Main Clause

A main clause is not subordinate to or dependent on any other clause, eg. I am happy. Also called matrix clauses.

Main Verb

A main verb is a VERB with independent meaning which can stand alone in a sentence. For example, I am here. He is signing the contract.
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Major Word Class

The major word classes are NOUN, DETERMINER, ADJECTIVE, ADVERB, PREPOSITION, VERB and CONJUNCTION. Many, though not all, of these are also open-class items.
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Manner Adverb

A type of CIRCUMSTANTIAL ADVERB which expresses the manner in which an action is performed. He ran quickly.
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Mass Noun

A noun denoting an undifferentiated substance, e.g. wool, nitrogen, sugar, water and music. These are also called NON-COUNT NOUNS.
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Matrix Clause

The whole of I think I'd like coffee is a matrix clause, consisting of a main clause and a subordinate clause. Matrix clauses are generally finite, but cf. imperative clauses.
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Minor Word Class

The minor word classes include FORMULAIC EXPRESSIONS, INTERJECTIONS, PARTICLES, EXISTENTIAL THERE and special cases of the personal pronoun it, dummy it, prop it, anticipatory it and cleft it. Most, though not all, of these are also closed-class items
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Modal Auxiliary

A modal auxiliary is a type of AUXILIARY VERB. These auxiliaries express meanings such as permission (may), obligation (must), prediction (will, shall), ability (can), etc.
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Modification

In a phrase (e.g. a noun phrase) another phrase can occur before or after the Head word. These phrases add something to the meaning of the head (i.e. they modify their meaning). For example: Red lorry, father of the bride. In the first example, the Head lorry is premodified by red. In the second example, the Head father is postmodified by the preposition phrase of the bride.

Monotransitive Verb

Monotransitive verbs are verbs that take one Complement, namely a Direct Object, e.g. Tim cut the grass.
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Mood

Mood is used to classify verbs e.g. indicative, subjunctive forms. It is also used for classifying clauses - declarative, imperative, interrogative, exclamative.

Multi-Word Verb

A multi-word verb is a unit composed of a verb plus one or more other words, eg. Dad woke up this morning. The semi-auxiliaries are multi-word verbs, eg. I am going to leave now.
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