PART OF SPEECH

A part of speech is a group of words that are used in a certain way. In other words, all words
in the English language are divided into eight different categories. Each category has a different
role/function in the sentence. Parts of speech include nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs,
prepositions, conjunctions and interjections. Without these parts of speech a sentence cannot be
formed or completed.
1. NOUNS
Nouns are name words that name a person, an animal, a thing, a place or an event.

Function
1. Noun as subject.
Example :
Carpenters drive nails with air powered guns.
Blackhawk was a famous American Indian.
If it were Friday, John would be here.
2. Noun as direct object
Example :
Mr. Liu washed the car.
The authorities commended Roberta.
* Identify a direct object by asking what or whom.

First sentence. Mr. Liu washed what? Answer: car. Car is the direct object of
the verb washed.
Second sentence. The authorities commended whom? Answer: Roberta.
Roberta is the direct object of the verb commended.
3. Noun as indirect object
Example : I sent Stephanie the camera.
He bought the dog a kennel.
*Identify an indirect object by asking to what, for what, or to whom, for whom.
First sentence. I sent the camera to whom? Answer: Stephanie. Stephanie is
the indirect object.
Second sentence. He bought a kennel for what? Answer: dog. Dog is the
indirect object.
4. Noun as object of a preposition
Example : He pulled the little red wagon to the store.
5. Predicate noun
An intransitive verb cannot accept an object. A noun that follows an intransitive
verb and completes the meaning of a sentence is called a complement. The word
complement means to complete. A sentence has a subject and a predicate. Predicate is a
generic term that includes those parts of the sentence that explain the subject of the
sentence. The noun that follows an intransitive verb and completes the predicate may
also be called a predicate noun or predicate nominative.
*Note that a predicate noun is an alternate word for the subject of the sentence.
Example : Mr. Chiao is a violinist.
I am a candidate.

Mr. Martinez will be governor.

6. Noun as possessive modifier
A noun can be used to modify another noun. A noun can function as an adjective
or adverb. A noun can also convey a sense of possession.
Example : The town's water supply is in jeopardy.
*) The word town is a noun. In the sentence above the word town's
identifies which water supply is in jeopardy. Town's is possessive case.
The town possesses the water supply.
7. Noun functioning as an adjective
Nouns sometimes function as adjectives. For example, in each of these phrases,
the first word is usually a noun but here functions as an adjective modifying the second
word: city government, article writer, bicycle thief, Sunday picnic, pumpkin pie.
8. Noun functioning as an adverb
Example : I walked home.
The word home is a noun, but in this application it functions as an adverb that
defines where I walked.
Classification of Nouns
1. Abstract Nouns : An abstract noun is a noun that names an idea, not a physical thing.
Examples: Hope, interest, love, peace, ability, success, knowledge, trouble.
1. All you need is Love
2. Thank you for your kindness.
3. His statement is very explicit
4. I appreciate your honesty, you are a loyal man.
2. Concrete Nouns : A concrete noun is a noun that names a physical thing.
Examples: Boy, table, floor, coffee, beach, king, rain, children, professor.
1. I bought a new book.
2. She washes her car every afternoon.
3. I really love this cat.
3. Common Nouns :
A common noun is a noun that names a general thing, not a specific thing.
Examples: Boy, girl, city, country, company, planet, location, war.
1. Its so a beautiful country.
2. Shes a smart girl.

4. Proper Nouns
A proper noun is a noun that indicates the specific name of a thing. It begins with a capital
letter.
Examples:
Robin, Alice, London, Sweden, Google, Earth, Eiffel Tower, Civil War.
(Compare these examples to ones in the "Common nouns" section to see the difference.)
5. Countable Nouns
A countable noun is a noun that indicates something you could actually count.
For example, you could count pigs: one pig, two pigs, three pigs...
However, you couldn't count water: one water, two water no, it doesn't work...
A countable noun has both a singular and a plural form, and it can be used with the
indefinite articles (a/an).
Examples:
Window, teacher, tree, lion, eye, cloud, pencil, heart, movie.
6. Uncountable Nouns
An uncountable noun is a noun that indicates something you cannot count.
For example, you could count pigs: one pig, two pigs, three pigs...
However, you couldn't count water: one water, two water no, it doesn't work...
An uncountable noun has only one form (no plural), and it cannot be used with the indefinite
articles (a/an).
Examples:
Furniture, advice, mail, news, equipment, luggage, work, coffee, information. wood, sand,
water, fluor, milk, air, furniture, freedom, rice, and intelligence.
7. Collective Nouns
In general, collective nouns are nouns that refer to a group of something in a specific
manner. Often, collective nouns are used to refer to groups of animals.
1. I join with the new club.
2. I study English in the class every Wednesday and Friday.
3. This group is very compact.
2. PRONOUNS
Pronouns are small words that take the place of a noun. If we didn't have pronouns, we
would have to repeat a lot of nouns.

