Categorizing English Words: Examples Included
English words can be divided into two broad categories based on their function and nature: function words and content words. Understanding this distinction can significantly simplify the process of vocabulary learning.
Function Words
Function words are used to establish grammatical relationships between different parts of a sentence. They include pronouns, auxiliary verbs, modal verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and determiners. Here are some examples of function words:
She | Our | Those | Which | Whose |
Everyone | Any | Few | Inside | Without |
Though | Its | Is | Has | Does |
Could | Shall | May | Quite | Very |
Where | When | Why | Too | Had |
Content Words
Content words are those that carry specific meanings. They include nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. These words are generally the first ones that new language learners start with, as they are easier to identify and understand. Here are some examples of content words:
Joyful | Answer | Nation | Eagle | Table |
Extremely | Observe | Soar | Moreover | Mischievous |
Elephant | Child | Couch | Stroll | Message |
Consume | Liquid | Enchanting | Affection | Dog |
Relax | Necklace | Star | Desire | Butter |
As you familiarize yourself with function words and content words, you should also learn about loan words. They form a significant part of any language, and English has a considerable percentage of them.
Loan words are words borrowed from other languages and used without translation in English. These words come from a wide range of languages, including Latin, Greek, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, and Indian languages. Let's explore some loan words, their origins, and meanings.
Loan Word | Origin | Meaning |
Résumé | French | A summary, often used to refer to a brief account of a person's education, qualifications, and previous occupations. |
Kindergarten | German | A preschool educational institution for children. |
Café | French | A small restaurant where simple meals and refreshments are served. |
Algebra | Arabic | A branch of mathematics in which letters and symbols are used to represent numbers and quantities in equations and formulas. |
Pasta | Italian | A dish originally from Italy consisting of dough made from durum wheat and water, extruded or stamped into various shapes. |
Yoga | Sanskrit | A Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, including breath control, meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures. |