PARTS OF SPEECH

There are several different kinds of words, or parts of speech that you use every day: Nouns Pronouns Verbs Adjectives Adverbs Prepositions

NOUNS

- A noun is a word that names a person, a place, a thing, or an idea.

- A noun can name something that occupies space :Example: baby, balloon, plane,

- A noun can name something that does not occupy space:Example: Wednesday, health, happiness

ActivityUnderline the 20 nouns that appear in the following passage.

The British queen, Victoria, the very symbol of the empire for over sixty years, died in the first year of this century. Gradually, the British colonies gained independence and formed a federation of nations united under the merely symbolic powers of the monarchy. The national wealth and international influence that had been a British way of life were quickly becoming memories of the past. This decline was hastened by the two great wars.

PROPER AND COMMON NOUNS

Proper noun - this is the name of a particular person, place, thing , or idea.

Example : Aunt Shirley, Atlantic Ocean,

Thanksgiving Day, Common noun - this is the general -- not particular -- name of a person, place, thing, or idea.

Example: Car, Bank, Dancer, Newspaper

Activity- Label the following words either C for common noun or P for proper noun. 1. Houston 8. Empire State Building2. National Geographic 9. State3. Magazine 10. Mrs. Fisher5. Singer 11. Car6. City 12. Happiness7. Africa 13. Kleenex

Collective Noun - A collective noun names a group.Example: army, team, school (of fish), Boy Scouts, choir, public ActivityUnderline the 5 collective nouns in the following paragraph.

After the crew of the merchant ship had finished their chores, they loved to watch the sea. Once at night a swarm of plankton made the ocean glow softly. A young sailor watched in amazement as a pod of feeding whales suddenly broke the calm surface. At another time, along the coast of California, the sailor spotted a herd of sea lions frolicking in the waves. The varied population of the sea never ceased to delight the young sailor.

Compound Noun - a noun that is made up of more than one word.Example: housekeeper, ice cream, bookmark, high school, necklace, dining room

Concrete Nouns - name an object that occupies space or that can be recognized by any of the senses.

Example: thorn, gas, stars, milk, Florida

Abstract Nouns - names an idea, a quality, or a characteristic.Example: softness, harmony, excitement, innocence

ActivityFor each concrete noun below, write an abstract noun that names an idea with which the concrete noun can be associated.

1. Quarterback ______________ 4. Test ________________2. Scream ______________ 5. Puppy ________________3. Perfume ______________ 6. Chocolate ________________

VERBSA verb is a word that expresses action or a state of being and that is necessary to make a statement. There are many types of verbs:

ACTION VERB - tells what someone or something does

Activity 1 - Circle the action verb that appears in each sentence.

1. Frisbee disks soar through the air as gracefully as birds.2. Their path and speed depend on the player’s grip, the force of the throw, and the wind.3. The lighter disks fly farther and faster than the heavier ones.4. Players still prefer the heavier ones for team sports.5. Ordinarily players set their own rules.

TRANSITIVE VERB - action verb that is followed by a word or words that answer the question what? who? or whom? (The what, who, and whoms are called direct objects)

Ex - Fleas bite people. Hawks see their prey from far away. (D.O.) (D.O.)

INTRANSITIVE VERB - an action verb that does not have a direct object.

Ex - Fleas bite. Hawks see well in most weather conditions.

Activity 2 - Circle the action verb in each sentence and indicate if it is transitive or intransitive. 1. Anteaters prefer the warmer regions of the world.2. Anteaters posses no teeth whatsoever.3. On the whole, anteaters live rather peacefully.4. Like other toothless animals, anteaters often hide from their enemies for protection.5. When fearful, though, anteaters react fiercely.6. In general, they attack only insects.

LINKING VERB - links the subject of a sentence with a word or expression that identifies or describes that subject.

The most common linking verbs - is, are, am, was, were, will be, has been, was being

Other possible linking verbs - look, grow, feel, remain, appear, seem, sound, become, taste, stay, smell

HINT - If you are unsure whether a word is a linking verb, substitute the word SEEM in the sentence. If the sentence still makes sense, the word is probably a linking verb.

Ex - Small airplanes grow (seem) more popular every year.

Activity 4 - Circle the verb in each sentence. Indicate whether it is

an action or linking verb.

