1. Words that come between other words:
* This is the most straightforward definition. Intervening words are simply words that appear between two other words. For example, in the phrase "The big red ball", the words "red" and "big" are intervening words between "The" and "ball".
2. Words that break up a phrase or clause:
* Intervening words can also refer to words that interrupt the flow of a phrase or clause, often by adding extra information or emphasis.
For example, in the sentence "The dog, which was very hungry, ate the entire bowl of food," the words "which was very hungry" are intervening words that interrupt the main clause "The dog ate the entire bowl of food."
3. Words that modify a noun or verb:
* Intervening words can be adjectives, adverbs, or prepositional phrases that modify the meaning of a noun or verb.
For example, in the phrase "The brightly colored flowers", "brightly colored" is an intervening phrase that modifies the noun "flowers."
4. Words that are extraneous or irrelevant:
* In some cases, "intervening words" can refer to words that are not essential to the meaning of a sentence or phrase. This is often used in the context of concise writing or editing, where extraneous words are removed for clarity.
To understand the precise meaning of "intervening words" in a specific context, consider:
* The surrounding words: What are the words immediately before and after the supposed intervening words?
* The grammatical structure: Do the intervening words modify other words, or are they simply extra information?
* The intended meaning: What is the overall message being conveyed?
By considering these factors, you can determine the specific meaning of "intervening words" in any given instance.