Name _____________________________________ Instructor’s Name _______________________________

PACKET 2
PARTS OF SPEECH

Words in the English language are divided, according to their use in the sentence, into
eight classes called parts of speech.

The eight parts of speech are classified under four headings:

1. Principal 2. Modifiers 3. Connectives 4. Independent
a. Noun a. Adjective a. Preposition a. Interjection
b. Pronoun b. Adverb b. Conjunction
c. Verb

DEFINITIONS

A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea.

Example: Many famous Americans were born in poverty.

A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun.

Example: I am going with you.

A verb is a word or group of words used to assert something about a person, place, thing,
or idea.
Example: Mary plays the piano well.
* * *

A word or group of words used to change or limit the meaning of another word is called a
modifier. Adjectives and adverbs are modifiers.

An adjective modifies the meaning of a noun or pronoun.

Example: The horse is a domestic animal.

An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Examples: Speak distinctly.
This problem is very difficult.
We are driving too rapidly.
* * *

A word that joins one word to another, or one group of words to another, is called a
connective. Prepositions and conjunctions are connectives.
A preposition shows relationship between its object and some word in the sentence.
Example: We are going to Cleveland this summer.
A conjunction connects words or groups of words.
Example: Carl and John are visiting us.
* * *

An interjection is an exclamatory sound used to express some emotion.

Example: Look, that airplane is flying upside down!

Interjections are classed as independent elements since they have no grammatical

connection with the sentence.

The part of speech to which a word belongs is determined by its use in the sentence.

NOUNS A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.

Persons - Dan, teacher, child

Places - Grand Canyon, city, Nevada, kitchen
Things - train, lamp, canary, year, bread
Ideas - grief, desire, democracy, speed, bravery

HINTS TO HELP YOU IDENTIFY NOUNS:

1. The, a, and an signal that a noun is coming. Sometimes the noun is the next word.
Sometimes it is a few words away.
Examples: a book a green storage box
an orange an old wooden toy
the old man the baby

2. His, her, my, your, their, our, and its sometimes signal that a noun is coming.
Sometimes the noun is the next word. Sometimes it is a few words away.
Examples: his book their young child
your orange its paw
my red dress her former neighbor

3. Sometimes students get confused when they see two or three nouns in a row. In
these cases, only the last word serves as a noun. The other words are describing
that noun.
Examples: the American student the shoe box
the Vietnam War veterans

4. Possessive words, words that show ownership, also signal that a noun is coming.
Sometimes the noun is the next word. Sometimes it is a few words away.
Examples: Mary's friend my sister's mean boss
the girl's earth science books

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5. Word endings, like -ness, -ion, -ment, often signal that a noun is coming.
Examples: kindness madness cooperation
attention moment retirement

6. Occasionally -ing words can be nouns.

Examples: Swimming is great exercise.
Before the opening of the new mall, shopping was limited.

EXERCISE: In each of the following sentences, underline all of the nouns.

1. My sister's husband went to town for milk and bread.

2. In the wee hours of the morning, our sick neighbor was rushed to a nearby hospital for
an emergency operation.

3. In a moment of madness, I decided to purchase that adorable red dress which I saw in
a downtown department store while browsing.

4. After rushing to buy season tickets for the football game, many loyal fans waited at
the ticket window for three or four hours.

5. Since airsickness usually occurs on bumpy flights, some airlines provide convenience
bags for their airsick passengers.

6. While the car's driver tried to extinguish the flames, the rescue squad arrived to check
on the condition of the passengers.

7. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

8. Down the long, dark road ran the escaped convict as the dogs howled in the woods.

9. The young boy and his mother enjoyed the play which was performed by the local
community theater.

10. Sitting by the window on a snowy afternoon can be a pleasant experience.

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 PROPER NOUNS AND COMMON NOUNS

There are two types of nouns - common and proper.

A common noun does not name a particular person, place, thing, or idea. These
nouns are not capitalized. The following are common nouns:
Persons: child, teacher, movie star, uncle
Places: town, meadows street, valley, gym
Things: book, airplane, scissors, typewriter, shed
Ideas: friendship, consideration, justice, anger

A proper noun names a particular person, place, or thing. These nouns are
capitalized. The following are proper nouns:
Persons: Ms. Frankel, Neil Armstrong, Rita, Aunt Gladys
Places: Kansas City, Idaho, Egypt, Australia
Things: Eiffel Tower, Old Faithful, Jupiter

** Proper nouns made up of more than one word are considered to be one noun.
Examples: Bill of Rights, Colorado River, Revolutionary War

EXERCISE: In each of the following sentences, underline all common nouns and circle
all proper nouns.

