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The parts of speech

July 16, 2019



There are eight parts of speech in the English language: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection. The part of speech indicates how the word functions in meaning as well as grammatically within the sentence. An individual word can function as more than one part of speech when used in different circumstances. Understanding parts of speech is essential for determining the correct definition of a word when using the dictionary.
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1. Noun

This part of a speech refers to words that are used to name persons, things, animals, places, ideas, or events. Nouns are the simplest among the 8 parts of speech, which is why they are the first ones taught to students in primary school.
Examples:
  • Tom Hanks is very versatile.
  • The italicized noun refers to a name of a person.
  • Dogs can be extremely cute.
  • In this example, the italicized word is considered a noun because it names an animal.
  • It is my birthday.
  • The word “birthday” is a noun which refers to an event.
There are different types of nouns namely:
  • Proper– proper nouns always start with a capital letter and refers to specific names of persons, places, or things.
  • Examples: Volkswagen Beetle, Shakey’s Pizza, Game of Thrones
  • Common– common nouns are the opposite of proper nouns. These are just generic names of persons, things, or places.
  • Examples: car, pizza parlor, TV series
  • Concrete– this kind refers to nouns which you can perceive through your five senses.
  • Examples: folder, sand, board
  • Abstract- unlike concrete nouns, abstract nouns are those which you can’t perceive through your five senses.
  • Examples: happiness, grudge, bravery
  • Count– it refers to anything that is countable, and has a singular and plural form.
  • Examples:  kitten, video, ball
  • Mass– this is the opposite of count nouns. Mass nouns are also called non-countable nouns, and they need to have “counters” to quantify them.
  • Examples of Counters: kilo, cup, meter
  • Examples of Mass Nouns: rice, flour, garter
  • Collective– refers to a group of persons, animals, or things.
  • Example: faculty (group of teachers), class (group of students), pride (group of lions)
This great list of nouns can help you explore more nouns.

2. Pronoun

A pronoun is a part of a speech which functions as a replacement for a noun. Some examples of pronouns are: I, it, he, she, mine, his, hers, we, they, theirs, and ours.
Sample Sentences:
  • Janice is a very stubborn child. She just stared at me and when I told her to stop.
  • The largest slice is mine.
  • We are number one.
The italicized words in the sentences above are the pronouns in the sentence.

3.  Adjective

This part of  a speech is used to describe a noun or a pronoun. Adjectives can specify the quality, the size, and the number of nouns or pronouns.
Use this link to get a list of adjectives.


Sample Sentences:
  • The carvings are intricate.
  • The italicized word describes the appearance of the noun “carvings.”
  • I have two hamsters.
  • The italicized word “two,” is an adjective which describes the number of the noun “hamsters.”
  • Wow! That doughnut is huge!
  • The italicized word is an adjective which describes the size of the noun “doughnut.”

4. Verb

This is the most important part of a speech, for without a verb, a sentence would not exist. Simply put, this is a word that shows an action (physical or mental) or state of being of the subject in a sentence.
Examples of “State of Being Verbs” : am, is, was, are, and were
Sample Sentences:
  • As usual, the Stormtroopers missed their shot.
  • The italicized word expresses the action of the subject “Stormtroopers.”
  • They are always prepared in emergencies.
  • The verb “are” refers to the state of being of the pronoun “they,” which is the subject in the sentence.

5. Adverb

Just like adjectives, adverbs are also used to describe words, but the difference is that adverbs describe adjectives, verbs, or another adverb.
The different types of adverbs are:
  • Adverb of Manner– this refers to how something happens or how an action is done.
  • Example: Annie danced gracefully.
  • The word “gracefully” tells how Annie danced.
  • Adverb of Time- this states “when” something happens or “when” it is done.
  • Example: She came yesterday.
  • The italicized word tells when she “came.”
  • Adverb of Place– this tells something about “where” something happens or ”where” something is done.
  • Example:  Of course, I looked everywhere!
  • The adverb “everywhere” tells where I “looked.”
  • Adverb of Degree– this states the intensity or the degree to which a specific thing happens or is done.
  • Example: The child is very talented.
  • The italicized adverb answers the question, “To what degree is the child talented?”

6. Preposition

This part of a speech basically refers to words that specify location or a location in time.
Examples of Prepositions: above, below, throughout, outside, before, near, and since
Sample Sentences:
  • Micah is hiding under the bed.
  • The italicized preposition introduces the prepositional phrase “under the bed,” and tells where Micah is hiding.
  • During the game, the audience never stopped cheering for their team.
  • The italicized preposition introduces the prepositional phrase “during the game,” and tells when the audience cheered.

7. Conjunction

The conjunction is a part of a speech which joins words, phrases, or clauses together.
Examples of Conjunctions:  and, yet, but, for, nor, or, and so


Sample Sentences:
  • This cup of tea is delicious and very soothing.
  • Kiyoko has to start all over again because she didn’t follow the professor’s instructions.
  • Homer always wanted to join the play, but he didn’t have the guts to audition.
The italicized words in the sentences above are some examples of conjunctions.

8. Interjection

This part of a speech refers to words which express emotions. Since interjections are commonly used to convey strong emotions, they are usually followed by an exclamation point.
Examples of Interjections:
  • Ouch! That must have hurt.
  • Hurray, we won!
  • Hey! I said enough!
The bold words attached to the main sentences above are some examples of interjections.
Final Thoughts
You must familiarize yourself with the different parts of speech discussed in this article because they are among the most fundamental concepts that you will encounter throughout your study of grammar. An in-depth knowledge of this topic will not only make you a better writer, but an effective communicator as well.