Download Parts of Speech

PARTS OF SPEECH
(Grammatical Terms)
NOUN
Person, place, thing

PRONOUN
Takes the place of a noun.
I, you (singular), he/she/it, we, you (plural), they

ADJECTIVE
It is fun.
Modifies (describes) a noun.
Comes before a noun or after "be".
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
VERB
Grammar is fun.
I like fun classes!
Grammar is fun.
Expresses action or state.
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 MAIN VERB
Students do homework.
Grammar is fun.
When there is only one verb in a sentence:
 He writes a lot.
 He is a nice guy.
Or, when there are two, it is the the "non-helping"
verb - the action that the sentence is about:


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 HELPING (AUXILIARY)
VERB
The first of a two-part verb; a verb used to form a
question or a negative; a modal auxiliary:





ADVERB
He is writing a lot.
He has written a lot.
He doesn't usually write a lot.
I am writing this for you.
I have been to England.
Do you like grammar?
He doesn't like peas.
You must practice every day.
Modifies/Describes a verb.
Adverb of Manner (Answers "How?")
 He talks quickly.
Adverb of Frequency (Answers "How often?")
 I usually go to the store on the weekends.
 She never lies.
 We work on grammar every day.
Adverbs of Time (Answers "When?"—Also called
Subordinating Conjunctions)
Before I go to the store, I make a list.
When I get good grades, I am happy.
After I finish this term, I will take a break.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
Base verb + -ing
Used in progressive verbs with "be"
PAST PARTICIPLE
Sometimes looks like simple past tense, but it's not
always the same (see irregular verbs)
Used in perfect tense verbs with "have"
Used in the passive voice
PREPOSITION
Can tell about time:
We don't have Listening/Speaking class on
Thursdays.
Class begins at 8:30.
Can tell about place:
Our classroom is on the third floor.
Please sit in your chair.
Can tell about direction:
He went to Little Rock.
Examples: in, on, at, around, for, to, from. There are
many, many more.
ARTICLE
A: one, general, first time
An: before a word that begins with a vowel sound
The: specific, second time, familiar, only one,
superlative.
 (Zero Article): no article is used before
generalizations
GERUND
Looks exactly like a present participle (V + ing), but
it's used as a subject, object, or object of a
preposition in a sentence. It's NOT used like a verb.
INFINITIVE
"to + base verb" (verb with no changes)
Used as a subject or object in a sentence, not as a
COORDINATING CONJUNCTION
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION
verb.
Connects two independent clauses. These are often
called FANBOYS:
 For
 And
 Nor
 But
 Or
 Yet
 So
These begin dependent clauses. There are a LOT.
Examples:
*as
even if
as though
in order that
unless
although
if only
*until
as if
if
when
*after
once
while
as long as
rather than
whether
as soon as
*since
whenever
because
so that
where
*before
than
wherever
even though
though
*These words can be either a subordinating
conjunction or a preposition depending on
how they're used. If followed immediately by
a subject and verb, it is probably a
subordinating conjunction. If not, it's probably
a preposition.