Uncategorized – teaching and learning English with GTB

every single word we use belongs to one of eight word group or part of speech.

Wow!!! that you hear that? just think about that fact for a minute. We use thousands of words, and they can all separated in to eight groups!

You’ll learn all about eight groups below, and you’ll transform yourself into a grammar guru. Everything else to do with grammar builds on this information, so soak it all in!

In the English language, words can be considered as the smallest elements that have distinctive meanings. Based on their use and functions, words are categorized into several types or parts of speech. This article will offer definitions and examples for the 8 major parts of speech in English grammar

1. Nouns

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:

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.

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.

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. There are 3 main types of verbs:

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

Sample Sentences:

When? She always arrives early.
How? He drives carefully.
Where? They go everywhere together.
In what way? She eats slowly.
To what extent? It is terribly hot.

6. Proposition

A preposition is a word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. They act to connect the people, objects, time and locations of a sentence. Prepositions are usually short words, and they are normally placed directly in front of nouns. In some cases, you’ll find prepositions in front of gerund verbs.

Sample Sentences:

I prefer to read in the library.
He climbed up the ladder to get into the attic.
Please sign your name on the dotted line after you read the contract.
Go down the stairs and through the door.
He swam across the pool.
Take your brother with you.

7. Conjunction

A conjunction is a part of speech that is used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. Conjunctions are considered to be invariable grammar particle, and they may or may not stand between items they conjoin

Types of Conjunctions

I tried to hit the nail but hit my thumb instead.
I have two goldfish and a cat.
I’d like a bike for commuting to work.
You can have peach ice cream or a brownie sundae.
Neither the black dress northe gray one looks right on me.
My dad always worked hard so we could afford the things we wanted.
I try very hard in school yet I am not receiving good grades.

Sample Sentences:

I tried to hit the nail but hit my thumb instead.
I have two goldfish and a cat.
I’d like a bike for commuting to work.
You can have peach ice cream or a brownie sundae.
Neither the black dress northe gray one looks right on me.
My dad always worked hard so we could afford the things we wanted.
I try very hard in school yet I am not receiving good grades.

8. Interjection

An interjection is a part of speech that shows the emotion or feeling of the author. These words or phrases can stand alone or be placed before or after a sentence. Many times an interjection is followed by a punctuation mark, often an exclamation point.