Download Parts of Speech - University of Central Missouri

Parts of Speech
Authorities differ in their definitions of the parts of speech. One authority (Martha Kolln, in Understanding English
Grammar) divides the classifications that fall under parts of speech into two groups--form classes and structure
classes.
FORM
STRUCTURE
noun
verb
adjective
adverb
determiner
auxiliary
qualifier
preposition
conjunction
interrogative
expletive
Kolln says that we can think of the words in the form classes as bricks and words in the structure classes as the
mortar which holds the bricks together. Pronouns don't fit into either class but are part of both.
Handouts included in this collection cover verbs and auxiliaries, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and pronouns
fairly well. Additional information that may be useful follows:
Adjectives (modifiers/descriptors) are words which will fit into the following test frame. Use whichever noun you
wish:
The __________ NOUN is very _____________.
(The blue wall is very blue.)
( Only an adjective/modifier/descriptor will fit in both blank slots.)
Articles (a, an, the) are a type of adjective/modifier/descriptor.
Determiners (a, an, the, this, that) signal nouns.
Qualifiers or intensifiers alter the meaning of adjectives and adverbs. In our test frame, the word very is a qualifier.
Other qualifiers are: maybe, perhaps, only, merely, hardly, just, really
Interrogatives are used in questions: Who, whom, whose, which, what, how, why
Expletives are empty constructions, like there is and it is, in the following sentences:
There are three too many students in this class. It is a sunny, cheerful day today.
(Improved: Too many students have enrolled in this class.
( Improved: Today is sunny and cheerful.)
Interjections (like exclamations) indicate strong emotion, such as surprise:
"Oh, no! I can't believe I won the lottery!"
Nouns are traditionally people, places, and things. It may be helpful to add places, objects, ideas, qualities,
activities, etc.
The CMSU Writing Center
Central Missouri State University, Humphreys 116
Parts of Speech, page 70