English Grammar: Parts of Speech

Parts of Speech — Introduction

When you are trying to put words together in their proper relationships, you are working in much the same way as a mechanic works when they are trying to put together a complicated piece of machinery. Like the mechanic, you must be familiar with the parts that are needed and with the function that each part plays in the operation of the whole.

In dealing with language, words are the parts that are used to build up sentences. The English language has thousands of words, but all of them fall into eight groups or classes known as the parts of speech. The following names have been given to the parts of speech:

Nouns	Verbs	Adjectives	Conjunctions
Pronouns	Adverbs	Prepositions	Interjections

Each group has its special work to do. Nouns are the names of persons, places, and things. Pronouns take the place of nouns. Adjectives and adverbs help express the ideas that give color and more definite meanings to nouns, verbs, and other words. Conjunctions are joining or connecting words.

Since words are the tools of communication, this course in grammar will begin with a study of the parts of speech. Like any other tool, a word may be used for different purposes, or function as different parts of speech. For example, a word might be used as a noun in one sentence and as a verb in another sentence. Another word might be used as a preposition in one sentence and as an adverb in another sentence.

In the first two units you will learn that the most important fact concerning any word is its function in a particular sentence. If you keep this fact in mind, you will have no difficulty in understanding the simple principles that govern the relationships of words in sentences. The first two units also provide you with an important part of the working vocabulary that you will need as you progress through the course. By thoroughly reviewing or learning the material in these units your study of later units will be greatly simplified.