PAGE 1

English 10 , Q4-Week 5 Roles Of Grammar In Making Definitions

REVIEW:
What is formal sentence definition?
It is a form of definition that follows a specific order or formulation of ideas that will provide informative details about the unknown
word. Unlike any other types of definitions, formal definitions adhere to its basic components to create a well- formulated information, details
and meanings of the term. This type of definition follows specific rules prescribed in formal writings.

Parts of A Formal Definition

✔ Species – this pertains to the term being defined.

✔ Verb – this pertains to the verb used along the definition.

✔ Genus - pertains to the class, category or set where the term belongs.

✔ Differentia – pertains to the details that will provide the characteristics, quality, types, and its distinction from any other words.
Remember this construction
formula in writing down your
formal definitions.

species + verb + genus +

differentia= formal definition

Species Verb Genus Differentia

repeating beginning letter sound in quick

succession.
Alliteration is a literary device
that attaches human traits and
characteristics to an inanimate object.
Personification is a figure of speech

that uses contradictory and contrasting

concepts placed together in a manner ends
a literary device up making sense.
Oxymoron is

Guidelines for Writing Formal Definitions

Guidelines Examples

● A modem is a thing that… [vague]

● A modem is a device that…[specific]

● A modem is an electronic device that… [more

Be specific about the class.

specific ]
 ● Face mask is used over…[incorrect]

Use the same part of speech for

(noun) (passive verb)

the class as the word that is being defined. ● Face mask is a protective covering used over the face. [correct]

(noun) (noun)

Whenever possible, don't repeat

● Face mask is a protective mask….[incorrect]

the term in the class or

● Face mask is a protective covering used over the face. …[correct]

distinguishing characteristics section.

● A modem is a device that is used with a computer and a telephone. [insufficient]

Make sure there is sufficient information in the adjective
clause to distinguish the term from other members of ● A modem is a device that makes possible the transmission of data to or from a
the class. computer via telephone. [sufficient]

● The Internet, which is commonly confused with the World Wide Web, is a global
Avoid long words and long system of network computers that allows user-to-user communication and
transfer of data files from one machine to another. The World Wide Web is the
sentences in technical writing. If concept for presenting and linking information on a network.[too long]

necessary, break the formal ● The Internet is a global system of network computers that allows user-to-user
communication and transfer of data files. It is commonly confused with the World
definition into two sentences, Wide Web, a concept for presenting and linking information on a network.
[improved]
rather than producing a very long

sentence.

The Grammar of Definitions

Formal definitions commonly use indefinite articles for the term and class, forms of the verb be and an adjective clause or reduced
adjective clause to express its distinguished characteristics.

Indefinite Articles
 ✔ Is the word “a” or “an”.

✔ It comes right before a noun to define it as something general.

✔ Articles are classified as determiners.

✔ Use “an” before a word that starts with a vowel sound.

✔ Use “a” before a consonant sound.

✔ Examples:

✔ An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

✔ An hour late, she found herself staring at the guy.

✔ It was a stupendous surprise.

Reduced Adjective Clauses in Definitions
Technical writers should avoid wordiness. One way to eliminate unnecessary words is to reduce
adjective clauses. There are several important rules when doing this.
Rules for Reducing Adjective Clauses
Guidelines Examples

● [adjective clause with an adjective]

Example

An electronic book is a document that is lengthy enough to be considered a book.

adjective clause with an adjective

⇨ An electronic book is a document lengthy enough to be considered a book.

● [adjective clause with a prepositional phrase]

Example

An electronic book is a document that is on diskette or hard drive.

adjective clasue with aprepositional phrase

Drop the relative pronoun and the verb
be if the adjective clause contains a ⇨ An electronic book is a document on diskette or hard drive.
prepositional phrase, an adjective, or a
passive verb.

● [adjective clause with a passive verb]

Example

A campus wide information system is an online service that is used as a central source of information at
a college or university.

Reduced Form
 ⇨ A campus wide information system is an online service used as a central source of
information at a college or university.

Reduce the adjective clause by changing the word or word form in these two situations:

1. The adjective clause ● Face mask is a protective covering that has filter to keep the face and the nose safe.

contains the verb have.

⇨ Face mask is a protective covering having filter to keep the face and the nose safe.

⇨ Face mask is a protective covering with filter to keep the face and the nose safe.
[Drop the relative pronoun

and change have to having.] or

[Drop the relative pronoun and have.

Replace using with.]
2. The verb is in an active state and the
relative pronoun is the subject.

[Drop the relative pronoun

Links are highlighted text that point to additional information.
and change the verb to the
=> Links are highlighted text pointing to additional information.
-ing form.]

3. None of these rules apply to modal

auxiliary verbs, e.g., should, may, can, or
must, since the meaning of the modal is ● [original]
lost in the
reduction.
This information, which must be accessed via the Internet, is useful.

● [reduced with different meaning]

This information, accessed via the Internet, is useful.

Activity 4: It’s Definition Time

A. Directions: Give the formal definitions of each word by completing the information needed in the table below.
Species Verb Genus Differentia

1. Methodology
 2. Research

3. Proposals

4. Abstract

5. Citations

B. Directions: Decide which indefinite article (a, an) is appropriate in the following sentences.
Write this article in the space provided within the sentence.

