Speaking In English

A Discussion on the Parts of Speech

SPEECH

The vocalized form of human communication, formed by the collective sounds that are mutually unintelligible.

In order for speech to be understood, it has to have parts.

The 8 Parts of Speech

• Noun• Pronoun• Verb• Adjective• Adverb• Preposition• Interjection• Conjunction

NOUN

A person, place, thing or event that is usually used as the subject in a

sentence.

In other words, the noun is the focus of the sentence.

General examples of Nouns

• Peter Piper• The Grand Rapids• World War II• teacher• animal• year• portrait

• John Wayne• England• Christmas• season• leaf• pit• Earth

Noun Classifications

Proper Nouns vs. Common Nouns

Proper Nouns represent unique or specific entities.

Common Nouns represent a common or general class of entities.

Examples of Proper and Common Nouns

Common Noun Proper Noun

singer Michael Jackson

dog Dalmatian

tree Redwood

season Fall

city New York City

country France

Count Nouns vs. Mass Nouns

Count Nouns can take a plural, can be formed with a numeral, quantifier and an

indefinite article.

Mass Nouns can be counted, yet is generally taken as a whole and cannot be

formed with numerical words.

Examples of Count and Mass Nouns

Count Nouns Mass Nouns

Pencil (five pencils, a pencil) Furniture

Sword (three swords, every sword) Grass

Ant (an ant, most ants) Gravel

Day (two days, several days) Oxygen

Weekend (few weekends) Food

Course (eight courses, a course) Air

Concrete Nouns vs. Abstract Nouns

Concrete Nouns refer to physical entities that can be observed by at least any of

the five senses.

Abstract Nouns refer to ideas or concepts that are not observable by any

of the five senses.

Examples of Concrete and Abstract Nouns

Concrete Nouns Abstract Nouns

Ball Justice

Chair Sin

Friend Love

Sound Happiness

Cloud Solidarity

Pet Intimacy

Collective Nouns

Collective Nouns refer to groups of entities or individuals that are treated as

a single collective.

In other words, collective nouns treat plural entities or individuals as singular.

Examples of Collective Nouns

• a Flock of Geese• a Herd of Cows• an Army of Ants• a Regiment of Navy SEALS• a Troupe of Musicians• an Audience of Watchers• a Pack of Cigarettes

PRONOUN

A word or form that substitutes for a noun.

In other words, the pronoun takes the place of a noun in a sentence.

General examples of Pronouns

• He• She• It• They• Them• You• I

• We• There• Mine• Themselves• Myself• This• That

Types of Pronouns

Personal Pronouns

Personal Pronouns denote a specific entity in a sentence. This type of pronoun

speaks in three different persons:

The First Person (I, me, we)

The Second Person (You)

The Third Person (He, She, It, They)

List of Personal Pronouns

• I• Me• We• Us• You• He• She

• It• Him• Her• They• Them

Examples of the usage of Personal Pronouns

• Ryan went to Canada last week. He is staying there for a month.

• Dianne and I are going to visit her mom.• She was thrilled at the notion of having

her clothes washed without paying anything.

• The award was given to them for the outstanding performance.

Subjective Pronouns vs. Objective Pronouns

Subjective Pronouns are pronouns used as the subject of the sentence.

(I, You, He, She, It, We, They)

Objective Pronouns are pronouns used as the object of the sentence.

(Me, You, Him, Her, It, Us, Them)

Examples of using Subjective and Objective Pronouns

• He bought a cake for her.• We filed a suit against them for uttering

libellous words.• The committee was astounded with

Rose’s performance. They gave her a perfect score.

• They delivered the evidence to the court to incriminate you.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive Pronouns indicate possession or ownership. These types of pronouns are the only ones that can act

syntactically as nouns.

List of Possessive Pronouns

• My (Subjective)• Mine (Objective)• Our (Subjective)• Ours (Objective)• Your (Subjective)• Yours (Objective)• His

• Her (Subjective)• Hers (Objective)• Its• Their (Subjective)• Theirs (Objective)• Whose• One’s

Examples of the usage of Possessive Pronouns

• My property was finally sold last week.• That pink dress is hers.• We tried to advance, but their defence

was impenetrable.• A prize will be given to the person

whose ticket is drawn.• This lot isn’t yours; it is ours.• Your dog tried to bite me.

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative Pronouns distinguish a particular individual or group from all others of the same class or category.

In other words, Demonstrative Pronouns indicate that out of a list of possible

candidates, a selection is made.

List of Demonstrative Pronouns

• This• That• Those• These• Here• There

Examples of the usage of Demonstrative Pronouns

• This week has been the best so far.• Out of all the contestants, I liked that

group the most.• These dishes are among the best that I

have ever tasted.• Here are the papers that you have

requested.• I finally found it among these stacks.

