For each underlined word in the following sentences, identify the part of speech. Each part of speech is used at least once.
noun—N adverb—ADV
pronoun—PRO preposition—PREP
verb—V conjunction—CONJ
adjective—ADJ interjection—INT
1. They attended the concert last weekend.
2. Several cats ran into Rob’s garage.
3. The truck driver delivered the packages quickly.
4. Fast runners won all the awards at the track meet.
5. My friends and I walked home after school.
6. I wanted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch yesterday.
7. She was counting the ballots during social studies class.
8. Hey! That is my seat.
9. Will they finish the test on time?
10. The diagram was pretty complicated for us.
11. He will practice his musical piece soon.
12. Reggie saw the awesome sight from the air.
13. Her sister is the oldest member of the group.
14. Check the score, Tom.
15. Will the students be able to find the answer by themselves?
16. Are you sure of yourself?
17. They slowly carried the couch down the stairs.
18. Can you see beyond the hills from the top of the tower?
19. Hurray! Our team has finally scored a touchdown.
20. The troop had been scattered throughout the woods.
A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea:
People farmer, mechanic, father, Professor Haskins, editors, Marcia
Places ocean, Canada, porch, Spain, classroom
Things scissors, giraffe, pen, smiles, tugboat, skateboard, braces, drill
Ideas love, inspiration, courage, anxiety, eagerness, happiness
All nouns are either common or proper nouns:
A common noun names any person, place, or thing. Examples are basketball, video,
wizard, coin, woman, and coach.
A proper noun names a particular person, place, or thing and begins with a capital letter.
Examples are Winston Churchill, Babe Ruth, Mr. Richard Turner, and Chicago.
Here are some specific types of nouns:
A collective noun names a group of people or things. Examples of collective nouns are
jury, herd, flock, family, fleet, club, class, and group.
A compound noun is a noun consisting of more than a single word. It could be separate
words such as social studies, physical education, and the dining room. It could be two words
joined by a hyphen such as a merry-go-round, thirty-three, sister-in-law, and great- grandmother.
It could be a combined word such as schoolteacher, bookkeeper, landlord, and headmaster
A pronoun is a word used in place of one or more nouns.
We use pronouns to:
◗ Refer to a noun (called it's antecedent) that usually comes before the pronoun
◗ Make our writing clearer, smoother, and less awkward
In the sentence, “Roberto feels that he can win the race,” he is the pronoun, and Roberto is
the antecedent.
In the sentence, “Terry and Jim know that they are best friends,” they are the pronoun, and
Terry and Jim are the noun antecedents.
There are several types of pronouns.
Personal pronouns refer to people and things. They are divided into three categories called
first person (referring to the person who is speaking: I went to the mall), second person (referring
to the person spoken to Joey, can you see the bus?), and third-person (referring to anyone or
anything else: Bob saw us do this assignment). The pronouns in the two example sentences
above are personal pronouns.
In addition to personal pronouns, there are several other types of pronouns: reflexive pronouns,
relative pronouns, interrogative pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, and indefinite pronouns.
A reflexive pronoun is formed by adding - self or - selves to certain personal pronouns.
Examples of reflexive pronouns are myself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves, yourself,
and yourselves. The sentence, “I found it myself,” contains the personal pronoun I and the
reflexive pronoun myself.
Hisself and theirselves are NOT real words.
An interrogative pronoun is used to ask a question. These pronouns are which, who,
whom, and whose.
A demonstrative pronoun is used to point out a specific person or thing. These pronouns
include this, that, these, and those. In the sentence, “Theresa, is this yours?” this is the demonstrative pronoun, and yours is the personal pronoun.
An indefinite pronoun often does not refer to a specific or definite person or thing. It
usually does not have a defi nite or specifi c antecedent as a personal pronoun does. In the
sentence, “ Everybody will select another to help with everything,” the three italicized words are
all indefinite pronouns since they take the place of a noun and do not refer to a specific or
definite person or thing.
An adjective modifies (qualifies or limits the meaning of ) a noun or a pronoun. It answers the
questions, What kind? Which one(s)? How many? How much?
Carrie read an interesting story. ( What kind of story?)
The recent article has that information. ( Which article?)
Kent owns those surfboards. (Which surfboards?)
Wendy paid fifty dollars for the jacket. ( How many dollars?)
Much space was devoted to her artwork. ( How much space?)
The words a, an, and the are the most frequently used adjectives. Although they are sometimes referred to as articles or noun markers, they are really adjectives, plain and simple. Use a
before words that start with a consonant sound ( a joking man or a lucky lottery player) and
a before words that start with a vowel sound ( an hour’s wait or an interesting story).
An adjective can come before or after the noun or pronoun it describes:
Older cards are found on the table. ( Which cards?)
Tall players and intelligent coaches were interviewed by the interested reporter. ( Which
players? Which coaches? Which reporter?)
Tired and hungry, the campers reached the lodge. ( What kind of campers?)
The campers, tired and hungry, reached the lodge. ( What kind of campers?)
