Monosyllable - Definition and Examples

Monosyllable s A monosyllable is a  word or an utterance of one syllable. Adjective: monosyllabic. Contrast with  polysyllable.   In linguistics, monosyllables are most commonly studied in the fields of phonology  and morphology. Unlike a lexical monosyllable (such as dog, run, or big), a grammatical (or functional) monosyllable (such as the definite article the) has no semantic content. Etymology:  From the Greek, one syllable Examples and Observations For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?(Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813)[M]any of the finest passages in our language are nearly, if not altogether, monosyllabic. Indeed, it could not well be otherwise, if it be true that, as Dean Swift has remarked, the English language is overstocked with monosyllables. . . . Floy has written a lengthy and very ingenious article, entirely in monosyllables, in which he undertakes, as he says, to prove that short words, in spite of the sneer in the text, need not creep, nor be dull, but that they give strength, and life, and fire to the verse of those who know how to use them.(Gleanings From the Harvest-Fields of Literature, Science and Art: A Melange of Excerpta, Curious, Humorous, and Instructive, edited by Charles C. Bombaugh. T. Newton Kurtz, 1860) Small words can be crisp, brief, tersego to the point, like a knife. They have a charm all their own. They dance, twist, turn, sing. Like sparks in the night, they light the way for the eyes of those who read. They are the grace notes of prose. You know what they say the way you know a day is bright and fairat first sight. And you find, as you read, that you like the way they say it. Small words are gay. And they can catch large thoughts and hold them up for all to see, like rare stones in rings of gold, or joy in the eyes of a child. Some make you feel, as well as see: the cold deep dark of night, the hot salt sting of tears.(Joseph Ecclesine, Advice to Scientistsin Words of One Syllable. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 1965)Good friend, thou hast no cause to say so yet;But thou shalt have; and creep time neer so slow,Yet it shall come, for me to do thee good.I had a thing to say. But let it go.​(William Shakespeare, King John Act III, scene 3)And God said, Let t here be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good.(Genesis I) Lifes more than breath, and the quick round of bloodWe live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breathsWe should count time by heart-throbs. He most livesWho thinks mostfeels the noblestacts the best.Lifes but a means unto an end.(Philip James Bailey, Festus, 1839) The Lighter Side of Monosyllables Louisa Glasson:  Underneath the gruff,   monosyllabic, well-meaning but rude person, youre . . . gruff, monosyllabic, and, well, rude.Dr. Martin Ellingham:  What about well-meaning? ​(Caroline Catz and Martin Clunes, Erotomania.  Doc Martin, 2006) Pronunciation: MON-oh-sil-eh-bel

Spanish Verbs Morir and Morirse

Spanish Verbs Morir and Morirse Question: I am reading your explanation on caer and caerse and am interested to know if you have addressed morir and morirse. Not being a native speaker, those two verbs are very confusing for me and my students. Answer: Thats a great question. Although some verbs, like caer, are used in the reflexive form to indicate an unexpected action, that isnt the case with morir, which typically means to die (either literally or figuratively). In general, it is always grammatically correct to use morir (the nonreflexive form) to mean to die. Some examples: Mi perrita murià ³ hace 3 dà ­as. My puppy died three days ago. Mi padre murià ³ y no sabemos cul era su contraseà ±a. My father died, and we dont know what his password was. Si elegimos no hacer nada, entonces la esperanza morir. If we choose to do nothing, then hope will die. Muere de cncer la cantante mexicana. The Mexican singer is dying of cancer. Al menos cinco soldados murieron y ocho resultaron heridos. At least five soldiers died and eight were injured. Although not mandatory in such instances, the reflexive form, morirse can be used when speaking about a natural death, especially one that didnt come suddenly. It can also be used when speaking of friends or relatives. Some examples: Los dinosaurios no se murieron de frà ­o. The dinosaurs didnt die of cold. Mi amigo se murià ³ hace dos dà ­as en un trgico accidente. My friend died two days ago in a tragic accident. Yo me morirà © sin tus besos. I will die without your kisses. Me choca cuando se mueren los escritores que me gustan. I am shocked when writers that I like die. Mis abuelos se murieron en Colombia y yo no pude ir a sus funerales. My grandparents died in Colombia and I couldnt go to their funerals. However, this isnt a hard and fast rule. You might also think of morirse as being more informal or less serious-sounding than morir. Or you might think of morirse as a somewhat softer form of the verb. If youre uncertain which one to use, morir is probably the safer choice.