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns refer to a general category of nouns.

Specific vs. Non-Specific Indefinite Pronouns

Specific Indefinite Pronouns point to a particular individual or group.

(All, Each, Few, Some, Neither, Both, Either, Many, One, Several)

Specific vs. Non-Specific Indefinite Pronouns

Non-Specific Indefinite Pronouns do not specify any particular individual or

group.

(Anybody, Anything, Everyone, Nobody, No One, Something, Somebody, Anyone,

Everybody, None, Nothing)

Examples of using Indefinite Pronouns (Specific)

• All of you have been selected for the event.

• Some of these things might actually prove useful in the future.

• Neither of them passed in the examination.

• Several cars were piled up along the highway.

Examples of using Indefinite Pronouns (Non-Specific)

• Anybody may have gotten in and stolen the necklace.

• Someone is looking for you.• Everyone screamed frantically after

their favourite Rock star entered the stage.

• There is nothing that can bother me today.

Relative Pronouns

Relative Pronouns refer back to any noun that was previously mentioned in the

sentence.

In other words, Relative Pronouns reduce the noun redundancy in a sentence.

Examples of using Relative Pronouns

• The contestant who reaches the goal first will be declared the winner.

• I was alarmed after the shark that bit someone from the southern shore was reported to have been sighted near the beach.

• Rica, who always stops by to say hello, has gone on vacation.

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative Pronouns refer to nouns by form of a question.

In other words, Interrogative Pronouns ask which noun is meant in a sentence.

List of Interrogative Pronouns

• Who (Used as a subject)• Whom (Used as an object)• Whose• What• Which• + “ever”

Examples of using Interrogative Pronouns

• Who can lay a charge on this man? Is there sufficient evidence?

• What in the blazes is going on here?• Whose laptop is that sitting on the

dining table?• To whom did you send the letter?• Which of these apples is ripe?

VERB

A word that signifies action, occurrence or state of being.

General examples of Verbs

• Run• Walk• Jump• Think• Spy• Fall• Win

• Exhume• File• Try• Repeat• Leap• Light• Smell

Types of Verbs

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive Verbs are not directly followed by a noun, adjective or noun

phrase.

In other words, Intransitive Verbs do not need a direct object to receive an action.

Examples of using Intransitive Verbs

• Jane went to the store to buy some supplies.

• You lied when you told me that you were going to the play.

• She wept when she found out that her husband died in the plane crash.

• Whenever the ice cream truck passes by, my son sits in front of the house.

Linking Verbs

Linking Verbs cannot be followed by adverbs; rather, they are always

proceeded by nouns or adjectives. Most common used Linking verbs are seem,

become, appear, look and remain.

Examples of using Linking Verbs

• John appeared exhausted from the fight.

• You look weary; can we do anything to cheer you up?

• In order to make a change, you must become more than a man.

• The food tastes good. What did you put in it?

Transitive Verbs

Transitive Verbs are followed by nouns or noun phrases.

In other words, Transitive Verbs need a direct object to receive the action.

Examples of using Transitive Verbs

• I want that piece of cake sitting on top of the table.

• Ryan fought Carlos for her affection.• This is amazing! You painted a

masterpiece.• John wrote Shirley a love letter.• Mae wasn’t able to attend the meeting

because she cleaned the house.

“Be” Verbs

“Be” Verbs precede nouns or adjectives in a sentence, turning them into

predicate nouns/adjectives that function similar to those connected by linking

verbs.

The Eight Forms of Using “Be” Verbs

“Be” (preceded by a modal)

• I will be taking the plane to Los Angeles.

• Peter jumped in to rescue the little girl trapped in the water.

• We will be there once we confirm that everything is alright.

• Jane rode the afternoon flight to be in San Antonio before the evening.

Is (Present Tense, Singular, Third Person)

• John is not going to the meeting; he ran into an old friend.

• The committee is taking drastic measures to salvage the company’s reputation.

• She is going on vacation in Hawaii.• Mathematics is one of the subjects that

I so love.

Am (Present Tense, Singular, First Person)

• I am not visiting today; I have something important that I should take care of first.

• John said, “I am going to the store later to buy some groceries.”

• I am giving this for the benefit of the children in Africa.

• I am already here.

Are (Present Tense, Plural, All Persons, Singular Second Person)

• We are looking forward to hearing from you.

• They are planning a strategy for the next assault.

• You are not supposed to be here.• We are taking this moment to remind

everyone of the upcoming events that have already been scheduled.

Was (Past Tense, Singular, First and Third Persons)

• I was in the military before; I learned survival techniques there.

• She was looking for you earlier, but she might have gone somewhere else.

