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Part of Speech Definition

Part of Speech

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There are often said to be nine categories which form the parts of speech in English. Each part of speech explains not what the word is, but how the word is used.

The following table lists the eight parts of speech:

Part of Speech Function
Verbs Verbs refer to an action or state 
Nouns Nouns refer to people, animals, objects, substances, states, events or feelings
Pronouns Pronouns substitute a noun or noun phrase
Adjectives Adjectives modify a noun or noun phrase
Adverbs Adverbs modify the meaning of a Verb; an Adjective; another adverb; a Noun or Noun Phrase; Determiner; a Numeral; a Pronoun; or a Prepositional Phrase and can sometimes be used as a Complement of a Preposition
Prepositions Prepositions link nouns, pronouns or gerunds to other words
Conjunctions Conjunctions connect words, phrases or clauses
Interjections Interjections are used to gain attention, to exclaim, protest or command
Determiners A determiner is used with a noun and restricts the meaning by limiting the reference of the noun.

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Parts of Speech

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Related Language Quizzes

Test your understanding by taking our language quizzes related to parts of speech.

Level Quiz
Beginner Parts of Speech (10)
Beginner Parts of Speech 2 (10)
Intermediate Parts of Speech 1 (14)
Intermediate Parts of Speech 2- Adverbs (11)
Intermediate Parts of speech 3 (22)
Advanced Grammar terms (8)
Advanced Identifying parts of speech (15)

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