Kinds of Pronoun
1. Subjective Pronoun :
A subjective pronoun acts as the subject of a sentenceit performs the action of
the verb. The subjective pronouns are he, I, it, she, they, we, and you.
Example : He spends ages looking out the window.
After lunch, she and I went to the planetarium.
2. Objective Pronoun
An objective pronoun acts as the object of a sentenceit receives the action of
the verb. The objective pronouns are her, him, it, me, them, us, and you.
Example : Cousin Eldred gave me a novel.

Take a picture of him, not us!

3. Possesive Pronoun
A possessive pronoun tells you who owns something. The possessive pronouns
are hers, his, its, mine, ours, theirs, and yours.
Example : The red basket is mine.
Yours is on the coffee table.
4. Demonstrative Pronoun
A demonstrative pronoun points out a noun. The demonstrative pronouns are
that, these, this, and those.
Example : That is a good idea.
These are hilarious cartoons.
5. Interogative Pronoun
An interrogative pronoun is used in a question. It helps to ask about something.
The interrogative pronouns are what, which, who, whom, and compound words ending
in "ever," such as whatever, whichever, whoever, and whomever.
Example : What on earth is that?
Who ate the last Fig Newton?
6. Indifinite Pronouns
An indefinite pronoun refers to an indefinite, or general, person or thing.
Indefinite pronouns include all, any, both, each, everyone, few, many, neither, none,
nothing, several, some, and somebody.
Singular

: another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody,

everyone, everything, little, much, neither, nobody, no one, nothing,
one, other,
somebody, someone, something

Plural

: both, few, many, others, several

singular or plural : all, any, enough, half, more, most, none, some
Example : Something smells good.
Many like salsa with their chips.
7. Relative Pronouns
A relative pronoun introduces a clause, or part of a sentence, that describes a
noun. The relative pronouns are that, which, who, and whom.
Example : You should bring the book that you love most.
Hector is a photographer who does great work.
I met the person whose essay was nominated
8. Reflexive or intensive pronouns
A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of a sentence. The reflexive
pronouns are herself, himself, itself, myself, ourselves, themselves, and yourselves.
Each of these words can also act as an intensive pronoun
Example : I learned a lot about myself at summer camp.
They should divide the berries among themselves

Te following words are reflexive pronouns. They may also be known as intensive
pronouns. The word reflexive as used in the term reflexive pronoun meaflect. The
pronoun renames the subject of the sentence.
Singular

: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself

plural

: ourselves, yourselves, themselves

Example : The birds are grooming themselves.

The best comedians disparage themselves.
John, himself, is a comedia
I, myself, am a graduate of that college.
Intensive pronouns create a redundancy.

FUNCTION OF PRONOUN
1) Personal pronoun as a subject, example : she read four novel Thar summer
2) Personal pronoun as a direct object, example : Jan Loves him
3) Personal pronoun as a indirect object, example : Mary gave him a big gift
4) Personal pronoun as a object of preposition, example : The Works was Easy for her
5) Interogatif pronouns to start a quoestion, example : Who is President of the United
States?

3. ADJECTIVE
An adjective is a word that describes. Adjectives convey a sense of which, what kind, or
how many/much. Adjectives describe nouns or pronouns.

Function of Adjectives
1. Adjective Phrase heads
Adjectives first function as the heads of adjective phrases. The following
italicized adjectives are examples of heads of adjectives phrases:
o
o

very bored
rather fond of linguistis

2. Noun Phrase Modifier

Adjectives and adjective phrases secondly function as noun phrase modifiers.
A noun phrase modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes a noun or noun
phrase. The following italicized adjectives are examples of noun phrase modifiers:
a. The black cat drank the fresh cream.
b. The audition calls for young, female actresses.
3. Subject Complement
Adjectives and adjective phrases thirdly function as subject complements. A
subject complement is a word, phrase, or clause that follows a linking verb and
describes the subject. The following italicized adjective phrases are examples of
subject complements:
a. Christmas cookies smell delicious.
b. The apple pie you made tastes sour.

Adjectives that perform the function of subject complement are also referred to as
predicate adjectives.
4. Object Complement
Adjectives and adjective phrases fourthly function as object complements.
An object complement is a word, phrase, or clause that directly follows and
describes the direct object. The following italicized adjective phrases are examples
of object complements:
a. The little girl painted her bedroom bright pink.
b. The preschoolers are coloring the trees purple and blue.