There are several types of adjectives:
A proper adjective is formed from a proper noun.
Italian bread Herculean strength Midas touch Canadian sunset
A compound adjective is a word composed of two or more words. Sometimes these words are
hyphenated.
landmark decision black-and-blue mark hometown hero
Do not use a hyphen after an adverb ending in -ly.
newly painted mural sickly sweet odor recently purchased
People sometimes confuse adjectives with nouns or with pronouns. Here are some points to
remember.
QUESTION 1: When is a word a noun? When is a word an adjective?
The magazine article applauded the students’ efforts in the charity drive. ( Magazine is an
adjective that describes which article.)
The article about the students’ efforts in the charity drive was in the magazine. (Here magazine
is a noun since it is the name of a thing and does not describe anything.)
Our Thanksgiving celebration was fun. (Thanksgiving is an adjective describing which
celebration.)
We celebrated Thanksgiving. (Thanksgiving is the name of the holiday that was celebrated.)
QUESTION 2: When is a word a pronoun? When is a word an adjective?
These demonstrative pronouns can be used as adjectives: that, these, this, and those.
These interrogative pronouns can be used as adjectives: what and which.
These indefinite pronouns can be used as adjectives: all, another, any, both, each, either, few,
many, more, most, neither, other, several, and some.
This problem is difficult. ( This is an adjective since it answers the question, Which problem?)
This is difficult. ( This is a pronoun since it takes the place of a noun and does not modify a
noun or a pronoun.)
Some people are very funny. ( Some is an adjective since it answers the question, Which
people?)
Some are funny. ( Some is a pronoun since it takes the place of a noun and does not modify a
noun or a pronoun.)
There are several types of verbs to be studied: the action verb, the linking verb, and the helping verb.
7 Action Verbs
An action verb tells what action (often a physical action) a subject is performing, has performed, or will perform.
My father delivers packages to department stores each day.
Louie bowled a perfect game last night.
Suzanne skated across the rink in Central Park.
Turn at the next corner, Noel.
Oscar will help Petra with the project.
7 Linking Verbs
A linking verb connects (or links) a subject to a noun or an adjective in the predicate. The most
common linking verbs are the forms of the verb “to be” ( is, are, was, were, been, being, am ) and
appear, become, feel, grow, look, remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, and turn.
My sister is a doctor. (The linking verb, is, connects the subject, sister, with the predicate
nominative, doctor. )
My sister is studying to become a doctor. (In this sentence the word is a helping verb
for the main verb, studying. Is does not function as a linking verb.)
He appeared tired. (The linking verb, appeared, links the subject, He, with the predicate
adjective, tired. )
He appeared at the game. (In this sentence the verb, appeared, is an action verb, not a
linking verb.)
In the following group of sentences, the odd-numbered sentences exemplify the linking
verb and the even-numbered sentences show the same verb used as either an action verb or a
helping verb. Discuss why each verb functions as it does.
1. Reggie looked confused.
2. Reggie looked for his missing wallet.
3. Tammy grew tired during the long concert.
4. Tammy grew tomatoes in her garden this year.
5. I feel confused in math class.
6. I feel the penny at the bottom of this pool.
Adjectives tell more and help your reader know more about people, places, and
things. Select the precise word to describe people, places, and things. Which is
the most accurate adjective to describe the student: smart, brilliant, insightful,
clever, brainy, or bright? Decide. Use a dictionary to find the subtle difference
in adjectives that are closely related in meaning.
7 Helping Verbs
A helping verb assists the main verb in a sentence. There can be more than one helping verb in
each sentence. In a questioning (interrogative) sentence, the helping verb is usually separated
from the main verb.
The common helping verbs are am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being, has, had, have, do,
does, did, may, might, must, can, could, shall, should, will, and would.
The italicized word in each sentence below is the helping verb. The underlined word is the
main verb.
The members are going to the city tomorrow evening.
Are the members going to the city tomorrow evening?
That joke has been heard around the office.
Has that joke been heard around the office?
Her brothers are leaving for the train.
Are her brothers leaving for the train?
An adverb is a word that modifies (qualifies or limits) a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
◗ Many adverbs end in - ly.
◗ Adverbs answer any of these four questions: Where? When? How? To what extent?
◗ Adverbs make writing more specific and more exact.
◗ Here are some adverbs that do not end in -ly:
Adverbs modify verbs:
John ate quickly. ( How did he eat?)
I walk there. ( Where did I walk?)
Ashleigh will eat soon. ( When will Ashleigh eat?)
Adverbs modify adjectives:
Rex is very happy. (Very modifies the adjective happy and answers the question, To what
extent?)
The program was too unrealistic. ( Too modifies the adjective unrealistic and answers the
question, To what extent?)
Adverbs modify other adverbs:
Warren walks too quickly. ( Too modifies the adverb quickly and answers the question,
How quickly?)
He moved rather recently. ( Rather modifies the adverb recently and answers the question,
How recently?)
