Part of Speech Definition
There are often said to be nine categories which form the parts of speech in English. Each part of speech explains not what the word is, but how the word is used.
The following table lists the eight parts of speech:
| Part of Speech | Function |
|---|---|
| Verbs | Verbs refer to an action or state |
| Nouns | Nouns refer to people, animals, objects, substances, states, events or feelings |
| Pronouns | Pronouns substitute a noun or noun phrase |
| Adjectives | Adjectives modify a noun or noun phrase |
| Adverbs | Adverbs modify the meaning of a Verb; an Adjective; another adverb; a Noun or Noun Phrase; Determiner; a Numeral; a Pronoun; or a Prepositional Phrase and can sometimes be used as a Complement of a Preposition |
| Prepositions | Prepositions link nouns, pronouns or gerunds to other words |
| Conjunctions | Conjunctions connect words, phrases or clauses |
| Interjections | Interjections are used to gain attention, to exclaim, protest or command |
| Determiners | A determiner is used with a noun and restricts the meaning by limiting the reference of the noun. |
Category:
Related to 'Part of Speech'
Related Language Quizzes
Test your understanding by taking our language quizzes related to parts of speech.
| Level | Quiz |
|---|---|
| Beginner | Parts of Speech (10) |
| Beginner | Parts of Speech 2 (10) |
| Intermediate | Parts of Speech 1 (14) |
| Intermediate | Parts of Speech 2- Adverbs (11) |
| Intermediate | Parts of speech 3 (22) |
| Advanced | Grammar terms (8) |
| Advanced | Identifying parts of speech (15) |