Parts of Speech

Every word we use in English is a part of speech. Each part of speech plays a particular role in a sentence. Learn more about the parts of speech in this lesson.

What are the parts of speech?

Parts of speech are a categorisation of words that are used in sentences. That is, when we speak or write, we use words in sentences to express something, and based on how words work in sentences, they are divided into eight parts, called parts of speech.

The English language has many words, but they don’t all do the same job.

Every word does its particular job in a sentence.

Definition of parts of speech

We can define parts of speech in simple words as –

A part of speech is a categorisation of words that plays a special role in a sentence.

Eight parts of speech with their work

We use words in a sentence, and every word in that sentence has its own special work. Those are divided into eight parts. We shall see which of the eight parts they are.

In brief, we can say-

• Noun – the name of a thing or person
• Pronoun – a word used instead of a noun
• Adjective – gives more information about a noun
• Verb– an action word
• Adverb – provides more details about a verb, adjective or adverb
• Preposition – shows the relation to a noun
• Conjunction –  joins words, clauses or sentences
• Interjection – a word for a short exclamation, sometimes inserted into a sentence

8 parts of speech with definitions and examples

1. Noun: definition and examples

A noun is a word that indicates the name of a person, place, animal, thing, or idea. Nouns are categorised as common nouns and proper nouns.

Examples of nouns used in sentences

In the examples below, nouns are in bold letters.

• Pradnya started to sing a song.
• Sam is a genius boy.
• The squirrel has a bushy tail.
• That parrot is my pet.
• A baby is drinking milk.
• Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra.
• The lion is a strong animal.
• Take a rest in the room.
• She is my sister.
• He bought a mattress for his brother.

2. Pronoun: definition and examples

A pronoun is a word we use instead of a noun or noun phrase to avoid repeating that same noun. There are different types of pronouns. Some are personal, possessive,   reflexive, emphatic,  relative, interrogative, demonstrative, indefinite, and distributive.

Examples of pronouns used in sentences

• Sunidhi was not playing. She was sick.
• Anjana had lost her pen drive, but she got it today.
• Wilson has a cat. It is white in colour.
• Robert likes farming. He started horticulture recently.
• When I reached home, my sister called me.
• A person was standing outside the door who had a green bag

3. Adjective: definition and examples

An adjective is a describing word. It provides more information about the subject or noun in the sentence. The types of adjectives include adjectives of quantity, quality, number, definite numeral adjectives, indefinite numeral adjectives, interrogative adjectives, demonstrative adjectives, exclamatory adjectives, and emphasising adjectives.

Examples of adjectives used in sentences

• He took a black puppy with him.
• The children were in dirty dresses.
• It’s twenty minutes to nine.
• Some mattresses were red.
• She liked those shoes very much.

4. Verb: definition and examples

A verb is a word that denotes the action a subject performs in a sentence. We use verb forms in sentences.

Examples of verbs used in sentences

• We visited the beautiful temple last week.
• She has taught that lesson.
• Did she complete her office work?
• They play football on that ground every weekend.
• The police ran after the thief.

5. Adverb: definition and examples

An adverb is a describing word. It provides more information about a verb, an adjective, a clause, and another adverb. 

Examples of adverbs used in sentences

• He answered the question about the environment quickly.
• That plan that you exhibited is really nice.
• I often walk through the roads.
• She painted a wall extremely well.
• Can you come quickly?

6. Preposition: definition and examples

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship with other words. We use it before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.

Examples of prepositions used in sentences

• I put the garbage in a dustbin.
• She lives near the western train station.
• Keep all these accessories on the table.
• My sister is coming for lunch at 2 p.m.
• She screamed with joy.

7. Conjunction: definition and examples

A conjunction is a joining word that connects two words, two phrases, or two clauses. It connects different parts of a sentence.

Examples of conjunctions used in sentences

• I like teaching and learning.
• You can either go for a walk or go shopping.
• She ran fast but missed the bus.
• Chetan didn’t go to the gym, as he was sick.
• He joined the class because it was difficult to learn.

8. Interjection: definition and examples

An interjection is a word that expresses an emotion or sudden feeling.

Examples of interjections used in sentences

• Ouch! She pinched me!
• Hey! Stop torturing him!
• Wow! I created a website on my own.
• Alas! He was stuck in traffic.
• Oops! The glass is broken.

Frequently asked questions: parts of speech

What are parts of speech?

A part of speech is a categorisation of words that play a special role in a sentence.

How many parts of speech are there?

There are eight parts of speech.

What are the 8 parts of speech?

The eight parts of speech are nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

Related links

• Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)
• Active and passive voice
• Subject and predicate
• The Sentence