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Glossary

s
state

A condition that exists at a particular 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 am sick. This melon weighs two kilos.

See also: action, event
structure

The way in which the parts of a sentence, clauseA group of related words containing a subject and a verb. or expressionA word or group of words used in a particular situation. E.g.: Good morning, at six, on the sofa are arranged. E.g.: make somebody + infinitive in "The teacher made me rewrite the composition."

See also: expression
subject

The person or thing that performs the actionA general term expressing that somebody or something does something of a verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis. or that is described by a verb. E.g.: Andy has never been to Brunei. ("Andy")

subordinate clause

A clauseA group of related words containing a subject and a verb. that cannot be a sentence in itself. It is joined with a main clauseA clause that could be a sentence in itself. E.g.: I wouldn’t go there if I were you. ("I wouldn't go there") When I arrived he was surfing. ("he was surfing"). E.g.: I wouldn’t go there if I were you. ("if I were you") When I arrived he was surfing. ("when I arrived")

See also: clause, main clause