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Content_Function words

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Maria Luiza Oliveira
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4 views

Content_Function words

Uploaded by

Maria Luiza Oliveira
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Content Words x Function Words

Content = information, meaning


Function = necessary words for grammar
Content words give us the most important information while function words stitch
those words together.

Content Word Types


Content words are usually nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. A noun tells us
which object and a verb denotes the action happening, or the state. Adjectives give us
details about objects and people and adverbs tell us how, when, or where something is
done. Nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs give us important information required
for understanding.
Noun = person, place, or thing
Verb = action, state
Adjective = describes an object, person, place, or thing
Adverb = tells us how, where, or when something happens

Examples:
Nouns Verbs

house enjoy

computer purchase

student visit

lake understand

Peter believe

science look forward to

Adjectives Adverbs

heavy slowly

difficult carefully
careful sometimes

expensive thoughtfully

soft often

fast suddenly

Function Word Types


Function words help us connect important information. Function words are critical for
understanding, but they add little meaning beyond defining the relationship between
two words. Function words include auxiliary verbs, prepositions, articles,
conjunctions, and pronouns. Auxiliary verbs are used to establish the tense,
prepositions show relationships in time and space, articles show us something specific
or one of many, and pronouns refer to other nouns.
Auxiliary verbs = do, be, have (help with conjugation of tense)
Prepositions = show relationships in time and space
Articles = used to indicate specific or non-specific nouns
Conjunctions = words that connect
Pronouns = refer to other nouns

Examples:
Auxiliary Verbs Prepositions

do in

has
at

will though

is over

has been between

did under
Articles Conjunctions Pronouns

a and I

an but you

the for him

so us

since ours

as she

Knowing the difference between content and functions words is important because
content words are stressed in conversations in English. Function words are
non-stressed. In other words, function words are not emphasized in speech, while
content words are highlighted. Knowing the difference between content and function
words can help you in understanding, and, most importantly, in pronunciation skills.

Exercise 1
Underline content words and circle function words in the following sentences.

Mary has lived in England for ten years.

He's going to fly to Chicago next week.

I don't understand this chapter of the book.

The children will be swimming in the ocean this time next week.

John had eaten lunch before his colleague arrived.

The best time to study is early in the morning or late in the evening.

The trees along the river are beginning to blossom.

Our friends called us yesterday and asked if we'd like to visit them next month.

You'll be happy to know that she's decided to take the position.

I won't give away your secret.


Exercise 2
Underline content words and circle function words in the following sentences.

He had finished breakfast before I arrived.

Phillip ordered a huge steak for dinner.

They will have to stay up late if they are going to finish their homework.

It must have been something in the air that caused Jack to shout.

Could you please be more quiet?

Unfortunately, Jack wasn't able to finish on time.

As soon as he has collected the results he will post them to his website.

Peter bought shoes today.

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