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Introduction To Content-Function Words

This document introduces the distinction between function words and content words. [1] Function words are closed class words that serve grammatical purposes, such as prepositions, pronouns, and conjunctions. [2] Content words are open class words that convey meaning, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. [3] However, the same lexical word can serve as either a function or content word depending on its use in an utterance.

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Chu Van Cong
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457 views

Introduction To Content-Function Words

This document introduces the distinction between function words and content words. [1] Function words are closed class words that serve grammatical purposes, such as prepositions, pronouns, and conjunctions. [2] Content words are open class words that convey meaning, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. [3] However, the same lexical word can serve as either a function or content word depending on its use in an utterance.

Uploaded by

Chu Van Cong
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Content/Function Words

Words are divided into two categories: Function Words and Content Words. 

Function words are closed class words (only about 300 in English) while content


words are open class words (new words are being added in every language).

Function Words examples


Prepositions of, at, in, without, between
Pronouns he, they, anybody, it, one
Determiners the, a, that, my, more, much, either, neither
Conjunctions and, that, when, while, although, or
Modal verbs can, must, will, should, ought, need, used
Auxilliary verbs be (is, am, are), have, got, do
Particles no, not, nor, as
 
Content Words examples
Nouns John, room, answer, Selby
Adjectives happy, new, large, grey
Full verbs search, grow, hold, have
Adverbs really, completely, very, also, enough
Numerals one, thousand, first
Interjections eh, ugh, phew, well
Yes/No answers yes, no (as answers)

Note: The same lexical word can function as either content or function word depending


on it's function in an utterance. 

Example 1
"I have come to see you" "have" is a function word (auxiliary verb)
"I have three apples" "have" is a content word (full verb)

Example 2
"One has one's principles" "one" is a function word (pronoun)
"I have one apple" "one" is a content word (numeral)

Example 3
"I have no more money" "no" is a function word (a negative particle)
"No. I am not coming" "no" is a content word (Yes/No answer)

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