Recognizing Parts of Speech
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A verb is a word that shows action, links another word to the subject, helps another verb, or merely indicates existence.
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A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.
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A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun.
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An adjective is a word that modifies a noun or a pronoun. It answers the questions what kind, which one, how many, how much, or what or what extent. An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It answers the questions where, when, how, how often, or to or to what extent. A preposition is a word that show how a noun or pronoun is related to some other word in the sentence.
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A conjunction is a word that joins that joins words, phrases, or clauses.
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An interjection is an exclamatory word that is not related to the other words in a sentence.
Of all
the parts of the speech, the verb is the most important. It is used the part around which all other sentence elements are built. It is essential that you be able to identif y verbs and use them correctly.
Of all
the parts of the speech, the verb is the most important. It is used the part around which all other sentence elements are built. It is essential that you be able to identif y verbs and use them correctly.
Recognizing Action Verbs
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A verb is a word that shows action, helps another verb, verb, links another words to the subject or merely indicates existence. An action verb expresses physical expresses physical or mental action. Some
action verbs have receivers for the action; others do not. a. Verbs that have receivers f or or the action are called transitive verbs. b. Verbs that do not have receivers got the action are called intransitive verbs. c. The same verb may be transitive in one sentence and intransitive in another.
Recognizing Linking Verbs
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A linking verb linking verb does not express action. It links a word in the predicate to the subject.
Linking verbs am is are was
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The
were be being been
taste f eel eel smell sound
look appear become seem
grow remain stay
verbs am, is, are, was, were, be ,being, been are f orms orms of the verb ³be.´ These ³be´ verbs may be used as helping verbs as well as linking verbs.
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Any verb that ends with be or been is a f orm of the word ³be.´ The
verbs taste, feel, smell, sound, look, appear, become, seem, grow, remain, stay maybe used as action verbs as well as linking verbs, depending on the sense of the sentence.
Recognizing Helping Verbs
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A helping verb helps the main verb make a statement. Helping Verbs am were have do shall may is be has does will might are being had did should must was been would can could
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A verb phrase is a main verb and its helping verbs. Quite of ten a verb phrase is interrupted by other words.
Using Principal Parts
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All verbs may be classi f ied as regular or irregular verbs, depending on the way that the past and past participle are f ormed. R egular verbs f orm
the past and past participle by adding -ed, -d, or -t to the present.
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I rregular verbs f orm
the past and past participle in irregular ways other that by adding -ed, -d, or -t to the present. Both regular and irregular verbs f orm the present participle by adding -ing to the present. Sometimes
spelling changes must be made adding -ing or -ed to verbs. a. For verbs ending in silent e, drop the e bef ore adding -ing. b. For verbs ending in y preceded by a consonant, change the preceded by a consonant, change the y to i bef ore adding -ed. c. For the verbs ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, usually double the f inal consonant be f ore adding -ed or -ing.
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Do not conf use the past with the past participle. Never use helping verbs with the past. Always use helping verbs with the past participle.
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Do not use such incorrect f orms as the f ollowing: attacked, brung, busted, clumb, drownded, drud (for dragged), et, aten, growed, snuk stolen, throwed, thunk.
Using Sit & set Correctly
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The
verb set means ³to be seated.´ Its principal parts are sit, sitting, sat, (have) sat. the verb sit rarely requires an object.
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The
verb set means ³to put or place something.´ Its principal parts are set, setting, set, (have) set. The verb set . The verb set usually requires an object.
Using Rise & Raise Correctly
1
The
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The
verb rise means ³ to go up´ or ³to get up.´ Its principal parts are rise, rising, rose, (have)risen. The verb rise never requires an object. verb raise means ³to lif t something´ or ³to put something.´ Its principal parts are raise, raising, raised, (have) raised. The verb raise usually requires an object.
Using Lie & Lay Correctly
1
The
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The
verb lie means ³to recline.´ Its principal are lie, lying, lay, (have) lain. The verb lie requires an object. verb lay means ³to put or replace something.´ Its principal parts are lay, laying, laid, (have) laid. The verb lay usually requires an object.
Using Other Troublesome Verbs Correctly
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Affect
or effect? Affect means ³ to inf luence.´ Eff ect means ³to accomplish.´ (Effect as a noun means ³ the result of an action.´)
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Bring
or take? Bring means indicates movement away f rom you. C an or may? permission.
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Learn
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Let
C an
ref ers to ability. May ref ers to
or teach? Learn means ³to obtain knowledge.´ Teach means ³to give instruction.´ or leave? Let means ³to allow.´ Leave means ³to go away f rom´ or ³to cause to remain.´
A noun is word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. A compound noun is two or more words used as a single noun. A collective noun names a group and is singular in f orm.
Recognizing Common & Proper Noun
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A common noun names a person, place, thing, or idea, but does not say which particular one. A proper noun names a particular person, place, thing or idea and always begins with a capital letter.
Making Verbs Agree with noun Subjects
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S ingular
subjects take singular verbs; plural subject take plural verbs. Nouns ending in s are usually plural; verbs ending in s are usually singular. The number of a subject is not usually affected by phrases between the subject and the verb. The
verb agrees with the subject not the predicate nominative.
