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• Verbs, which show action, may

end several ways:– -ed– -s– -ing

• Several words may precede a verb:– will– have– am– did

Identifying Nouns• 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• Adjectives describe nouns.

• In English, adjectives always precede nouns.

– The beautiful woman…

– The angry customer…

Identifying Adverbs• 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 ExampleThis 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 ExampleThis 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.