When is a word an adjective, and when is it an adjective? Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns. Adverbs do not. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Adjectives do not.
Helen has a yearly membership at the local health club. (Yearly is an adjective since it modifies the noun membership and tells which membership.)
Helen contributes yearly. (Yearly is an adverb since it modifies the verb contributes and
answers the question, When does Helen contribute ?)
Mike arrived late. (Late is an adverb since it tells when Mike arrived.)
The late delivery cut down on sales in the supermarket. (Late is an adjective because it tells
which delivery.)
Adverbs help readers visualize actions better. Select the precise adverb to help
your reader see more clearly. Slowly might not be as accurate as gradually,
leisurely, or unhurriedly. Use a dictionary or thesaurus for help.
A common preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or a pronoun and
another word in the sentence.
The man swam under the bridge. ( Under connects the idea of swam and bridge.)
She walked down the aisle. (Down connects walked an aisle.)
Julie walked around the campus and toward town. (Around connects walked and campus.
Toward connects walked and town. )
But is a preposition only when it can be replaced by the word except. So in the sentence, “All
but Teddy went inside,” but is a preposition since it connects All and Teddy and can be replaced
by the word except.
A way to get to know these fifty-six prepositions is to remember this sentence: The plane,
Prepi I, flew______________ the clouds. Any single word that can logically be placed into this space is a preposition, so the only words that you would still have to memorize are those that do not logically fit into this space. Compose the list of these words, memorize the Prepi I sentence, and you
will know your prepositions!
Another type of preposition is the compound preposition. It does the same as a common preposition but is composed of two or more words. Here are the most common compound prepositions:
according to ahead of apart from as of
aside from because of by means of in addition to
in back of in front of in place of in spite of
instead of in view of next to on account of
out of prior to
Adverb or preposition? The difference between a preposition and an adverb is that an
adverb answers the questions, Where? When? How? To what extent? by itself. Both common and
compound prepositions need more than just themselves to answer the same questions:
He fell down. (Down is an adverb because it takes only one word to tell where he fell.)
He fell down the stairs. (Down is a preposition because it takes more than a single word
to tell where he fell.)
Trey walked aboard. (Aboard is an adverb because it takes only one word needed to tell
where Trey walked.)
Trey walked aboard the ship. (Aboard is a preposition because it takes more than one
word to tell where Trey walked.)
Know when a word is a preposition and when it is an adverb. In the sentence
“The captain walked aboard,” aboard is an adverb because it does not start a
prepositional phrase. In the sentence “The captain walked aboard the ship,”
aboard is a preposition that begins the prepositional phrase, aboard the ship.
Look for the prepositional phrase to check that the word is a preposition and
not an adverb.
A conjunction connects words or groups of words. There are three types of conjunctions: coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, and subordinating conjunctions. The first
two types of conjunctions are discussed below, and the third type is discussed in lesson 2.19.
A coordinating conjunction is a single connecting word. These seven words are for, and,
nor, but, or, yet, and so.
The boys and girls worked at the fair. ( And joins the names, boys and girls. )
Paula or Jeannine can go with you tonight. ( Or joins the names, Paula and Jeannine. )
I would like to help you, but I will be busy tonight. ( But joins two sentences or complete
ideas.)
We must leave early so we can get to the wedding reception on time. ( So joins two sentences or two complete ideas.)
Remember the made-up word FANBOYS when you memorize the coordinating conjunctions. Each letter in this word ( For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) stands for coordinating
conjunction.
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of connecting words. These five pairs of words are
both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also, and whether/or.
Both Henry and Henrietta are leaving the dance now. (The correlative conjunctions join
two names.)
Not only will they leave now, but they will also not be here to help clean up. (The correlative conjunctions join two sentences or complete ideas.)
Either go with them or stay here and help. (The correlative conjunctions illustrate a
choice.)
He went neither to the stadium nor to the concert hall during this vacation. (The correlative conjunctions join two prepositional phrases.)
Using conjunctions adds sophistication to sentences. Rather than using two very simple sentences such as, “The monkey climbed the tree,” and “The monkey threw down a banana,” combine them by using the conjunction and: “The monkey climbed the tree and threw down a banana” is a more sophisticated sentence. Make good use of the conjunctions for combining ideas.
An interjection is a word that expresses a strong feeling or emotion:
◗ An interjection usually comes at the beginning of the sentence.
◗ An interjection is often followed by an exclamation point (!) when the emotion is strong
or a comma (,) when the emotion is mild.
◗ Do not overuse interjections. Include one when you want to make your point. If you use
too many interjections, your writing loses its power and effectiveness.
◗ Here are some common interjections:
Interjections express emotion. Do not overuse this part of speech, which
generally is found in dialogue.
Aw Bravo Darn Dear me
Eek Eh Gee Golly
Goodness gracious Gosh Hallelujah Hey
Horrors Hurrah Hurray Mmm
Oh Oh no Oops Ouch
Phew Rats Really Ugh
Well Whoa Whoops Wow
Yea Yeh Yes Yippee
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