Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
functional-shift
Noun
/ˈfʌŋkʃənl ʃɪft/
Definition
A linguistic change where a word shifts from one grammatical category to another, typically changing its usage without altering its form.
Examples
- The word ‘run’ can be a verb as in ‘I run every day’ and a noun as in ‘I went for a run.’
- In the phrase ‘He gave me a call,’ ‘call’ functions as a noun instead of a verb.
- The use of ‘Google’ as a verb in ‘I will Google that information’ exemplifies functional shift.
Meaning
Functional shift occurs when a word that was formerly used as one part of speech is used as another, such as a noun being used as a verb.
Synonyms
- Conversion
- Zero derivation
- Shift in part of speech
