Grammar Parts of Speech EIGHT PARTS OF SPEECH

Grammar Parts of Speech

EIGHT PARTS OF SPEECH n “Parts of Speech” refers not to what a word is, but rather how it is used. n The same word can be a noun in one sentence, and a verb or adjective in the next. n Focus your studies not on memorizing lists of words, but rather on understanding how the function of a word determines its part of speech.

NOUNS n A noun is a word used to name a person, animal, place, thing, and abstract idea. n Nouns are usually the first words which small children learn.

NOUNS n Late last year our neighbors bought a goat. n Portia White was an opera singer. n The bus inspector looked at all the passengers' passes. n According to Plutarch, the library at Alexandria was destroyed in 48 B. C. n Philosophy is of little comfort to the starving.

CONCRETE VS. ABSTRACT NOUNS n Concrete nouns are physical. They are people, places, or things that can be touched. n Abstract nouns are ideas. They are not physical and cannot be touched.

CONCRETE VS. ABSTRACT NOUNS n Concrete: n Jon looked through the kaleidoscope at the sun. n Is that window closed? n Those shoes are awesome! n Katie and I broke the TV on accident. n Fargo, North Dakota is a cold place. n Oregon High School is built on a marsh.

CONCRETE VS. ABSTRACT NOUNS n Abstract: n Fear is natural when facing a disaster. n Karen asked me if I believed in justice. n Your courage is impressive. n Christina wrote about her impressions of the meeting. n I value loyalty in my friends.

PROPER NOUNS n You always write a proper noun with a capital letter, n n since the noun represents the name of a specific person, place, or thing. For example: Many people dread Monday mornings. Christmas is celebrated on the twenty-fifth of December. Abraham appears in the Talmud and in the Koran. Last year, I had a Baptist, a Buddhist, and a Wiccan as roommates

COMMON NOUNS n A common noun is a noun referring to a person, n n place, or thing in a general sense. You should write a common noun with a capital letter only when it begins a sentence. For example: According to the sign, the nearest town is 60 miles away. All the gardens in the neighborhood were invaded by beetles this summer. I don't understand why some people insist on having six different kinds of mustard in their cupboards.

ADJECTIVES n An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words. n An adjective usually precedes the noun or the pronoun which it modifies. n Adjectives answer the questions “which one, ” “what kind, ” and “how many? ”

ADJECTIVES n The truck-shaped balloon floated over the treetops. n Mrs. Morrison papered the kitchen walls with that hideous wallpaper. n The small boat foundered on the dark sea. n The coal mines are dark and dank. n Many stores have already begun to play irritating Christmas music.

ADJECTIVES n A battered music box sat on the mahogany sideboard. n The back room was filled with large, yellow rain boots. n I prefer to listen to dance music. n That is my wallet. n Which book are you reading?

ARTICLES (ADJECTIVES) n The three words “a, ” “an, ” and “the” belong to a special group of adjectives called articles. n Notice that they function as adjectives do. n I want a sweater for Christmas. n I want the sweater for Christmas. n Instead of a sweater, I got an oboe.

VERBS n Verbs are used to show action or existence/(state of being). n Action verbs show what the subject of the sentence is doing; verbs of existence show in what state the subject exists.

VERBS n Dracula bites his victims on the neck. n The car rolled down the hill toward the pond. n I will plant three hundred tulip bulbs in the spring. n Ms. Greiner is my English teacher this year. n Juliet is portrayed as having long auburn hair and hazel eyes. n I am tall.

HELPING/ LINKING (VERBS OF EXISTENCE) VERBS n When looking for verbs in a sentence, be sure to look for “helping” or “linking” verbs, including: am is are was were be being been has have had may might must can could shall should will would do did does

HELPING/LINKING VERBS n Linking/helping verbs are sometimes separated from the main verb in a sentence. n Tariq could not find his socks. n She was quietly slipping into a deep sleep. n Juan does not enjoy the spaghetti at Mario’s restaurant.

