The Main Functions of Words in Sentences

Many scientific and medical authors learn to write by mimicking what they read. They deconstruct published manuscripts, dissect grant applications, learn from a mentor, and seek support from their peers. But few receive formal training in writing.

A lot of authors ask me how they can revise passive voice or reduce word count—common challenges in scientific and medical writing. But they often overlook the basic fundamentals of words and sentences. To write well, you need to be able to identify the basic components of a sentence and understand their functions.

Below is a brief explanation of the main functions of words (and strings of words) in a sentence. If you understand these basics, then you can more easily construct well-written sentences.

Nouns

A noun refers to a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns include words such as researcher, hospital, and beaker. Nouns can also be words that, in a different context, are verbs, such as plan, approach, and study.

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms.

Pronouns

Pronouns take the place of nouns, and they refer to other nouns in a sentence or preceding sentence. Although pronouns can be classified into several categories, some common pronouns include the words I, you, me, him, her, they, them, us, and it.

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms.

Subjects

Subjects are the main noun or pronoun in a clause of a sentence. These terms are always paired with a verb.

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms.

Verb

A verb shows action or describes a state of being (non-action). Action verbs include words like study, analyze, and treat. Non-action verbs include forms of to be, including be, am, is, are, was, were, being, and been.

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms.

Adjectives

Adjectives are modifiers, or words that describe other words. Adjectives describe a noun or pronoun, and include words such as a tagged antibody, small molecule, or significant finding.

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms.

Adverbs

Adverbs are also modifiers. They usually modify verbs, and they can also modify another adverb. Adverbs often end in -ly­, and include words such as quickly, slowly, extremely, and significantly.

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms.

Prepositions

Prepositions indicate relationships between other words in a sentence. These words or groups of words show direction, time, place, location, or spatial relationships. Prepositions include words such as in, at, on, of, to, through, with, without, around, beneath, over, and throughout.

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms.

Conjunctions

Conjunctions link words, clauses, and phrases. Coordinating conjunctions connect words, clauses, or phrases of equal importance. Examples of coordinating conjunctions include for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. Subordinating conjunctions link a dependent clause to a main clause. Some examples of subordinating conjunctions are because, if, although, since, until, and while. Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together, such as either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also.

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms.

Nominalizations

Nominalizations, also known as abstract nouns, are derived from verbs and sometimes adjectives. Some nominalizations can help to describe a complex concept in a single word, such as mutation. But most sap the energy from your writing by stripping away the action found in verbs. Examples of nominalizations include examination, investigation, and evaluation.

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms.

Clauses

When you combine a noun and a verb, you create a clause. A major clause is a complete sentence that can stand alone and make sense. On the other hand, a minor clause is not a complete sentence and will sound like a sentence fragment when isolated from the rest of the sentence.

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms. (major clause)

In conclusion, the researchers quickly analyzed the structure of the small molecule and whether it improved symptoms. (minor clause)