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Glossary

i
imperative sentence

The sentence type used to express suggestions, directions or orders. E.g.: Clean your shoes, will you?

See also: declarative sentence, interrogative sentence Synonyms: imperative
incomplete period of time

A period of timeThe length of time between two points of time. that includes the time of speakingA point of time at which an utterance is made.. E.g.: I have known him for two years. ("for two years")

See also: complete period of time, period of time
indefinite

Not 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.: Somebody left you a message. ("somebody", "a message")

See also: definite
indirect object

To or for whom or what the actionA general term expressing that somebody or something does something of the verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis. takes place. E.g.: I have bought these flowers for you. ("you")

See also: direct object, ditransitive verb, intransitive verb, object, transitive verb
inflection

A change in or addition to the form of a word that shows a change in the way it is used in sentences.
E.g.: He likes what you cooked. ("-s", "-ed")

See also: tense
informal

Belonging to colloquial or everyday speech E.g.: I want Mr Smith to call the guy that the committee has decided on.

See also: formal
instrument

Something that the doer uses in performing the actionA general term expressing that somebody or something does something. E.g.: She covered the child with a blanket. ("a blanket")

See also: agent, voice
interrogative sentence

The sentence type used to express a direct question. E.g.: What are you doing?

See also: declarative sentence, imperative sentence, question word, wh-question, yes/no question Synonyms: interrogative
intransitive verb

A verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis. that does not have 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"). E.g.: How long have you been living here? ("live")

See also: direct object, ditransitive verb, indirect object, object, transitive verb
inversion

A structureThe way in which the parts of a sentence, clause or expression are arranged. E.g.: make somebody + infinitive in "The teacher made me rewrite the composition." in which a verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis. or an auxiliaryA helping verb used with main verbs to express mood, voice and tense. E.g.: I can't stand when I am disturbed. ("can", "am") precedes the subjectThe person or thing that performs the action of a verb or that is described by a verb. E.g.: Andy has never been to Brunei. ("Andy"). E.g.: "Here comes the sun."

Synonyms: invert, inverted