1. Early one morning Charles A. Lindbergh left Roosevelt Field in New York in his
plane, the Spirit of St. Louis.

2. Lindbergh attempted a nonstop flight to Paris.

3. The pilot was in the air for about thirty-three hours.

4. The plane flew through rain and fog before landing.

5. Lindbergh finally reached the designated landing field in Paris.

6. On his return to the United States aboard a cruiser, the young hero was welcomed by
President Calvin Coolidge.

7. Many First Ladies in the White House have lobbied for new laws.

8. Eleanor Roosevelt urged legislation to assist the poor and the needy citizens of our
country.

9. Jacqueline Kennedy worked for legislation that made the White House a national
shrine.

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10. Lady Bird Johnson was interested in beautifying America.

PRONOUNS - A pronoun is a word used in place of one or more than one noun. It
may stand for a person, place, thing, or idea.

Personal Pronouns Indefinite Pronouns

I, me, my, mine anybody, somebody, etc.

you, your, yours each, few
he, him, his either, neither, some
she, her, hers none, many
it, its someone, one, etc.
we, us, our, ours
they, them, their, theirs

Interrogative Demonstrative Possessive

Pronouns Pronouns Pronouns

who this my, mine

whom that your, yours
what these her, hers, his
which those their, theirs, its
whose our, ours

Some of the pronouns in the personal pronouns list can be combined with -self or -selves:
Be careful not to cut yourself. I will do it myself.

EXERCISE: Underline the pronouns in the following sentences.

1. Our house is not far from theirs.

2. The baby bruised herself when she fell.

3. They read the false document and approved it.

4. My record player is quite different from hers.

5. We must not allow ourselves to overlook injustice.

6. The record player is his, but the new records are hers.

7. He should have used his skates instead of hers.

8. Shall we follow her suggestion?

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 9. She gave herself a haircut and suggested one for me.

10. Marie and Pierre Curie devoted their lives to the discovery of radium and the study of
its effects on human beings.

VERBS The verb is one of the foundation words of a sentence.

EVERY SENTENCE MUST CONTAIN A VERB.

The verb gives the sentence meaning by saying something about the subject.
Notice the verbs in these sentences:
Examples: I like homemade ice cream.
The Blakes drove through the Ozarks.
Are alligators reptiles?

A verb is a word that expresses action or otherwise helps to make a statement.

There are three types of verbs: action, linking, and helping.

(1) An action verb is a verb that expresses mental or physical action.

Examples: The owls hooted all night.
Gloria played with the children.
We studied our history at the library.

EXERCISE: Underline the action verb or verbs in each sentence.

1. For a science project, Elena built a sundial.

2. Mr. Santos carefully explained the problem again.

3. For my fall sport, I chose soccer.

4. This waterfall drops two hundred feet.

5. Mike's bicycle skidded on the pavement.

6. In Millersville you transfer to another bus.

7. We drove from Ohio and reached our destination by noon.

8. The heavy traffic delayed us.

9. They scored two runs in the first inning.

10. The police arrested two suspects and charged them with murder.

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(2) A linking verb is a verb that does not show action but connects the subject with
another word. The most common linking verb is be. The following are some forms
of the verb be:
MEMORIZE THIS LIST

is are was were

am be being been

Examples: I am a photographer.
He is sick.
We are early.
Those berries were delicious.

EXERCISE: Underline the linking verbs in each sentence.

1. Denver is the capital of Colorado.

2. Tom and Bob were late for school.

3. He was a doctor for seven years.

4. The teacher is mad at her students.

5. They were quiet during the show.

6. Our universe is full of wonders!

7. They are here for the party.

8. I am a reporter for a major newspaper.

9. The child is good for her babysitter.

10. The man in the red sweater is my brother.

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 (3) A helping verb helps either an action verb or a linking verb. A verb may consist of
one word or several words. If it consists of more-than one word, it is called a verb
phrase. A verb phrase contains either an action verb or a linking verb with one or
more helping verbs in front of it.
Here is a list of words commonly used as helping verbs.
MEMORIZE THIS LIST.
am has may shall
is have might should
are had must
was
were
be do can will
been does could would
being did

EXERCISE: Underline the verb phrase or phrases in the following sentences.

1. She might be going with us tomorrow.

2. Joan and Mark have been dating for three years.

3. It must have been an error.

4. You should be resting before the game.

5. After work I can meet you for dinner.

6. We could have been roommates at Florida State.

7. He does believe in hard work.

8. I shall do the essay after school.

9. The boys would be sleeping if not for the storm.

10. My watch did break, but I will get a new one for my birthday.

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 Sometimes the verb phrase is interrupted by another part of speech creating a split verb
phrase. There are two types of split verb phrases.

