Content Words x Function Words
Content = information, meaning
Function = necessary words for grammar
Content words give us the most important information while function words stitch
those words together.
Content Word Types
Content words are usually nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. A noun tells us
which object and a verb denotes the action happening, or the state. Adjectives give us
details about objects and people and adverbs tell us how, when, or where something is
done. Nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs give us important information required
for understanding.
Noun = person, place, or thing
Verb = action, state
Adjective = describes an object, person, place, or thing
Adverb = tells us how, where, or when something happens
Examples:
Nouns Verbs
house enjoy
computer purchase
student visit
lake understand
Peter believe
science look forward to
Adjectives Adverbs
heavy slowly
difficult carefully
careful sometimes
expensive thoughtfully
soft often
fast suddenly
Function Word Types
Function words help us connect important information. Function words are critical for
understanding, but they add little meaning beyond defining the relationship between
two words. Function words include auxiliary verbs, prepositions, articles,
conjunctions, and pronouns. Auxiliary verbs are used to establish the tense,
prepositions show relationships in time and space, articles show us something specific
or one of many, and pronouns refer to other nouns.
Auxiliary verbs = do, be, have (help with conjugation of tense)
Prepositions = show relationships in time and space
Articles = used to indicate specific or non-specific nouns
Conjunctions = words that connect
Pronouns = refer to other nouns
Examples:
Auxiliary Verbs Prepositions
do in
has
at
will though
is over
has been between
did under
Articles Conjunctions Pronouns
a and I
an but you
the for him
so us
since ours
as she
Knowing the difference between content and functions words is important because
content words are stressed in conversations in English. Function words are
non-stressed. In other words, function words are not emphasized in speech, while
content words are highlighted. Knowing the difference between content and function
words can help you in understanding, and, most importantly, in pronunciation skills.
Exercise 1
Underline content words and circle function words in the following sentences.
Mary has lived in England for ten years.
He's going to fly to Chicago next week.
I don't understand this chapter of the book.
The children will be swimming in the ocean this time next week.
John had eaten lunch before his colleague arrived.
The best time to study is early in the morning or late in the evening.
The trees along the river are beginning to blossom.
Our friends called us yesterday and asked if we'd like to visit them next month.
You'll be happy to know that she's decided to take the position.
I won't give away your secret.
Exercise 2
Underline content words and circle function words in the following sentences.
He had finished breakfast before I arrived.
Phillip ordered a huge steak for dinner.
They will have to stay up late if they are going to finish their homework.
It must have been something in the air that caused Jack to shout.
Could you please be more quiet?
Unfortunately, Jack wasn't able to finish on time.
As soon as he has collected the results he will post them to his website.
Peter bought shoes today.
