| Grammar Term | Meaning | Example | Playful Learning Game |
| active voice | A sentence is in active voice when the subject (the person or thing doing the action) is performing the action. Sentences in the active voice usually follow the pattern of subject – verb – object. | The frog was jumping to the lily pad. ‘The frog’ is the subject, ‘was jumping’ is the verb and ‘the lily pad’ is the object. | Active and Passive Jumble |
| adjective | A word used to describe a noun. | The princess was beautiful. The terrifying tiger gnarled its teeth. | Buzz Words Word Class Spot Vocab Scales |
| adverb | An adverb is a word that describes a verb (an action). It tells us how, when, where, or how much something happens. Adverbs usually end in -ly but there are exceptions. | She ran quickly. (The adverb quickly tells how she ran.) We will go outside soon. (The adverb soon tells when we will go outside.) | Word Class Shove Word Class Jigsaw Word Class Connect 4 Three In A Row Grammar Game Name That Grammar Term |
| adverbial | An adverbial is a word, phrase, or clause that works like an adverb. It gives more information about how, when, where, or why something happens in a sentence. An adverb is usually just one word, like quickly, while an adverbial can be a whole group of words giving extra details. | She ran with great speed. (with great speed is an adverbial telling how she ran.) After lunch, we played outside. (After lunch is an adverbial telling when we played.) | Fronted Adverbial Find |
| antonym | An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. Often taught with synonyms (words that mean the same), antonyms are words that mean the opposite! | Hot 🔥 ↔ Cold ❄️ Happy 😊 ↔ Sad 😢 | Antonym Road |
| apostrophe | An apostrophe (’) is a punctuation mark that is used for two main reasons: 1. To show possession (ownership) 2. To show missing letters in contractions (omission) | Possession: Tom’s book (The book belongs to Tom.) Chris’ laptop (The laptop belongs to Chris – notice how the apostrophe is placed after the s when a word already ends with an s. Omission: Can’t (short for cannot) I’m (short for I am) | Apostrophe Hunt Tripostrophes – contractions game |
| article | An article is a special type of word that comes before a noun to show whether it is specific or general (any noun). There are three articles in English: “A” – used before words that start with a consonant sound (a cat, a book). “An” – used before words that start with a vowel sound (an apple, an elephant). “The” – used when talking about a specific thing (the sun, the moon). Articles are like little signposts that help us understand if we’re talking about something in general or something specific! | I saw a dog. (Any dog, not a specific one.) I saw the dog. (A specific dog that we know about.) | A or An? Article Drop/Article Relay |
| auxilliary verb | An auxiliary verb (also called a helping verb) is a verb that helps the main verb in a sentence. It adds meaning by showing tense, possibility, necessity, or questions. Common Auxiliary Verbs: Be (am, is, are, is, was, were, been, being) Have (has, have, had, having) Do (do, does, did, done, doing) Modal verbs (can, could, will, would, must, might, may, should, shall, ought) Auxiliary verbs are like helping hands for the main verb! | She is running fast. (is helps the verb running show that it’s happening now.) I have eaten lunch. (have helps show the past tense.) Do you like ice cream? (Do helps form a question.) | |
| clause | A clause is a group of words that has a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a verb (an action or state). Two Main Types of Clauses: Main Clause – Can stand alone as a complete sentence. Subordinate Clause – Cannot stand alone and needs more information. | Main Clause – She loves to read. (It makes sense on its own.) Subordinate Clause – Because she loves to read… (It sounds incomplete by itself.) | |
| cohesion/cohesive device | Cohesion is how all the parts of a text fit together smoothly so it makes sense. It helps ideas flow in a clear and logical way. Cohesion is like glue that holds a story or text together so it’s easy to read and understand. | How do we make writing cohesive? Using linking words (and, but, so, because, however) I was tired, so I went to bed early. Repeating key ideas or words Tom loves football. He plays football every weekend. Using pronouns (he, she, it, they) Emma has a dog. She takes it for walks. Using time connectives (first, then, later, after, finally) Finally, cut the sandwich in half. | |
