TOPIC 1PARTS OF SPEECH / WORD CLASS

SYNOPSIS

This topic aims to enhance learners knowledge of the formal features of the English language system. It provides an explanation to a selection of language structures identified in the English Language Proficiency 11 syllabus for non- TESL learners.

The exercises that follow the explanation should provided some immediate practice applying the language rules learnt. Leraners are required to practice much more from publications readily available, should they wish to improve thier personal proficiency in the English language.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the topic, you will be able to:

1. understand the different types of language structures of word clasess namely, conjuctions, prepositions and interjections.

2. apply the language structures appropriately through relevant exercises

TOPIC 1PARTS OF SPEECH / WORD CLASS

1.0 Parts of Speech

Words are divided into nine different classes, traditionally named as Parts of Speech or word classes. These word classes are categorised according to their use in a sentence. The main parts of speech in English include nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections.

1.1 Conjunctions

Conjunctions are used to join words, phrases, clauses or sentences to express a partticular idea or ideas. Study the following examples.

Anne and Kamilla are coming to the party.The conjunction and joins the words Anne and Kamilla.

You can write the answer in ink or in pencilThe conjunction or joins the phrases in ink or in pencil

Although she is a famous and successful writer, she leads a simple and frugal life.The conjunction although joins she is, a famous and successful writer and she leads a simple and frugal life

Both the girls and their fathers are scientists.The conjunction both...and joins the sentences the girls are scientists and their fathers are scientists

We can further discuss conjunctions in terms of their meanings or functions. A conjunction usually performs one function, but some conjunctions perform two different functions.

Conjunctions

ExamplesFunction shows

asAs he was walking down the dark lane, he heard a strange noise behind him.

I did not want to go to the movies as I did not have enough money

time

cause and effect

sinceI have not met my brother since the day I was born.

Since I studied hard for the examination, I passed them with flying colours.

time

cause and effect

orCoffee or tea, sir asked the waiter.

You had better finish the assingment fast, or you will not be able to submit it on time.

choice

condition

whileWhile I was walking home, it started to rian heavily.

In the movie Beauty and the Beast, the heroine is ravishingly beautiful, while the hero is just the opposite.

time

contrast

Conjunctions are analysed from three aspects, which are form, function and position.FormsConjunctions have three basic forms;1. Single wordExample: so, for, while, since1. CompoundExample: provided that, as well as, so that1. CorrelativeCorrelative conjunctions always appear in parts. The most common correlative conjunctions are; both...and, either...or, neither...nor not only...but also,so...as and whether...or.Example: Both my husband and my father were born in November.

FunctionsConjunctions have two basic functionsa) Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two parts of a sentence that are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single or clauses, for example:1. Amariah and Azham are getting married next month (noun and noun)2. They ran and laughed together. (verb and verb)3. The water was warm, but I didnt go swimming. (clause and clause)b) Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a subordinate dependent clause to a main clause, for example;1. I went swimming although it was cold.PositionsConjuctions can be placed at the beginning or between words or clauses.Example;1. Since he is not there, we should not enter.2. When I am sick, my father takes me to that clinic.3. My mother cooked through the night though she was not well.4. They would not take any action unless the firm does not meet thje requirement.

Exercise 1Fill in the blanks with the appropriate conjunctions.

1. _______________he tried hard, he failed to get through the security.

2. Wait here___________ I tell you to move.

3. Take your umbrella___________it is going to rain.

4. Sazali is slow____________ smart.

5. ______________he was ill, he had to stay at home.

6. I shall not ride in his carriage____________invited.

7. Be kind ___________you will be rewarded.

8. ____________Azlan ___________his wife are attending the ceremony.

9. ____________soon __________he is ready, bring down the cake.

10. He is___________here__________there.

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks with because, since, so and as long as.

1. The house was in need of major repairs______________we decided not to buy it.

2. __________________you are UITM students, you must always abide by its rules and regulations.

3. We decided not to go out shopping ______________we were tired.

4. You can play with your friends______________you have finished your homework.

5. ______________the weather was bad, we had to cancel the camping trip.

Exercise 3

Join the sentences using before, after or while.

1. The children were sleeping on the second floor. The fire started in the basement.

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2. It rained heavily. We arrived at the camping site.

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3. The nomads set up the tent. They tied up the camels.

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4. The police rushed over the house. They received the emergency call.

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5. I withdrew some money from the bank. I went shopping.

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1.2 Prepositions

Prepositions are used to show the relationship or connection of a word with other words. They are used with nouns, pronouns, adjectives and verbs to introduce phrases which give more information about a thing, quality or action. They are used to indicate time, direction and other functions.

Eg: We will go to Sabah on Monday. We will go by plane.

Prepositions are usually single words, but there are some prepositions which have more than one word.

Eg: We walked in between the parked cars.

Types of prepositions

Roles Prepositions

Placein , at, around, beyond

Accompanimentalong, with

Mannerin, with, like

Instrumentwith, by

Timebefore, after, at

Direction/movementout of, toward, from, across

Agentby

Stimulusof, to, by

Purposeto, for

Cause,reasonby, from, due to

Sourcefrom

There are three types of prepositions, which are prepositions of place, prepositions of time and preposition of movement.