Different Types of Adjectives

Opinion

: Nice, pretty, stupid, original, expensive, etc.

Size

: Big, small, large, tiny, enormous, little, etc.

Age

: Young, old, new, ancient, antique, etc.

Shape: Round, square, flat, straight, etc.

Color

: Blue, red, white, black, dark, bright, yellowish, etc.

Origin

: Italian, British, Mexican, western, southern, etc.

Material

: Metal, wooden, plastic, golden, etc.

4. VERB
A verb is a word or group of words that express an action or a state.

Function
1. Predicate
Verbs and verb phrases function as predicates. A predicate contains at least
one verb and any objects, modifiers, and complements. All clauses contain both a
subject and a predicate.
Example :

Carnivores eat meat.

The librarian is writing an article.
He must have stolen at least three cars.

2. Noun Phrase Modifier

Verbs and verb phrases function as noun phrase modifiers. A noun phrase
modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that describes a noun or noun phrase.
Example :
My daughter is the little girl wearing the pink hat.
Did you hear that child screaming at her mother?
I placed the cupcakes to eat on the counter.
3. Adjective Phrase Complement
Verbs and verb phrases function as adjective phrase complements. An
adjective phrase complement is a word, phrase, or clause that completes the meaning
of an adjective.

Example :

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

My puppy is eager to learn new tricks.

The students are curious to know more about verbs.
She is happy to write another article.
Verb Phrase Complement
Verbs and verb phrases function as verb phrase complements. A verb phrase
complement is a word or phrase that completes the meaning of the verb phrase.
Example :
We can afford to buy a new car.
He offered to carry my suitcase.
The man has threatened to call the police.
Adverbial
Verbs and verb phrases function as adverbials.
Example :
Running on the ice, the man slipped and fell.
The puppy, panting from the heat, wants some water.
Please open the window to let in some cool air.
Subject
Verbs and verb phrases function as subjects. Only verbs in the form of present
participles and infinitives can perform the nominal function of subject.
Example :
Reading stimulates the mind.
Drinking milk is healthy.
To lie about cheating is unforgivable.
Direct Object
Verbs and verb phrases function as direct objects. A direct object is a word,
phrase, or clause that follows a transitive verb and answers the question "who or
what" receives the action of the verb.
Example :
The brothers prefer watching football.
Their sisters prefer to watch dramas.
Squirrels like to climb trees.
Indirect object
Verbs and verb phrases function as indirect objects. An indirect object is a word,
phrase, or clause that follows a ditransitive verb and answers the question "to or for
whom or what" the action of the verb is performed.
Example :
Her roommate will give listening to jazz a try.
He had given painting the living room some thought.
Only verbs in the form of present participles can perform the nominal function
of indirect object. Verbs rarely function as indirect objects.

9. Prepositional complement
Verbs and verb phrases function as prepositional complements. Also called a
complement of a preposition or an object of a preposition, a prepositional
complement is a word, phrase, or clause that directly follows the preposition in a
prepositional phrase. The following italicized verbs are examples of prepositional
complements:
Example :

We have been thinking about ordering a pizza for dinner.

My grandmother believed in saying grace before eating.

Only verbs in the form of present participles can perform the nominal
function of prepositional complement.

KINDS OF VERB
a. Action Verbs
There are two types of Action Verbs which describe the Verb and the
Subject doing the action and the Object on which the action is done, they are Transitive Verbs These Action Verbs have a definite object on which, or for which the
action is being performed. That means that the action has a definite recipient or
object. To identify them you can ask the question what is the/did the subject verb-?
Example :

Rose is painting the kitchen walls.

Hannah gave him a big hug.

Intransitive Verbs
These verbs also show an action but here there is no specific object on which
the action is being done. To recognize these verbs, we ask the question what is
the/did the subject -verb- ? If there is no answer present, then the verb in the
sentence is an Intransitive Verb.
Example :

Rose is painting right now.

Hannah sneezed repeatedly.

b. Dynamic and Stative Verbs

This category of verbs deals with the verb words themselves; and whether
they indicate an action or a state of the subject. This category is not concerned
with the object in particular.
Dynamic Verbs
These verbs denote an actual action or expression or process done by
the subject. They mean an action which can be seen or physically felt or the
result of which is seen or physically felt by the object or an indirect object.
Example :

She buys new clothes every week.

He is swimming at the beach.

Stative Verbs
These verbs refer to the state of the subject or the situation of the
subject. Stative Verbs tell us about the state of mind of the subject, or the
relation between the subject and the object.
Example :

She prefers strawberry jam.

