Grammar Explanation: Particle

Particles are a mess, grammar-wise. Grammarians don’t seem to know what to do with it. Think of the poor particle as the junk drawer of English with grammarians dumping anything they can’t categorize in with particles.

Particles form phrasal verbs. They are also the to part of an infinitive.

Most particles are also prepositions. They convey emotion using helping verbs that emphasize, restrict, limit, or make negative the meaning of separate words, groups of words, or even whole phrases.

Unlike nouns, pronouns, verbs, and articles, particles do not change inflexion, i.e., match up with the gender, plurality, or tense.

Something for writers to consider is if they are writing for non-native speakers who may be confused by verbal idioms, a.k.a. phrasal verbs. Just think how confusing it may be when they read “I was determined to know beans”. Ahem. Think up a one-word substitute and definitely avoid using the same phrasal verb with different meanings in the same document.

I looked up the directions.

Amy looked up the road.

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You should speak up.

Speak up, boy.

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Take off that dress.

The plane’s about to take off.

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The teacher passed out our homework.

She passed out from the heat.

The Noble Particle

This particular particle is all about surnames and that sense of nobility it imparts to the person.

These days it doesn’t mean much, but if you’re writing historical novels or novels about the nobility, it’s a good idea to explore this one and make your characters more realistic.

You may want to explore the difference between particle and participle.

Grammar Explanations is…

…an evolving list of the structural rules and principles that determines where words are placed in phrases or sentences as well as how the language is spoken. Sometimes I run across an example that helps explain better or another “also known as”. Heck, there’s always a better way to explain it, so if it makes quicker and/or better sense, I would appreciate suggestions and comments from anyone on an area of grammar with which you struggle or on which you can contribute more understanding.

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Particle
Part of Speech: Grammar
Definition: A broad term, that does not change its form through inflection, for a function word that must be associated with another to give meaning. Post Contents: Adverb Particle Discourse Particle Temporal Discourse Particle Discourse Connective Infinitive Marker Intensifying Particle Negative Particle Particles in Quasi-modal Verbs Proper Name Particle A.k.a. discrete entity
Partial List of Particles
along away back by down forward in off on out over round under up
Partial List of Particles as Phrasal Verbs
add up blow up break down bring up broke up call off came by cut down on fill in found out held up give in go in for knock out lay in on let up live down lived down look over look up make up pass on pass out pull through put in for put off put out put up with rule out send back throw away throw up turn in turn up turned up wore out
Adverb Particle	Definition: A particle/preposition that, when combined with a verb, forms phrasal verbs, multi-word verbs, used in many colloquial and idiomatic expressions. The usage of an adverb particle does performs several tasks: Provides important meaning as part of a phrasal verb in some sentences Can give flavor to some sentences A.k.a. adverbial particle
Return to top or post contents	Partial List of Adverb Particles
	along by down forward in off up under
	Examples:
	With Adverb Particle Without Adverb Particle He ate up all his dinner. He ate all his dinner. Sassy went away on a long trip. Sassy went on a long trip.
	We will talk over the problem.	We will talk the problem.
	Jimmy started out with sixty dollars.	Jimmy started with sixty dollars.
	The project was moving along at a steady rate.	The project was moving at a steady rate.
	The airplane took off at 3am precisely.	The airplane took off 3 a.m. precisely.
	Legend: Green indicates the adverb particle