1. Verb phrases are sometimes split by adverbs, such as not, never, ever, often, rarely,
always, only, just, really, and already. Since these words are never verbs, they are
referred to as “never verbs”.
Examples: Ken does not have a pen.
Our dog has always been a loving pet.

2. Verb phrases in questions are often interrupted or split by the subjects.

Examples: Did you watch the play?
Can Tom go with me?

EXERCISE: Underline the verb phrase in each sentence.

1. Have you ever visited the museum in Dallas, Texas?

2. Bob and Mary would often go to the beach at noon.

3. You have just missed them.

4. Can the boys and girls play on the same team?

5. They should have never been playing with matches.

6. He may always need extra help.

7. Would the teacher allow us to leave early?

8. I have already finished my report for the meeting.

9. Did the storm damage the boat in the harbor?

10. Many of the parents will not allow their children to go to the play.

** Notice that in most contractions there is a verb present, and sometimes a “never
verb” may appear. The following are examples:
they've = they have we're = we are hasn't = has not

shouldn't = should not you're = you are I've = I have

it's = it is or it has she's = she is or she has I'm = I am

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EXERCISE: Underline the verb or verb phrase in each sentence.

1. They could've passed easily.

2. He hasn't driven in years

3. Can't you see without your glasses?

4. My house isn't on 25th street.

5. She's been my friend for twenty years.

6. I’m thinking of taking a trip to the shore.

7. We've never missed an appointment.

8. It's my favorite subject.

9. We'll call you after the meeting.

10. During the summer they're going to France.

PREPOSITIONS - A preposition shows the relationship that exists between a noun or

pronoun and some other word in the sentence. The preposition and the noun or pronoun
become the prepositional phrase.

Words commonly used as prepositions:

about at beyond inside out toward

above before by into outside under
across behind down like over underneath
after below during near past up
against beneath except of through upon
along beside for off throughout with
among besides from on till within
around between in onto to without

Examples: Note: the prepositional phrase is in ( )

Earl danced (with me.) We ran (to the grocery store.)

She dressed (for the party.) Dolly worked (at school and home.)

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[Type text]

* Exception: The preposition to when followed by a verb, is called an infinitive and

is not a prepositional phrase. It might be helpful to cross through an infinitive phrase
so you don't mislabel it.
Example of infinitive phrase: I like to walk (to the beach.)
to walk = infinitive
to the beach = prepositional phrase

EXERCISE: Put parentheses around all prepositional phrases.

Underline the complete verb twice.

A. 1. The whole world watched the flight into space.

2. A bouquet of roses was the centerpiece.

3. The water in the cellar is getting deeper!

4. Isn't the view from the mountain spectacular?

5. Grandma brought a gift for Sandy.

6. This morning she had a dish of cereal and strawberries.

7. Who bought the house across the way?

8. Did you see the lightning during the storm?

9. The baby left her fingerprints along the wall.

10. Betty Myers read with expression and feeling.

11. We're having a party with some friends tonight.

12. Do you know any people like them?

13. The girls told ghost stories before the campfire.

14. Underneath the sink there is a leak.

15. The picture over the mantle is pretty.

16. Shhh- I'm leaving without permission.

17. They hacked a trail through the very dense jungle.

18. This is a secret between you and me.

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[Type text]

19. Have you ever gone to Disney World with Tom and Sue?

20. Carmen did not hide the surprise behind the sofa.

B. 1. He spoke of many things.

2. Before leaving, I will call you.

3. Among the proverbs there are many truths.

4. There is no defense against a panic fright.

5. Under the spreading chestnut tree, the boy fell asleep.

6. Is the ox the slave of the poor?

7. He weeps over a lost book.

8. For his graduation Dad gave him a watch.

9. Music was important to ancient man.

10. Noise has sound without a regular beat.

11. The screeching of automobile brakes is noisy.

12. Are the written notes read by the players?

13. They make them into pleasant sounds.

14. During the rehearsal did Pete blow a sour note?

15. Do some people have a strange feeling about music?

16. The song, “Over the Rainbow,” was a popular success.

17. Many popular songs are taken from light operas.

18. Are some melodies written especially for television?

19. Without help they could not escape.

20. They killed their horses for meat.

C. 1. Has she written a story about a panda?

2. The officers will be elected at the next meeting.

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 3. They found his will in an old book.

