Here's a breakdown:
Function Words:
* Don't have concrete meanings: They don't refer to specific objects, actions, or concepts.
* Serve grammatical roles: They connect, modify, or introduce other words, phrases, or clauses.
* Examples:
* Prepositions: on, in, at, by, from, to, etc.
* Conjunctions: and, but, or, so, because, etc.
* Determiners: the, a, an, this, that, these, those, etc.
* Pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they, etc.
* Auxiliary verbs: be, have, do, will, can, etc.
Why are function words important?
* Structure: Function words help to structure sentences and phrases. They show relationships between words and phrases.
* Clarity: They add clarity to the meaning of a sentence by showing how words connect and function together.
* Fluency: They help make sentences flow smoothly and grammatically correct.
Examples:
* "The cat sat on the mat." (on is a preposition showing location)
* "I went to the store and bought some milk." (and is a conjunction connecting two clauses)
* "This is my favorite book." (This is a determiner specifying the book)
Key takeaway: Function words are essential for building grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. They don't have independent meanings themselves, but they play a vital role in how we express our thoughts and ideas.