The ten parts of speech with clear examples
1. A common noun is a person, place, idea, or thing. It is only capitalized at the beginning of an award. It can be a single word, a group of words, or a hyphenated word.
Examples:
The girl was learning to drive.
person (girl)
next to the ocean;
square (ocean)
self control is needed
idea (self-control)
to obtain a driver’s license.
thing (license)
2. A proper noun is the name of a person, place, or thing. It is always capitalized. It can be a single word, a group of words (with or without abbreviations), or a hyphenated word.
Examples:
josh was honored
person (Joseph)
at US Memorial Auditorium
plaza (United States Memorial Auditorium)
with the Smith-Lee Award.
Thing (Smith-Lee Award)
3. A pronoun is a word that is used in place of a noun. It can be in the subject case, acting as a “doer” of the action in the subject case, or acting as a “receiver” of the action in the object case. Pronouns can also serve as singular or plural possessives to show ownership.
Examples:
He walked towards the city.
affair case (She)
I gave him a basketball.
object case (she)
It was his wallet.
possessive (his)
4. An adjective describes a proper noun, common noun, or pronoun by describing how many, what kind, or which.
Examples:
the five companions
How many? (five)
took the shooting trip
What type? (exhausting)
to that arena on the other side of town.
Which? (it’s)
5. A verb shows a physical or mental action or describes a state of being.
Examples:
She works long hours
physical action (works)
but you know that
mental action (knowledge)
there is more to life than work.
state of being(s)
6. An adverb describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb by describing how, when, where, or to what degree.
Examples:
Trey walked slowly
As? (slowly)
because I had arrived early
When? (early)
to the place where
Where? (where)
he tasted very good.
what degree? (very good)
7. A preposition is a word that has a relationship with a common name, a proper name, or a pronoun. The preposition is always part of a sentence and comes before its object. The preposition asks “what?” and the object provides the response.
Examples:
The politician voted against the law
(against) what?…the law
via secret nerd.
(via) What…The Secret Nerd
8. A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses. There are three types:
-Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses that are used in the same way.
Example:
The student tries, but does not always succeed.
(aim)
-Correlative conjunctions are paired conjunctions that connect words, phrases, or clauses that are used in the same way.
Example:
Either you must tell the police, or I will.
(either or)
-Subordinate conjunctions go at the beginning of adverbial sentences. These clauses restrict the meaning of the rest of the award.
Example:
Although he is often late, Ryan shows up for work every day.
(Although)
9. An article determines the number or identification of a noun and always precedes a noun. The article “a” indicates a singular noun that begins with a consonant. The article “an” indicates a plural noun beginning with a vowel.
Examples:
A lion and an elephant are considered the “kings of the jungle.”
(one one the)
10. An interjection is a word or phrase that shows surprise or emotion. It is usually followed by an exclamation point.
Example:
Hey! For.
(Hey!)