| compound sentence | A compound sentence is a sentence that has two or more main clauses joined together with a connective. Each clause could stand alone as a full sentence, but they are connected to show a relationship between ideas. | How are compound sentences joined? With a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor) I was tired but I finished my homework. With a semicolon (;) It was raining; we stayed inside. | |
| conjunction | A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases, or sentences together. It helps ideas flow smoothly. Some conjunctions can be used at the start of sentences, for example, Although I am happy in my job, I need a new challenge. A conjunction is like a bridge that connects ideas and makes sentences flow! | Types of Conjunctions: Coordinating Conjunctions – Join two equal parts (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Example: I wanted to play, but it was raining. Subordinating Conjunctions – Connect a main clause to a subordinate clause (because, although, if, when, since). Example: I stayed inside because it was raining. | Car Conjunctions |
| consonant | A consonant is a sound made by blocking or restricting air with the lips, tongue, or teeth. In the alphabet, consonants are all the letters except A, E, I, O, and U, which are vowels. | Examples of Consonants: B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z Example in Words: Dog (D and G are consonants.) Tree (T and R are consonants.) | |
| determiner | A determiner is a word that comes before a noun to show which one, how many, or whose something is. Types of Determiners: * Articles (a, an, the) * Possessives (my, your, his, her, our, their) * Demonstratives (this, that, these, those) * Quantifiers (some, many, few, all) * Numbers (one, two, three) * Question Words (which, what, who) A determiner is like a helper that gives more information about a noun! | Article: I saw a cat. Possessives: That is my book. Demonstratives: I like this dress. Quantifiers: She has many friends. Numbers: There were three dogs. Question Words: Which bag is yours? | A or An? |
| digraph | A digraph is two letters that work together to make one sound. The letters can be two consonants or two vowels. | Types of Digraphs: Consonant Digraphs – Two consonants making one sound. Examples: sh → ship ch → chair th → thumb Vowel Digraphs – Two vowels making one sound. Examples: ea → beach oo → moon | Playdoh Digraphs Spot the Digraph Phonics Noughts and Crosses |
| ellipses | Ellipses (…) are three dots used to show something is missing, unfinished, or trailing off in writing. Ellipses are like little dots that leave space for the reader to think! | When Do We Use Ellipses? To show missing words in a quote “To be, or not to be… that is the question.” (Something is left out but the meaning stays clear.) To show a pause or hesitation “Well… I’m not sure about that.” To show that a sentence trails off “I was going to say something, but…” A pause for effect to increase tension “Slowly, we crept further into the cave …” | |
| etymology | Etymology is the study of where words come from and how they change over time. It looks at a word’s history, origin, and meaning. Etymology is like a time machine that helps us understand how words have changed and evolved! | The word “school” comes from the Greek word scholē, which originally meant “leisure” or “free time”, but over time, it came to mean a place of learning. | |
| finite verb | A finite verb is a verb that shows tense (past, present, or future), number (singular or plural), and person (I, you, he, etc.). It is the main verb in a sentence and can stand alone. If a verb changes with tense or subject, it’s finite! A finite verb is the “boss” of the sentence, making it complete! | She runs every morning. (runs is a finite verb – present tense, singular subject.) They played football. (played is a finite verb – past tense, plural subject.) Rachel is happy. (“is” is a finite verb. The subject is “Rachel.” The tense of the verb is the present tense.) She was varnishing the painted fence. (“was” is a finite verb. The subject is “She.” The tense of the verb is the past tense.) | |
| fronted adverbial | A fronted adverbial is a word or phrase at the start of a sentence that gives more information about when, where, or how something happens. It is usually followed by a comma. A fronted adverbial is like a scene-setter that helps the reader understand more about the action! | In the morning, we went to the park. (Tells when) Without a sound, she entered the room. (Tells how) At the beach, they built a sandcastle. (Tells where) | Fronted Adverbial Find |