1. People outdoors often grow sick of insects.2. Insect colonies grow quite quickly.3. The noises of insects sound an alarm to other insects.4. To Chinese people, crickets sound cheerful.5. Many insects feel through their antennae.6. Insects appear in all corners of the world.

ADJECTIVES & ADVERBS

ADJECTIVE - a word that modifies (changes) the meaning of a noun or pronoun by making it more specific. Adjectives may do 4 things:

1. Describe: a rainy afternoon, a smooth surface CLEAN BABY!2. Classify: female spiders, Alaskan winters

3. Identify: this book, those horses, our party, his car4. Quantify: an apple, three cents, no water

Activity: Complete the following sentences by replacing each blank with the kind of adjectivenamed in the parentheses.

1. There are _____basic kinds of stereo systems: the component and the compact. (quantifying)

2. In the component system each part can be bought separately, and the sound is very _________. (describing)

3. Some people prefer the component system because they can buy the best parts from _______________ manufacturers or American manufacturers. (classifying)

Activity: Underline the adjectives in

the following paragraph.

Hawaii consists of a chain of 132 islands. These islands extend northwest for 1,523 miles. Main islands of Hawaii include Maui, Lanai, Nihau, and Hawaii, an island that is quite large and famous for active volcanoes. Although there are a number of islands, Hawaiian people live only on major ones. Kahoolawe, for example, had no inhabitants and is used only for naval purposes. Minor islands, only as big as great rocks, are too small and infertile to support human life.

ADVERB - A word that modifies (changes) a verb, an adjective, or another adverb by making it more specific.

Example : Extremely few eagles now nest very successfully in the area.

ADVERBS also answer the questions of time (when?), place (where?), manner (how?), and degree of intensity (to what degree?)

When: The baby cried now .Where: The baby cried there.

How: The baby cried loudly.

To what degree: She was completely cried out.

Activity : Underline the adverbs in the following sentences. There may be more than one in each sentence.

1. Very intense heat and pressure crystallize carbon into diamonds underground.

2. Diamonds vary rather widely in value.

3. Experts usually determine diamond value quite simply by evaluating the cut.

4. A high weight in carats definitely raises a diamond’s value.

5. The carat weight of a rough diamond may be greatly reduced when the diamond is cut

6. If a diamond is polished and shaped expertly, it is more valuable than a diamond of the same weight that is not polished.

7. Fifty-eight facets sparkle brilliantly from the most popular diamond cut.

8. Well-cut diamonds are breathtakingly beautiful.

9. Diamonds that are heavily flawed almost always cost less than flawless stones.

10. Colorless diamonds are the most highly valued for use in precious jewelry.

CHOOSING ADVERBS AND ADJECTIVES

When choosing a modifier, you must often decide if you need an adjective or an adverb. There are two pairs of words which often cause confusion:

Good vs. Well & Bad vs. Badly

GOOD vs WELL: Always use good as an adjective. The child is a good speaker. The soup was good and hot.

Well may be used as an adverb of manner telling how ably something was done or as an adjective meaning “in good

health.”

The child speaks well. The child is not well right now.

BAD vs BADLY: Always use bad as an adjective.

The machine made a bad copy. The potato was bad.

Use badly as an adverb (it usually follows action verbs)

Activity: Chose the correct modifier by filling the blank with either good, well, bad, or badly.

1. A person who can speak ________ can make a

lasting impression on the audience.

2. _____________ organization is important in a speech.

3. A speech that is __________ written will usually confuse the audience.

4. A ___________ delivery is just as important as the content of the speech.

5. Even a speaker who is not feeling _______ should speak forcefully.

6. If a speech begins _________, an audience may immediately lose interest.

7. A speaker can promote a _______ relationship with an audience by making eye contact.

8. A speaker must know the content of a speech very ___________ in order to be effective.

NOUN OR ADJECTIVE?

Many words commonly listed as nouns in a dictionary may act as adjectives by modifying other nouns.

NOUNS The couple pledged their love to each other.The wall was made of concrete.

ADJECTIVES They read a love poem.The built a concrete wall.

ACTIVITYUse each noun below as an adjective by having it modify another noun.

