English Grammar: The Parts of Speech

Parts of Speech — The Function of Words

One of the most important things to learn about the English language is the fact that the same words are often used as different parts of speech. A word may perform a certain function in one sentence and an entirely different function in another sentence. This will become more apparent to you as you progress further in the course.

Adjectives are commonly used as nouns, and nouns are frequently used as adjectives. The same word may function both as an adverb and as a preposition. Almost any type of word may be used as an interjection. The following sentences show how words function as different parts of speech:

The light in my study is very poor. (Light is a noun.)

Please light the candles. (Light is a verb.)

Her hat is a light shade of blue. (Light is an adjective.)

Father is a fast driver. (Fast is an adjective.)

Father drives too fast. (Fast is an adverb.)

I fast one day every week. (Fast is a verb.)