| future tense | Future tense is used to talk about something that will happen later, after now. Future tense is like a time machine, helping us talk about things that haven’t happened yet! | How Do We Form the Future Tense? Using “will” She will visit tomorrow. Using “going to” They are going to play football. Using the present tense for scheduled events The train leaves at 6 PM. | |
| grapheme | A grapheme is a written letter or group of letters that represents a single sound (phoneme) in a word. | The “s” in sun (grapheme s represents the /s/ sound). The “ch” in chip (grapheme ch represents the /ch/ sound). The “igh” in light (grapheme igh represents the /ī/ sound). | |
| homonym | A homonym is a word that sounds the same or is spelled the same as another word but has a different meaning. Homonyms are like word twins – they look or sound alike but have different jobs! | bat 🦇 (an animal) / bat 🏏 (used in sports) Spring (the season) / spring (to jump up) | |
| homophone | A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning and spelling. | Pair (two things) / Pear 🍐 (a fruit) Sea 🌊 (the ocean) / See 👀 (to look) Knight ⚔️ (a warrior) / Night 🌙 (time after sunset) | Homophone Games |
| infinitive | An infinitive verb is the simple form of a verb that has no subject, usually with “to” in front of it. It doesn’t show tense, person, or number. These verbs do not have any prefixes or suffixes added to them but can be modified by them to change their meaning or tense. Infinitive verbs are the root form of a verb, ready to be used in different ways! | To run is fun. (to run is the infinitive verb.) She wants to read a book. (to read is the infinitive verb.) | |
| inflection | Inflection is when a word changes its form to show tense, number, person, or comparison. Inflection forms a word where letters are added to the base form of a noun, adjective or verb to show a different grammatical meaning. | Verbs changing tense Walk → Walked (past tense) Run → Running (present participle) Nouns changing number Dog → Dogs (plural) Child → Children (plural) Adjectives changing for comparison Small → Smaller → Smallest | |
| main clause | A main clause is a group of words with a subject and an object that makes sense on its own as a complete sentence. | She loves to dance. (This is a main clause because it’s a complete thought.) We went to the park, and we played football. (Each part is a main clause joined by “and” – this sentence is known as a compound sentence.) | |
| modal verb | A modal verb is a special type of verb that helps the main verb and shows possibility, ability, permission, or necessity. | Common Modal Verbs: Can (ability) → She can swim. Must (necessity) → You must do your homework. May (permission) → You may go outside. Might (possibility) → It might rain later. Should (advice) → You should eat healthy food. | |
| modifier | A modifier is a word or group of words that adds more detail to a sentence by describing a noun, verb, or another word. A modifier is like a decorator—it makes sentences more interesting by adding extra details! | Types of Modifiers: Adjective (modifies a noun) She wore a beautiful dress. (beautiful describes the dress.) Adverb (modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb) He ran quickly. (quickly describes how he ran.) Modifier phrases Covered in mud, the dog wagged its tail. (Covered in mud describes the dog.) | |
| noun | A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. A noun is like a label—it helps us name everything around us! | Types of Nouns: Common Nouns – General names for things. dog, city, book Proper Nouns – Specific names (always start with a capital letter). Charlie, London, Harry Potter Concrete Nouns – Things you can touch or see. apple, table, car Abstract Nouns – Ideas, feelings, or qualities. happiness, love, courage | Nouns/Pronoun Sort Noun Cafe |
| noun phrase | A noun phrase is a group of words that work together as a noun. It includes a noun and sometimes modifiers (like adjectives or determiners) that describe it. A noun phrase is like a mini description of a noun, giving extra detail! | The black cat sat on the wall. (“The black cat” is the noun phrase; “black” describes “cat”.) A very tall building is in the city. (“A very tall building” is the noun phrase; “very tall” describes “building”.) | Expanding Vocabulary |
| object | In grammar, an object is the person or thing that receives the action in a sentence. It does not carry out the action. It usually comes after the verb. An object is like the receiver of the action in a sentence! | Types of Objects: Direct Object – Answers “what?” or “who?” after the verb. Example: She ate an apple. (What did she eat? An apple!) Indirect Object – Answers “to whom?” or “for whom?” after the verb. Example: He gave his friend a gift. (Who received the gift? His friend!) | |
