example
Adjective Modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. The brown dog sat.
Article The words a, an and the, which signal or Definite article:
introduce nouns. The definite article the The report. The pen. The school.
refers to a particular item. The indefinite
articles a and an refer to a general item or Indefinite article:
one not already mentioned. An apple. A school. A student.
Clause A clause is a group of words that has both a Michael bought a new
subject and a verb. Every complete computer.
sentence is made up of at least one clause. Michael bought a new
computer, but he still has the
old one.

Compound Two or more independent clauses joined by Caesar conquered Gaul;

sentence a coordinating conjunction, a correlative Alexander the Great conquered
conjunction, or a semi-colon/colon. the world.
Compound Two or more simple subjects joined by a Hemmingway and Fitzgerald had
subject coordinating or correlative conjunction. little in common.
Conjunction A word that joins words, phrases, clauses Coordinating conjunctions
or sentences. Coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, yet, so and
join grammatically equivalent elements. for).
Correlative conjunctions join the same Correlative conjunctions (both,
kind of elements. Subordinate and; either, or; neither, nor).
conjunctions introduce dependent Subordinating conjunction: if,
clauses. because, since.
Contraction A shortened form of a word or group of Can’t = cannot
words. Typically, an apostrophe is put in They’re = they are
the position of the omitted (removed) You’re = you are
letters in the shortened word form.
Dependent A dependent clause – also known as a Subordinating conjunction: if,
clause subordinate clause – is an incomplete because, since.
independent clause; it lacks either a
noun or verb or it has both but does not Relative pronoun: who, which,
express a complete thought that makes that.
sense. Dependent clauses usually start
with a relative pronoun (which, that) a The cat, which was restless,
participle (dancing, shouting) or a meowed.
subordinating conjunction (because,
though).
Term Definition Example
Determiner Words that point out or refer to They can include articles
nouns. (a/an, the) demonstratives
(this, that, these and those),
possessives (my, its, her) and
quantifiers (fewer, some,
any).
Independent An independent clause – also known as Racoons steal food.
clause a main clause – is a group of words
that contain a noun and a verb
(subject and predicate) and expresses
a complete thought that makes sense.
Infinitive and In the present tense, a verb phrase Infinitive: to write.
split infinitive consisting of to followed by the base
form of the verb. A split infinitive Split infinitive: to boldly go.
occurs when one or more words
separate to and the verb.
Main clause An independent clause, which can Students quibbled.
stand alone as a grammatically
complete sentence. Main clause = The dog sat.
one independent clause.
Noun A word that names a person, place, Carol.
thing, or idea. Most nouns have a The park.
plural form and a possessive form. The cup.
Democracy.
Phrase A group of related words that Without the resources to
functions as a unit but lacks a continue.
subject, a verb or both.
Possessive These are all words that demonstrate Hers, its, his and theirs.
pronouns ownership.

Preposition A word that indicates the He hid under the table.

relationship – often spatial – of one
word to another. She went out the window.
A word indicating position.
A word that relates the object to At, by, for, of, in, into, on, to,
another word/phrase in the with, near, beside.
sentence.
Prepositional A prepositional phrase is a Across the street,
phrase group of words consisting of a Under the table,
preposition
 Clauses and sentences

Term Definition Example

Relative pronouns:
Relative A clause introduced by a relative pronoun, or
Who, which, whoever, what,
clause by a relative adverb.
when, where and that.
Who, who, whose, which, that,
Relative A pronoun that connects a dependent clause
what, whoever, whomever,
pronoun to a main clause in a sentence.
whichever and whatever.
The category or function of a specific, The boy jumped.
Word class
individual word. Determiner noun verb

Clause Definition Example

An independent clause – also known as a
Independe
nt clause.

main clause – is a group of words that The cat slept.

contains a noun and a verb (subject and determiner noun verb

predicate) and expresses a complete
subject predicate
thought that makes sense.
A dependent clause – also known as a
Dependent clause.

subordinate clause – is an incomplete

because the cat slept.
independent clause; it lacks either a noun or
verb, or it has both but does not express a Subordinating determiner noun verb
complete thought that makes sense. conjunction
Dependent clauses usually start with a subject Pre-
relative pronoun (which, that) a participle dicate
(dancing, shouting) or a subordinating
conjunction (because, though).

Commas are for demarcating clauses not for pauses!

Sentence Definition Example

Simple A simple sentence contains one
The boy fell.
sentence independent (main) clause.
Compound sentences are made of two or
Compound more independent (main) clauses linked The boy fell and the girl
sentence by a connective (usually a coordinating laughed.
conjunction).
A complex sentence contains an
Complex The girl laughed because
independent clause and a dependent
sentence the boy fell .
(subordinate) clause.
A compound-complex sentence has two The girl, who was
Complex-
independent clauses joined to one or immature, laughed as the
Compound
more dependent clauses. boy fell.
 Powerful Words English
Basic word Power Word Definition

Good Prodigious Remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree.

Bad Depraved Morally corrupt; wicked.

Happy Convivial (Of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable.

Sad Forlorn Pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.

Angry Incensed Very angry; enraged.

Scared Aghast Filled with horror or shock.

Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or

Not Bothered Ambivalent
someone.
Attractive and impressive through being richly colourful or
Pretty Resplendent
sumptuous.

Dangerous Virulent (Of a disease or poison) extremely severe or harmful in its effects.

Interesting Enthralling Capturing and holding one's attention; fascinating.

Old Antediluvian Of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood.

Say/Tell Convey Communicate (a message or information).

Good Superlative Of the highest quality or degree.

Bad Atrocious Horrifyingly wicked; poor quality, unpleasant.

Happy Mirthful Full of mirth; merry or amusing.

Sad Woebegone Sad or miserable in appearance.

Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as

Angry Indignant
unfair treatment.

Scared Timorous Showing or suffering from nervousness or a lack of confidence.

Not Bothered Apathetic Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.