Tamil Nadu HSE First Year Communicative English key terms

A conclusion drawn from clues in a text rather than from a statement made outright. Readers combine evidence with their own knowledge to work out what is implied.

The central point a passage communicates, usually stated or suggested in one sentence. Everything else in the text supports, explains or illustrates it.

The sentence, often first in a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's controlling idea. The remaining sentences develop or support it with reasons and examples.

Information surrounding an unfamiliar word that helps a reader guess its meaning. Definitions, examples, contrasts and restatements in nearby sentences all serve as clues.

A word with a meaning close to another word in the same context, such as 'begin' and 'commence'. Exact interchangeability is rare, so register and collocation still matter.

A word expressing a meaning opposite to another, as 'scarce' contrasts with 'abundant'. Antonyms help readers work out meaning through contrast in a sentence.

A meaningful unit attached before a root word to change its sense, as un- in 'unfair' or re- in 'rewrite'. Knowing common prefixes helps candidates decode unfamiliar vocabulary.

A meaningful unit added after a root word, often changing its word class, as -ness turning 'kind' into 'kindness'. Suffixes signal whether a word acts as noun, verb, adjective or adverb.

The grammatical category a word belongs to, such as noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition or conjunction. Identifying it helps candidates choose the correct form in gap-filling tasks.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person, as in 'She writes' versus 'They write'. Collective nouns and intervening phrases often complicate the choice.

The verb form that locates an action or state in time, such as present, past or future. Correct sequencing of tenses keeps a narrative or report consistent.

Conveying someone's words indirectly without quotation marks, adjusting pronouns and tense, as 'She said she was tired'. It contrasts with direct speech, which quotes the exact words.

A sentence pattern in which the subject performs the action, as 'The committee approved the plan'. It is usually clearer and more direct than the passive.

A sentence pattern in which the subject receives the action, formed with a form of 'be' plus past participle, as 'The plan was approved'. It suits formal reports where the doer is unknown or unimportant.

A sentence expressing a condition and its result, usually with 'if'. First conditional handles real possibilities; second and third conditionals handle unreal or past situations.

A helping verb such as can, could, may, might, must, should or would that expresses ability, permission, possibility, obligation or advice. It is followed by a bare infinitive.

The determiner 'a', 'an' or 'the' placed before a noun. Definite 'the' marks something already identified; indefinite 'a' or 'an' introduces one of a class.

A word showing the relation between a noun and another element, such as in, on, at, by, for or with. Fixed combinations like 'depend on' must be learned as units.

The habitual pairing of words that native users expect together, such as 'make a decision' rather than 'do a decision'. Accurate collocation makes writing sound natural.

The level of language suited to official, academic or public communication, avoiding slang and contractions. Letters to officials, reports and applications normally require it.

The greeting that opens a letter, such as 'Dear Sir' or 'Dear Madam'. In formal Indian usage it is followed by a comma, and the complimentary close must match its tone.

The polite ending of a letter, such as 'Yours faithfully' or 'Yours sincerely'. 'Yours faithfully' pairs with unnamed recipients, 'Yours sincerely' with named ones.

A short public announcement displayed on a board or circulated, giving information about an event, loss or change. It states what, when, where and whom to contact concisely.

The ordered list of items to be discussed at a meeting, circulated in advance. It helps participants prepare and keeps discussion to time.

The official written record of decisions and discussion at a meeting, written in past tense and third person. They are confirmed at the next meeting as an accurate account.

Producing a structured factual account with a title, introduction, findings and conclusion. Reports use headings, impersonal tone and evidence rather than opinion.

A formal letter requesting a post, scholarship or permission, stating qualifications and reasons. It follows a fixed layout and is often accompanied by a curriculum vitae.

The quality that makes a piece of writing hold together logically, with each point following from the last. Linking words and consistent pronoun reference create it.

The linking of sentences through devices such as conjunctions, pronouns and repeated key words. It gives surface connection, while coherence gives underlying logic.

A word or phrase joining ideas, such as 'however', 'therefore', 'moreover' or 'in addition'. Choosing the right one signals contrast, cause, result or sequence accurately.

Restating a text's meaning in different words while keeping the sense intact. It is a comprehension check and a way to avoid direct copying in summaries.

A shortened restatement of a text's main points in the writer's own words. It omits examples and repetition and keeps only what is essential to the meaning.

A single sentence stating the central argument of an essay, usually placed at the end of the introduction. The body paragraphs then develop and support it.

A deliberate departure from literal language for effect, including simile, metaphor, personification and hyperbole. Identifying it supports appreciation of both prose and poetry.

Descriptive language appealing to the senses that creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind. It often carries emotional weight and reinforces a text's theme.

The writer's attitude towards the subject, conveyed through word choice and detail, such as ironic, nostalgic or indignant. It differs from mood, which is the reader's feeling.

Listening to catch the overall meaning of a spoken passage without pausing on every word. It precedes detailed listening and helps predict what comes next.

The way words are spoken, covering individual sounds, word stress and intonation. Clear pronunciation, not accent removal, is the classroom speaking goal.

The extra force given to a particular syllable or word in speech. Correct word stress, as in 'PHOtograph' versus 'phoTOgraphy', keeps meaning intelligible to listeners.