| participle | A participle is a verb form that can act as an adjective to describe a noun. A participle is like a verb in disguise—it looks like a verb but works as an adjective! | There are two types: 1. Present Participle (ends in -ing) Example: The running water was cold. (“Running” describes “water”) 2. Past Participle (often ends in -ed, -en, -t, -d or –n) Example: The broken window needs fixing. (“Broken” describes “window”) | |
| passive | A sentence is in passive voice when the subject (the person or thing doing the action) is acted on by the verb. The verb ‘to be’ in its correct form is used followed by the main verb. Passive sentences are often longer than active sentences and can cause confusion as to their meaning as they are quite vague about who is responsible for what it being done. | Active voice – The frog was jumping to the lily pad. Passive voice – The lily pad was jumped on by the frog. | Active and Passive Jumble |
| past tense | Past tense is used to talk about something that already happened. Past tense is like a time machine that takes us back to things that already happened! | Types of Past Tense: Simple Past – Shows a completed action. Example: She played football yesterday. Past Continuous – Shows an ongoing action in the past. Example: They were watching TV. Past Perfect – Shows an action that happened before another past action. Example: I had eaten before they arrived. | Past Tense Verb Roll |
| perfect | In grammar, perfect refers to verb forms that show an action is completed in relation to a certain time. It is formed using “have” + the past participle of a verb. The perfect tense is like a time-linker, showing how actions connect across different times! | Types of Perfect Tenses: Present Perfect – Shows an action that happened at an unknown time in the past or started in the past and continues now. Example: She has visited Paris. Past Perfect – Shows an action that was completed before another past event. Example: I had eaten before they arrived. Future Perfect – Shows an action that will be completed before a certain future time. Example: By next year, she will have finished school. | |
| phoneme | A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a word. Changing a phoneme can change the meaning of a word. A phoneme is like a building block of speech, helping us create words by combining sounds! | The word cat has three phonemes: /c/ – /a/ – /t/ If we change the first phoneme /c/ to /b/, we get bat – a completely different word! | Phoneme Postbox Phoneme Find |
| phrase | A phrase is a group of words that work together but do not form a complete sentence because they don’t have both a subject and a verb. A phrase is like a puzzle piece—it adds meaning but doesn’t make a full sentence on its own! | Types of Phrases: Noun Phrase – Acts like a noun. Example: The big brown dog barked loudly. Verb Phrase – Includes a main verb and helping verbs. Example: She is running fast. Prepositional Phrase – Begins with a preposition and adds detail. Example: We sat under the tree. | |
| plural | Plural means more than one. It is the form of a noun used when we are talking about multiple people, animals, or things. | How to Make a Noun Plural: Add -s to most words Example: cat → cats, book → books Add -es to words ending in s, sh, ch, x, or z Example: bus → buses, box → boxes Change -y to -ies if a word ends in a consonant + y Example: baby → babies, city → cities Irregular plurals (special spellings) Example: child → children, mouse → mice, foot → feet | |
| possessive | A possessive shows that something belongs to someone or something. It can be used with nouns or pronouns. A possessive is like a label that tells us who owns what! | How to Show Possession: Add ‘s to a singular noun Example: The dog’s bone (The bone belongs to the dog.) Add only ‘ to a plural noun ending in -s Example: The students’ books (The books belong to the students.) Use possessive pronouns (no apostrophe needed!) Example: This book is mine. (mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs) | Apostrophe Hunt |
| prefix | A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. | Common Prefixes and Examples: un- (means “not”) → unhappy (not happy) re- (means “again”) → rewrite (write again) dis- (means “opposite of”) → disagree (not agree) pre- (means “before”) → preview (see before) | Collect a Prefix |
