Definition of volatile for English Language Learners. : 1  likely to change in a very sudden or extreme way. : 2  having or showing extreme or sudden changes of emotion. : 3  likely to become dangerous or out of control.
expletive (comparative more expletive, superlative most expletive) 1  Serving to fill up, merely for effect, otherwise redundant. 2  Marked by expletives (phrase-fillers).
Overall point: Expletive construction or syntax There is, it was, etc. is a natural and familiar way of speaking and writing. Especially in writing, however, expletive syntax proves wordy, dilatory (delaying), and empty of content.