English Grammatical Terms

Letter M

(PG = Prescriptive Grammar  —  DG = Descriptive Grammar)

(GL = Grammatical Lingo  —  OB = Obtuse  —  NG = Not Grammatical)

 

For Example:  WAY too many people decide to take The TOEFL Exam without Properly Preparing For Itwhich is a really huge mistake, and always turns out badly for them.”

 

In the Sentence above — the underlined Clause is the Main Clause — it can be a complete Sentence without the other two Subordinate Clauses.  And the Subordinate Clauses depend on the Main Clause(Which is why, Subordinate Clauses are often referred to as “Dependent Clauses”)  But a Subordinate Clause can not be a complete Sentence, alone.

For Example:  “When I am skiing with my friends, I like to also listen to music, maybe have a few drinks at the slope-side chalet, and meet some pretty girls who are single and looking for a good time.”

In the Sentence above — there are a lot of Words which are Verbs.  But there is only one that represents “The Action Of The Sentence”.  And that is “Like”.

“Skiing” is part of the Prepositional Phrase, referring to in-what situation the person “Likes” the following things.  “Listen”, “Have”, & “Meet” are all part of Phrases which are Objects in a list of things that the speaker “likes”.  And “looking” is part of the Object Complement Phrase describing the “Girls” which is the Indirect Object.

  • Maxim  —  [NG]  The Term “Maxim” is not a Grammatical Term.  It is a Linguistic Term which is used to refer to some idea which is a truth which one can “live by”.  Maxims are expressed in different forms of Phrases, but — regardless of the particular form of the phrase — express that truth.

 

For Example:  “Never argue with an idiot.  He will only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”

However — in Traditional Grammar — and even in almost every dictionary in the world (probably all of them) — there is, often, no distinction between Meaning & Usage.  And this is one of the biggest reasons for the absolutely astounding levels of stupidity in the world as a whole.  This is also one of the biggest motivations for the creation of The Grammar Of The Common Tongue.

This particular Phrase is not used in Traditional Grammar.  Because even in almost every dictionary in the world (probably all of them) — there is, often, no distinction between Meaning & Usage.  And this is one of the biggest reasons for the absolutely astounding levels of stupidity in the world as a whole.  This is also one of the biggest motivations for the creation of The Grammar Of The Common Tongue.

  • Metaphor  —  [PG]  The Term “Metaphor” Is used to refer to the Object in a Phrase which is used to describe something else (the Subject) which it is not.  It is a way of comparing the Subject TO the Object by calling it that thing — because it may have similar properties or characteristics — (even if only in the mind of the person making the Statement).

So when an angry woman who does not like men says:  “All Men Are Pigs!” — Then the Metaphor is “Pigs”.  It is NOT the entire Phrase that is the Metaphor.  That may be the way it is described by those who follow Traditional Grammar.  But there is a lot about Traditional Grammar which is illogical & wrong.

In The Grammar Of The Common Tongue — The word “Metaphor” is correctly used to describe (as stated above) the Object of the Phrase.  So then we would say that the Phrase is Metaphorical;  It is a Metaphorical Phrase.

  • Metaphorical Phrase  —  [PG]  The Term “Metaphorical Phrase” Is used to refer to ANY Phrase- or Phrasal-Form of a Grammatical Unit in-which the Object is used to describe the Subject, by saying that is IS that thing.  It is a way of comparing the Subject TO the Object because it may have similar Properties, Qualities, or Characteristics.

So when an angry woman who does not like men says:  “All Men Are Pigs!” — Since the Word “Pigs” is being used as a Metaphor, to describe the Subject “Men” — then “All Men Are Pigs” is a Metaphorical Phrase(Even thought it is not true.)

This particular example of Descriptive Grammar is the PERFECT example of how — instead of realizing that there is a difference between the “Rules” and the “Regulations” of Grammar — instead — Those within the Traditional English teaching world try to come up with yet another “Rule” (which should be “regulation”) for something which they can not conceive DOES NOT NEED A RULE OR A REGULATION!!!

ALL Conditional Sentences can be “Mixed”.  There-fore the Term “Mixed Conditional” is Obtuse & Stupid.

  • Mondegreen  —  [NG]  The Term “Mondegreen” is not a Grammatical Term.  It is a Lingustic Term which is used to refer to the incident of not correctly hearing someone, and thinking that something else was said, or (usually) sung.

 

For Example:  “For All Intents & Purposes”  (correct)  ⇒  “For All Intensive Purposes”  (not correct)

Knowing this Term will not help you — in any way — to Comprehend or Communicate in English.

  • Morpheme  —  [NG]  The Term “Morpheme” is not a Grammatical Term.  It is a Linguistic Term which is used to refer to “the smallest individual parts” of a Word which carries meaning.

Basically — all Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root-Words are Morphemes.  If you break those down any more, then you simply have the Grammatical Element of Letters.

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