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.
The -ing form of a verb can do several different jobs in English. In is reading, it appears inside a progressive verb phrase. In the student reading by the window, it helps modify a noun. But in Reading before bed…
Secondary interjections are ordinary words or fixed expressions used independently as reactions, responses, judgments, requests, or conversational signals. Examples include great, seriously, good grief, and no way. These expressions also have ordinary meanings or grammatical functions outside their interjectional use.…
A secondary interjection is an ordinary word or established expression used independently as a reaction, response, judgment, request, or conversational signal. Forms such as great, seriously, and good grief are secondary because they also have meanings and grammatical uses outside…
A primary interjection is a word or sound used mainly or exclusively as an interjection. Forms such as ouch, hmm, and shh communicate reactions, thoughts, or signals without functioning as ordinary nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs. The label primary describes…
Ought to can express advice, what seems right or appropriate, and what is expected to happen. You can say You ought to apologize when recommending an action, but The train ought to arrive soon expresses an expectation instead. The form…
Yes, you can start a sentence with yet. As a coordinating conjunction, yet introduces a contrast that is often surprising or unexpected. It connects the new statement to an earlier idea. Yet may also function as an adverb in expressions…
Yes, you can start a sentence with so. So may introduce a result, draw a conclusion, or connect the sentence to an earlier part of the discussion. It may also function as a discourse marker in conversation. Whether a comma…
Yes, you can start a sentence with and. And is a coordinating conjunction that may add information, continue a sequence, reinforce an earlier point, or introduce a related question or command. A sentence beginning with and should normally express a…
Yes, you can start a sentence with although. Although is a subordinating conjunction that introduces contrast or concession. It often presents a fact that makes the result in the main clause seem surprising or unexpected. A full although-clause normally needs…
Yes, you can start a sentence with or. Or is a coordinating conjunction that may introduce another choice, possibility, explanation, or question. It also appears in expressions such as or rather and or else. Sentence-initial or usually connects to an…
Yes, you can start a sentence with but. But is a coordinating conjunction that introduces contrast, limitation, correction, or an unexpected difference. When it begins a sentence, it connects the new statement to an idea that came before it. A…
Yes, you can start a sentence with a conjunction. Words such as and, but, or, so, and yet may begin a sentence when they connect the new sentence to an earlier idea. Subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, if, and…