Would you like to know which particles are in English language exist, and learn to use them correctly in speech? Then this material is for you: types of particles, examples of use and a few simple grammatical rules.

Particle (or Particle) is a representative of the auxiliary parts of speech. It does not change and does not have morphological forms, and is also not a member of the sentence; its main purpose is to emphasize a certain meaning of a word or statement as a whole, to impart an emotional and evaluative coloring.

It was just the cat I had been looking for since Sunday. “This is the cat I’ve been looking for since Sunday.”

He didn’t know if they had won the game. “He didn’t know if they won the match.”

NB! It should be taken into account that some particles coincide in form and spelling with other parts of speech, for example, with adverbs (precisely - exactly, yet - yet, still - yet), adjectives (even - even, right - directly), pronouns (either – too, all – completely). To determine which part of speech a word belongs to, refer to the context: particles do not have their own lexical meaning!

You should stay right here. “You should stand right here.” Right – particle (stand where? – right here).

You are right saying this. - You are right in saying this. Right is a short adjective (what are you like? - right).

Types of particles in English: features of use

Grammar scholars do not identify clear boundaries for the classification of English particles; some words may belong to several groups at the same time. However, the following general semantic categories can be distinguished.

Clarifying particles

Used to specify meaning. The most prominent representatives:

• Exactly - exactly

  He came at 5 p.m. exactly. – He came exactly at 5 o’clock in the evening.

• Precisely - exactly, exactly

  My brother paid for the costume precisely 100 pounds. My brother paid exactly 100 pounds for the suit.

• Right - straight, precise

  Mary came home right at time. Mary came home exactly on time.

• Just – exactly

  Yes, I was talking just about this actress. – Yes, I was talking about this actress.

Enhancing Particles

They are emphatic in nature and enhance the meaning of words. Included in this group:

• All - completely

  The party was over all too soon. – The party ended very early.

• Even - even

  Even Michael decided to visit her new flat. – Even Michael decided to visit her new apartment.

• Still - still

  This child needs still better treatment. “This child requires even more thorough treatment.”

• Only - only

  I want to get only this car. – I only want to get this car.

• But – just

  Please, don’t feel offended by Annie, she is but a little girl. “Please don’t be offended by Annie, she’s just a little girl.”

Learning to distinguish adverbs from particles of the same name

Restrictive-excretory particles

They play the role of a kind of “limiter” of meaning or draw the attention of the listener/reader to a certain meaning. This includes some particles from the previous group. Representatives: alone - only, merely - just, even - even, only - only and others.

NB! When assigning similar words to one category or another, pay attention to their role in the sentence.

Examples of the use of restrictive-exclusive particles in English are reflected in the table:

Negative particles

They express negation, refer to a single word or to an entire sentence.

not

Kate wished to travel around the world, not Fox. – Kate wanted to travel the whole world, not Fox.

no

He had no chance of getting acquainted with Liza. – He had no chance to meet Lisa.

A clear example of denial

They do not belong to any group, but are of interest to foreign language learners: the particle whether in English (expressed using the words if or whether) and the complementary particle ELSE (yet).

I mean only his attractiveness nothing else. “I only mean his attractiveness, nothing more.”

Everybody wondered whether they were married or not. “Everyone was interested in the question whether they were married or not.”

As can be seen from numerous examples, particles mainly occupy a place before the word being defined and are only occasionally placed after it. With their help, we make speech more emotional and expressive, and isn’t this what we should strive for when learning any foreign language? Let this short article serve as a kind of compass in the grammatical sea of ​​function words and allow you to learn more about particles and how to use them.

Rules for using the else particle (in English):

Brief material about particles in English with examples (in Russian):

In English there is a certain attitude towards “no” words. They accompany verbs and nouns; they can be found in the group of adverbs, particles, and pronouns. We decided to collect the most popular and frequent negatives in the English language so that you can get to know this special “negative” group.

When using the Negatives, you should remember one important rule: leave only one negative in English at a time. simple sentence. Analogies with the Russian language will only get in the way here:

Nobody has ever done this.

In a Russian sentence we see three negatives at once - the pronoun no one, the adverb never, the verb did not do. In English this situation is unacceptable.
The first translation that comes to mind is the translation using “nobody”:

No one has ever done it.

However, there are more ways to form a negative. This sentence can also be translated as:

• People have never done it.
• People haven't ever done it.

So, we have collected for you the top 5 “no” words, the knowledge of which will expand your language capabilities.

Negative particle Not

Truly the most common way to express negation in English is by using the particle not with verbs. Modal verbs, forms to be, have got, will add this particle after themselves:

You mustn’t ever be late. - You should never be late.

