ENGLISH 200 (PARTS OF SPEECH)

• In language, the parts of speech are the categories of words based on their function within a sentence.
• Understanding parts of speech is a helpful way to look at words to help you understand the underlying grammar and logic of any language you study.
• Pronouns take the place of nouns to simplify speech and writing.
• Adjectives modify or describe a noun, ascribing an attribute to the noun being modified.
• An Adjective gives information about the color, size, characteristic, quality, quantity, or personal traits of a noun or pronoun.
• An adverb is a word which modifies or qualifies the meaning of a verb, adjective, other adverb or any other words or phrases in the sentence.
• A preposition is an important part of the English language, used to show a relationship between the noun and pronoun in a sentence.
• A preposition must always be followed by a noun or pronoun in a sentence and can never be followed by a verb.
• A conjunction is the glue that holds words, phrases and clauses (both dependent and independent) together.
• There are three different kinds of conjunctions -- coordinating, subordinating, and correlative -- each serving its own, distinct purpose, but all working to bring words together.
• Coordinating conjunctions join together words, phrases, and independent clauses.
• Coordinating Conjunctions Used in Sentences include: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
• Or in sentences presents an alternative or a choice.
• Correlative Conjunctions Used in Sentences come in pairs, and both must be used in different places in a sentence to make them work.
• A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
• An independent clause by contrast, can stand alone as a complete sentence.
• So in sentences indicates effect, result or consequence.
• Subordinating Conjunctions Used in Sentences always introduce a dependent clause, tying it to an independent clause.
• Common pairs of Correlative Conjunctions include: both/and, whether/or, either/or, neither/nor, not/but, not only/but also.
• Yet in sentences introduces a contrasting idea that follows the preceding idea logically.
• Correlative conjunctions connect two equal grammatical terms, so if a noun follows "both," then a noun should also follow "and".
• English has many subordinating conjunctions, including: although, as, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, until, when, whenever, where, whether, while, why.
• But in sentences shows contrast.
• For in sentences explains reason or purpose, just like "because".
• Unlike coordinating conjunctions, subordinate conjunctions can often come first in a sentence due to the nature of the relationship between the dependent and the independent clause.
• And in sentences adds one thing to another.
• Interjections in English express strong emotions, such as love, hate, surprise, happiness, anger, enthusiasm, disgust, boredom, confusion, or unhappiness.
• Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions Used in Sentences include: Because, Until, As, I know, I must, As I write this letter, I know I must say goodbye.
• Nor in sentences is used to present an alternative negative idea to an already stated negative idea.
• Some interjections can express either a mild emotion, or can be expressions, such as "Excuse me."