Parts of Speech

VerbsUses:

The focus of the sentence. An action or feeling

Things to know:Helping (be, do, have and modals) and mainLinking (links the subject to something said about the subject)Transitive and non-transitive Action and Non-ActionForms (Aspect)TenseVoice

Example:She had been taught by her father to swim.

had been taught

NounsPersons, Places, Things, or Emotions

Uses:

Subjects, Objects and Objects of prepositions

Things to know:Count/Non-countProper nounsPossessiveGerunds/Infinitives

Example:My father met the teacher at my school.

father– subjectteacher – objectschool – object of preposition

AdjectivesUses:Describes a noun

Things to know:

Determiners (articles, this, some, etc.)Order (before noun or after linking verb)

Example:

The broken antique chair was on the decrepit porch.

thebroken antique the decrepit

AdverbsUses:Describe verbs, adjectives, other adverbs

Things to know:

Irregular formsAdverbs of frequencyPosition (beginning, middle, end)

Example:

He always worked silently at his desk everyday.

alwayssilentlyeveryday

PronounsUses:Take the place of a noun

Things to know:

SubjectObjectRelativeIndefinite

Example:

He picked up his test. He looked at mine to check his answers.

hemine

PrepositionsUses:

Word that shows relationship between the word that follows it and another word.

Things to know:

Location, Direction, TimeAlways followed by a noun

Example:

He picked up his test. He looked at mine to check his answers.at

ConjunctionsUses:

Makes connections between words

Things to know:

Coordinating and subordinating words FANBOYSDependent words (since, because, if, although, unless)

Example:Although he is a good student, he didn’t get an A, so he was disappointed.

althoughso

InterjectionUses:

Used to express surprise, to address someone, to give the speaker time to think.

Example:Uh, dear, will you help me?

uhdear

Practice

Identify the nouns.

1.The cow is revered in some cultures.2.During the autumn, the leaves change color and fall.3.Without your understanding, I would be lost.4.Explaining the process will take time.5.While we looked on, she played the piano.

Practice

Identify the adjectives.

1.Throughout this endless year, she has bravely faced numerous financial challenges.2.While the spotted fish swam lazily across the pond, the white egret waited patiently to attack.3.His ego was enormous and his self-respect was unfounded, considering his atrocious behavior.

Practice

Identify the verbs.

1.The treatment of the prisoners who are held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has come under scrutiny.2.Without a reprieve, the death penalty will be carried out against the convicted D.C. sniper, John Mohammed on November 2nd.3.The doctor administered the shot, while he was discussing the latest epidemic with the patient.

Practice

Identify the adverbs.

1.Throughout this endless year, she has bravely faced numerous financial challenges.2.While the spotted fish swam lazily across the pond, the white egret waited patiently to attack.3.Her brother was so kind and gentle, but he never felt that he was truly appreciated by his difficult family.