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Glossary

d
declarative sentence

The sentence type used to make stateA condition that exists at a particular time. E.g.: I am sick. This melon weighs two kilos. ments; it can be an affirmativeA declarative sentence indicating "yes"; also called a positive sentence. E.g.: John likes squash a lot. sentence or a negativeA declarative sentence indicating "no". E.g.: Tim has no friends. sentence.
E.g.: John likes squash a lot.
Tim has no friends.

See also: imperative sentence, interrogative sentence Synonyms: declarative
definite

Relating to a specific or determined person, thing, idea or timeA concept which is related to our perception of reality; that part of existence which is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, etc..
E.g.: I know the guy you are talking about. ("the guy you are talking about")

See also: indefinite
direct object

The directly affected objectA person or thing that is affected by the action of a verb or involved in the result of an action. of the verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis.; the receiver of the actionA general term expressing that somebody or something does something.
E.g.: Who has taken a piece of my bread? ("a piece of my bread")

See also: ditransitive verb, indirect object, intransitive verb, object, transitive verb
ditransitive verb

A verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis. that has two objectA person or thing that is affected by the action of a verb or involved in the result of an action.s: a direct objectThe directly affected object of the verb; the receiver of the action. E.g.: Who has taken a piece of my bread? ("a piece of my bread") and an indirect objectTo or for whom or what the action of the verb takes place. E.g.: I have bought these flowers for you. ("you").
E.g.: She showed me her room. ("showed")

See also: direct object, indirect object, intransitive verb, object, transitive verb
duration

A concept, related to the continuousThe aspect expressing duration, formed with be + verb-ing. E.g.: What are you doing? aspectA verbal category relating an action to the passage of time. It can express duration or completion., expressing that an actionA general term expressing that somebody or something does something is in progressAn action is in progress when it is happening. E.g.: When I arrived he was surfing. ("he was surfing").
E.g.: What are you doing?

See also: completion