Open class parts of speech

General characteristics:

   ostentive definition of the word's meaning is possible (i.e. definition by pointing at the object/ the activity)
   the meaning is lexical, i.e. there is a referent in the world; we also call these words content words.
   diachronically, the words emerge and disappear fast (If there are new inventions or items/ activities go out of use)
   open word classes (i.e. words can be added to these classes)
   the word classes are defined by operational tests (we use semantic, morphological and syntactic criteria since it is impossible to give a complete list)

These properties contrast with those of the minor parts of speech.

Major parts of speech in English:

1. Nouns 2. Verbs 3. Adjectives 4. Adverbs 5. Prepositions

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