parts of speech
Noun, verb, adjective
Parts of speech are the categories into which words are sorted based on their grammatical function: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction, and interjection.
Traditional grammar recognizes eight, though linguists debate the exact count.
The classification helps explain how words behave in sentences—why run can be both something you do and something in your stocking.
Word naming something
- verbAction-expressing word
- adjectiveNoun-describing word type
- adverbVerb or adjective modifier
- pronounNoun's grammatical replacement
preposition · conjunction · interjection · article · determiner · participle · gerund · infinitive
Taking a direct object
- intransitiveVerb requiring no object
- auxiliaryGiving additional support
- modalPertaining to form
- linkingForming a connection
copula · phrasal · irregular · regular · finite · infinitive · imperative · indicative
Rules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- inflectionWord form alteration
- agreementShared position between parties
- tenseStrained or nervous
aspect · voice · mood · case · conjugation · declension · parsing · diagramming
Widespread and unremarkable
- properSocially appropriate
- abstractCondensed version of text
- concreteSolid building mixture
- countableAble to be tallied
uncountable · collective · compound · mass · singular · plural · possessive · gerund
Relating to one's self
- possessiveOverly attached, often toxically
- reflexiveDirected back at subject
- demonstrativeOpenly showing emotions
- interrogativeAsking in nature
relative · indefinite · reciprocal · intensive · subjective · objective · antecedent · gender-neutral
Way of behaving
- timeMeasured passage of moments
- placePosition or location
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- degreeUnit of measurement
conjunctive · interrogative · relative · sentence · focusing · intensifier · modifier · comparative
Portraying with specific details
- attributiveDirectly preceding noun modified
- predicativeFollows copula, modifies subject
- comparativeInvolving measured contrast
- superlativeHighest-degree word form
gradable · compound · possessive · demonstrative · interrogative · quantitative · qualitative · proper
Free of complexity
- compoundCombined into one
- phrasalRelating to expressions
- locativeCase indicating place
- temporalRelating to chronology
directional · spatial · object · complement · stranding · postposition
Arranging for unified action
- subordinatingMaking dependent or inferior
- correlativeMutually dependent counterpart
- compoundCombined into one
- adverbialFunctioning as manner-marker
temporal · causal · conditional · concessive · contrastive
Forceful sudden utterance
- vocativeCase for direct address
- expletiveProfane emotional utterance
- onomatopoeiaSound-imitating word formation
- greetingExpression of welcome
farewell · affirmation · negation · hesitation · surprise · emotion
noun
Word naming something
pronoun · preposition · conjunction · interjection · article · determiner · participle · gerund · infinitive · auxiliary
transitive
Taking a direct object
- intransitiveVerb requiring no object
- auxiliaryGiving additional support
- modalPertaining to form
linking · copula · phrasal · irregular · regular · finite · infinitive · imperative · indicative · subjunctive
syntax
Rules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- inflectionWord form alteration
- agreementShared position between parties
tense · aspect · voice · mood · case · conjugation · declension · parsing · diagramming · analysis
common
Widespread and unremarkable
countable · uncountable · collective · compound · mass · singular · plural · possessive · gerund · nominalization
personal
Relating to one's self
- possessiveOverly attached, often toxically
- reflexiveDirected back at subject
- demonstrativeOpenly showing emotions
interrogative · relative · indefinite · reciprocal · intensive · subjective · objective · antecedent · gender-neutral · first-person
manner
Way of behaving
degree · conjunctive · interrogative · relative · sentence · focusing · intensifier · modifier · comparative · superlative
descriptive
Portraying with specific details
- attributiveDirectly preceding noun modified
- predicativeFollows copula, modifies subject
- comparativeInvolving measured contrast
superlative · gradable · compound · possessive · demonstrative · interrogative · quantitative · qualitative · proper · coordinate
simple
Free of complexity
temporal · directional · spatial · object · complement · stranding · postposition
coordinating
Arranging for unified action
- subordinatingMaking dependent or inferior
- correlativeMutually dependent counterpart
- compoundCombined into one
adverbial · temporal · causal · conditional · concessive · contrastive
exclamation
Forceful sudden utterance
- vocativeCase for direct address
- expletiveProfane emotional utterance
- onomatopoeiaSound-imitating word formation
greeting · farewell · affirmation · negation · hesitation · surprise · emotion
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- ESL materialsgrammar drills, grammar worksheets, vocabulary building, reading comprehension, teaching aids
- grammar readersgrammatical rules, verb tenses, sentence structure, subject verb agreement, pronoun usage
- grammar resourcesgrammar books, grammar guides, grammar rules, grammar exercises, grammar drills
- English grammarnouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns
- English classnoun, grammar, verb, writing, adjective
parts of speechpunctuation marks
Symbols clarifying written meaning
punctuation · diacritical marks · white space · whitespace · paragraph breaks
parts of speechsentence structure
Word arrangement in clauses
syntax · phonemes · morphemes · pragmatics · phonology
speech, apart, parting, partly, partial, parted, department, partition, impartial