EX: Noun = Shirt Adjective = shirt button

1. Kitchen = _______________ 2. Beach = ____________________3. Flower = ________________ 4. Telephone = _________________

Prepositions & Prepositional Phrases

A PREPOSITION is a word that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word. It usually tells where or when.

EXAMPLE: The squirrel ran (to, up, on, down, over, toward, under,) the tree.

A prepositional phrase includes a preposition the object of the preposition and any modifiers of that object.

EXAMPLES: Arlene climbed up the ladder.[The preposition is up and the object of the preposition is ladder.]

The picture on the cover is mine. [The preposition is on and the object of thepreposition is cover.]

EXERCISE A Underline the prepositional phrase in each of the following sentences.

1 She found her jacket in the closet.2. An enormous picture was painted on one wall.3. The picture reached above the second story.4. It showed an eighteenth-century man in a white shirt.5. The picture was painted by a local artist.

EXERCISE B In each of the following sentences underline the preposition once and the object of the preposition twice.

6. Spike Lee was born in Georgia.7. He studied at a New York university.8. The video store near my house carries his films.9. Lee appears in some films.10. His father wrote the music for this movie.11. She lived just one mile down the road.12. The director wore a hat with a large X.13. During a recent newscast I heard Lee speak.14. He talked about a film he had just finished.15. In fifteen minutes, I’ll need to go to class.

Common Prepositions about beside inside throughacross between like toafter beyond near towardalong by off underneatharound down onto upbefore from over with

Common Compound Prepositionsaccording to because of instead of next toahead of by means of in front of on account of

along with in addition to in spite of on top of

PRONOUNS

Pronouns - These are words that take the place of nouns, groups of nouns, or other pronouns. Pronouns allow you to avoid unnecessary repetitions

when you speak or write.

Examples: When Sylvia Plath was a young girl, she decided to become a writer.George Orwell wrote Animal Farm. It remains very popular today.

Antecedent- the word or group of words to which a pronoun refersExamples: The apple, because of its texture, is used for filling in pies.

Personal Pronoun - This refers to a specific person or thing by indicating the person speaking, the person being addressed, or any other person being

discussed.

Examples: I, me, we, us, you, he, him, they, them, she, her, it

“My Doll”Possessive Pronoun - a personal pronoun that indicates

ownership or possession.Examples : My, mine, our, ours, your, yours, his, hers, theirs, its

ACTIVITY:Replace the underlined words or groups of words with personal or possessive pronouns.

In the late twentieth century eight riders and the riders’ horses retraced the Santa Fe Trail, once a major route for pioneers going west. The trip’s leader, Allan Maybee, made sure that the riders planned carefully. Maybee asked Maybee’s friend, Ms. Evelyn Vinogradov, to drive Vinogradov’s truck ahead of the riders. The truck carried groceries, and Vinogradov had filled the truck with jugs of water as well. Vinogradov also arranged for places where the group could stay overnight. Would the reader of this passage be interested in planning the reader’s own trip along the Santa Fe Trail?

Reflexive Pronouns - refers to a noun or another pronoun and indicates that the same person or thing is involved. These always end with -self or -selves.

Ex: Today, for the first time in months, she is herself.As cooks they have no faith in themselves.

Intensive Pronoun - Adds emphasis to another noun or pronoun. These also end with -self or -selves.

Ex: You yourself told me to stop. I myself cooked the soup.

ACTIVITYSupply the appropriate reflexive or intensive pronoun for each blank.

1. Many of us have transformed _______________ from joggers to serious runners.2. Running _______________ is not a difficult sport.3. If you are new to running, be sure to pace _______________ carefully.4. Some runners use a stopwatch to time _________________.5. I ________________ enjoy a morning run most of all.

?????Interrogative Pronoun - is used to form questions.

Examples: Who? Whom? Whose? What? Which?Who is here? Which shall I take? What will I find?

Indefinite Pronoun - refers to persons, places, or things in general terms.

Examples: All, another, any, anybody, anyone, both, each, everyone, few, many, most, neither, none, no one, others, several, somebody, something

ACTIVITYUnderline the eight indefinite pronouns in the following paragraph.

Everyone cheered as the rocket rose from the launching pad. During the first orbit everything went well. Then someone realized that the spacecraft was swinging to the right. Obviously, something was wrong. The astronaut quickly reviewed the problem. Taking several of the controls off automatic, he flew the craft manually though the final two orbits. Nobody had ever done anything like this before. Nor had any of the earlier American astronauts orbited the earth.

