Inflection Meaning in English
word
Definition
A change in the form of a word to show different grammatical features such as tense, case, number, or gender. It can also mean a change in the pitch of your voice to express emotion or ask questions.
Usage & Nuances
"Inflection" is mostly used in linguistic or grammar contexts. In English, inflection is less common than in many other languages, but is key in verbs (walk/walks/walked). Distinct from "intonation," which only refers to voice pitch changes.
Example Sentences
The past tense of "walk" is an inflection of the verb.
basic
Nouns often change their form by inflection to show number or case.
basic
Spanish has more inflections than English.
basic
His voice had a rising inflection at the end of the question.
natural
Learning the inflections of German nouns isn't easy for beginners.
natural
You can hear a slight inflection in her voice when she’s excited.
natural