oxford_guide_to_english_grammar

PAGE 399
GLOSSARY
finite A finite verb is one like goes, waited, was causing, have seen, will be, can
carry. It either has a tense (present or past) or a modal verb. It can be the verb in
a simple one-clause sentence. A non-finite verb is an infinitive, gerund or
participle, e.g. to go, waiting. A clause is a finite clause (she goes to college) or a
non-finite clause (going to college), depending on whether the verb is finite or
not. • 59
focus adverbial e.g. only, even, especially • 213
formal We speak in a more formal style to strangers than we do to our friends. We
use formal language to be polite, or on official occasions. A business letter is
more formal than a letter to a friend. I am afraid I have no information is more
formal than Sorry, I don't know.
frequency An adverbial of frequency tells us how often, e.g. always, twice a week
• 211
front position at the beginning of a sentence
full form See short form.
future continuous a form with will + be + active participle: I will be playing golf
all afternoon. • 75
future perfect a form with will + have + past participle: We will have saved enough
money soon. • 79
gender The words waiter (male/masculine) and waitress (female/feminine) are
different in gender.
gerund the ing-form of a verb used like a noun, e.g. Sailing is fun. I've given up
smoking.
gerund clause a clause with a gerund as its verb, e.g. Running a business isn't
easy. I like sitting outside.
group noun (or collective noun) a noun referring to a group, e.g. team, gang,
class, audience • 156
identifying relative clause (or defining relative clause) a relative clause that tells
us which one is meant, e.g. the man who lives next door • 272(3a)
idiom/idiomatic a group of words with a meaning which is different from the
meanings of the individual words, e.g. come off (- succeed), make up your
mind (= decide)
imperative the base form of the verb used to give orders, express good wishes etc:
Wait there. Have a good time. • 19
indefinite article a or an
indirect object In the sentence They gave the children presents, the noun phrase
presents is the direct object, and the noun phrase the children is the indirect
object. The indirect object often expresses the person receiving something. • 10
indirect question How much is this picture? is a direct question. In an indirect
question, we put the question in a sub clause: Could you tell me how much this
picture is?
indirect speech Direct speech is reporting someone's words by repeating them: 'I
know the answer,' Karen said. Indirect speech is giving the meaning in our own
words: Karen said she knew the answer. • 263
infinitive The infinitive is the base form of the verb, e.g. They let us stay the night.
We often use it with to, e.g. They invited us to stay the night. • 115
infinitive clause a clause with an infinitive as its verb, e.g. He decided to open the
box. You'll need to work hard.
informal We use an informal style in everyday conversation and when we write to
a friend. See also formal.