Haven’t you got any respect for these people? -You have no respect for these people at all?

In the case of weak verbs in English, the particle not joins auxiliary verb don't/ doesn't/ didn't:

It didn't disappear anywhere. The knife is on the table. - He hasn't disappeared anywhere. Knife on the table.

Particle into Russian not is translated as “not” and is used mainly with verbs.

Negative word No

Almost as good as the first negative in terms of frequency of use English word"No". In a sentence, it most often comes before the noun that negates:

I have no money. - I have no money.

The tourists see no danger. - Tourists do not see any danger.

You should not translate sentences word by word. Use euphonious phrases that won’t hurt your ears. You are unlikely to hear this translation:

Tourists see there is no danger.

Unless an electronic translator can please you with such original passages from time to time.

Negative No+word

We decided to present this group as a separate category. Here you will find compound words. The English language allows you to combine, which you use so happily no:

• no one/ nobody - no one

No one knows her name. She opens it to nobody. - Nobody knows her name. She doesn't reveal it to anyone.

• nothing - nothing

Nothing can change my mind. - Nothing will change my mind.

• nowhere - nowhere

Where is the ring? I can find it nowhere. - Where is the ring? I can't find it anywhere.

Many of these “conjunctions” are so tightly integrated into the structure of the language that they are not perceived as no+noun. These are like this set expressions How:

no way- no way, where is the first meaning way- "way"
nonsense- nonsense, where sense means “reason”, “sense”
none of- none of, none of
no matter what/ no matter who/ no matter when/ etc.- no matter what/no matter who/no matter where/and so on.

Negative adverb Never

Adverb never translated into Russian “never”:

I will never forget your kindness. - I will never forget your kindness.

Like other representatives of “negativism,” it not only fully forms a negation in an English sentence, but also actively attaches other words to itself, forming new facets of negations:

nevertheless- despite, however, nevertheless
never mind- forget it, don't think about it
never-to-be-forgotten- unforgettable
never-ending- endless
etc. - and so on

Negative word neither

The English word closes our top five neither, which, depending on its function in a sentence, can be a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. In any case, its single meaning is “no one”, “neither of”, “neither one nor the other”.

Neither of you is invited. - None of you are invited.

This word also appears in combination neither ..., nor - neither one nor the other.

Neither Davis, nor Parker lived in Paris. - Neither Davis nor Parker lived in Paris.

In conclusion, we would like to remind you once again that only one negation can be present within a simple English sentence. Of course, in colloquial speech, in songs, in films, you can encounter a violation of the rule, but this is rather an exception.

We wish you positive things in learning English!

Victoria Tetkina

Particles belong to the auxiliary part of speech, the function of which is to introduce additional or restrictive semantic shades. English particles do not change their shape in any way and are not endowed with grammatical categories and cannot be considered as members of the proposal.

English particles can be divided into several semantic categories:

Restrictive-excretory , for example: only - only, even - even, but - but, only - just, only - alone, just - merely. Their task is to emphasize a word or limit the meaning that it conveys, for example:

• — It was merely a mirage. – It was just a mirage.
• — Jane only wants to visit her sister. Jane only wants to visit her sister.
• — Even Elisabeth ate cakes. “Even Elizabeth ate cakes.”
• — Even if they win, our team will remain the best. – Even if they win, our team will remain the best.
• — Her daughter eats nothing but potatoes. – Her daughter eats nothing but potatoes.

Amplifiers, serving to enhance the semantics of a certain word, for example: even - even, for now - yet, still - still, absolutely - all, but, just - just, simply - simply, only - only, never, for example:

• — Robert can`t leave Sarah all alone! “Robert can’t leave Sarah all alone!”
• — Jane has just to buy flowers. All Jane has to do is buy flowers.
• — Their customers demanded still better quality. “Their customers demanded even better quality.
• — If Jack only could visit her! “If only Jack could visit her!”

Clarification, specifying the meanings of the corresponding words, for example: directly - right, exactly - exactly, exactly - precisely, only - just, for example:

• — Your children have to stand right behind that red line. “Your children should stand right behind that red line.”
• — Her husband must be at the hotel precisely at four o`clock p.m. “Her husband should be at the hotel at exactly four o’clock in the afternoon.”

Negative the particle “neither”, which can also act in an intensifying function, for example:

• — Not all her charges were reasonable. “Not all of her accusations were reasonable.”
• — There was not a single car available for rent. – There wasn’t a single car at the rental.

Complementary particle “else”, for example:

• — Could George repeat anything else? – Was George able to add anything else?
• - What else can Jane cook for your cousin to make his day? “What else can Jane cook for your cousin to please him?”