| preposition | A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another word in the sentence. It often tells us where, when, or how something happens. A preposition is like a connector, linking ideas and showing relationships in a sentence! | Examples of Prepositions: Place (Where?) The book is on the table. She sat under the tree. Time (When?) We will meet at noon. He was born in July. Direction or Movement (How?) She walked to the park. They ran through the tunnel. | Preposition Build |
| preposition phrase | A prepositional phrase is a group of words that starts with a preposition and gives more information about place, time, direction, or manner. It usually includes a preposition + a noun or pronoun. A prepositional phrase is like a sentence helper—it adds extra details to make the meaning clearer! | Place (Where?) The cat is under the table. Time (When?) We will meet after lunch. Direction (How?) She walked through the park. | |
| present tense | Present tense is used to talk about things happening now. Present tense is like a window to now, showing what’s happening. | Types of Present Tense: Simple Present – For facts, habits, or routines. Example: She plays the piano every day. Present Continuous – For actions happening right now. Example: They are running in the park. Present Perfect – For actions that started in the past but still affect now. Example: I have lived here for five years. Present Perfect Continuous – For ongoing actions that started in the past. Example: She has been studying all day. | |
| progressive | Progressive (also called continuous) is a verb form that shows an action is ongoing or in progress. It is formed using “to be” + the -ing form of the verb. | Types of Progressive Tenses: Present Progressive – For actions happening right now. Example: She is reading a book. Past Progressive – For actions that were happening in the past. Example: They were playing football when it started to rain. Future Progressive – For actions that will be happening in the future. Example: I will be travelling next week. | |
| pronoun | A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun to avoid repetition. A pronoun is like a shortcut, making sentences smoother by replacing nouns! | Types of Pronouns: Personal Pronouns – Replace specific people or things. Example: Sarah is kind. She helps everyone. Possessive Pronouns – Show ownership. Example: This book is mine. | Nouns/Pronoun Sort |
| punctuation | Punctuation is the set of marks we use in writing to make sentences clear and easy to understand. | Common Punctuation Marks: Full Stop (.) – Ends a sentence. Example: I like ice cream. Comma (,) – Separates ideas or lists. Example: I bought apples, bananas, and oranges. Question Mark (?) – Shows a question. Example: Where are you going? Exclamation Mark (!) – Shows excitement or strong emotion. Example: That was amazing! Apostrophe (’) – Shows possession or contractions. Example: That’s Sarah’s book. Quotation Marks (“ ”) – Show spoken words or direct quotes. Example: She said, “Hello!” | Printable Punctuation Games Punctuation Games and Activities |
| relative clause | A relative clause is a part of a sentence that gives more information about a noun. It starts with a relative pronoun like who, which, that, whose, or where. A relative clause is like a sentence add-on that gives extra details about a noun! | The boy who won the race is my brother. (“who won the race” gives more information about “the boy.”*) This is the book that I borrowed from the library. (“that I borrowed from the library” tells us more about “the book.”*) She lives in a city where it never snows. (“where it never snows” describes “a city.”*) | Relative Clauses |
| root word | A root word is the basic part of a word that carries its main meaning. Other parts, like prefixes (at the beginning) or suffixes (at the end), can be added to change its meaning. A root word is like the core of a word—it holds the main meaning, and other parts can be added to change it! | “Happy” → Root word: happy Unhappy (un- means “not,” so it means “not happy”). Happiness (-ness makes it a noun, meaning “the state of being happy”). “Play” → Root word: play Replay (re- means “again,” so it means “play again”). Player (-er means “a person who plays”). | |
| schwa | A schwa (/ə/) is the weakest and most common vowel sound in English. It sounds like a quick, lazy “uh” and can be spelled with any vowel. The schwa is like a quiet helper—it makes unstressed syllables easier to say! | banana → The second “a” sounds like “buh-NAH-nuh”. sofa → The last “a” sounds like “SO-fuh”. problem → The “o” sounds like “PROB-luhm”. | |
