ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on major word classes, traditionally known as parts of speech. Nouns, adjectives, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections are examined for their functions in sentences. Nouns are classified as common, proper, and number (count and noncount). Tests to check whether a word functions as a noun are provided. Adjectives are discussed as modifiers of nouns and pronouns and are classified as determiners (articles, demonstratives, numbers, possessives, quantifiers) and descriptives. Pronouns (personal, reflexive, demonstrative, indefinite) are discussed as well as the antecedents of pronouns. A note on gender-inclusive language is included. Verbs, verb phrases, verb tenses, auxiliary verbs (aspect and modality) are examined. Adverbs of manner, time, place, frequency, and degree are reviewed as modifiers of verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Prepositions, prepositional phrases, and complex prepositions are practiced and contrasted with adverbs. Conjunctions (coordinating and correlative) and their functions in sentences are examined. Notes on parallel structures and punctuation patterns are included in the conjunction discussion. Interjections are briefly examined. Writing Matters covers subject versus object pronoun rules that tend to be confused by beginning writers. Language Matters provides examples of a nonstandard dialect to examine and discuss in terms of right (standard) versus wrong (nonstandard) language forms.