From the above examples, we can see the fact that some particles are characterized by ambiguity, which allows them to be classified into different groups. First of all, particles are so polysemantic but, just, only, not .

In most cases, particles in English speech precede those words whose meaning they influence; in rare cases they take place behind such words, for example:

• — Not all the pupils were ready to help Elisabeth. – Not all the students were ready to help Elizabeth.
• — During April alone James` losses made US$ ten million. – During the month of April alone, James’s losses amounted to ten million US dollars.

In speech, the shape of particles can often coincide with the shape of words belonging to other parts of speech. To distinguish particles from other parts of speech, it is necessary to remember that they (particles) are auxiliary, and, therefore, no properties, qualities and signs (like adjectives), no signs of various actions (like adverbs) and no objects or signs (like pronouns) cannot denote. Particles are not endowed with any meaning of their own and are only capable of emphasizing, clarifying, and highlighting the meanings of other significant words. For example:

• — Did James come back yet? – James hasn’t returned yet (adverb)?
• — Alan`s relatives have yet a new big problem. – Alan’s relatives have another new big problem (particle).
• — Mary`s train has just pulled in. – Mary’s train has just arrived (adverb).
• — Just don`t drink milk! – Just don’t drink milk (particle)!

The use of particles in speech is extremely important, since their use brings to the surface a certain hidden meaning inherent in the statement and emphasizes the logical connections between different statements. Particles can also enhance the expressiveness of statements, that is, their speech impact on interlocutors. The absence of particles even in competent English speech can lead to the perception of such speech as impolite, rude, etc. The meaning of English particles is closely related to the context and can be a difficult task when translating.

If the Russian language is flooded with particles, then English is not rich in them at all. This fact creates considerable problems in the work of translators and significantly affects the accuracy of translation and the overall translatability of texts, for example:

• — Their meeting was over all too late. – Their meeting ended too late. – The additional strengthening of “uzh” in addition to “too” seems somewhat unnecessary and not very natural for the Russian language, which cannot be said about the English text.
• — All too easily Sarah might recover. “Sarah could have recovered quite well.” – Here, the double amplification of the particle “easily” is quite difficult to translate into Russian, however, it is completely natural for the English language.

In many foreign languages There is such a thing as an article. Starting to study grammar with this topic would be a good option for those who want to know English. The article (the rule of use will help you understand the question) is a functional part of speech in the English language. It shows certainty or uncertainty. Below in the text are the rules for its use when the article a (an), the is omitted.

Types of articles

There are two types of articles in English:

• definite - the;
• indefinite - a (an) (two forms).

The definite article shows that we are talking about some well-known or familiar object that is more individualized and stands out from others in some way. And indefinite indicates a more generalized meaning or an object that appears in the text for the first time. Examples:

The girl has a dog./The girl has a dog.

From this sentence it can be understood that we are talking about a specific girl who is already familiar to the reader and she was previously mentioned in the text, but the word “dog” is more general, what kind of dog is unknown.

Origin

We have already found out that in English there is such a part of speech as the article: a (an), the. They originally came from other words and to some extent retained their old meaning.

For example, the definite article is a shortened form of the word that (that, that), which is why it carries such a specific meaning.

Comes from the word one (someone, some).

Definite article

In English, the definite article has two functions: the first of them is specifying, and the other is generalizing. And this part of speech is used if a person knows exactly what object is being discussed, or if this object is unique.

The definite article in a specific meaning

• It is used if one item stands out from the entire set, it has some excellent parameters, it stands out due to a unique case, context. Before adjectives in

He is the best player in our team./He is the best player in our team.

• Placed before the words following, last, next, only and very. They make the noun more specific.

And not the next day./And not the next day.

• Superlative adjectives are also preceded by a definite article.

It is the worst day in my life./This is the worst day in my life.

The definite article in its general meaning

• Generalizing - when a noun can be attributed to a whole type of object.

Examples include the German Shepherd - the double coat is straight, and short length./For example, the German Shepherd. The coat has two characteristics: straight and short.

Here we are talking about all dogs belonging to a specific breed.

• Omitted if replaced by a possessive pronoun.

She sure had some love for her German Shepards./She definitely loves her German Shepherds.

• If you can put the word “this” in front of a noun.

The hotel also features easy access to the several subway stations./The hotel (this hotel) is also easily accessible from several subway stations.

• When indicating the era, significant events.

The First World War./First World War.

• Before uncountable nouns, only if we are talking about a certain volume of a substance.

And then the farmer has to find another way to deliver the juice./Then the farmer will have to find another way to produce juice.

• Before the names of body parts.

