Parts of Speech  
Parts of Speech, Girl

A part of speech explains how a word is used. In traditional English grammar, there are eight parts of speech. Knowing about each part of speech will help you use words correctly when speaking and writing. Your communication skills will be enhanced.

Here are the eight parts of speech and their most common meanings:

Noun: A noun is a word that names a person, place, or thing.


(person) - Michael Jordan was a great basketball player.
(place) - I left my notebook at school.
(thing) - I enjoy reading a good book.

A noun that names only one person, place, or thing is a singular noun. A noun that names more than one person, place, or thing is a plural noun. For example, automobile is a singular noun, while automobiles is a plural noun.

Pronoun: A pronoun is a word that is used in place of a noun. Pronouns act just like nouns.

Parts of Speech, Puppy


Bob gave me the best puppy in the litter.
Now that cute puppy is mine.

Adjective: An adjective is a word that describes a noun. It can tell what kind or how many.


(what kind) That was a wonderful movie.
(how many) Only several people attended the town meeting.

Verb: A verb is a word that shows action. A present tense verb shows action that is happening now. A past tense verb shows action that has already happened. A future tense verb shows action that will happen.


(present tense) Please move the chair away from the wall.
(past tense) I walked home from school yesterday.
(future tense) We are going on vacation in the middle of July.

Adverb: An adverb is a word that describes a verb. It can tell how or when.


(how) I try to eat my food slowly.
(when) I like Jamie because he never lies.

Conjunction: A conjunction is a word that connects words in a sentence.


Susan and Anna are very close friends.
I will go to either the park or the zoo today.

Preposition: A preposition is a word that links and relates a noun or pronoun to another word in a sentence.


I haven't gone to the gym since Tuesday.
Tom said that he was against Bill's idea.

Interjection: An interjection is a word that expresses emotion. It is usually an exclamation that is followed by an exclamation point (!). Sometimes, an interjection is followed by a comma (,).


Wow! That movie was scary.
Oops, I didn't mean to do that.

Knowing these eight parts of speech will improve your writing and speaking.