Using Sentence Structure and Part of Speech to Determine Word Meaning Created by Kathryn Reilly

Using Sentence Structure Sometimes authors will use a sentence’s structure to define a word. Hints may be enclosed in parentheses or commas.

Using Sentence Structure Parentheses may reveal a word’s meaning: Joe had always wanted to be an ornithologist (birds had fascinated him since the age of three). An ornithologist studies birds. Words within commas may reveal a word’s meaning. Algophobia, the fear of pain, is common in many people.

Identifying Parts of Speech Identifying Verbs Identifying Nouns Verbs, which show action, may end several ways: -ed -s -ing Several words may precede a verb: will have am did Nouns are people, places or things. doctor, park, coffee Plural nouns may end with -s. books, lessons, concerts Proper nouns are capitalized. Macy’s Isiah Several words may precede a noun: a an the those

Identifying Parts of Speech Identifying Adjectives Identifying Adverbs Adjectives describe nouns. In English, adjectives always precede nouns. The beautiful woman… The angry customer… Adverbs describe verbs. Adverbs may come before or after verbs. Many, but not all, adverbs end in –ly. She screamed loudly… Jaime arrived yesterday…

Literary Example Vocab word: baronet This excerpt is from the Sherlock Holmes mystery The Hound of the Baskervilles: The baronet has been in communication with the architect who prepared the plans for Sir Charles, and with a contractor from London, so that we may expect great changes to begin here soon. Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan. The Hound of the Baskervilles. Project Gutenberg. Web. 15 March 2012. Vocab word: baronet The word the suggests baronet is a noun. Since the baronet has communicated with an architect, this suggests baronet is a person. A baronet is a minor member of royalty.

Literary Example Vocab word: mottled This excerpt was taken from the Sherlock Holmes mystery The Hound of the Baskervilles: I looked round, with a chill of fear in my heart, at the huge swelling plain, mottled with the green patches of rushes. Nothing stirred over the vast expanse save a pair of ravens, which croaked loudly from a tor behind us. Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan. The Hound of the Baskervilles. Project Gutenberg. Web. 15 March 2012. Vocab word: mottled -ed ending suggests it is a verb This verb describes the landscape “swelling plain” and the plants on it “green patches of rushes” This verb has a negative connotation “chill of fear”. Mottled means dotted or spotted.

Review A sentence’s structure may help determine an unknown word’s meaning. Look for hints within parentheses. Look for hints within commas. Use the part of speech to help determine an unknown word’s meaning.