Parts of spech

In each of the following lessons, read the definition of the part of speech. Check the examples for understanding. Then complete the exercises. The answers are included at the end of this handout. If you do not understand any part of the handout or the answers, please see a tutor in the South Campus Communications Lab, G-219.
I. NOUN
Definition: A noun names something and usually can form aplural (by adding –s or –es) except for
non-count nouns such as information or transportation
Persons George, man, people
Animals cat, fish, dog
Places Jacksonville, city, park
Things paper, spoon, eraser
Ideas happiness, horror, thought
Exercise:
Directions: Underline the nouns in each of the following sentences:
1. Jason enjoyed the movie about France.
2. The musicians playmarching songs.
3. Music lovers thrill to the sound of trumpets.
4. Boys and girls are often eager to listen.
5. The conductor moves his baton vigorously.
6. There is no death penalty for criminals in Puerto Rico.
7. The "Explorer," crammed with scientific instruments, was launched on January 31, 1958.
8. New Mexico was admitted as a state in the twentieth century.
9. Chester Arthurwas nominated for vice-president by the Republican Party in 1880.
10. Winston Churchill was the man whose courage led the nation from defeat to victory.
II. PRONOUN
Definition: A pronoun is a word that is used in place of a noun.
Examples: I, it, you, he, she, we, him, them, whom, someone, everyone, none, anybody, that
Exercise:
Directions: Underline the pronouns in each of the followingsentences:
1. You and John are the boys who will have to pay for the damage.
2. Mr. Gunsher gave us the record which was just played.
3. She cried loudly, and each of us heard her.
4. They felt flattered by our attention to them.
5. Everyone followed the directions the faculty members had given each of them.
6. She sent them to him as a birthday gift.
7. They collided near theschool.
8. Solving the traffic problems taxes the imagination of those who have the responsibility of it.
9. He says anyone who enjoys driving under today’s traffic conditions must be crazy.
10. Some take up a hobby because it is fun.
III. ADJECTIVE
Definition: An adjective modifies the meaning of a noun or pronoun. An adjective, which may describe or limit a noun or pronoun, answers thefollowing questions:
1. Which one? his daughter that man my dog
2. What kind? dark suit beautiful lady sunny day
3. How many? ten children both people several students
Exercise:
Directions: Underline the adjectives in each of the following sentences.
1. The interior plateau of the Union of South Africa is called its veldt.
2. There are countless millions of gaseous bodies called stars.3. Baseball, enjoyed by many cheering fans today, was played here and in merry England before 1839.
4. Sir Walter Raleigh was a famous statesman and a bold explorer.
5. His many projects to settle America were unsuccessful.
6. He even made a long voyage to the Hot Lands below the Equator in search of gold.
7. After the death of his beloved queen, he was arrested for being a disloyalcitizen.
8. His adventurous career came to an abrupt end when he was executed for piracy in 1618.
9. As college admission standards continue to rise, tension and anxiety build to a ridiculous point in college-preparatory seniors.
10. Twenty-five students attended reading class during the first term.
IV. VERBS
Definition:
Often the verb is the action word in the sentence. It defines theaction.
The verb be and its forms (was, were, are, is, am) do not really show action but a state of being or relationship between the subject and what follows the verb be (Lab tutors are helpful).
The verb may consist of one word, or the main verb may contain one or more helping words. Some helping words are has, am, were, might, should, must, are, be . . .
Examples:
The man screamed loudly....