• He was a good man and everybody in the community liked him.

• It was an awkward moment when they kissed each other.

Were (Past Tense, Plural, All Persons, Singular Second Person)

• We were trying to reach you but for some reason your lines were out.

• They were trying to enter through the west gate, but we dispatched forces there and defeated them.

• You were like this before but now you have changed.

• They were amazed at his performance.

Been (preceded by has/have/had)

• It has been years since we last saw each other.

• Try asking the ward on the east wing; they may have been looking for him there.

• I have not been in China.• You must have been dreaming when

you said you saw Clara.

Being (Gerund or Continuous form)

• Being on time is one of the qualities that I am looking for in my employees.

• You are being careless; you should take caution more often.

• Being well-built and strong is essential if you are to win this competition.

• She is being aggressive in taking that position.

Verb Tenses

The Simple Tense

Simple Tense indicates an action in its purest form.

Simple Tense verbs have no other form than its original.

Simple Tense

Verb Past Form Present Form Future Form

Walk Walked Walk Will Walk

Run Ran Run Will Run

Fly Flew Fly Will Fly

Do Did Do Will Do

The Perfect Tense

Perfect Tense indicates an action that is completed.

A perfect tense verb is formed by preceding the past participle form of the

verb with “have”.

Perfect Tense

Verb Past Form Present Form Future Form

Walk Have Walked Have Walked Will Have Walked

Run Have Run Run Will Have Run

Fly Have Flown Have Flown Will Have Flown

Do Have Done Have Done Will Have Done

The Progressive Tense

Progressive Tense indicates an action that is continually occurring.

A perfect tense verb is formed by the “be” verb being followed by the base

form of the verb + “ing” (gerund).

Progressive Tense

Verb Past Form Present Form Future Form

Walk Was Walking Is/Am/Are Walking Will Be Walking

Run Was RunningIs/Am/Are Running

Will Be Running

Fly Was Flying Is/Am/Are Flying Will Be Flying

Do Was Doing Is/Am/Are Doing Will Be Doing

The Perfect Progressive Tense

Perfect Progressive Tense indicates an action that is occurring in a particular

length of time.

A perfect progressive tense verb is formed through:

“have” + “be” + base verb form + “ing”

Perfect Progressive Tense

Verb Past Form Present Form Future Form

WalkHad Been Walking

Have Been Walking

Will Have Been Walking

RunHad Been Running

Have Been Running

Will Have Been Running

Fly Had Been Flying Have Been FlyingWill Have Been

Flying

Do Had Been Doing Have Been DoingWill Have Been

Doing

Active vs. Passive Voice

The Active Voice indicates that the subject is performing the action.

The Passive Voice indicates that the action is being done to the subject.

Examples of using the Active and Passive Voices

Active Voice Passive Voice

I saw the car. The car was seen by me.

We took the flight to New York.The flight to New York was taken by

us.

They believed in the case. The case was believed by them.

You did not close the door. The door was not closed by you.

ADJECTIVE

A word that describes or qualifies a noun or a pronoun.

General examples of Adjectives

• Beautiful• Kind• Gentle• Quick• Quiet• Wonderful• Amazing

• Magnificent• Alluring• Deceptive• Spatial• Gigantic• Peculiar• Perceptive

Examples of using Adjectives

• She was so appreciative of the beautiful dress that I gave her.

• I plan on visiting the Grand Canyon, one of the most magnificent places on earth.

• Dianne, who was gorgeous, was flocked by a bunch of boys at the prom.

• This amazing sight is one to see.

ADVERB

A word that qualifies or changes the meaning of a verb, adjective or another

adverb.

In other words, adverbs typically answer questions such as how, what way, when,

where and to what extent.

General examples of Adverbs

• Respectfully• Bountifully• Here• Tomorrow• Outside• Inside• Eternally

• Almost• Likely• Intuitively• Completely• Usually• Now• Later

Kinds of Adverbs

Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs of Manner modify how an action is performed.

In other words, Adverbs of Manner answer the question “How?”

Examples of Adverbs of Manner

• Rapidly• Beautifully• Artfully• Quickly• Professionally• Loudly• Happily

• Sadly• Respectfully• Patiently• Well• Quietly• Rightfully• Gently

Adverbs of Time

Adverbs of Time modify the time, length and frequency of an action.

In other words, Adverbs of Manner answer the questions “When?” and “How

Often?”

Examples of Adverbs of Time

• Now• Later• Often• Annually• Daily• Yesterday• Today

• Tomorrow• Hourly• Never• Frequently• Since• Occasionally• Usually

Adverbs of Place

Adverbs of Place modify location where an action occurs.

In other words, Adverbs of Manner answer the question “Where?”

