English Vocabulary, Simplified

Comparative

Comparing two things (she's twice *as* old *as* her sister).

Superlative

Talk about one thing only and how it is the best, worst, -est.

Auxiliary Verb

A verb that comes before the main verb of the sentence and gives information about the verb. (e.g. to have, to be, can, could, did, do, may, should, and would). It's also known as a helping verb. Examples: I *am* talking on the phone. We *were* making headway. I *do* like chocolate truffles. We *did* do our homework. I *have* run.

Linking Verb

A verb that connects the subject with a word that gives information about the subject. Linking verbs do not have action. Ex. The flowers are blue.

Participle

A word formed from a verb (e.g. going, gone, being, been) and used as an adjective (e.g. working woman, burnt toast) or a noun (e.g. good breeding).

What do predicate adjectives do?

Allows us to modify the subject w/o putting the adjective before them. Ex. Miss Tennessee is beautiful.

Predicate Adjectives

An adjective that modified the subject but is connected to it by a linking verb.(also known as a adjective complements). Ex. The boy is good (good is the predicate adjective because it modifies the subject).

Subject Complement

Follows a linking verb and is usually an adjective or a noun that redefines the subject.

Inflection

The name for the extra letter or letters added to nouns, verbs, and adjectives in their different grammatical forms. Examples: They sit. He sits.