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Inflect Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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inflect

[ɪnˈflɛkt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

grammar

Change the form of (a word) to express a particular grammatical function or attribute, typically tense, mood, person, number, case, and gender.

Synonyms

conjugate, decline, vary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inflect

Used in linguistic contexts to describe how the form of a word changes to express different grammatical functions such as tense, mood, person, number, case, and gender.

  • In English, verbs inflect for tense, person, and number.
  • Latin nouns inflect to indicate their roles in the sentence.
conjugate

Primarily used when discussing verbs and how they change form to match different subjects and tenses.

  • In Spanish, it's important to learn how to conjugate verbs correctly.
  • He struggled to conjugate the irregular verb in his French class.
decline

Commonly used with nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in languages to indicate their various case forms. This term is more technical and often appears in the study of inflected languages like Latin or German.

  • In German, you must know how to decline adjectives.
  • Latin cases require students to decline nouns correctly.
vary

A general term used to indicate any form of change or difference. Not limited to grammar; can apply to numerous scenarios where elements are different or show variation.

  • Opinions on the topic vary widely.
  • The dress code may vary depending on the occasion.

Examples of usage

  • Students learn how to inflect verbs in different tenses.
  • She inflects the nouns to match the gender of the subject.
  • We need to inflect the adjectives to agree with the number of the noun.
Context #2 | Verb

music

Change the pitch of (a musical note) by raising or lowering it.

Synonyms

intonate, modulate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inflect

To change the form of a word to express a particular grammatical function such as tense, mood, or voice in language. Used primarily in linguistics and grammar discussions.

  • In Spanish, verbs are inflected to indicate tense and person.
  • You need to inflect the verb correctly to match the subject.
modulate

To adjust or alter the tone, pitch, or volume of the voice, often to create a particular effect. Used in music, speech therapy, and broadcasting.

  • He modulated his voice to capture the audience's attention.
  • Singers must learn to modulate their tone to hit the correct notes.
intonate

To vary the pitch of the voice while speaking to express emotion or emphasis. Common in acting, public speaking, and conversation analysis.

  • She intonated her words carefully to convey disappointment.
  • Actors must intonate their lines to reflect their character's emotions.

Examples of usage

  • He inflected the note to give it a more emotional tone.
  • The singer inflected her voice to convey the sadness of the song.
Context #3 | Verb

linguistics

Change the form of (a word) to show its syntactic relationship to other words in a sentence.

Synonyms

change, conjugate, decline.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inflect

Typically used in linguistics to describe how the form of a word changes to express different grammatical categories such as tense, mood, voice, aspect, person, number, gender, and case.

  • In many languages, verbs inflect to indicate the subject's tense.
  • The word 'go' inflects to 'went' in the past tense.
conjugate

Refers to the variation of the form of a verb in linguistics to express different grammatical categories such as tense, mood, voice, aspect, person, number, and gender.

  • In Spanish, you must learn how to conjugate verbs.
  • To conjugate the verb 'to be' in the past tense, you use 'was' and 'were'.
decline

In linguistics, used to describe the variation of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives to express different grammatical cases. It can convey a slightly formal or technical tone.

  • Latin nouns decline to indicate their grammatical role in the sentence.
  • Learning how to decline adjectives in German can be challenging.
change

A general term, used in everyday language to describe any transformation or alteration in state or form, not necessarily tied to grammar.

  • You need to change your clothes before the party.
  • The weather can change quickly in this region.

Examples of usage

  • In English, we inflect nouns to show plural or possessive forms.
  • The language inflects verbs to indicate tense, aspect, and mood.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Linguistics

  • Inflection differs from derivation; inflecting changes grammatical aspects, while derivation creates new words.
  • In languages like Spanish and Russian, verbs and nouns inflect extensively to show tense, number, and gender.
  • English uses relatively few inflections compared to other languages, primarily on verbs and nouns.

Education

  • Understanding inflection is crucial for learning second languages, as it helps indicate meaning and relationships.
  • Teaching inflection can enhance literacy skills, as it allows for better comprehension of complex texts.
  • Inflection can change the meaning of sentences, making it an important aspect of effective communication.

Pop Culture

  • In games like Scrabble, inflected words can score more points, demonstrating the fun of wordplay in competition.
  • Musicians and poets often inflect their lyrics to create rhythm and emotion, showcasing the artistic side of language.
  • Inflection appears in movies and literature where characters express changing emotions or intentions through dialogue.

Psychology

  • Studies show that understanding inflection in speech can improve interpersonal communication and emotional intelligence.
  • The way a person inflects words can significantly impact the perception of their intentions and credibility.
  • Linguistic inflection is linked to cognitive processes; mastering it can enhance memory and learning in language acquisition.

Origin of 'inflect'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'inflect' comes from the Latin word 'inflectere,' which means 'to bend inward.'
  • It entered the English language in the early 16th century to describe the bending of words.
  • Latin grammar heavily influenced the way inflection is used in many modern languages, including English.

The word 'inflect' originates from the Latin word 'inflectere', which means 'to bend'. It first appeared in English in the late 16th century. Over time, 'inflect' has been used in various fields such as grammar, music, and linguistics to describe the act of changing the form of something. Its usage has evolved to encompass different contexts and applications.

See also: inflection, inflector.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,976, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.