Examples of Adverbs of Place

• Here• There• Everywhere• Away• Up• Down• Around

• Inside• Outside• Nearby• In• Out• Front• Back

Adverbs of Degree

Adverbs of Place modify the extent of the occurrence.

In other words, Adverbs of Manner answer the questions “How Much?” and

“To What Degree?”

Examples of Adverbs of Degree

• Almost• Nearly• Quite• Entirely• Too• Just• Enough

• Hardly• Completely• Scarcely• Very• Extremely• Particularly• Especially

PREPOSITION

A word that denotes the relationship between two individuals or entities in a

sentence.

In other words, prepositions are placed before a word to show its relationship to

another word.

General examples of Prepositions

• Onto• On Top Of• Before• On• In• At• Since

• Through• Over• Under• Toward• Beyond• Between• Beneath

Types of Prepositions

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of Time show relationships between a word and a period of time.

List of Prepositions of Time

• In (Long Periods)• At (Time)• On (Dates/Days)• During• Until• Since• From

• To• For

Examples of Using Prepositions of Time

• I was born in 1985.• We have lived in this neighborhood

since the 1980’s.• He slept during the film showing.• I’ll meet you at 6 PM.• On March 16, 1521, Magellan

discovered the Philippines.

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of Place show relationships between a word and a location.

List of Prepositions of Place

• In (Closed Space)• At (Specific Point)• On (Surface)• After• Behind• In Front Of• Between

• Among• Under• Over• Beside• Beneath• Above• Below

Examples of Using Prepositions of Place

• This person lives in California.• His address is at 24th Street, Richton

Hills.• She was playing on the trampoline.• I found the key under the doormat.• We were stuck behind enemy lines.• They were almost crushed between the

two trucks.

Prepositions of Movement

Prepositions of Movement show relationships between a word and a movement to a specific direction.

List of Prepositions of Movement

• To• Through• Across• Along• Around• Away From• Into

• Down• Over• Off• Towards• Up• Past• Round

Examples of Using Prepositions of Movement

• He went to the supermarket to get some food.

• It was a tough journey through the woods.

• We literally sailed across the seven seas.

• I though the Tower of Pisa was leaning towards the East.

INTERJECTION

A word that denotes or expresses emotion or sentiment in a sentence.

General examples of Interjections

• Hello• Oh• Ah• Err• Hi• Hmm• Uh

• Uh-huh• Well• Alas• Dear• Hey• Woah• Ouch

Examples of using Interjections

• Hello! How are you?• I was, uh, walking along the street

when I, uh, saw her.• Hmm… This appears to be a

complicated issue indeed.• Alas! I should never have let him leave.• Ouch! Take that pointy thing away from

me.

CONJUNCTION

A word that connects two words, phrases, clauses or sentences together.

General examples of Conjunctions

• And• Or• But• Yet• Nor• Either…Or• Neither…Nor

• So• Therefore• So That• Also• Though• Unless• For

Kinds of Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions connect two or more words, clauses or sentences of

equal syntactic importance.

List of Coordinating Conjunctions

• And (expresses positive non-contrast)• But (expresses contrast or exception)• Or (expresses alternatives)• Nor (expresses negative non-contrast)• For (expresses reason)• Yet (expresses contrast or exception)• So (expresses consequences)

Examples of Using Coordinating Conjunctions

• I was afraid so I hid.• They did not come for the weather was

bad.• You can try going to the police or you

can also resolve this by yourself.• Winning the race is important but your

son’s birthday is priceless.• She stood by and watched with horror.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative Conjunctions work in pairs to connect two or more words, clauses or

sentences of equal weight.

List of Correlative Conjunctions

• Either… Or• Neither… Nor• Not Only… But (Also)• Both… And• Whether… Or• Just As… So• So… As

Examples of Using Correlative Conjunctions

• A person of Science must not only work under the principle of believing through seeing but also keep his mind open to all possibilities.

• Both the decline of the stock market and the cost of war caused the economy to fail.

• Whether he comes or he goes isn’t an issue.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Correlative Conjunctions connect independent clauses and dependent

clauses.

List of Subordinating Conjunctions

• As• Because• Since• Although• Even Though• While• If

• In Case• Unless• Provided That• As Soon As• Until• Still• While

Examples of Using Subordinating Conjunctions

• Your case will stand, provided that you have enough evidence.

• He still acts tough, even though everyone saw how cowardly he was during the explosion.

• Because of the gas leak, the workers had to go home early.

• If it were not for you, I would be dead.

It is always important to note that in order to create a proper sentence, all these parts must

work together.

THANK YOU!

Credits

• Joshua Busalla Presentations• Microsoft Power Point• Wikipedia.org• About.com• Englishclub.com