1. Word classes and linguistic terms
When you do a
science experiment, it’s
helpful to know the names
of the equipment and
materials you use.
Here we will revise some of the tools and terms we use in English.
It saves
misunderstandings and you
know what you’re doing.
The same is true
of language. It’s important
to know the tools you use
and the names for things.

2. Word classes
There are different types or classes of word. Here are the main words classes.
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
determiner
preposition
conjunction
Let’s see how well you know them.

4. Nouns
Did you notice that nouns were missing from the last exercise? Nouns denote people and places, things and ideas. They can be divided into the following groups.
proper
Names of people, places, etc. They have a capital letter.
E.g. London
common
All nouns that are not proper nouns.
collective
This is a noun that refers to a group.
E.g. flock, herd,

6. Noun phrases
A noun phrase refers to a group of words that are built around a noun.
E.g.
my sister
my little sister
my brave little sister
my brave little sister on crutches
Notice how you can build up noun phrases.

8. Adjectives
Adjectives describe people or things. They go before nouns and after some verbs.
E.g.
the happy girl she is happy
the wooden table the table looks wooden

10. You can also compare things using adjectives.
This drink is cool.
The water is cooler.
The cola is coolest.
This is the comparative form.
This is the superlative form.
For words of more than two syllables, we use more and most to make these forms.
more important
most important
This is the comparative form.
This is the superlative form.

11. be have do may might can could will would shall should must
Verbs
A verb expresses an action or a state of being.
She jumped up.
He is happy.
There are main verbs...
I walked away.
and auxiliary verbs.
I was walking away.
Auxiliary verbs help the main verb. These are auxiliary verbs.
be have do may might can could will would shall should must
These can be either auxiliary or main verbs:
be have do

13. Verbs
Verbs can change their form. This gives us an indication of when the action takes place.
Look at how these sentences tell us when the action takes place.
I dance for enjoyment.
I danced all last night.
I was dancing for four hours.
I will be dancing next week too.
present
past
future

14. Can you spot the adverbs in these sentences?
He walked slowly.
He walked extremely slowly.
His progress was really slow.
He walked slowly.
He walked extremely slowly.
His progress was really slow.
a verb
Did you spot these?
another adverb
An adverb can give more information about...
an adjective
well very often
never later now
yesterday soon
perhaps
Adverbs often end in -ly, but here are some more to look out for:

15. our you whom which those theirs
Pronouns
Pronouns often replace a noun. They help us to avoid repetition. Here are some very common pronouns:
our you whom which those theirs
Here are some more to look out for.
I me we us
you he she it
they them
my mine our
ours your yours
his her their
myself yourself
itself this that
these someone
who what

17. Determiners are used with nouns. The most common determiners are:an
the
Other common determiners are
this that these those my you’re his her its our their some many no all each every both enough numbers (one, two, three, etc.)
Many determiners are used as pronouns and in that case they are not followed by a noun.

18. but and or yet then Conjunctions
These are words which join clauses together.
but
and or
yet
then
Other conjunctions tell us when, where and why.
I will be leaving after I have eaten.
You will find your ring where you left it.
The train is late because it left Penzance late.
Some other common conjunctions are:
before, since, until, although,
unless, so, when, wherever

20. a lot of tricky words and phrases here.
Plenary
Well done! There’s
a lot of tricky words and
phrases here.
Knowledge about words
will give you control over
the words you use.
It will help
you investigate
the writing of
others too.