Expletive (linguistics)

An expletive is a word or phrase inserted into a sentence that is not needed to express the basic meaning of the sentence. It is regarded as semantically null or a placeholder. Expletives are not insignificant or meaningless in all senses; they may be used to give emphasis or tone, to contribute to the meter in verse, or to indicate tense.

The word "expletive" derives from the Latin word expletivus: Serving to fill out or take up space.

In these examples in fact and indeed are expletives:

• The teacher was not, in fact, present.

• Indeed, the teacher was absent.

In conversation the expressions like and you know, when they are not meaningful, are expletives. The word so, used as an introductory particle (especially when used in answer to a question), has become a common modern expletive. Oaths or profanities may be expletives, as occurs in Shakespeare:

"Yes, by Saint Patrick, but there is, Horatio."

Hamlet, act 1, scene 5, line 134

"Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve God if the devil bid you."

Othello, act 1, scene 1, line 109