Parts of Speech

The Parts of Speech explain how a word is used in a sentence.

There are eight main parts of speech (also known as word classes):

1. Nouns
2. Pronouns
3. Adjectives
4. Verbs
5. Adverbs
6. Prepositions
7. Conjunctions
8. Interjections.

Most parts of speech can be divided into sub-classes. Prepositions can be divided into prepositions of time, prepositions of place etc. Nouns can be divided into proper nouns, common nouns, concrete nouns etc.

It is important to know that a word can sometimes be in more than one part of speech. For example with the word increase.

Increase can be a verb e.g. Prices increased

and increase can also be a noun e.g. There was an increase in the number of followers.

The eight main parts of speech in English are:

1. NOUN - (Naming word)

A noun is the name of a person, place, thing or idea.

Examples of nouns:

Ali, Pakistan, table, dog, teacher, pen, city

Example sentences:

1. Ali lives in Canada.
2. Mary uses pen and paper to write letters.

Learn more about the types of nouns.

2. PRONOUN - (Replaces a Noun)

A pronoun is used in place of a noun or noun phrase to avoid repetition.

Examples of pronouns:

I, you, we, they, he, she, it, me, us, them, him, her, this, those

Example sentences:

1. Mary is tired. She wants to sleep.
2. I want her to dance with me.

Learn more about the types of pronouns.

3. ADJECTIVE - (Describing word)

An adjective describes, modifies or gives more information about a noun or pronoun.

Examples of Adjective:

Big, happy, green, young, fun, crazy, three

Example sentences:

1. The little girl had a pink hat.

Learn more about the types of adjectives

4. VERB - (Action Word)

A verb shows an action or state of being. A verb shows what someone or something is doing.

Examples of Verb:

Go, speak, run, eat, play, live, walk, have, like, are, is

Example sentences:

1. I like Woodward English.
2. I study their charts and play their games.

Learn more about the types of verb

5. ADVERB - (Describes a verb)

An adverb describes/modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It tells how, where, when, how often or to what extent. Many adverbs end in -LY

Examples of Adverb:

Slowly, quietly, very, always, never, too, well, tomorrow, here

Example sentences:

1. I am usually busy.
2. Yesterday, I ate my lunch quickly.

Learn more about the types of adverb

6. PREPOSITION - (Shows relationship)

A preposition shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word. They can indicate time, place, or relationship.

Examples of Preposition:

At, on, in, from, with, near, between, about, under

Example sentences:

1. I left my keys on the table for you.

Learn more about the types of preposition

7. CONJUNCTION - (Joining word)

A conjunction joins two words, ideas, phrases or clauses together in a sentence and shows how they are connected.

Examples of Conjunction:

And, or, but, because, so, yet, unless, since, if.

Example sentences:

1. I was hot and exhausted but I still finished the marathon.

Learn more about the types of conjunction

8. INTERJECTION - (Expressive word)

An interjection is a word or phrase that expresses a strong feeling or emotion. It is a short exclamation.

Examples of Interjection:

Ouch! Wow! Great! Help! Oh! Hey! Hi!

Example sentences:

1. Wow! I passed my English test. Great!
2. Ouch! That hurt.

ARTICLE - (Defining word)

An article is used before a noun. These are divided into definite (the) and indefinite (a, an). Articles help define nouns.

Examples:

a, an, the

Example sentences:

1. I need a dictionary.
2. The dictionary needs to be in English.