Parts of Speech: 8 Parts of Speech with Example Sentences

Parts of speech!!! This article will show definitions and examples for the 8 parts of speech in English grammar:  noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjective, conjunction, preposition, and interjection.

Parts of Speech in English

Based on use and functions, words are categorized into several types or parts of speech.

The 8 main parts of speech in English are:

Noun

Noun definition: A word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.

Noun examples: lady, road, tree, love, dream, pencil, Bob, Mary

Noun example sentences:

• The lady put her wallet in her purse.
• The road was wet and slippery.
• I saw Bob in town with his girlfriend.
• Love is the true price of love.
• Her dream to enter a famous university come true.

Pronoun

Pronoun definition: A word that can function as a noun phrase used by itself and that refers either to the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse.

Pronoun examples: he, she, it, I, you, we, they

Pronoun example sentences:

• He is optimistic about the future.
• You cannot clap with one hand.
• They are preparing for the presentation of a new musical.
• She arranged an appointment for Friday afternoon at four-fifteen.
• We should push our work, the work should not push us.

Verb

Verb definition: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, and forming the main part of the predicate of a sentence, such as hear, become, happen.

Verb examples: run, fly, work, show, is, become, bring, write

Verb example sentences:

• I can run a mile in 5 minutes.
• The boy decided not to become a sailor.
• He could barely read and write.
• I’ll show you how to load the software.
• Will you bring the tea things into the garden?

Adverb

Adverb definition: A word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, etc.

Adverb examples: quickly, gently, extremely, carefully, well, fast, beautifully

Adverb example sentences:

• I ate too quickly and got hiccoughs.
• We compared the two reports carefully.
• He felt extremely frustrated when things went against him.
• The new curtains tone in beautifully with the carpet.
• ‘You miss them, don’t you?’ he asked gently.

Adjective

Adjective definition: A word naming an attribute of a noun, such as sweet, red, or technical.

Adjective examples: new, fat, pretty, old, blue, smart, intelligent, young

Adjective example sentences:

• That’s a pretty hat you’re wearing.
• You look very smart in your new suit.
• You’re a very superior young woman.
• Jack is an intelligent pupil, but he lacks motivation.
• The sun glared out of the blue sky.

Conjunction

Conjunction definition: A word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause.

Conjunction examples: and, but, or, however, moreover, while, because

Conjunction example sentences:

• Our bus won’t start because the battery is flat.
• You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
• I feel a bit tired. However, I can hold on.
• The rent is reasonable, and moreover, the location is perfect.
• Other men live to eat, while I eat to live.

Preposition

Preposition definition: A word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause.

Preposition examples: in, on, at, about, with, over, around, through, during, above

Preposition example sentences:

• He raised his arms above his head.
• I can hear voices through the wall.
• You’re not allowed to talk during the exam.
• I want to make an inquiry about train times.
• Once, she walloped me over the head with a frying pan.

Interjection

Interjection definition: An abrupt remark, especially as an aside or interruption.

Interjection examples: Oh!, Wow!,  Oops!, Hey!, Haha

Interjection example sentences:

• Wow! That car certainly goes fast!
• Hey! Can I just ask you something?
• Oops! I nearly dropped my cup of tea!
• Oh, yeah? I forgot all about it.
• I can also be pretension and flash it away to others. haha!

8 Parts of Speech | Infographic

8 Parts of Speech in English

Parts of Speech Quiz

Take a look at these sentences and choose the correct answer.

Last Updated on June 24, 2021