Parts of Speech

Words are divided into different kinds or classes, called Parts of Speech, according to their use; that is, according to the work they do in a sentence. The parts of speech are eight in number:

1.      Noun

A noun is a word used as the name of a person, place, thing, animal, idea or feeling; as,

Akbar was a great King.

Kolkata is on the Hooghly.

The rose smells sweet.

The sun shines bright.

His courage won him honour.

Note – The word thing includes (i) all objects that we can see, hear, taste, touch or smell; and (ii) something that we can think of, but cannot perceive by senses.

2.      An Adjective is a word used to add something to the meaning of a noun; as,

He is a brave boy.

There are twenty boys in this class.

3.      A Pronoun is a word used instead of a noun; as,

John is absent, because he is ill.

The books are where you left them.

4.      A Verb is a word used to express an action or state; as

The girl wrote a letter to her cousin.

Kolkata is a big city.

Iron and copper are useful metals.

5.      An Adverb is a word used to add something to the meaning of a verb, an adjective or another adverb; as,

He worked the sum quickly.

This flower is very beautiful.

She pronounced the word quite correctly.

6.      A Preposition is a word used with a noun or a pronoun to show how the person or thing denoted by the noun or pronoun stands in relation to something else; as,

There is a cow in the garden.

The girl is fond of music.

A fair little girl sat under a tree.

7.      A Conjunction is a word used to join words or sentences; as,

Rama and Hari are cousins.
Two and two make four.

I ran fast, but missed the train.

8.      An Interjection is a word which expresses some sudden feeling; as,

Hurrah! We have won the game.

Alas! She is dead.