4. I did not look under the davenport.

5. Trees were planted between the houses in the city.

6. Does he play tennis like a professional?

7. The speaker read a passage from his book.

8. We wrapped the paper around the gift and put a bow on it.

9. The nurse sat beside the patient and watched her until morning.

10. Will a painting hang above the mantel in his new cabin?

11. The sailors walked along the shore.

12. Are the roses in our garden blooming?

13. Word passed through the village on our way to town.

14. Was your uncle attacked by two men?

15. In the evening, I will walk for two miles.

16. Before class, I will need to study my notes.

17. She sailed around the world in eighty days.

18. At the end of the play, I cried.

19. On May 3, 1999, I will leave on my trip to Europe.

20. She stopped to eat along the way.

EXERCISE: Write 5 original sentences with each containing at least one prepositional
phrase. Be sure to vary the location of the phrases.

1. _____________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________________
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[Type text]

5. _____________________________________________________

REVIEW SECTION
A. Underline all nouns.

1. Early in the morning the beach was covered with many beautiful shells.

2. Did the doctor or the nurse who was on duty give you the allergy injection?

3. We will soon be planning an automobile trip to Metro Zoo in Miami.

4. Luther and I might spend next summer in the Ozarks or in the Smokies.

5. The gardener was carefully spraying the shrubs with a chemical.

6. Since Monday morning my neighbor's sprinkler system has not been working.

7. My history teacher decided to give the final exam on Thursday evening in

Stuart.

8. The World Series will begin in October, and many fans will pay thousands of
dollars to attend the contest.

9. The President of the United States lives in the White House only while he is in
office.

10. My boss's wife bought the white house on the corner of Main and Elm Street.

B. Circle all pronouns.

1. After Janet called, I mailed her the pictures of John's new home.

2. Anyone who asks may use a study sheet for Friday's test.

3. Give them one of those before they leave.

4. Many have tried Mom's recipe, and all have loved it.

5. Which of the girls sent an application to me?

6. Some arrived early, but others were late.

7. A few of the students who have not worked very hard in Mrs. Smith's English
class have failed it.

8. The dog hurt its paw on the loose front step.

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 9. That is mine, so you need to put it on the top shelf.

10. She left these for you and me because she knew how much we enjoyed them.

C. Underline all verbs twice.

1. Will you bring the present with you or send it by mail?

2. I've never met her swimming coach.

3. Announcements are always written on the bulletin board.

4. The astronauts must be physically and mentally alert for their upcoming trip.

5. Did Bernice buy the red striped suit or the gray plaid dress?

6. While running, I almost tripped and fell on my face.

7. It has been raining since early this morning.

8. Before leaving, would you kindly lock the windows?

9. Tom and Jane haven't forgotten to call the repairman.

10. The teacher might decide to give the class a quiz on fractions.

D. Put ( ) around all prepositional phrases.

1. The names of the new employees may be posted on the bulletin board by twelve
o'clock.

2. Everyone will arrive early on Saturday afternoon for the picnic at the beach.

3. Before the exam the students in the English class must read a book about the
Civil War.

4. I have written letters to several companies about a possible job in that field.

5. All of the children were very excited on the last day of school.

6. Between you and me, I forgot to do my homework for my math class.

7. Everyone except Sally and Jessica will attend the meetings on next Monday and
Tuesday.

8. During the early morning meeting, some of the members fell asleep.

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 9. At the sound of the alarm, Mary and Sue jumped from their beds onto the floor
and scurried into the kitchen.

10. On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree.

E. Put ( ) around all prepositional phrases. Underline nouns once. Underline verbs
twice. Circle pronouns.

1. It will probably rain on the day of the race.

2. At the park he leaned against the freshly painted building.

3. The teacher's question has been correctly answered by me.

4. Connie and others will be making a shadow box for an art project.

5. The baby's room has been painted by us and has been decorated by Mom.

6. You and I have spent many happy hours in the swimming pool.

7. Someone has added many stamps to Jill's growing collection.

8. Have you solved the one on the last page?

9. Everybody enjoyed the first number of the program.

10. We will start on a trip tomorrow to the Carolina mountains.

F. Write sentences for each of the following:

1. linking verb

________________________________________________________________________

2. action verb

________________________________________________________________________

3. verb phrase (helping and main verb)

________________________________________________________________________

4. split verb phrase

________________________________________________________________________

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5. question that begins with a verb

________________________________________________________________________

G. Write sentences following the directions.

1. Write a sentence that begins with one or more prepositional phrases.
____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

2. Write a sentence that ends with one or more prepositional phrases.

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

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