Key Terms - Words, Sounds & Language
English Language: Edexcel IGCSE - Specification B, topic 1.1.3
Key Terms for English Language - Types of Words
You need to know the following key terms for your English Language exam:
Adjectives
- Words that describe a noun. They add more information about it.
- E.g. Gorgeous, disgusting, happy, long, tall, green.
Adverbs
- Words that change verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. They may describe how or when something is done.
- E.g. Quickly, dangerously, always, never, once, soon, near.
Monosyllabic words
- Words that consist of one syllable.
- E.g. Yes, no, cat, dog, food, bat.
Key Terms for English Language - Sounds
You need to know the following key terms for your English Language exam:
Alliteration
- The same letter or sound at the beginning of words next to each other.
- Please note, these are the same sounds, not necessarily the same letters (e.g. 'c' and 'k' may sound the same in some words).
- E.g. The beautiful blue ocean blinked at the sun.
Assonance
- When two or more words close to one another repeat the same vowel sound but start with different consonant sounds.
- E.g. Although she was frail, she had a grace that trailed her everywhere.
Onomatopoeia
- When the way the word sounds imitates the sound it is describing.
- E.g. Bang, crash, sizzle.
Sibilance
- A specific form of alliteration, which focuses on 's' sounds.
- It relies on the repetition of soft consonant sounds in words to create a wooshing or hissing sound in the writing. The sounds used include 's', 'sh', 'c' and 'ch'.
- E.g. The shark shot through the water, charging towards the shore.
Test yourself on Key Terms - Words, Sounds & Language
What do we call words that have one syllable?
Which of these are adverbs?
Which of these are adjectives?
Which word is an adjective in this sentence?
Trudy had a beautiful smile.Which word is an adverb in this sentence?
Harry ran swiftly to his friend's house.