The cupboard requires a new coat of paint.

c. Linking Verbs
These verbs are unlike other verbs as they do not tell anything about a
subject themselves, instead Linking Verbs connect the subject to a noun or
adjective that helps in describing or providing additional information about the
subject. Those nouns or adjectives are called the subject complements.
Example :

Lisa is fussy about food.

They are stubborn children.

5. CONJUNCTION
Conjunction is a part of speech that connects words, sentences, phrases or clauses.

Different Types of Conjunction

1. Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions, also called coordinators, are conjunctions that
join, or coordinate, two or more items such as words, main clauses, or sentences.
For example :
For to presents rationale
They do not gamble or smoke, for they are ascetics.
And to presents non-contrasting item or idea
They gamble and they smoke.
Nor to presents a non-contrasting negative idea
They do not gamble, nor do they smoke.
But to presents a contrast or exception
They gamble, but they don't smoke.
Or to presents an alternative item or idea
Every day they gamble or they smoke.
Yet to presents a contrast or exception
They gamble, yet they don't smoke.
So to presents a consequence
He gambled well last night so he smoked a cigar to celebrate.
2. Correlative Conjunction
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join words and groups of words of equal
weight in a sentence. There are six different pairs of correlative conjunctions.

1. either...or
2. not only...but (also)
3. neither...nor

4. both...and
5. whether...or
6. just as...so

Examples:

You either do your work or prepare for a trip to the office.

Not only is he handsome, but he is also brilliant.
Neither the basketball team nor the football team is doing well.

3. Conjunctive Adverbs
These conjunctions join independent clauses together. The following are
f
r
after
in addition
next
e all
quently used conjunctive adverbs.

also
incidentally
as a result
indeed
in fact
Ebesides
in other words
x consequently
instead
a finally
likewise
mfor example
meanwhile
p furthermore
moreover
l hence
nevertheless
e however
: The Tire was flat, therefore we called a Service stadion

nonetheless
on the contrary
on the other hand
otherwise
still
then
therefore
thus

4. Subordinating Conjunctions
A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate clause to a main clause.A
subordinating conjunction is always followed by a clause. Many subordinating
conjunctions can be other parts of speech.
T
Afterh
in order (that)
e
Although
insofar as
As s
in that
e
as far as
Lest
as soon as
no matter how
as ifw
now that
o
as though
Once
r
Because
provided (that)
d
Before
Since
evens if
so that
even though
supposing (that)
Howa
Than
r
If
That
e
commonly used as subordinating conjunctions

unless
until
when
whenever
where
wherever
whether
while
why
in case (that)
though

Subordinating conjunctions also join two clauses together, but in

doing so, they make one clause dependent (or "subordinate") upon the other.
Example : Because it is raining, we have an umbrella.

Function
Conjunctions have two basic functions or "jobs":
1. Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two parts of a sentence that are grammatically
equal. The two parts may be single words or clauses,
Example:
- Jack and Jill went up the hill.
- The water was warm, but I didn't go swimming.
2.

Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a subordinate dependent clause to a main

clause, for example:
- I went swimming although it was cold.

6. INTERJECTION
Interjections are words used to express strong feeling or sudden emotion. They are
included in a sentence - usually at the start - to express a sentiment such as surprise,
disgust, joy, excitement or enthusiasm.
Use of Interjections
1. Beginning of The sentences
When people think of interjections, they commonly think of them being used at
the beginning of the sentence. Many also associate interjections with a punctuation
mark designed to convey emotion: the exclamation point.
This is often true. Interjections can and do appear in the beginning of
sentences. For example:
a. Yikes, I didnt realize that there was a test on grammar today!
b. Oh no, I cant believe that it is snowing here again!
In both of these sentences the interjection - yikes and oh no appear at the
beginning of the sentence. In addition, in both of the sentences, the emotion is a
strong emotion and the sentence itself ends with an exclamation point.
2. Middle or End of Sentences
Interjections do not always have to be at the beginning of a sentence. They can
appear in the middle, at the end, or anyplace else where the author wants to interject a
bit of feeling and emotion.
For example, in the sentence So, its snowing again, huh? the interjection is
found at the end. Here, the interjection is designed to express confusion (or perhaps
dismay) at the continued snow falling. In this sentence, the emotion wasnt an emotion
that necessitated an exclamation point--instead, the interjection huh turned the
sentence into a question.
The sentence In my opinion, my gosh, this is just the smartest thing you have
ever said the interjection is found in the middle. It designed to express or convey the
authors emphasis on his opinion that the statement was smart. Again, no exclamation
point is required.
3. Stand-alone Sentence

An interjection can also be used by itself as a stand-alone sentence. For example, look at
the two sentences: Oh gosh! I cant believe how late it is. The interjection oh gosh
is a stand-alone sentence. This is grammatically correct, although Oh Gosh does not
contain a subject and action that is normally required for a complete thought to be
expressed. The interjection--or the emotion felt--is the entire point of the sentence.
Interjections in a Sentence
Here are some interjections with an accompanying sentence:

Ahh, that feels wonderful.

