Part of speech

Category: Grammar

The 9 parts of speech

Part of speech is a category of words that have similar grammatical properties and explains how the words are used. In fact, the same word can be a noun in a sentence  and a verb in the next. 

There are 9 parts of speech in the English language: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, determiner and interjection. Every sentence you write or speak includes words that fall into some of the nine parts of speech. 

1. Noun

A noun is a word or word group that is used to name a person, place, thing or an idea.
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Example words:

Alicia

Castle

Pencil

Dog

Music

Example sentences: 

• Alicia is a little girl.
• My uncle lives in a big castle.
• The pencil is yellow.
• My dog is friendly.
• Do they like pop music?

2. Pronoun

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun for subject, object, or possessive cases.
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Example words:

he

you

we

mine

myself

Example sentences:

• Nick is Italian. He is handsome.
• You are an athlete.
• We are a family.
• This money is mine.
• I saw myself in the mirror.
• The ice cream was delicious. Can I have another?

3. Verb

A verb “is what you do!” – it shows an action.
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Example words:

play

write

drink

burn

fly

Example sentences:

• They play soccer every Saturday.
• She is very attractive.
• The little bird flew away.
• I'll be right back.

4. Adjective

An adjective is a word that describes or clarifies a noun. Adjectives describe nouns by giving some information about their size, shape, age, color, origin or material.
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Example words:

beautiful

old

plastic

small

two

Example sentences:

• Her face is beautiful.
• He is old.
• Look at those two birds on the fence. 

5. Adverb

An adverb describes a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It tells how, where, when, why, what conditions or degree. Adverbs often end in -ly.
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Example words:

quickly

yesterday

Example sentences:

• The messenger arrived quickly.
• We ate sushi yesterday.
• Unfortunately, the bank closed at four today.
• I am usually busy.
• I looked everywhere!
• My wife is very talented. 

6. Preposition

A preposition shows the relatioship of a noun or pronoun to another word. It can indicate time, place, or relationship. 
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Example words:

on

at

Example sentences:

• The book is on the table.
• See you at 9 pm.
• I received a letter from my boyfriend.
• They went to school on Saturday.
• Will you come with me?

7. Conjunction

A conjunction joins words, sentences or clauses together. 
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Example words:
And, or, but, nor, so, yet, because, while, if, unless, etc.
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Example sentences:

• She is young and beautiful.
• I like soccer but I prefer basketball. 
• I couldn't come because I was sick.
  

8. Determiner

A determiner limits or determines a noun. 
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Example words:
A, an, the, this, that, these, those, enough, much, few, etc.
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Example sentences:

• A day.
• I have some rabbits in the farm.
• Do you want this piece of chicken?

9. Interjection

An interjection is a short exclamation.
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Example words:
Oh, ouch, hurray, hey, wow, yeah, oops, gosh, 

Example sentences:

• Ouch! That hurts!
• Hey! What's up?