Preposition of Place

In general, there are some confusion regarding the use of prepositions at, in and on

1. at is used when referring to a point.1. in is used when referring to an enclosed space.1. on is used when referring to a surface.

at (point)in (enclosed space)on (surface)

at the parkin Bangsaron the swing

at N0. 3In Kuala Lumpuron Jalan Bangsar

at the housein the bedroomon the door

at the junctionin the bookstoreon the wall

Examples:

1. Mariana is waiting for you at the park in Bangsar. She will be on the swing.

2. My house is at No. 3 on Jalan Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur.

3. The boys are reading some books at the English corner in the bookstore on the 3rd floor.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions

1. The picture is hanging _____the door _____the bedroom _____the house.

2. You cant find the plate? Maybe it is ____the entrance of the kitchen or ___the kitchen or hanging ____the wall.

3. A: I see you ____the junction. B: No, I am ____the building _____the ground floor.

4. Please go and get the leaflet ____ the front desk ___the main office. It is____the chair.

5. Gwen is studying Accountancy _____England.

Prepositions of Time

The following examples illustrate the use of prepositions in time expressions: at, in, on

1. at for a PRECISE TIME1. in for MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES and LONG PERIODS1. on for DAYS and DATES

At / PRECISE TIMEIN/ MONTHS, YEARS etcON/ DAYS, DATES

at 4 oclockin Decemberon Sunday

at lunchtimein springOn 4 December

at sunsetin 1963On my birthday

at the momentin the past / futureon New Years Day

Examples;

1. I am going shopping at 11.00am with a friend.

2. My anniversary falls on 15 December.

3. I forsee a lot of movement in the next month.

Exercise 2

The following sentences have the prepositions at, in or on omitted. Rewrite each sentence, inserting the preposition at, in or on in the correct position.

1. We can look for car accessories the new hypermarket Ampang Jaya.

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2. People Malaysia live peace and harmony.

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3. Sandra works as a sales assistant an antique shop Jonker Street.

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4. The little child was trapped the bottom of the wall.

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5. The parcel that you have been waiting for is your study table.

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6. Mosquitoes breed clear stagnant water.

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7. Do look the different models available the market before you decide which bicycle to buy.

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Preposition of Movement

to is used to express movement

Examples:

1. They were going to school together.

2. She has gone to the registrar office.

Toward/towards are also used to express movement.

Examples:

1. We are moving toward the future.

2. This is a big step towards the marriage

No preposition is needed for these words:

Home, downtown, uptown, inside, outside, downstairs, upstairs

Eg: My father went upstairs to look for my mother but unfortunately she has gone home.

1.3 Interjections

Interjections are short exclamations which show excitement and emotion. They do not carry grammatical value and are normally used in speaking rather than writing; extremely common in English to express strong emotion and in many situations where speakers are lost for words.An interjection is followed by an exclamation mark ( ! )Interjections are usually one or two words that come at the beginning of a sentence.

Some examples of interjections and their functionsInterjectionsFunctionsExamples

Ahto express pleasure

to express realization

to express regret

to express surpriseAh, that sounds better.

Ah, now I see the future.

Ah, well, this cannot be avoided.

Ah! We have arrived!

Alasto express relief, grief or pity

Alas, it is over now.

Dearto express pity

to express surpriseOh dear! Is she badly hurt?

Dear me! I never thought she would be here!

Ehto reconfirm

to enquire

to express suprise

to express invitationA: The concert starts now.B: Eh?A: I said the concert starts now.

What is your opinion on that, eh?

Eh! Is that so?

Lets move, eh?

Erto hesitateShe is the wife of...er...Major Lee.

Heyto call for attention

to express joyHey! Stop doing that.

Hey! Thats a brilliant thing to do!

Ohto pleadOh, please be there for me!

Ouchto express painOuch! That hurts!

Wellto reject

to introduce a pointWell I wouldnt want that!

Well, your next point is?

Exercise

Choose a suitable text and identify the use of conjunctions, prepositions and interjections found in the text. Suggested materials; newspaper clippings, short texts, excerpts from different text types, comic strips or drama scripts.

You are to present the task to your respective lecturer during your tutorial session.

Further practice

Write a short passage inserting some form of conjunctions, prepositions and interjections.

Task to be submitted to your lecturer during tutorial session.

Summary

In this topic some basic parts of speech in English especially conjunctions, prepositions and interjections were presented. It gives you some practice in identifying the different parts of speech and how they are used in the sentences. This will help you to be more accurate in using the right parts of speech in your daily conversations with your pupils and friends.

References;

1. Norhazian Mat Sapian and Yong Lee Choo (2011) Language Description 1. Oxford Fajar Sdn Bhd. Shah Alam, Selangor.

2. Azar, B and Azar, D (2004). Fundamentals of English Grammar Second Edition. Prentice Hall Inc. Malaysia.

3. Wren and Martin (2006). High School English: Grammar & Composition, Kuala Lumpur:S. Chand & Company Ltd.

Suggested Answers

TOPIC 1: Parts of Speech

Exercise 1 Conjunctions

1. Although2. Until3. because4. but5. As6. unless7. and 8. Both...and9. As...as10. Niether...nor

Exercise 2

1. so2. as long as3. because4. as long as5. since

Exercise 3

1. The children were sleeping on the second floor while the fire started in the basement.2. It rained heavily before we arrived at the camping site.3. The nomads set up the tent after they tied up the camels.4. The police rushed over the house after they received the emergency call.5. I withdrew some money from the bank before I went shopping.

Exercise 1 prepositions

1. on, in, at2. at, in, on3. at, in on4. at in, on5. in

Exercise 2

1. We can look for car accesories at the new hypermarket in Ampang Jaya.2. People in Malaysia live in peace and harmony.3. Sandra works as a sales assistant in an antique shop on Jonker Street.4. The little child was trapped at the bottom of the well.5. The parcel that you have been waiting for is on your study table.6. Mosquitoes breed in clear stgnant water.7. Do look at the different models available in the market before you decide which bicycle to buy.