PRONOUNS AS SUBJECTS AND OBJECTS

In a sentence, a pronoun changes form according to its function.

Nominative Case - When the pronoun is the subject of the sentence (doing the action)Ex - He gave John the radio.

Objective Case - When the pronoun is the object of the sentence (receiving the action)Ex - Ted gave him the radio

The following chart shows you which pronouns go with each case:

Nominative Case (subject) Objective Case (object)

Singular: I, You, He, She, It Me, You, Him, Her, It

Plural: We, You, They Us, You, Them

Note: Don’t forget your objects found within prepositional phrases!

Which is correct?

The dog sat between him and me.

or The dog sat between he and I.

The correct pronouns would be him and me because they are objects within the phrase of the preposition, between.

Activity: Underline the appropriate pronoun in each sentence.

1. The traffic officer gave Don and (I, me) a stern lecture.

2. Did you know that Jon and (we, us) were arranging the picnic?3. Between you and (I, me), video games are my hobby.4. (He, Him) and (I, me) are the friendliest people around town.5. There has always been a friendship between Mary and (I, me).6. Mary and (he, him) are the luckiest people on earth.7. Please give (she, her) that piece of paper.8. (We, Us) cannot belieive that winter is almost here.9. John bumped into (she, her) as he walked out the door.10. Why don’t you tell (they, them) how you really feel?

Pronoun Complements - when the pronoun may be switched with the subject without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Ex - She is the first contestant in the pageant / The first contestant in the pageant is she.

He was the loser. / The loser was he.

Because it has the same meaning as the subject, the pronoun used is usually in the nominative case.

Activity: Underline the appropriate pronoun.1. It must have been (they, them) who were sitting behind us.2. There are (she, her) and Amy, standing by the road.3. If I were (she, her), I wouldn’t leave(he, him) alone.4. The last to arrive were Greta and (I, me).5. Fortunately, (she, her) and not her sister was behind the wheel last night.6. It is (we, us) not (they, them) who must finish the job.7. The only people remaining were Joyce and (I, me).

PRONOUNS IN COMPARISONS

The words than and as are used frequently to make comparisons.Ex - No one is as funny as she is funny.

Ernie was more surprised than we were surprised.

Sometimes, however, the comparisons are not completely stated. Ex - Did Jon get paid more than they? {got paid}

In order to help you choose the correct pronoun you must mentally complete the sentence, even if it is not completed for you.

Ex: My younger brother never had to work as hard as I. {had to work}

Activity: Choose the correct pronouns in each sentence.

1. Even a young child would use money more wisely than (he, him).2. Mr. Smith admitted that he was stricter with Stan than with (he, him).3. Do you have as much freedom as (she, her)?4. No one was happier than (I, me) at the news of your rescue.5. Were you as bothered as much as (I, me) by the traffic jam?6. Luke is better at baking than (she, her).7. Though we look the same age, Ed is actually two years older than (I, me).8. Lyle was more concerned about capsizing than (he, him).

PRONOUN OR ADJECTIVE?

Many pronouns may be used just like adjectives. All types of pronouns (demonstrative, possessive, interrogative, indefinite) can be used as adjectives when they modify a noun.

Possessive Pronoun The book is his.Possessive Adjective His book is lost.

Demonstrative Pronoun This is the one I want.Demonstrative Adjective This book is my choice.

Interrogative Pronoun Whose are you playing?Interrogative Adjective Whose symphony are you playing?

Indefinite Pronoun Some grew tired.Indefinite Adjective Some swimmers grew tired.

ACTIVITYDetermine whether each italicized word is used as a pronoun or an adjective.

“Affinities” is a game that challenges players to make a list of words commonly joined by “and.” The player whose list is longest wins. There are many words which would qualify as affinities. In another game, called “Hidden Words,” the leader gives several words of ten or more letters. A little creativity is needed for the game, “Alphabet Tale.” For this game players write a story 26 words in length; each of the words must begin with a successive letter of the alphabet. This is an excellent way to learn new words. These brain teasers are sure to challenge your powers of thinking. All can be played without much difficulty, and several are as educational as they are entertaining.

