# abjunctive

CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abjunctive
Updated: 2026-06-22

## Definition

describing a word or phrase that adds extra information to a sentence but is not necessary for the main meaning. It is often used in grammar to talk about parts of a sentence that are optional.

For teachers: relating to or serving as an abjunct, which is a syntactic constituent that provides non-essential information. Often used in linguistic analysis to describe elements that can be omitted without changing the core grammatical structure of a sentence.

## Examples

- The word 'quickly' is an abjunctive phrase in this sentence.
- In the sentence 'She walked quickly to the store', the adverb 'quickly' is an abjunctive element that adds detail to the verb.
- Linguists often distinguish between core arguments and abjunctive modifiers, noting that the latter can be deleted without resulting in a grammatical error or a loss of the sentence's primary meaning.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.