Parts of Speech

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Introduction

Words can be classified by type. Knowing these types is important as it allows you to understand and apply the rules of grammar. These types include nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions.

Nouns

Nouns denote people, places, and things. Nouns are “naming words” and there are different types of nouns including:

Pronouns

Pronouns are used as an alternative to nouns. Examples include he, she, him, it, I. List of pronounsicon representing a list

Adjectives

Adjectives describe or modify nouns and pronouns. For example,

We could see a large moon in the sky.

List of adjectives icon representing a list

Verbs

Verbs are words that describe actions, states, and occurrences. Examples include:

Verbs come in various tenses including the three basic ones exemplified below:

Present - I like you.

Past - I liked you once.

Future - I will like you.

Click here for more on verb tense. You will also find more on present, past, and future verbs here external link icon, on our sister site, HelpingWithVerbs.com

Click here for a printable list of verbs in various tensesicon representing a list

Adverbs

Adverbs describe or modify verbs and adjectives. For example,

His hair shone brightly in the sunlight.

She was known for her slightly dark sense of humour.

Most, but not all, adverbs end with “-ly.”

List of adverbsicon representing a list

Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words, or groups of words that connect words, phrases, or clauses. There are different types of conjunctions.

Coordinating Conjunctions

There are only 7 coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. They join two independent clauses together. For example,

I am not happy, but I will go along with it.

It is Sunday, so I will have a day of rest.

Subordinating Conjunctions

There are lots of subordinating conjunctions: although, as much as, because, if, once, so that, than, unless, whenever. They join dependent clauses with independent ones. For example,

There are seven days in a week although only five are generally working days.

Sam would not wear his helmet unless someone reminded him to do so.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions come in pairs: both/ and, either/ or, neither/ nor, whether/ or. Like subordinating junctions, they connect dependent with independent clauses. For example,

I like both golf and a game of football.

The decision was made to either travel home that night or to wait another week.

List of conjunctionsicon representing a list

Prepositions

Propositions are words or phrases used with nouns and pronouns to show their relationship with the rest of the sentence. Examples include about, above, after, against, among, at, before, behind, below, between, by, down, up, upon, with, within. Examples of their usage include:

The ladder was leaning against the wall.

There had been whispers about their behaviour throughout the day.

List of prepositions icon representing a list