| sentence | A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It must have a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a verb (an action or state). A sentence is like a building block—it can be short and simple or long and detailed! | Types of Sentences: Simple Sentence – Has one main clause (a subject + a verb). Example: She reads every night. Compound Sentence – Has two or more main clauses joined by a conjunction (like and, but, or). Example: She reads every night and he watches TV. Complex Sentence – Has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses (extra information that can’t stand alone). Example: She reads every night because she loves stories. | Sentence Wall Speed Sentences Constructing Sentences Sentence Stretch Silly Sentences Building Sentences |
| split digraph | A split digraph is a pair of letters (a vowel + ‘e’) that work together to change the vowel sound, even though they are separated by a consonant. A split digraph is like a magic ‘e’—it makes the vowel say its name! | How It Works: The first vowel says its name (long sound). The ‘e’ at the end is silent but changes how the first vowel sounds. Examples: “cake” → The “a” says “ay” because of the silent “e”. “bike” → The “i” says “eye” because of the silent “e”. “hope” → The “o” says “oh” because of the silent “e”. | |
| stress | Stress in grammar refers to how we emphasize certain syllables in words or certain words in sentences when speaking. It helps with meaning and understanding. Stress is like a spotlight in speech—it helps certain words or sounds stand out! | Types of Stress: Word Stress – In longer words, one syllable is said louder or more clearly. Example: “happy” → HAP-py (the first syllable is stressed). Example: “guitar” → gui-TAR (the second syllable is stressed). Sentence Stress – In sentences, important words (like nouns, verbs, and adjectives) are stressed more than others. Example: “I love ice cream!” (The word love is stressed to show emotion.) | |
| subject | A subject is who or what a sentence is about. It is usually a noun (person, place, or thing) or a pronoun (he, she, it, they) and is the doer of the action in a sentence. A subject is like the star of the sentence—it tells us who or what is performing the action! | The cat sleeps on the sofa. (“The cat” is the subject because it is doing the sleeping.) She loves to read. (“She” is the subject because she is loving reading.) The big red bus stopped at the station. (“The big red bus” is the subject because it is doing the stopping.) | |
| subjunctive | The subjunctive is a verb form used to express wishes, possibilities, demands, or hypothetical situations—things that are not certain or real. The subjunctive is like a dream mode for verbs—it talks about things that might, could, or should happen! | When to Use the Subjunctive: Wishes or Hypothetical Situations I wish she were here. (Instead of “was” because it’s imaginary.) If I were you, I’d take the job. (Not real—just a possibility.) Demands or Suggestions The teacher insists that he be on time. (Not “is” because it’s a demand.) She suggested that he study more. (Not “studies” because it’s a suggestion.) | |
| subordinate clause | A subordinate clause is a part of a sentence that adds extra information but cannot stand alone. It needs a main clause to make sense. It usually starts with a subordinating conjunction like because, although, when, if, since. A subordinate clause is like a sentence helper—it adds detail but needs a main clause to work! | Because it was raining, we stayed inside. (“Because it was raining” doesn’t make sense alone—it needs the main clause “we stayed inside.”*) She was happy although she was tired. (“although she was tired” depends on “She was happy” to complete the meaning.*) I will go out if I finish my homework. (“if I finish my homework” is subordinate—it needs “I will go out” to make sense.*) | |
| suffix | A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or function. A suffix is like a word transformer—it changes words to give them new meanings! | Types of Suffixes: Changes the word’s meaning “-less” (without) → hope → hopeless (without hope) “-ful” (full of) → joy → joyful (full of joy) Changes the word’s grammar “-er” (makes a noun) → teach → teacher (a person who teaches) “-ing” (makes a verb continuous) → run → running Changes the tense of a verb “-ed” (past tense) → jump → jumped | Suffix Triangles Adding the Suffix -able or -ible Suffix Run Suffix Find |
