Parts of Speech

Nouns The name of a person, place, thing, or an idea The boy in the last row is shy. Shaun, the boy wearing a leg brace, cannot walk up the stairs.

Verbs Usually expresses action (jump, think) or state of being (have, has, had, do, does, did, be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been, will, would, can, could, may, might, should). –ex. The best fish swim near the bottom. –ex. I was bored during summer vacation. –ex. We were so hungry. –ex. The officers had been planning the raid for months.

Adjective a word used to modify, or describe, a noun or pronoun. It usually answers one of these questions: Which one? (this fossil, another book, those computers) What kind of? (silver ornaments, huge serving, lively writing) How many? (three rings, some athletes, few volunteers), How much? (enough help, abundant harvest, little chance)

Adverb a word used to modify, or qualify, a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It usually answers one of these questions: When? (shipped yesterday, arrived early) Where? (waddled away, sank lower, rode east) How? (opened slowly, praised profusely, hummed softly) Under what conditions? To what degree? (so early, very sorry, really pleased)

Preposition a word used to show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and some other words in the sentence With luck, we will not fall behind schedule. She opened the can with an electric can opener. The acrobat swung from the bar and landed on her feet.