PREPOSITION OR ADVERB?

Many words that appear to be prepositions may often be adverbs. If the word stands alone and answers a question such as where? or when? and if it does not connect a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence, consider the word an adverb. Otherwise it is a preposition.

ADVERB The players assembled inside (where?)

PREPOSITION The players assembled inside the auditorium.(connects the nounauditorium to the rest of the sentence)

ACTIVITYDecide whether the italicized word in each sentence is a preposition or an adverb.

1. An upholstered chair has springs and padding inside.

2. Springs and padding inside a chair make it comfortable.

3. Furniture makers upholster a chair by stretching strips of heavy cloth across the bottom of the frame.

4. These strips are placed across to give good support.

5. Upholsterers then put coil and zigzag springs throughout the chair.

6. Lighter springs may also be used throughout.

7. Next, furniture makers put padding over the springs.

8. Upholsterers use padding to give comfort all over.

THE COMMA

The comma should be used in the following situations:

1. To divide two complete thoughts separated by a coordinating conjunction ( and, but, or, nor, yet, or for).

Example - a. I told Sue what he said, and she advised me to forget it.

b. I carefully picked up the vase, yet it crashed to the floor.

Helpful Hint - If you can place a period after each thought, you will need to use a comma along with a coordinating conjunction.

2. Commas are used to set off introductory phrases.Example - a. With a powerful thud, the book fell to the ground.

b. Without a sound, the baby sat quietly.

3. Commas must be used to set off interjections (such as yes, no, and well) and transitions such as after all, however, moreover, etc

Examples - Yes, I hope to build my own home one day. After all, I did my best. Philadelphia, on the other hand, is three centuries old.

4. Commas must be used to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series.

Example - The movie was long, dull, and humorless. He can throw, catch, and hit as well as anyone else.

ACTIVITY Add commas where they are needed .

1. Actors actresses and filmmakers greatly influence the lives of many people.

2. Bette Davis a famous and talented actress was the first woman to receive the Life Achievement Award.

3. In the movie Mr. Skeffington Davis played a selfish unloving character.

4. Mel Gibson is known for his great acting ability and he is labeled as one of the finest in his craft.

5. Several actors even though successful in college leave school to act.

6. The screenwriter Joan Tewkesberry wrote several screenplays for many actors.

7. Throughout history only a few actors can be said to have changed the course of filmmaking.

8. Because many actors influence each other they are all considered significant.

THE COLON

Colons should be used in the following situations:

1. When making lists

USE A COLON TO INTRODUCE A LIST, ESPECIALLY AFTER A STATEMENT THAT USES SUCH WORDS ASTHESE, THE FOLLOWING, OR AS FOLLOWS.

Example: To make a good sandwich, you need the following ingredients: peanut butter, jelly, and bread.

Note that your introductory statement is a complete sentence!

2. To introduce material that explains or restates the preceding material

Example: You can see how cold the winters are in Alaska: On a windy morning your breath freezes into ice crystals in front of your face.

3. To introduce a long or formal quotation Example: Lincoln began the Gettysburg Address with these famous words: “Four score and seven years

ago....”

Activity- Add colons where they are needed.

1. There are three animals which make good pets cats, dogs, and fish.

2. Among the natural rights of the colonists are these a right to life, a right to liberty, and a right to property.

3. There are three faithful friends a good spouse, an old dog, and ready money.

4. Poet Karl Shapiro and composer Aaron Copland have something in common. Each won a Pulitzer Prize.

5. Dorothy Parker asked to have this engraved on her tombstone “Excuse my dust.”

THE SEMICOLON

1. USE A SEMICOLON TO SEPARATE MAIN CLAUSES THAT ARE NOT JOINED BY COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS.

Incorrect - The acting ability of Orson Welles is considered phenomenal; and his film Citizen Kane is still appreciated.

Correct - The acting ability of Orson Welles is considered phenomenal; his film Citizen Kane is still appreciated.

2. USE A SEMICOLON TO SEPARATE COMPLETE THOUGHTS SEPARATED BY TRANSITIONS: HOWEVER, THEREFORE, FURTHERMORE, FOR EXAMPLE, ETC.

Example - The dessert was terrific; therefore, we all had a second helping.