The hand/hand.

• Before social classes and strata of society.

The police./Police officers.

The definite article with proper names and some names

The table below will help you better understand how to use articles with proper names and some names. All the words below must be preceded by the definite article the.

Proper names	Examples
Rivers	the Nakdong
Newspaper names	the Washington Post
Geographical names	the North Pole
Objects from astronomy	the Moon
Mountain names	the Andes
Cardinal directions	in the East
Surnames in the plural (meaning all family members)	the Adamsons
Channels	the Nicaragua Canal
City districts	the West End
Nationalities	the Italian
Unique architectural structures	the Winter Palace
Deserts	the Bolivian
Names of reservoirs	the Black Sea
Vessel names	the Aurora
Some countries	the Argentina
Nicknames	the Tall Ben

Definite article. Plural

• If the definite article is used before a word in the singular, then it is also placed before it in the plural.

You can bring the ball with, if you want./If you want, take the ball with you.

You can bring the balls with, if you want./If you want, take the balls with you.

• Also the article remains before plural, if we are talking about a group as a whole.

The members of Golf club can breathe fresh air./Members of the golf club can breathe fresh air. (Everyone can breathe fresh air).

Indefinite article a (an)

Use “a” if the first letter in the word is a consonant, “an” if it is a vowel:

• a table, a carpet, a dog/table, carpet, dog;
• an elephant, an eagle, an orange.

Exceptions to the rule:

• the article "a" is always placed before words that begin with the letter "u" if it is pronounced as /ju:/ (English is a universal language);
• before the words “one”, “ones” the article “a” is always used (a one-parent family);
• If abbreviations begin with a consonant, but are read with a vowel (F is pronounced like /ef/), then the indefinite article “an” (an FBI agent) is always used before them.

Classifying, generalizing and numeral meaning of the indefinite article

• In expressive sentences, exclamatory sentences that begin with the word what, use the indefinite article.

What a great!/How great!

• With singular nouns preceded by words such as rather, quite, such and most.

In a rather prescient way./Very far-sighted.

• If a noun is a generalizing meaning for an entire class, type, layer, etc., then an indefinite article is placed before it. Most often, such a noun appears at the beginning of a sentence and does not carry any important information. More significant details are described later in the text.

A newspaper text is a very laconic and relevant essay./Newspaper text is a laconic and relevant essay.

• In its numerical value, the article denotes its original meaning - one.

I can stay in Paris for only a day./I could stay in Paris for just a day. (Here it is clear that the particle -a can be replaced by one, the word from which the article a (an) was formed (the - from that). In this sentence, the particle takes its usual place).

The indefinite article a (an). Plural

Articles that are used before nouns in the singular are not used in the plural.

She had a book of astrology./She had a book on astrology.

She had two books./She had two books. (As you can see, the article is omitted.)

Proper names and articles a (an)

The article a (an) is used before if they:

• unknown

A Mr. Anderson has come to see you./A certain Mr. Anderson came to see you.

• used as common nouns

You think, I am a Leonardoda Vinci?/Do you think I am Leonardo da Vinci?

• point to individual family members

It is no wonder; in fact, she is a Smith./No wonder, because she is Smith.

• describe the position of a place or object

We saw a rebuild Rome./We saw Rome rebuilt.

In addition, there are stable expressions that, regardless of the context, never change and always remain in their place. You just need to learn these phrases:

a few/several, it is a pity/sorry, a little/a little, etc.

When the article is not needed

In English there is such a thing as when it is absent in sentences before nouns. Cases where the article is omitted have already been mentioned in the article. Let's look at a few more typical rules.

• If the nouns are preceded by the adjectives old/old, little/small, poor/poor, lazy/lazy, honest/honest.

She is little girl./She is a little girl.

• If there is no definition for the noun.

I do not like Peter./I don’t like Peter.

• Before titles, titles.

Lord Green./Lord Green.

Exercises on articles

To consolidate the acquired knowledge, you need to do several exercises. Then check your answers with the keys and analyze the errors. For example, you can do the task below.

Fill in the missing article a (an), the:

Paris is…beautiful town./Paris is a beautiful city.

What's going on? I think it's … salute./What's going on? I think it's a fireworks.

Britney Spears is ... singer./Britney Spears is a singer.

This is Nick. He is... engineer./This is Nick. He is an engineer.

… spider has eight legs./Spiders have eight legs.

It is... tomato./This is a tomato.

I am...nurse./I am a nurse.

She is... best./She is the best.

To take... seat./Sit down.

In... country./In the country.

Answers to the exercise. How to correctly insert the article a (an), the:

1. a. 2. a. 3. a. 4. an. 5. a. 6. a. 7. a. 8. the. 9. a. 10. the.