Using Nouns as Predicate Nominatives
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A predicate nominative is a noun (or a pronoun) that f ollows a linking verb and renames or explains the subject. This noun (or pronoun) means the same thing or person as the subject. In the sentence containing a predicate nominative, you can always replace the verb whit the word equals. Predicate nominatives can never be in prepositional phrases.
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Predicate nominatives may be compound. Predicate nominatives are sometimes called subject complements. Subject complements always f ollow linking verbs.
Using Nouns as Direct Objects
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A direct object is a noun (or pronoun) that f ollows an action verb and receives the action f rom that verb. It answers the questions whom or what af ter the verb. If no word answers the questions whom or what af ter the action verb, the sentence does not have direct object. Direct object can never be in prepositional phrases. Direct objects may be compound
Using Nouns as Indirect Objects
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An indirect object is a noun or pronoun (not in the possessive case) that precedes the direct object and tells to whom or for whom, or to what or for what the action o f the verb is done. Indirect objects can never be in prepositional phrases. Indirect objects may be compound
Using Nouns as Appositives & as Nouns of Direct Address
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An appositive is a word that f ollows a noun and explains or identif ies that noun.
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An appositive may be compound
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Nonessential appositives and appositive phrases are set off by commas. (Appositives that f ollow proper nouns are usually nonessential.)
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A noun of direct address is the name o f person to whom a sentence is directed. It is set o ff by commas.
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An appositive phrase is an appositive with all its modif iers.
Nouns of direct address may be compound.
Using Gerund Nouns
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A gerund is a verbal used as a noun. Like nouns, gerunds can be used as subjects, direct address, predicate nominatives, objert of the preposition, and appositives. The gerund ends in -ing.
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A gerund phrase consists of a gerund plus any complements or modi f iers.
Using Infinitives as Nouns
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An infinitive is a verbal used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Like nouns, in f initives can be used as subjects, direct objects, predicate nominatives, object of the prepositions, and appositives. The inf initives is usually preceded by the word to. In infinitives phrase consists of an inf initive plus any complements of modif iers.
Using Noun Clauses
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A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb, it is used as part o f a sentence.
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An independent clause express a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
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A dependent ( subordinate) clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
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A dependent clause that is used as anoun is called a noun clause.
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Noun clauses are introduced by signal words such as the f ollowing: that, whether, if, who, whom, which, what, whoever, whomever, whichever, and whatever.
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. It can be used in a sentence in places a noun would be used: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, object of the preposition, or appositive. An antecendent is the word f or which a pronoun stands.
There are various kinds of pronouns.
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Personal pronouns ref er to the speaker and the person spoken about. Interrogative pronouns are used to ask a question. Demonstrati ve pronouns point out the person or thing ref erred to.
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Indefinite pronouns do not de f initely point out persons or thing and do not usually have antecedents.
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Compound pronouns are pronouns combined with -self or -selves.
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Relatives pronouns are used to introduce dependent clauses.
Making Verbs Agree with Pronoun Subjects
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These
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These
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indefinite pronouns are singular and take a singular verb: each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody. indefinite pronouns are plural verb: both, few, several, many. pThese indefinite pronouns may be either singular or plural: some, any, none, all, most. To determine the number of these words, look at the context o f the sentence.
Nominative Case Pronouns Pronouns used as subjects must be nominative case pronouns. Nominati ve Case Pronouns I she who whoever He we they (You and it are in both the nominative case and the objective case.)
Objective Case Pronouns Pronouns used as objectives must be objective case pronouns.
me Him
Objective Case Pronouns her whom whomever us them
(You and it are in both the objective case and the nominative case.)
Possessive Case Pronouns Possessive case pronouns show ownership or relationship. Possessi ve Case pronouns Singular Plural First person my, mine our, ours Second person your, yours your, yours Third Person his, her, hers its their, theirs
An adjective is a word that modif ies a noun or a pronoun. It answers the questions what kind, which one, how many, how much, or whose. (A modif ier makes the meaning of another word more specif ic by describing or limiting that word.)
Recognizing Adjectives
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Most adjectives come be f ore the words they modif y. In some sentences adjectives come a f ter the word they modi f y. Several
adjectives may modi f y the same word.
The
words a, an, and the are the most f requently used adjectives. They are called articles. A participle is a verbal used as an adjective An infinitive is a verbal that may be used as an adjective
Proper adjective is a word f ormed f rom a proper noun that, like a proper noun, begins with a capital letter.
Recognizing Predicate Adjectives
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A predicate adjectives is an adjective that f ollows a linking verb and modifies the subject.
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Predicate adjectives may be compound.
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P redicate
adjectives are sometimes called subject complements. Subject complements always f ollow linking verbs and re f er to the subject. To f ind Then
a predicate adjectives, f irst locate the verb. ask the questions what or how af ter the verb.