3. USE A SEMICOLON TO SEPARATE THE ITEMS IN A SERIES WHEN THESE ITEMS CONTAIN COMMAS .

Example -There are several great writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote Nature ; Henry David Thoreau, who wrote Walden ; and Maragret Fuller, who wrote Women in the Nineteenth Century.

4. USE A SEMICOLON TO SEPARATE 2 COMPLETE THOUGHTS JOINED BY A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION WHEN THERE ARE INTERNAL COMMAS.

Example - Leonardo da Vinci pursued a wide range of subjects including mathematics, music, astronomy, and engineering ; but he always returned to his primary interest,

which was, of course, art.

ACTIVITY-- Add semicolons where they are needed.

1. Mary was strongly discouraged to practice gymnastics however, she won several awards for her abilities.

2. People who eat candy may become overweight people who eat vegetables may perhaps remain thin. 3. All the trees were conifers therefore, they were cone-bearing evergreens.

4. Mark Twain attached the preceding notice to Huckleberry Finn he felt that too much analysis of art made it less enjoyable.

5. Many artists live and work in Dallas, Texas Orlando, Florida and Hollywood, California.

6. We must remember that art is not a form of advertising it is a form of truth.

7. Many people enjoy Italian food including spaghetti, ziti, and ravioli but they may also enjoy American food like hamburgers, potato chips, and apple pie.

Plural Nouns

RULES:Form the plural of nouns ....

- by adding -S or -ES Ex: towns, parks / boxes, churches

- ending in a vowel + Y by adding an -SEx: days, keys, boys

- ending in a consonant + Y by changing the Y to I and adding -ESEx: country = countries

- ending in a vowel + O by adding an -SEx: patio = patios / rodeo = rodeos

- ending in a consonant + O by adding -ES (there are exceptions to this rule) Ex: potato = potatoes / hero = heroes

- changing the spelling Ex: mouse = mice / man = men

- not changing the spelling Ex: one deer = three deer / one dozen = five dozen

ACTIVITYWrite the plural form of each word on the line provided

1. journey ____________________ 6. cameo ______________________2. gentleman __________________ 7. potato ______________________3. tax ________________________ 8. dent ________________________4. bonus ______________________ 9. woman ______________________5. moose ______________________ 10. enemy ______________________

Possessive Nouns

Possessive Nouns show ownership or possession

RULES: Add an apostrophe ‘ ....

- + an S to make a singular noun possessiveEx: John’s paper / the cat’s toy

- after the S to show ownership of plural nounsEx: Plural noun - The Ladies (more than one lady) Possessive Plural noun - The Ladies’ hats (hats belonging to many ladies)

- + an S to make a plural without an S at the end

Ex: Plural noun - The men (more than one man) Possessive Plural noun - The men’s cigars (cigars belonging to several men)

Singular noun Singular Possessive Plural noun Plural Possessive Boy Boy’s dog Boys Boys’ dogsChair Chair’s seat Chairs Chairs’ seatsWoman Woman’s Women Women’s

Underline the proper word in each sentence.1. Each year the Smith family goes to the (rodeos, rodeo’s) in northern Georgia.2. We were invited to the (Gomezes, Gomezes’ ) housewarming party.3. On our hike we saw three (deer, deer’s) grazing in the pasture.4. My (parents, parents’) gift to me was a new car.5. Some Eskimos still use (igloos, igloo’s) when out fishing.6. All my (cousins, cousins’) birthdays fall in the month of July.7. Uncle Robert had dozens of (stories, story’s) to tell us.8. Those bowling (alleys, alleys’) lanes are in poor shape.9. The (Kellys, Kelly’s) are planning a trip.10. The (childrens’, children’s) clothing is on the third floor.

Mark A if the underlined word is used correctly, or mark B if it is used incorrectly. 66. The teacher’s have the day off today.67. My nephew’s birthday is today. He turns nine years old.68. All of the childrens’ toys were scattered under the Christmas tree.69. Three deers crossed the road.70. The male deer’s antler was cracked when he ran into the tree.71. The little girl loved to listen to bedtime stories.72. My parents cooked the Thanksgiving turkey together.73. The mans’ cigar was left on the table. He should have taken it with him.74. All of the lady’s purses were stolen from the mall yesterday.75. Those were Chris’ keys on the table.