Congrats! You finally got your Masters degree.
Oh no! That was a stupid thing to do!

7. PREPOSITION
A preposition is a word which shows relationships among other words in the sentence. The
relationships include direction, place, time, cause, manner and amount.
Kinds of Preposition
1. Prepositions of Time: at, on, and Ni
a. We use at to designate specific times.
Example :
The train is due at 12:15 p.m.
b. We use on to designate days and dates.
Example :
My brother is coming on Monday.
We're having a party on the Fourth of July.
c. We use in for nonspecific times during a day, a month, a season, or a year.
Example :
She likes to jog in the morning.
It's too cold in winter to run outside.
He started the job in 1971
2. Prepositions of Place: at, on, and in
a. We use at for specific addresses.
Example :
Grammar English lives at 55 Boretz Road in Durham.
b. We use on to designate names of streets, avenues, etc.
Example :
Her house is on Boretz Road.
c. And we use in for the names of land-areas (towns, counties, states, countries,
and continents).
Example :
She lives in Durham.
Durham is in Windham County.
Windham County is in Connecticut.
3. Prepositions of Time: for and since
a. We use for when we measure time (seconds, minutes, hours, days,
months, years).
Example :
He held his breath for seven minutes.
She's lived there for seven years.
She's been sitting in the waiting room since two-thirty.

Formal Functions of Prepositions

Prepositions perform three formal functions in sentences. They can act as an
adjective modifying a noun, as an adverb modifying a verb, or as a nominal when used in
conjunction with the verb form to be.
a.

Functioning as Adjectives

In the following sentences, prepositional phrases perform the function of

modifying the nouns boat, pen, and car:
Example :

Look at the boat with the blue sail.

Please hand me the pen next to the telephone.
Park the car beside the fence.

b. Prepositions Functioning as Adverbs

In these examples, notice how the prepositional phrases perform adverbial functions
by modifying the verbs after, stalled, and won:
Example :

The coyote runs after the rabbit.

The car stalled despite the tune-up.
The team won without the starting quarterback.

c. Prepositions Functioning as Nominals

In English, sometimes words function as nouns but aren't themselves nouns. These
words are called nominals. Prepositions sometimes perform this important function in
sentences when they are used in conjunction with the verb to be.
Example:

The park is next to the hospital.

The student is between an A and a B.
The fight scene is before the second act.

List of Common Prepositions

The following table lists the most commonly used prepositions in English.

about
above
across
after
against
along
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside

betwee
n
beyond
but
by
despite
down
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into

like
near
off
of
on
onto
out
outside
over
past
since
through
through
out

till
to
toward
under
underne
ath
until
up
upon
with
within
without

8. ADVERB
An adverb is a word that changes or simplifies the meaning of a verb, adjective,
other adverb, clause, or sentence. Adverbs are used to modify verbs. They tell us when,
where, how, in what manner, or to what extent an action is performed.

Function
1. An adverb modifies other verbs
Example :

The thief acts stupidly

The thief robs locally.

2. An adverb modifies other adjectives

Example :

The thief is extremely stupid.

3. An adverb modifies other adverbs

Example :

The thief walks incredibly clumsily.

The thief acts really stupidly.

4. Adverbs modifies a prepositional phrase:

Example

: The thief was arrested just outside the apartment.

Kinds of Adverbs
1. Adverbs of manner
These adverbs tell us that in which manner the action occurs or how the action
occurs or occurred or will occur.
Example : He was driving slowly.
You replied correctly.
He runs fast
2. Adverb of Place
Adverb of place tells us about the place of action or where action occurs /
occurred/ will occur.
Example : He will come here.
He was standing near the wall.
He lives somewhere in New York.
3. Adverb of Time
These adverbs tell us about the time of action. e.g. now, then, soon, tomorrow,
yesterday, today, tonight, again, early, yesterday.

Example :

I will buy a computer tomorrow.

She is still waiting for her brother.
Do it now.

4. Adverb of frequency
Adverbs of frequency tell us how many times the action occurs or occurred or will occur.
e.g. daily, sometimes, often, seldom, usually, frequently, always, ever, generally, rarely,
monthly, yearly.
Example :

He goes to school daily.

She never smokes.
He is always late for class..

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