Using prepositional phrases as Adjectives
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A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its noun or pronoun object, and may modi f ies of the object. The
object o f the preposition may be compound
A prepositional phrase that modi f ies a noun or a pronoun is called an adjective phrase. An adjective phrase answers the question what kind, which one, how many, how much, or whose
Using Adjective Clauses
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A clause is a group that contains both a subject and a verb. It is used as a part o f a sentence. An independent clause expresses a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence A dependent clause that modi f ies a noun or a pronoun is called an adjective clause. Adjective clause are introduced by words called relatives. Who, whom, which, and that are relative adjective.
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A relative serves two purpose: (1) it introduces the clause; (2) it serves a grammatical f unction within the clause.
Using Adjectives Correctly
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There
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The positive
are three degrees o f comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. degree is used when no comparison is
expressed.
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The
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The
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The
comparative degree is used when only two items are being compared. superlatives degree is used when three or more items are being compared. comparative and superlative degrees o f a f ew adjectives are f ormed irregularly Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Good
Better Better Worse Worse More More
Best best worst worst Most Most
Well Bad ill Many Much
An adverb is a word that modif ies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It answers the questions where, when, how, how often, or to what extent. (A modif ier makes the meaning of another word more specif ic.)
Recognizing Adverbs
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The
word not or its contraction n¶t is f requently used adverb. Adverbs modif y verbs most o f the time. Adverbs also modi f y adjectives. Adverbs occasionally modi f y other adverbs. Inf initives may be used as adverbs
Using Phrases as Adverbs
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A prepositional phrase consist of a preposition, its noun or pronoun object, and any modi f iers of the object.
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A prepositional phrase that modif ies a verb, an adjective or an adverb is f unctioning as an adverb. An adverb phrase o f ten answers the questions where, when, how, why, or to what extent.
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An inf initive phrase consists o f an inf initive plus any complements or modi f iers
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An inf initive phrase that modi f ies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb is f unctioning as an adverb.
Using Adverb Clauses
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A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb. It is used as part o f a sentence.
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An independent clause expresses a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause that modi f ies a verb, an adjective or an adverb is called an adverb clause. Adverb clause usually answer the questions where, when, how, why, to what extent, or under what condition. Adverb clause are introduced by subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, as if, as much as, as long as, as soon as, because, before, if, in order that, lest. S ince, so that, than, that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, whether, while. Essential parts o f an adverb clause may properly be omitted if no misunderstanding will occur. Such a clause is called elliptical clause. Introductory adverb clauses are set o ff by commas. Adverb clauses at the end o f a sentence do not require commas unless nonessential.
Using Adverbs in Comparisons
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Most adverbs f orm the comparative and superlative degrees by using more and most.
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Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Hopef ully Pref erably
More hopef ully More pref erably
Most hopef ully Most pref erably
A f ew adverbs f orm the comparative and superlative degrees by adding -er and -est. ( All of the words listed may also be used as adjectives.) Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Late Low Close
Later Lower Closer
Latest Lowest closest
A f ew adverbs are irregular in f orm. Positive Comparative Well Much Badly Little Far
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Better More Worse Less Farther
Superlative Best Most Worst Least Farthest
Remember to use the comparative degree when only two things are being compared.
A preposition is a word that shows how noun or a pronoun is related to some other word in the sentence.
Frequently Used Prepositions aboard
between
over
about
beyond
past
above
but
since
across
by
through
af ter
down
throughout
against
during
to
along
except
toward
amid
f or
under
among
f rom
underneath
around
in
until
at
into
unto
bef ore
like
up
behind
near
upon
below
of
with
beneath beside
off on
within without
Compound Prepositions according to
except f or
out of
as f or
in f ront of
on account of
because of
in spite of
regardless of
by way of
instead of
with regard to
Prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its noun or pronoun object, and any modi f iers of the object. Object of the preposition is a noun or pronoun that completes a prepositional phrase. A preposition always have an object.
Using Prepositions Correctly
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(beside, besides) Beside means ³by the side o f ´; besides means ³in addition to.´
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(between, among) Use between in ref erring to two people or things; use among in ref erring to more than two.
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(except, accept) Except, as a preposition, means ³excluding.´ Accept is a verb and means ³to receive´ or ³to agree to´
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(in, into) Use in f or locating within; use into f or motion f rom outside to inside. (of , have) Of is a preposition and should not be used f or the helping verb have. (to, and) Do not use the conjunction and af ter the words try and sure. Use the word to instead.
A conjunction is a word (or word group) that joins words, phrases or clauses.
Recognizing Conjunctions There
are two main classes o f conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating.
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Coordinating Conjunctions joins words phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank. There are common coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for ,yet. Subordinating
conjunctions joins clauses o f unequal grammatical rank; that is, they join dependent clauses to independent clauses. These are common subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, as if, as much as, as long as, as soon as, because, before, if, in order that, lest, since, so that, than, that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, whether, while.
Using Conjunctions Correctly
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Do not use being as or being that f or because or since.
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Do not use the preposition like f or the conjunctions as or as if.
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Do not use without f or unless. Do not use where f or that. Do not use where or when to introduce de f initions.
An interjection is an exclamatory word that is not related to the other words in a sentence.
