Grammaticalize
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹəmætəkəɫˈaɪˈzi/
Grammaticalize (verb)
- For a word or phrase to change over time into a grammatical part of a language, like a marker for tense or case.
- For a form to develop a more grammatical role, with its original meaning becoming weaker or more general.
Examples
- Over time, a phrase can grammaticalize into a grammatical marker.
- In some languages, a common expression grammaticalizes into a verb ending.