HELPING/LINKING VERBS AM IS ARE

HELPING/LINKING VERBS AM WERE IS ARE WAS

HELPING/LINKING VERBS AM WERE IS BE ARE BEING WAS BEEN

HELPING/LINKING VERBS AM WERE HAS IS BE HAVE ARE BEING HAD WAS BEEN

HELPING/LINKING VERBS AM WERE HAS MIGHT IS BE HAVE MUST ARE BEING HAD WAS BEEN MAY

HELPING/LINKING VERBS AM WERE HAS MIGHT SHALL IS BE HAVE MUST SHOULD ARE BEING HAD CAN WILL WAS BEEN MAY COULD WOULD

HELPING/LINKING VERBS AM WERE HAS MIGHT SHALL DO IS BE HAVE MUST SHOULD DID ARE BEING HAD CAN WILL DOES! WAS BEEN MAY COULD WOULD

ADJECTIVES AND STATE OF BEING/EXISTENCE VERBS n Sometimes an adjective is separated from the noun or pronoun it modifies. n Look for verbs of existence/state of being verbs that separate the adjective from the noun or pronoun it modifies. n State of being/ verbs of existence: am, is, are, was, were, being, been

ADJECTIVES AND EXISTENCE VERBS n Rachel is tall. n Larry and Dave were funny last night. n Zach is too loud for class. n I will be late. n Erika had been kind to the homeless man. n Zoe and Dashiel are being silly. n I am hungry.

ADVERBS n An adverb is used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. n An adverb answers questions such as "how, " "when, " "where, " "how much? ” n Most adverbs are easily recognized by their – ly ending.

ADVERBS n The seamstress quickly made the mourning clothes. n The midwives waited patiently through a long labor. n Unfortunately, the bank closed at three today. n That giraffe is rather fast. n He runs fast for someone of his age.

ADVERBS n She is very young to be so tired. n That movie was really boring and terribly long! n The crowd waited patiently for three hours; finally, the doors to the stadium were opened. n I could not believe Kyle lied! n Rianne couldn’t stop laughing.

What is strange about these sentences? As Melissa entered the door of the dimly lit Cathedral, Melissa held tightly to Melissa’s backpack. Suddenly, Melissa thought that Melissa saw a shadow moving. “This is scary, ” whispered Melissa to Melissa.

They are missing pronouns As Melissa entered the door of the dimly lit Cathedral, _____held tightly to ______ backpack. Suddenly, _____ thought that _______ saw a shadow moving. “This is scary, ” whispered Melissa to _______.

As Melissa entered the door of the dimly lit Cathedral, she held tightly to her backpack. Suddenly, she thought that she saw a shadow moving. “This is scary, ” whispered Melissa to herself.

PRONOUNS n A pronoun is used to replace a noun. n Pronouns like "he, " "which, " "none, " and "you" are used to make sentences less cumbersome and less repetitive. n

PRONOUNS n I was glad to find the bus pass in the bottom of the green knapsack. n You are surely the strangest child I have ever met. n He stole the gold coin from Jonas’s collection. n When she was a young woman, she earned her living as a coal miner. n After many years, they returned to their homeland.

PRONOUNS n We will meet at the library at 3: 30 p. m. n It is on the counter. n Are you the delegates from Alabama? n Diabetics give themselves insulin shots several times a day. n The Principal often does the photocopying himself so that the secretaries can do more important work.

Sentence with a noun and same sentence with a pronoun n Politicians travel extensively. n They travel extensively. n Jane ran to the store. n She ran to the store.

Sentence with a noun and same sentence with a pronoun n Biology is her favorite subject. n It is her favorite subject. n Bob seems happy. n He seems happy.

Sentence with a noun and same sentence with a pronoun n The prize was given to Steve and Bill. n The prize was given to them. n Carol is babysitting Polly. n Carol is babysitting her.

Sentence with a noun and same sentence with a pronoun n Billy is speaking to Frank? n Billy is speaking to whom? n The flower smelled pretty. n That smelled pretty.

Sentences with the noun and pronoun in the same sentence n The students corrected the tests by themselves, since the teacher called in sick. n The pronoun themselves refers to the noun students. n All of the newspaper was soaked. n The pronoun all refers to the noun newspaper.

Sentences with the noun and pronoun in the same sentence n Marian thinks her new dress is too long for her. n The pronoun her refers to the noun Marian. n The noun that the pronoun refers to is called an antecedent.

“HIDDEN” PRONOUNS n Sentences that are a command often include the “hidden” pronoun – YOU! n Go to the office! n Stop that! n Pass the salt, please. n Take the dog for a walk. n Don’t believe everything you hear. n In each of these sentences, the “hidden” pronoun is “you. ”

PREPOSITIONS n A preposition links nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. n Prepositions often, but not always, show placement or location. n In each of the following sentences, a preposition locates the noun "book" in space or in time.