1. Cell phone is ___ mobile device use to send, receive or transmit electronic messages and
long distance calls via radio waves.
2. Electronic books are ___ digital reading resources that are available online and can be
downloaded for offline reading.
3. 4. ___ Newspaper is ___ publication that contains informative articles of public interest.

5. A contract is __ written agreement between two parties under equally agreed terms.

Assessment

Multiple Choice:

Directions: Read each item carefully and shade the corresponding circle of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following sentences is a formal definition of the word grammar?

o A. Grammar is the structure and system of a language, usually considers consisting of syntax and morphology.

o B. Grammar is the structure and system of a language which is usually considered to consist of syntax and morphology.

o C. Grammar is the structure and system of a language, which is usually consisting of syntax and morphology.

o D. Grammar is the structure and system of a language consisting of syntax and morphology.

2. Which of the following definitions of the word “commentary” adheres to the rules of writing formal definitions?
 o A. A commentary is a spoken and written description that is given by an outlooker in an event.

o B. A commentary is a spoken and written description given by an outlooker in an event.

o C. A commentary is a description given by an outlooker in an event.

o D. A commentary is a description that is given by an outlooker in an event.

3.The following statements are basic guidelines in writing a definition EXCEPT:

o A. Use Jargons and complex words to define the term.

o B. Write with simple grammatical structures rather than complex ones.

o C. Place key terms and short explanations near the start of the definition.

o D. Use conventional English words in explanations whenever possible.

4.Which of the following choices is the BEST revision of the definition inside the box?
Dictionary is a book which contains tons of terminologies and their definitions. It also includes usage, pronunciations, and example
sentences.

o A. Dictionary is a book containing tons of terminologies and their definitions including usage, pronunciations and example
sentences.

o B. Dictionary is a book containing tons of terminologies and their definitions that includes usage, pronunciations and example
sentences.

o C. Dictionary is a book which contains tons of terminologies and their definitions, including usage, pronunciations and example
sentences.

o D. Dictionary is a book containing tons of terminologies and their definitions, it also includes usage, pronunciations and example
sentences.

5.Which word or clause may be omitted in the definition below to lessen the wordiness of the definition inside the box without
changing its meaning?
Simile is the practice of drawing comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places and concepts, which
uses the words “as” and “like”.

o A. Simile is the practice of drawing comparisons between two unrelated things, people, beings, places, and concepts which
uses the words “as” and “like.

o B. Simile is the practice of drawing comparisons between two unrelated things, people, beings, places, and concepts using
the words “as” and “like.

o C. Simile is the practice of drawing comparisons between two unrelated things, people, beings, places, and concepts using
“as” and “like.
 o D. Simile is the practice of drawing comparisons between two unrelated and dissimilar things, people, beings, places, and
concepts using the words “as” and “like.

6.Which of the following is an example of formal definition?

o A. Astronomy is a branch of scientific study primarily concerned with celestial objects inside and outside of earths’
atmosphere.

o B. An electronic device that manipulates information or data is known as computer.

o C. Matter is anything that has a mass and takes up space. It is found in three chemical forms; elements, compounds and
mixtures.

o D. Love can be associated with care and adoration it is a feeling we usually give to someone we dearly love.

7.Which part of the sentence below is a genus?

Comic books are sequential and narrative publications consisting of illustration, captions dialogue balloons, and often focus on
super- powered heroes.

o A. Comic books are sequential and narrative publications.

o B. Sequential narrative publications

o C. Consisting of illustrations, captions, dialogue balloons.

o D. Often focus on super powered heroes.

8.Which part of the sentence below is a differentia?

The internet is a global system of networked computers that allows user-to-user

communication and transfer of data files.

o A. The internet is a global system of networked computers.

o B. A global system of networked that allows communication.

o C. Networked computers that allow user to user communication.

o D. Allows user- to user communication and transfer of data files.

9.Which part of the sentence below is a differentia?

Oxygen is a chemical element that constitutes 21 percent of the earth’s atmosphere and is present in
air and water.

o A. Oxygen is a chemical element that constitutes 21 percent

o B. Of the earth’s atmosphere and is present in air and water.

 o C. Chemical element that constitutes 21 percent of the earth’s atmosphere

o D. Constitutes 21 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere and is present in air and water.

10.Which of the following definitions of the term documentary best observes the guidelines in writing formal definitions?

Documentary films are a nonfictional motion picture which intends to document some aspects of reality that is primarily for purposes
of instruction or maintaining a historical record.

o A. Documentary films are a nonfictional mo tion picture which intends to document some aspects
of reality, primarily for purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record.
o B. Documentary films are a nonfictional motion picture intended to document some
aspects of reality, primarily for purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical
record.
o C. Documentary films are a nonfictional motion picture intends to document some
aspects of reality that is primarily for purposes of instruction or maintaining a
historical record.
o D. Documentary films are a nonfictional motion of picture which intends to
document some aspects of reality, primarily for purposes of instruction or
maintaining a historical record.

Assessment

1.D 6.A

2. B 7.B

3.A 8.D

4.A 9.D

5.C 10.B