Discourse Particle	Definition: Directs or redirects the flow of conversation or talk without adding any significant paraphrasable meaning to the discourse. This particle is more likely to be part of speech than writing.
Return to top or post contents	To initiate a conversation To mark a shift/partial shift in topic To preface a response or a reaction To serve as a filler or delaying tactic To aid the speaker in holding the floor To effect an interaction or sharing between speaker and hearer To bracket the discourse either cataphorically or anaphorically To mark either foregrounded or backgrounded information To indicate that a point in a discussion has been conceded or already taken into account To present additional or supplementary ideas To provide a sense of where something is in relation to something else To contrast ideas, signaling the notion of difference To supply a sense of when something is happening To compare two ideas and express similarities To demonstrate a sense of logical sequence To offer an illustration or an example To deliver a summary of the ideas discussed A.k.a. DM, discourse connective, discourse marker, pragmatic marker, pragmatic particle Müller Discourse participles can be divided into four broad categories: Cognitive markers reveal the speaker’s thought process: Processing information: uhh Realization: oh! Rephrasing: I mean Interpersonal markers are used to indicate the relationship between the speaker and the listener: Perception: look, believe me Agreement: exactly Disagreement: I’m not sure Amazement: wow Referential markers, usually conjunctions, are used to indicate the sequence, causality, and coordination between statements: Sequence (temporal): now, then Causality: because Coordination: and Non-coordination: but Structural markers indicate the hierarchy of conversational actions at the time in which they are spoken, indicating which statements the speaker believes to be most or least important. Organization: first of all Introduction: so Summarization: in the end
	Partial List of Discourse Particles
	actually after all ah and anyway basically because believe me but exactly first of all hey however I mean I’m not sure in the end like look now oh or okay so then uh-huh well wow yet you know
	Examples:
	Now, who would like some dinner? I was told I would be fired. Well, I will not accept that without a fight! I could so go for like a huge ice cream cone right now, with like, a roast chicken simultaneously. You should’ve gone to China, you know, ’cause I hear they give away babies like free iPods. Flipping people off is more my sister’s style, anyway. Legend: Green indicates the discourse particle
Temporal Discourse Particle	Definition: A time-related transition that indicates the direction of the talk, prior and upcoming. Schriffin
Return to top or post contents	List of Temporal Particles
	after before now then while
	Examples:
	After he met Jenni, his behavior changed quickly. He was very self-assured now. After Elizabeth left, Mark went to the movies. Now, he feels very frustrated and thinks of leaving school
	Rule: Now points forward in time and/or focuses on how the speaker’s own discourse follows the speaker’s own prior talk.
	Now she wouldn’t say something like that, if she was rational. Now Peter is working for a new company. I think a few months from now, and the US will improve.
	Rule: Then points backward in time and/or focuses on how the speaker’s discourse follows either party’s prior talk.
	Then, she said she talked to Peter. I took a hot bath, and then I had a light dinner. I watched my favorite TV show, and then I went to bed.
Discourse Connective	Definition: Intended to connect two clauses linking sentences or clauses at the surface level and marking the semantic relation between sentences or discourse segments.
Return to top or post contents	Grammarians are at odds amongst themselves about what words/phrases constitute connectives, but they do agree that they can be a: Conjunction Connecting adverb Preposition Relative pronoun, connecting clauses or phrases Conjunctive or relative adverbs, connecting clauses or phrases
	List of Discourse Connectives
	Conjunction Connecting Adverb Preposition Relative Pronoun Conjunctive or Relative Adverbs as and because but but if or when +++ however then therefore +++ at by in to +++ that what which who +++ hence when whence where why +++
	List of How Connectives are Used
	To imply a series first secondly thirdly +++ again finally further To imply simple addition after again and and then also another finally further more moreover next too when Clauses are introduced by: when while +++ To imply contrast although but however in contrast to this in spite of on the contrary on the other hand nevertheless notwithstanding rather still yet To indicate reference to a noun, noun clause, etc. in this way so such that this thus +++ To indicate a purpose dependent on the idea for this purpose keeping this in mind to this end with this in view To indicate result accordingly consequently hence if this be true it follows that then therefore under these circumstances under these conditions To bring in a comparison equally important more effective not so obvious quite as necessary To continue (or enforce) the thought assuredly certainly in fact in truth it is certain naturally obviously of course perhaps probably really surely to be sure truly undoubtedly very likely To indicate particularization anyhow at any rate at least for example for instance fortunately in especial in particular indeed specifically unfortunately +++ To indicate change of place above adjacent to beyond here in either place near by on the other side opposite round about there underneath westward yonder +++ To indicate change of time after a short time at last at length finally immediately meanwhile next not long after soon whereat whereupon To indicate the same line of thought and and not besides further likewise moreover nor To indicate contrast and yet but however nevertheless only still whereas while yet To indicate alternation either else neither nor otherwise or To indicate consequence accordingly consequently hence so so that so then therefore wherefore To indicate source of knowledge because for To indicate time after as as soon as before now since so long as that then till until when whenever while To indicate place whence where wherever whither To indicate degree or comparison as than To indicate manner as as if as though To indicate cause as because for in that inasmuch as now that seeing that since To indicate condition but that if in case that let on condition that provided providing say so so that suppose unless (= if not) wherever (= if ever) To indicate purpose in order that so that that To indicate result but that so that that To indicate concession albeit although however if or even if (= though) no matter how notwithstanding though whoever (Most)
Coherence	Definition: Two clauses that link via connectives so that the outcome of a dialogue between the text and its listener or reader makes sense.
Return to top or post contents	I’m hungry. Let’s go to the Fuji Gardens (sequence) Bill hit Mary and therefore she was covered in bruises. (causal)
Cohesion	Definition: The grammatical and lexical elements of a text, which can form connections between parts of the text, forming a unified whole of a set of sentences, using pronouns, determiners, conjunctions, conjuncts, and adverbials to substitute, repeat, refer, or omit items across a text.
Return to top or post contents	The students were excited about their first encounter with a class. The students had prepared carefully but the students still didn’t know how the students would cope in front of thirty hormonal teenagers. Instead of continually repeating the students, they takes its place. The students were excited about their first encounter with a class. They had prepared carefully but they still didn’t know how they would cope in front of thirty hormonal teenagers. A Serbian man surveyed the remains of his house. The man had lost everything he owned. Many teachers enjoy being a tutor. And I am one of them! There are many reasons why I cannot support capital punishment. Firstly, it is a fundamental breach of human rights and contrary to the stipulations of the Geneva Convention. Secondly, it does not act as a deterrent… The ladies sipped chilled champagne in the conservatory. In the garden, the men drank beer and talked of little.
