ESL 215
Intro to Parts of Speech
Fall 2016-Wong
Introduction to Parts of Speech (I)
I’m Simone Biles. I am a gymnast. I have short, black hair. I’m short.
NOUNS
I’m Simone Biles. I am a gymnast. I have short, black hair. I’m short.
ADJECTIVES
I’m Simone Biles. I am a gymnast. I have short, black hair. I’m short.
SUBJECT PRONOUNS
VERBS
I’m Simone Biles. I am a gymnast. I have short, black hair. I’m short.
ESL 215
Intro to Parts of Speech
Fall 2016-Wong
Nouns are words for:
People : Mr. Smith is my neighbor. The students were happy to have a day off.
Places: I was born in Vietnam.
My family likes to go to the park on Sundays.
Things: I left my keys in the door. I didn’t do my homework.
Emotions/Concepts: Anger can sometimes be useful. He has a great idea.
Verbs
Action: I walk to school every day. I finished the project.
Non-action verbs describe a state or condition. The most common is “BE”.
He is a good student. Joe seems to be unhappy. I like ice cream.
Adjectives are words that describe nouns. We often use adjectives before
nouns. We also use adjectives after the verb be or some non-action verbs.
Description-tells us about a noun in the sentence. It’s an expensive ring.
He is a tall man.
Pronouns replace nouns.
Subject: I/you/he-she-it/we/they.
Judy is our grammar teacher. She lives in Walnut Creek.
Object: me/you/him-her-it/us/them
Joe is in love with Mary. He is going to marry her.
Possessive: my/your/his-hers-its/our/their
Mike’s dog is thirteen years old. His dog is old.
Adverbs are words that describe actions. They also describe adjectives and
adverbs.
Manner- “how” an action is done.
He walks quickly. She waits patiently.
Frequency- “how often” an action is done. She usually gets up at 7am.
He never tells lies.
Time-when an action is done. You should go to sleep now. I arrived early.
Degree-to what degree an action is done. Sal was very hungry. Kim was so sick.
ESL 215
Intro to Parts of Speech
Fall 2016-Wong
Prepositions
Time: I will meet you at 6 in the evening on Monday, October 22nd.
Place/Location: Jake is resting at home. Susan is in the library.
Articles are words that go before singular countable nouns.
A/An: I drive a car. I drive an old, blue car.
Use “an” before a vowel sound.
Exceptions: She is going to a university in Oregon. He must wear a uniform to work.
/u/ in “university” is pronounced “you” and is NOT a vowel sound.
the: I take the bus to school every day.
Conjunctions are words that connect two independent clauses. FANBOYS
I am taking two classes, and I am working part-time at a restaurant.
Joe wants to buy a house, but he doesn’t have enough money. (contrast)
I missed the bus, so I was late to class today. (result)
Interjections are words that express emotions. They do not have to be in a
sentence.
Wow! Your hair looks crazy today.
Uh-oh. I forgot to study for the test.
Yeah! My team won the game.