10 th Edition, © 2011, Cengage Learning Chapter 2 Parts of Speech

10th Edition, © 2011, Cengage Learning

Chapter 2

Parts of Speech

The Eight Parts of SpeechThe Eight Parts of Speech

NounsPronounsVerbsAdjectives

AdverbsPreposition

sConjunctio

nsInterjection

s

Chapter 2, Guffey-Seefer, Business English, 10e, Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning, All Rights Reserved 2-2

Nouns Nouns name persons, places, things, name persons, places, things, qualities, feelings, concepts, qualities, feelings, concepts, activities, and measures. activities, and measures.

Persons: Ryan, Angelica, employeesPlaces: San Francisco, Hawaii, EuropeThings: pizza, popcorn, surfboardQualities: reliability, flexibility, patienceFeelings: happiness, anger, confusionConcepts: communication, productivity,

freedomActivities: working, snowboarding,

dancingMeasures: day, week, inch, kilometer



• To test for a noun, use the word in question with the verb is or are.

• Try these nouns with is or are.

Laurie is . . . . Managers are . . . . Initiative is . . . .

Pronouns Pronouns replace nouns. Use them replace nouns. Use them for efficiency and variety. for efficiency and variety.

Without pronouns, sentences sound like this:◦Matt said that Matt must find Matt’s

keys before Matt can leave for work.

How would that sentence sound with pronouns?◦Matt said that he must find his keys

before he can leave for work.


Verbs Verbs express an action, an express an action, an occurrence, or a state of being. occurrence, or a state of being.

Kim drove her car to work. (Action)Kim has a bicycle too. (Occurrence)Her bicycle is white. (State of

being)Three kinds of verbs:

◦Action verbs◦Linking verbs◦Helping verbs


Action Verb: tells what the subject does; includes physical and mental action◦Examples: dances, decides, works, praises

Linking Verb: joins words that describe the subject◦Examples: is, are, was, were, am, appears, seems, feels, smells, tastes, looks

Helping Verb: used to create verb phrases◦Examples: is, are, was, were, am, could, would, should, do, does



• To test for a verb, try the word in question with a noun.

• Try several action and linking verbs with this expression: The manager(s) _______________.

• Make sense? The manager dances, the manager

decides, and so forth.

Adjectives Adjectives describe nouns or describe nouns or pronouns. They answer the pronouns. They answer the questions questions What kind?What kind? How many? How many? and and Which one?Which one?

A good student submitted excellent work. (What kind?)

Our manager bought two computers and one printer. (How many?)

This printer is expensive. (Which one?)


The words a, an, and the form a special group of adjectives called articles.

Adverbs Adverbs describe or limit verbs, describe or limit verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They adjectives, and other adverbs. They answer such questions as answer such questions as When? When? How? Where? How? Where? and and To what extent?To what extent?

Yesterday the printer jammed repeatedly. (When and how?)

The restaurant is over there. (Where?)

We were served very quickly. (How and to what extent?)


Prepositions Prepositions join nouns and join nouns and pronouns to other words in pronouns to other words in sentences. For example,sentences. For example,


The truck was driven by Kim.for Kim.to Kim.

with Kim.around Kim.

over Kim.

Notice how prepositions change the relationship between Kim and the verb.

Conjunctions Conjunctions connect words or connect words or groups of words. The coordinating groups of words. The coordinating conjunctions are: conjunctions are:


Pizza and burritos are Kim’s favorites, but she also enjoys gyros.

• and• or• nor• but

• so (used casually)• yet (used occasionally)• for

Interjections Interjections show surprise, show surprise, disbelief, or strong feeling.disbelief, or strong feeling.


Oops, I can’t believe I forgot the attachment again!

Wow! Did you feel that tremor?

TIPTIP


The same word can function as different

parts of speech depending on how it is

used in a sentence. Consider the word

service.

• We received good service here. (Noun)• He operates a service station. (Adjective)• Did you service your car? (Verb)

Quick Summary of Quick Summary of Parts of SpeechParts of SpeechNamers: Nouns and PronounsPerformers: VerbsDescribers: Adjectives and

AdverbsConnectors: Prepositions and

ConjunctionsExclaimers: Interjections


NamersNouns Name things

Pronouns Rename things

Performers VerbsShow action or link words

DescribersAdjectives

Describe nouns and pronouns

AdverbsDescribe verbs, adjectives, adverbs

ConnectorsPrepositions

Join nouns, pronouns to sentence

Conjunctions Connect words

Exclaimers Interjections Show strong feeling


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10 th Edition, © 2011, Cengage Learning Chapter 2 Parts of Speech