Collocation	Definition: A combination of words that co-occur together. It includes combinations of adjectives and nouns and verbs and nouns.
Return to top or post contents	We devoured fast food. He’s run out of money. She’s a light sleeper. He’s an early riser.
Connector	Definition: Shows how everything relates to everything else, which is absolutely essential if you are going to get your readers to completely understand your ideas.
Return to top or post contents	Partial List of Connectors
	consequently despite this furthermore however in addition in fact indeed moreover nevertheless then therefore
	Miguel worked in sales for five years, and he worked another three in accounting. Therefore , he is eligible for a management position. More realistic examples in which you show how everything relates is: Essays Letters Résumés Reports +++
	Rule: As well, also, and too are used in affirmative and interrogative sentences.
	John’s face also wore a pleasant look. I like you as well. Tom, too, was silent. Tom was silent, too.
	Rule: Either is used in negative sentences.
	I don’t like him either. Mary can’t go either.
Infinitive Marker	Definition: Used as a preposition, it acts as a marker to note infinitives and has no meaning on its own. A.k.a. grammatical particle
Return to top or post contents	Partial List of Infinitive Markers
	to run to love to talk to own, etc.
	Examples:
	I wanted to go to the movies. Helen hopes to decide on her future soon. We are not going to go along with this any longer. Legend: Green indicates the infinitive marker Purple indicates the preposition
Intensifying Particle	Definition: Often used in imperative sentences and refers to the predicative.
Return to top or post contents	Partial List of Imperative Particles
	do just let
	Examples:
	Just listen to me. We were just about to start our journey. Let me go. Don’t go there!
Negative Particle	Definition: Indicates negation, denial, refusal, or prohibition. A.k.a. negative adverb, negator particle
Return to top or post contents	List of Negative Particles
	-n’t never no not
	Examples:
	You may come any time, but not when I am busy. Not wishing to disturb her, he tip-toed to his room. May I ask you not to cry at me? He has bought the book, hasn’t he? There is no book on the table. We will not travel to Paris this summer. The president does not have that authority. I was determined not to give up. No, I was not afraid of that. I have not given up hope. It was not merely a job, but a way of life.
	Rule: Never emphasizes a negative statement instead of using not.
	I never knew that you had a twin sister. Someone might find out and that would never do. I told my boss exactly what I thought of her. You never did. We never know ourselves. Never fear.
	Rule: The negative particle no differs from the pronoun no and is used in front of adjectives and adverbs. Not and n’t are also negative particles.
	He is no better today. Vampire is not a career choice. “Agatha, I’m not young enough to know everything.” – J.M. Barrie, The Admirable Crichton, 1902 “‘Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store.'” – Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Particles in Quasi-modal Verbs	Definition: The quasi-modal verbs, auxiliary helping verbs, ought to and used to are always followed by the infinitive with the to being a particle instead of a preposition. Semi-modal verb + Particle + Infinitive
Return to top or post contents	Only this particular definition applies to the verb when in quasi-modal form. Quasi-modal Verb Definition ought to ought not to oughtn’t It expresses that something is viewed as correct, preferable, or necessary — or as probable, likely, or expected. It can also be used to ask for or offer advice about something. used to used not usedn’t Use with the base form of the verb to indicate past habit, condition, or fact that is no longer the case.
	Examples:
	Ought I to go away? Of course I ought to. You ought to see the Grand Canyon some day. This watch used to belong to my father. My sister used to read a book a night. He used to work as a teacher.
Proper Name Particle	Definition: Part of a person’s surname or family name that may indicate nobility (or not) or simply be a preposition denoting an individual person’s place of residence. Rule: Names with particles are capitalized or in lowercase. Check a biographical dictionary, another authoritative source, or how that person spells their own name. You may also want to explore the post “What’s in a Proper Name?“. A.k.a. nobiliary particle
Return to top or post contents	Partial List of Proper Name Particles
	The particle used varies depending on the country, language, and the time period. Arabic Al El The Austria Bavaria von non-noble surnames usually compounded von to the main surname element in the 19th century, e.g., von Werden ￫ Vonwerden. Austria Germany auf (up)on (Residing at yet another place different from zu) von descending from (Generally precedes the surname of a noble family but found in many non-noble families) zu resident at (Generally precedes the surname of a noble family) von und zu of and from (Can be used together, e.g., Johannes Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marko d’Aviano Pius von und zu Liechtenstein) Belgium de der van of (Not evidence of nobility.) Denmark Norway af de von of (Not reserved for the nobility.) til of (Comparable with the German zu, til is placed behind a person’s full name in order to denote his or her place of residence.) England Wales de of of Finland af von of (Denotes descent or place and used in some noble families.) France Norman England de of descending from (Precedes a nom de terre (name of land)) du of the (masculine) d’ Used when the nom de terre begins with a vowel, e.g., Ferdinand d’Orléans des of the (plural) Du- Non-noble, it is spelled as a single word, e.g., Pierre Dupont, but there were always exceptions Italy de of (Used after the surname or the name of the title.) dei May be abbreviated as de or de’ suggesting the family is of a noble family. di d’ A contraction of di when the following name starts with a vowel. Di Joined with the last name in an ordinary use, e.g., Leonardo DiCaprio. Da Del Della Dei Dal Dalla Dai from (May be part of the actual name and does not indicate nobility ex se.) Netherlands van of (Originally referred to the domain whence he derived his title. Later commonly used by many.) tot thoe at (related to zu) (Used to denote the place of residence of a lord. As prepositions they are a strong indicator of nobility if combined with van in a surname, e.g., van Voorst tot Voorst.) Portugal do dos da das of (Used by anyone) Somalia Aw honorable venerable, sir (Reserved for revered Islamic clerics.) Spain de Two different styles: last name of from the land, e.g., Vasco Núñez de Balboa Used before the entire surname, e.g., De la Rúa del A contraction used when the surname includes the article el as in Baltasar del Alcázar Sweden af of (Pre-1906 spelling of av. Not necessarily associated with a place.) av of (Modern spelling of af.) de of (Used by some families descended from 17th century immigrants of craftsmen and others from Wallonia in present-day Belgium.) von of (Used in some noble families of German or Swedish origin.) Switzerland de von of (Precedes a noble name, depending on the canton of origin) Thailand na of (To create a Thai family name that means the person is of a former kingdom or tributary state of Siam. Phra holy excellent Preah (Used as a formal address in the royal names of several Cambodian rulers.) Sri (Used is various names of Thai nobility.) Shri (Used in Vedic scriptures to address gods, goddesses and rajahs.) (Nobiliary)
	Examples:
	Full Name Just Last Name Walter de la Mare De la Mare Stephen Ten Eyck Ten Eyck John Le Carré Le Carré Daphne du Maurier du Maurier Olivia de Havilland de Havilland