| syllable | A syllable is a single beat of a word made by one vowel sound. Words can have one or more syllables. You can clap, tap, or hum to find the syllables in a word! A syllable is like a rhythm block—it helps break words into smaller, easier parts! | One syllable – cat, dog, jump Two syllables – hap-py, ta-ble, run-ning Three syllables – ex-cit-ing, to-ma-to Four syllables – in-for-ma-tion, | |
| synonym | A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. Synonyms help make writing more interesting and varied! A synonym is like a word twin—it means the same but adds variety! | Happy → joyful, cheerful, glad Big → large, huge, gigantic Fast → quick, speedy, rapid Smart → clever, intelligent, bright | Synonym and Antonym Three In a Row Synonym Dominoes Synonym Families Synonyms Four in a Row Synonym Search Synonym Noughts and Crosses Feelings Find Synonym Dartboard |
| tense | Tense in grammar shows when an action happens—in the past, present, or future. Tenses help us place events in time and make sentences clear! A tense is like a time machine—it tells us when something happens! | Main Types of Tense: Past Tense – Talks about something that already happened. Example: She walked to school. Present Tense – Talks about something happening now. Example: She walks to school. Future Tense – Talks about something that will happen. Example: She will walk to school. | |
| trigraph | A trigraph is a group of three letters that make one sound. | “igh” → light, night, sigh “air” → fair, pair, hair “ear” → hear, dear, fear | |
| unstressed | Unstressed refers to a syllable or word that is not emphasised when speaking. It is said more quietly and quickly than a stressed syllable or word. Unstressed syllables and words help make speech sound natural and fluent. | “butter” → BU-ttər (the second syllable is unstressed). “today” → tə-DAY (the first syllable is unstressed). “banana” → bə-NAH-nə (the first and last syllables are unstressed). Examples of Unstressed Words in Sentences: I want to go to the park. (The word “to” is unstressed). She is a great singer. (The word “a” is unstressed). | |
| verb | A verb is a doing word that shows an action or a state of being. Every sentence needs a verb! A verb is like the engine of a sentence—it shows what is happening! | Types of Verbs: Action Verbs – Show what someone or something does. run, jump, eat, sing Example: She runs fast. Being Verbs – Show a state or existence (not an action). am, is, are, was, were Example: He is happy. Helping (Auxiliary) Verbs – Help the main verb show tense or possibility. have, do, will, can, must Example: She will go to the park. | Sticky Verbs |
| vowel | A vowel is a letter in the alphabet that represents a speech sound made without closing your mouth or throat. The five vowels in English are: A, E, I, O, U. Vowels are the building blocks of most words, helping to create the sounds we use when speaking! | Examples of Vowels in Words: A → cat, apple, banana E → bed, red, tree I → sit, kind, ice O → dog, home, bottle U → cup, cute, under | |
| word | A word is a single unit of language that carries meaning. It can stand alone or be part of a sentence. A word is like a building block—when put together, words create sentences. | Examples of Words: Nouns – dog, house, happiness Verbs – run, jump, think Adjectives – beautiful, tall, loud Adverbs – quickly, softly, here | |
| word class | A word class is a group of words that share the same grammatical function in a sentence. These groups are based on what the words do in a sentence, like being an action, a description, or a thing. A word class is like a category for words—it helps us understand how words work in sentences! | Common Word Classes: Nouns – Name people, places, things, or ideas. Example: dog, house, love Verbs – Show actions or states of being. Example: run, think, is Adjectives – Describe nouns. Example: happy, tall, blue Adverbs – Describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Example: quickly, very, slowly Pronouns – Take the place of nouns. Example: he, she, it Prepositions – Show relationships between other words. Example: in, on, under Determiners – a, an, the Conjunctions – for, and, but | Grammar Families Name That Grammar Term Name Three Word Class Spot Word Class Shove Word Class Jigsaw Word Class Connect 4 Three In A Row Grammar |
| word family | A word family is a group of words that share the same root word but have different endings or prefixes. These words have similar meanings and help us recognise patterns in spelling and meaning. A word family is like a group of word relatives—they all come from the same root! | Examples of Word Families: “Help” Word Family help, helper, helpful, helpless “Play” Word Family play, player, playful, replay “Joy” Word Family joy, joyful, enjoy, enjoyment |