Content and Function Word

Content Word

A content word is a word that carries the main meaning of a sentence. This type of word provides essential information about who, what, when, where or how. 

It includes nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.

Examples

Nouns: cat, dog, bed, house

Ex: The dog is on my bed

Verbs: cook, think, dance, like

Ex: I like pets

Adjetives: bad, small, beautiful, smart

Ex: My house is small

Adverbs: today, always, quite, quickly

Ex: They arrive today

Function Word

A function word is a word that does not have an autonomous meaning, but plays a structural or grammatical role in a sentence. 

These words are essential for formulating appropriate sentences and linking content words, but they do not provide a great deal of semantic information.

Examples

Articles: the, an, a

Ex: The house is clean

Preposition: with, on, around 

Ex: Your cat is on my bed