Parts of Speech: Verbs, Adverbs, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Interjections

Prepositional Phrase

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun, called the OBJECT of the PREPOSITION, to another word. All together, the preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the oject are called the PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE. EXAMPLES: Which flowers grow best IN THIS SANDY SOIL? The PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE consists of the preposition IN, the object SOIL, and the adjectives SANDY.

Preposition or Adverb?

Some words may be used as both prepositions and adverbs. CLUE: To tell a preposition from an adverb, remember that a preposition always has a noun or pronoun as an object. EXAMPLES: We walked AROUND the new civic center for several hours. CENTER is the object of AROUND. As we walked AROUND, we saw many unique exhibits. AROUND modifies the verb WALKED, telling WHERE.

Correlative Conjunctions

These are pairs of conjunctions that join words or word groups that are used in the same way. The correlative conjunctions are both... and, either... or, neither... nor, not only... but also, and whether... or. EXAMPLE: Their family celebrates NOT ONLY birthdays BUT ALSO name days.

Linking Verb

This connects the subject to a word or word group that identifies or describes the subject. The noun, pronoun, or adjective that is connected to the subject by a linking verb completes the meaning of the verb. EXAMPLES: Suzanne Collins IS a writer of science fiction books such as The Hunger Games. Her books REMAIN popular among teens and adults. CLUE: a linking verb can be replaced by an equal sign.

Adverb

This is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. An adverb answers WHERE, WHEN, HOW, TO WHAT EXTENT, HOW MUCH, HOW LONG. EXAMPLE: The popularity of television grew SLOWLY. Some people were RATHER pessimistic about the future of television. Others had believed QUITE STRONGLY in its potential. CLUES: adverbs often end in "ly."

Preposition

This is a word that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun, called the OBJECT of the preposition, to another word. CLUES: Prepositions usually show position, direction, or connection. EXAMPLES: The leader OF the scout troop led the scouts out of the woods. TROOP is the OBJECT of the preposition OF, and WOODS is the OBJECT of the compound preposition OUT OF.

Verb

This is a word used to express action or a state of being. EXAMPLES: We LOOKED through the telescope and OBSERVED the comet. The night sky WAS cloudy, so we WERE unable to see the comet clearly.

Interjection

This is a word used to express emotion. An interjection has no grammatical relation to other words in the sentence. CLUE: Usually an interjection is followed by an exclamation point or set off by a comma or commas. EXAMPLES: HEY! Did you see those deer? WELL, we played hard and did our best. We could, OH, have a picnic.

Conjunction

This is a word used to join words or groups of words. EXAMPLES: and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet

Coordinating Conjunction

This joins words or groups of words that are used in the same way. CLUES: FANBOY stands for the coordinating conjunctions for, and, not, but, or, yet. EXAMPLE: Birthdays AND wedding anniversaries are among the events we celebrate.

Helping Verb

This word helps the main verb express action or a state of being. Together, a main verb and at least one helping verb make up a verb phrase. EXAMPLES: I HAVE READ many of Gary Soto's baseball poems. HAVE you READ any of his poems?

Action Verb

This word is a verb that expresses either physical or mental action. EXAMPLES: Carlos PAINTED this picture from a snapshot he HAD TAKEN. His friends THINK that he SHOULD CONSIDER a career in art.