Welcome to our Literary Dictionary
Also see our Mathematical Dictionary.
Abstract Noun
Adjective
A word used to describe a noun. For example:
- grey clouds
- large house
- stormy sea
- delicious apple
Adverb/Adverbial
Common Noun
The name for a certain type of person, place, thing (they are not specific). For example:
- person: doctor, female, crowd, fool
- place: school, beach, space, sky
- thing: cup, tree, cushion, cloud
Determiner
Digraph
Used in phonics. A term used to describe a sound (phoneme) that needs 2 letters to write it. For example:
- Phase 2 Digraphs – ck, ff, ll, ss
- Phase 3 Digraphs – zz, qu, ch, sh, th, ng, ai, ee, oa, oo, ar, or, ur, ow, oi, er
- Phase 5 Digraphs – ay, ou, ie, ea, oy, ir, ue, aw, wh, ph, ew, oe, au, ey, a_e, e_e, i_e, o_e, u_e
Expanded Noun Phrase
Please see NOUN PHRASE. Expanded noun phrases are where the noun is expanded on, usually by using an adjective to describe the noun. For example:
- noun phrase – the grass
- expanded noun phrase – the luscious grass
- also expanded noun phrase – the luscious, green grass
- also expanded noun phrase – the wild, luscious and green grass
Fronted Adverbial
Where an adverb or adverbial phrase is used to begin a sentence – often followed by a comma. For example:
- Fronted adverbial of time (word) – Next it was my turn.
- Fronted adverbial of time (phrase) – Before long, it was my turn.
- Fronted adverbial of place (prepositional phrase) – Behind the door, I placed my shoes.
- Fronted adverbial of manner (word) – Unfortunately, he was running late.
See ‘Adverbs’ for other examples of types of adverb.
Grapheme
Used in phonics. A term used to describe letters in their written form.
Modifying Adjectival Phrase
Noun
Read our guide to What is a Noun? Plus try out our simple activity to help your child to identify this word class for SPAG homework.
Noun Phrase
Must include a noun and sometimes a determiner. For example:
- the dog
- my house
- that sandwich
A determiner is not needed when the noun used is a proper noun. For example:
- Simon
- Aunt Joyce
Phoneme
Used in phonics. A term to describe the sound a letter or group of letters makes when spoken.
Phrase
Is a group of words. They do not have to make a complete sentence. For example:
- red, fluffy cushion
- as fast as lightning
Preposition
Shows the positional relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. For example:
- in
- on
- between
Proper Noun (pronoun)
The name given to a specific person, place or thing. For example:
- person: Jane, Mr Lawrence
- place: London, Mount Fugi
Sentence
A group of words that make a complete idea together. They usually include a determiner (sometimes), noun, verb and punctuation. For example:
- incomplete sentence – big, brown dog
- complete sentence – The big, brown dog barked.
Split Digraphs
Used in phonics. A term used to describe a sound (phoneme) that needs 2 letters to write it, but where another letter or letters go in the middle. For example:
- Phase 5 Split Digraphs – a_e, e_e, i_e, o_e, u_e
- the final letter changes how the first letter is pronounced.
- a_e would be split digraph in snake as ‘snak’ would be pronounced differently.
Trigraphs
Used in phonics. A term used to describe a sound (phoneme) that needs 3 letters to write it. For example:
- Phase 3 Trigraphs – igh, ear, air, ure
Verb
An action, doing, happening word. For example:
- run, sing, believe, wish, hear, cry, panic