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Satisfy your curiosity about other Grammar Explanations or explore the Properly Punctuated, Word Confusions, and/or Formatting Tips.

Resources for Particle

“Cohesion.” Cyber Grammar. n.d. Web. 27 Nov 2020. <http://www.cybergrammar.co.uk/discourses_cohesion.php>.

“Cohesion.” Wikipedia.com. 26 June 2010. Web. 27 Nov 2020. <http://www.glottopedia.org/index.php/Cohesion>.

“Discourse Marker.” Wikipedia. 31 Oct 2020. Web. 23 Nov 2020. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse_marker>.

Hajiyev, Edison I. “The Status of Particles in Modern English.” International Journal of Computers. Vol2(Issue 4). 2008. <https://www.naun.org/main/NAUN/computers/ijcomputers-98.pdf>.

Heid, Jeff. “Phrasal Verbs.” San José State University Writing Center. 2015. Web. 25 Nov 2020. <https://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter>.

Maddox, Maeve. “Grammar Review #1: Particles and Phrasal Verbs.” Daily Writing Tips. n.d. Web. 22 Nov 2020. <https://www.dailywritingtips.com/grammar-review-1-particles-and-phrasal-verbs/>.

“The Most Popular Connective Words and Phrases.” Lousy Writer.com. n.d. Web. 27 Nov 2020. <http://www.lousywriter.com/cheat-sheet-most-popular-connective-words.php>.

Müller, Simone. Discourse Markers in Native and Non-Native English Discourse. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: John Benjamins, 2005. <https://doi.org/10.1075/pbns.138>.

“Nobiliary Particle.” Wikipedia.com. 18 Nov 2020. Web. 25 Nov 2020. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobiliary_particle>.

Nordquist. Richard. “Discourse Marker (DM) in English Grammar.” ThoughtCo.com. 12 Feb 2020. Web. 22 Nov 2020. <https://www.thoughtco.com/discourse-marker-or-dm-1690463>.

— — . “Negative Particle (Grammar)” ThoughtCo.com. 12 Feb 2020. Web. 26 Nov 2020. <https://www.thoughtco.com/negative-particle-grammar-1691425>.

“Particle in Grammar.” Ginger Software. 27 Nov 2019. Web. 22 Nov 2020. <https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/particle-grammar/>.

Schiffrin, D. Discourse Markers. Cambridge University Press, 1988.

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