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.
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