Parts of Speech

Parts of Speech

VerbsNounsPronounsAdjectivesAdverbsPrepositionsConjunctionsInterjections

Adverbs

An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective and another adverb.

Adverbs tell where, when, how, why, under what circumstances and to what extent.

Adverbs

He drove nearby. [where] He drove yesterday. [when] He drove carefully. [how] He drove because he had to. [why] He drove while tired. [under what

circumstances] He drove quite carefully. [to what extent]

Adverbs

Adverbs are frequently made from adjectives by adding –ly (roughly, quickly), but not all adverbs end in –ly (first, not, very). Like adjectives, adverbs can also signify degrees of comparison.

(-er/-est, more/less, and most/least)

Adverbs

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

near nearer nearest

frequently more frequently most frequently

Adverbs

Adverbs of Frequency never, often, sometimes, seldom, always, even

Adverbs of Degree even, extremely, more, just, much, quite, only,

surely, too, very

Prepositions

A preposition comes before a noun or pronoun to create a phrase that modifies another word in the sentence.

The noun or pronoun is called the object of the preposition, and the phrase that is created is called a prepositional phrase.

She spilled the drink on him.

Prepositions

about beside near than

above between next through

across but of till

after by off to

along concerning on toward

among considering opposite under

around despite out underneath

as down over unlike

at during past until

before except respecting upon

behind for round with

below in since without

Conjunctions

A conjunction, like a preposition, shows the relationship between parts of a sentence.

Coordinating Conjunction – connects words, phrases, and clauses of equal rank and, for, or, yet, but, nor, so Leslie and Hal caught three rock bass, but they

didn’t get any lake trout or pike.

Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate clause, and connects it to a main clause.

after before so when

although even if than where

as if that whereas

as if in order that though wherever

as though rather than unless whether

because since until while

Unless we hurry, we won’t arrive before the concert starts.

Conjunctions

Correlative Conjunctions work in pairs to connect words, phrases, clauses and whole sentences. both/and either/or neither/nor

We will be neither swayed nor delayed in our deliberations.

not/but not only/but also whether/or

Conjunctions

Conjunctive adverbs can function in two ways – serve as transitional expressions to connect units of thought

Meanwhile, Todd was home making Lisa’s favorite dinner.

- also link main clauses

Lisa thought she’d surprise Todd by picking up pizza for dinner; meanwhile, Todd was home making her favorite fried chicken.

Conjunctions

accordingly finally likewise specifically

also furthermore meanwhile still

anyway hence moreover then

besides however nevertheless thereafter

certainly incidentally now therefore

consequently indeed otherwise thus

conversely instead similarly undoubtedly

Interjections

An interjection is a word or phrase used to express emotion or attract attention.

Independent units not grammatically connected to a sentence, followed by an exclamation point.

Hey! There’s a parade coming.

Oh well, maybe we can do better next time.

Verbs

A verb expresses action (run, think) or a state of being (is, become, seem).

A complete verb is composed of the main verb itself and any helping verbs that may be used with it.

The most commonly used auxiliary verbs are the nine modals: may, might, shall, will, would, must, should, can and could.

Modals

Modals express how the writer/speaker feels about an action. They also express probability, necessity, obligation, or ability.