What does the particle to mean before verbs? Do you know the answer to this question?

Most people learning English don't even think about it. That's why they make mistakes by using this particle before each verb. When should it be used?

In this article I will answer this question and explain to you when you need to put to before verbs and when not.

What does the particle to mean and when is it used?

In English we use the particle to before the initial (indefinite) form of the verb. The initial form of a verb is a form that does not tell us who will perform the actions and when.

Infinitive verbs answer the question “what to do?” and “what to do?” For example:

(what to do?) to write - write;
(what to do?) to see - to see.

In English we call the infinitive form of a verb infinitive.

How do we understand that this is an infinitive?

In Russian, we understand that we have a verb in the indefinite form at the end TH: skaz t, rice t, call t. In English, the endings of words do not change.

And here it comes to our aid particle to, which serves precisely as an indicator, which in Russian is the ending TH. That is, if we see a particle to before a verb, we can safely say that this verb is in the indefinite form: to say, to paint to call.

If you look at the particle to and pronounce it, you will see that it is VERY similar to Russian TH, but only at the beginning of a sentence.

I want to call my sister.
I want (what to do?) call t to my sister.

I forgot to give him his book.
I forgot (what to do?) yes t him his book.

I will go to swim tomorrow.
I'll go (what to do?) swim t Tomorrow.

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When do we not put the particle to before infinitive verbs?

There are exceptions to every rule. Let's look at them:

1. When a verb is preceded in an indefinite form by a verb that expresses not an action, but a possibility, necessity, ability.

In English we call such verbs modal: can (can), may (I can), must (must), need(necessary), should(should). After them we do not use the particle to.

I can run fast.
I can run fast.

You must tell me the truth.
You must tell me the truth.

He should be more careful.
He should be more careful.

True, there are several modal verbs that must be used with the particle to: have to (need), oughtto(should).

They have to work hard.
They have to work hard.

She ought to help me.
She must help me.

2. After the verb let (give, let).

Let's me know how you are.
Let me know how you are.

Let's him say.
Let him speak.

3. After the verb make if we use it meaning "to force".

You make me think about it.
He made me think about it.

He makes me smile.
He makes me smile.

4. If in one sentence there are two verbs in the indefinite form and between them there is and or or (or), then we do not put the particle to before the second verb.

I want to sing and dance.
I want to sing and dance.

I don't know to cry or laugh.
I don't know whether to cry or laugh.

The difference between the particle to and the preposition to in English

It is very important not to confuse particle to With preposition to. Even though they sound and spell the same, they are actually two different words.

Particle to we use it with a verb in its initial form.

Preposition to we use with nouns. To this preposition we can ask the question “Where?” Let's look at a few examples.

Particle to

I like (what to do?) to read interesting books.
I like (what to do?) cheat t interesting books.

I want to meet my friends.
I want (what to do?) meet t with my friends.

Preposition to

I go (where?) to the cinema today.
I'll go (where?) V cinema today.

Every day I go to my work.
Every day I go (where?) on work.

Together now

I want (what to do?) to drink the water so I go (where?) to the kitchen.

I want (what to do?) bittern t water, so I went (where?) on kitchen.

When asking a question, we can easily determine whether it is a particle or a preposition.

Summarize

1. We put the particle to before verbs in the initial form (infinitive).

2. There are exceptions when we do not use a particle: after modal verbs (see above), after the verbs let and make, when in a sentence 2 verbs are connected by the preposition and/or (see above).

3. The particle to is used with verbs, and the preposition to is used with nouns. These are different words.

4. How to check whether the to particle should be used or not? To do this, we ask the question “what to do?”, “what to do?”. If these questions sound logical, then we put to before the verb.

Think about it.
(Do what?) Think about it.

I want to think about it.
I want to (do what?) think about it.

I hope now you won’t be confused about where you need to put the to particle and where you shouldn’t. If you have any questions, ask them in the comments below the article.

Reinforcement task

Now let's check how well you understand where the to particle should be placed and where not. Put the verb in brackets in correct form. Don't forget about exceptions.

For example: “She will go (play) tennis. - She will go to play tennis."

1. My sister can (run) fast.
2. (Look) at this picture.
3. I want (cook) dinner.
4. Let him (help) you.
5. My friend forgot (call) me.
6. She decided (sell) her car.
7. He made me (buy) it.
8. You may (sit down) here.
9. I can (bring) your book.
10. We like (eat) sweets.
11. They should (write) it.
12. She wanted (drink) and (eat).

As always, write your answers in the comments. I'll definitely check them out.