Parts of Speech

Parts of Speech
PART OF BASIC FUNCTION EXAMPLES

SPEECH
noun names a person, place, or thing pirate, Caribbean, ship
pronoun takes the place of a noun I, you, he, she, it, ours,
them, who
verb identifies action or state of being sing, dance, believe, be
adjective modifies a noun hot, lazy, funny
adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb softly, lazily, often
preposition shows a relationship between a noun (or pronoun) up, over, against, by, for
and other words in a sentence
conjunction joins words, phrases, and clauses and, but, or, yet
interjection expresses emotion ah, whoops, ouch
article identifies and specifies a noun a,an, the
As shown in Basic Sentence Structures, a common way of expanding a simple sentence is

with modifiers--words that add to the meanings of other words. The simplest modifiers are adjectives and
adverbs. Adjectives modify nouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. For
instance, in the sentence below, the adjective sad modifies the noun smile (the subject of the sentence).
The clown's sad smile touched us deeply.
In this same sentence, the adverb deeply modifies the verb touched. Used carefully, adjectives and
adverbs can make our writing clearer and more precise.
Arranging Adjectives
Adjectives most often appear just in front of the nouns that they modify:
The old, cranky caretaker refused to answer our questions.
Notice that when two (or more) adjectives precede a noun, they are usually separated by commas. But
occasionally adjectives follow the nouns they modify:
The caretaker, old and cranky, refused to answer our questions.

Here the commas appear outside the pair of adjectives, which are joined by the conjunctionand. Placing
the adjectives after the noun is a way of giving them added emphasis in a sentence.
Adjectives sometimes appear in a third position in a sentence: after a linking verb such asam, are, is,
was, or were. As their name implies, these verbs link adjectives with the subjects they modify. See if you
can identify the adjectives in the sentences below:
His voice was rough.
Your children are cruel.
This seat is wet.
In each of these sentences, the adjective (rough, cruel, wet) modifies the subject but follows the linking
verb (was, are, is).
Arranging Adverbs
Adverbs usually follow the verbs they modify:
I dance occasionally.
However, an adverb may also appear directly in front of the verb or at the very beginning of a sentence:
I occasionally dance.
Occasionally I dance.
Because not all adverbs are this flexible in all sentences, you should try them out in different positions
until you find the clearest arrangement.
Practice in Adding Adjectives
Many adjectives are formed from nouns and verbs. The adjective thirsty, for example, comes from thirst,
which may be either a noun or a verb. Complete each sentence below with the adjective form of the
italicized noun or verb. When you're done, compare your answers with those at the end of the exercise.
1. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina brought great destruction to the Gulf coast. It was one of the most
_____ hurricanes in recent decades.
2. All of our pets enjoy good health. Our collie is exceptionally _____, despite its advanced age.
3. Your suggestion makes a great deal of sense. You have a very _____ idea.
4. Microsoft made record profits last year. It is one of the most _____ companies in the world.
5. Dr. Kraft's job requires patience and skill. He is a _____ negotiator.
Answers
1. destructive; 2. healthy; 3. sensible; 4. profitable; 5. patient.
Practice in Adding Adverbs
Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to an adjective. The adverb softly, for instance, comes from the
adjective soft. Note, however, that not all adverbs end in -ly. Very, quite, always, almost, and often are
some of the common adverbs that are not formed from adjectives. Complete each sentence below with the
adverb form of the italicized adjective. When you're done, compare your answers with those at the end of
the exercise.
1. The exam was easy. I passed _____.

2. Leroy's careless act set the warehouse on fire. He _____ tossed a cigarette into a tank of gasoline.
3. Paige is a brave little girl. She fought _____ against the poltergeists.
4. Howard is a graceful dancer. He moves _____.
5. Tom's apology sounded quite sincere. He said that he was _____ sorry for misusing the tax funds.
Answers
1. easily; 2. carelessly; 3. bravely; 4. gracefully; 5. sincerely.
Common Prepositions
about behind except outside
above below for over
across beneath from past
after beside in through
against between inside to
along beyond into under
among by near until
around despite of up
at down off with
before during on without

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Parts of Speech

PART OF BASIC FUNCTION EXAMPLES

As shown in Basic Sentence Structures, a common way of expanding a simple sentence is

The old, cranky caretaker refused to answer our questions.

The caretaker, old and cranky, refused to answer our questions.

Adverbs usually follow the verbs they modify:

Practice in Adding Adjectives

Practice in Adding Adverbs

1. The exam was easy. I passed _____.

about behind except outside

above below for over

across beneath from past

after beside in through

against between inside to

along beyond into under

among by near until

at down off with

before during on without

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