Parts of speech are categories that describe how words function in a sentence. A word may name something, express an action, describe another word, connect ideas, show a relationship, or perform another grammatical role.
Start with The 8 Parts of Speech for an overview of the main word classes and their functions. You can then explore detailed lessons on nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
Every sentence needs balance. Some ideas can stand on their own, while others rely on something else to feel complete. Subordinating conjunctions are the words that make this connection possible. They link an idea that cannot stand alone to an idea that…
Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses that have equal grammatical status. The seven commonly taught coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so, remembered through the acronym FANBOYS. These words are short, but the conjunction you…
Adjectives help describe the qualities of nouns—how something looks, feels, or behaves. But when you compare those qualities, adjectives take different forms. Words like smaller, faster, and most beautiful show how one thing differs from another. These are known as…
Adjectives allow us to describe the qualities of people, places, and things. But when we want to compare those qualities, adjectives take on new forms—known as the degrees of comparison. There are three degrees of comparison in English: positive, comparative,…
Most adjectives in English follow clear rules when you compare things. You add –er or use more to form the comparative, and –est or most for the superlative. But not all adjectives behave this way. Some completely change form when…
Some adjectives describe qualities that can vary. Something can be cold, colder, or coldest. But others express ideas that can’t logically change in degree. A person is either married or not, dead or alive, unique or ordinary. These all-or-nothing words…
Adjectives don’t just describe; they also compare. When you say one thing is faster, smarter, or more comfortable than another, you’re using comparative adjectives. When you describe something as the best, the tallest, or the most exciting, you’re using superlative…
In English grammar, adjectives help describe the quality of nouns. How tall a person is, how fast a car moves, or how beautiful a painting looks. But when you want to compare two or more things, adjectives change form. This…
Infinitives can be confusing because they do not all look alike. To leave is an infinitive, but so is leave after a modal in should leave. You may also come across longer forms such as to be invited and to…
Called and bought can both describe something that happened in the past, but the verbs were formed differently. Call becomes called by following the regular -ed pattern. Buy changes to bought, so it is irregular. That basic difference between regular…
Forms of be can do two very different jobs in English. In The room is quiet, is connects the room with a description of it. In The guests are waiting, are helps form the verb phrase are waiting. The first…
A verb does not have to describe running, lifting, or another visible action to be dynamic. The temperature is rising, Nora is thinking about the offer, and The glass cracked all present something happening, developing, or changing. That is the…