PREPOSITIONS Showing location of “book” in space n The book is on the table. n The book is beneath the table. n The book is leaning against the table. n The book is beside the table. n She held the book over the table.

PREPOSITIONS Showing location of “book” in time n She read the book during class. n She took the book to the next class. n He read the book after class. n We read the book before class. n They read the book until the next class.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES n A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and ends with a noun. That noun is called the object of the preposition. n To find prepositional phrases in a sentence, locate the preposition, then find the noun or pronoun that relates to the preposition (usually the first noun following the preposition). n When finding prepositional phrases be sure to include the preposition, object of the preposition and all other that modify the object of the preposition.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES n The book is on the table. n The book is beneath the table. n The book is leaning against the table. n The book is beside the table. n She held the book over the table. n She read the book during class.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES n Irene lost her coat at the concert. n No one waited for me in the gym. n Lindsey thinks she’ll win a prize at this year’s festival because she purchased a ticket for the drawing. n Hang that mistletoe above the door. n Your sweater is in the trunk of the car. n We walked down the hall, through the Commons to the music wing.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES n Kelly strolled through her neighborhood, past her neighbor’s house, down the hill, around the corner, along the foot path, toward the highway, across the intersection, toward the woods, under the bridge, beside the stream, behind the barn, against the wind during the rain storm.

CONJUNCTIONS n Conjunctions are used to link words, phrases, and clauses. n Coordinating conjunctions are some of the most common conjunctions: For And Nor But Or Yet So

COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS n Adam wanted peaches for dessert, but Lili had none to offer. n You can have cookies or ice cream with that. n I woke up late, yet I made it on time. n Josh was lonely, for his goldfish died last month. n Lindsay and Mathias are coming with me. n I needed to use the restroom, so I offered Ms. Fish my hall pass.

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS n Subordinate conjunctions are also common. n A subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate, or dependent, clause, one that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. n Examples of subordinating conjunctions include: because, although, therefore, until, when, whether, if.

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS n Because you are late, you will have to make up time with me after class. n Although Allison wanted a fur coat for her birthday, she doubted she would get one. n The paint on Gerard’s car was peeling; therefore, he took it to the dealer for repairs. n If you remember to go to the bank, please cash this check for me.

CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS n Some conjunctions come in pairs. Be aware of these correlative conjunctions: n Not only – but also n Either – or n Neither – nor n Both – and n Whether – or

CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS n Both my grandfather and my father worked in the steel plant. n Bring either a Jell-O salad or a potato scallop. n Corinne is trying to decide whether to go to medical school or to go to law school. n The explosion destroyed not only the school but also the neighboring pub.

INTERJECTIONS n An interjection is a word added to a sentence to convey emotion. n You usually follow an interjection with an exclamation mark, but when the emotion is not as strong, a comma may be used.

INTERJECTIONS n Ouch, that hurt! n Oh no, I forgot that the exam was today. n Hey! Put that down! n I heard one guy say to another guy, "He has a new car, eh? " n I don't know about you but, good lord, I think taxes are too high!

GOOD VS. WELL n “Good” is an adjective. It can modify a noun or pronoun. n “Well” is an adverb. It can modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

GOOD VS. WELL n I dance well for someone who has had no formal training. n That is a good song! n I did well on that test. n Morganized her binder very well. n Morgan is a good student. n I can’t hear well. n That is a good pie!

I/ME & WHO/WHOM n “I” is the subjective case. It is used when it is the subject of a sentence. n I will go with you to the prom if you ask nicely. n Lucas and I enjoy reading. n The class and I are learning about prepositions. n Despite being five minutes late for the movie, Danni and I only missed the previews.

I/ME & WHO/WHOM n “Me” is the objective case. It is used when it is the object of a sentence, most often the object of a prepositional phrase. n Are you going with me to the Commons? n The idea occurred to my mom and me. n Please don’t smoke around the baby and me. n Do you still want to leave with Sharon and me? n This present is for Beau and me.

I/ME & WHO/WHOM n “Who” is the subjective case. It is used when it is the subject of a sentence. n Who is leaving? n Garrett asked me who was in charge. n I don’t know who did that. n I should know who is the boss around here, but I don’t.

I/ME & WHO/WHOM n “Whom” is the objective case. Use “whom” when it is the object of a sentence, usually the object of a prepositional phrase. n For whom is this gift? n I don’t know to whom he asked the question. n I care a great deal by whom I sit. n The dog ran toward whom? n With whom are you going?