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1- Nouns

A noun is a word for a person, place, or thing. (You might like to think of
nouns as naming words.)
Everything we can see or talk about is represented by a word which names
it. That "naming word" is called a noun.
Sometimes a noun will be the name for something we can touch (e.g., lion,
cake, computer), and sometimes a noun will be the name for something we
cannot touch (e.g., bravery, mile, joy).
Everything is represented by a word that lets us talk about it. This includes
people (e.g., man, scientist), animals (e.g., dog, lizard), places (e.g., town,
street), objects (e.g., vase, pencil), substances (e.g., copper, glass), qualities
(e.g., heroism, sorrow), actions (e.g., swimming, dancing), and measures
(e.g., inch, ounce).
Here are some more examples:

soldier - Alan - cousin - Frenchman (< names for people)

rat - zebra - lion - aardvark (< names for animals)

house - London - factory - shelter (< names for places)

table - frame - printer - chisel (< names for objects)

lead - nitrogen - water - ice (< names for substances)

kindness - beauty - bravery - wealth - faith (< names for qualities)

rowing - cooking - barking - reading - listening (< names for actions)

month - inch - day - pound - ounce (< names for measures)

2- Adjectives
Adjectives are describing words. Large, grey, and friendly are all examples of
adjectives. In the examples below, these adjectives are used to describe an
elephant.
Examples:
Large elephant
Grey elephant
Friendly elephant
Adjectives Modify Nouns
The word elephant is a noun. Adjectives are added to nouns to state what
kind, what colour, which one or how many. Adjectives are said to
modify nouns and are necessary to make the meanings of sentences clearer
or more exact.
Examples:

Follow the yellow cab.


(In this example, the adjective yellow modifies the noun cab.)

Craig caught a large bass.


(In this example, the adjective large modifies the noun bass.)
It is the girl with the pale face again.
The principal words should be in bold.
(Beware of the adjective principal - see right)
The rusty nail he stood on was the cause of the infection.
Please put the old documents in the shredder.
There is an essential matter we need to discuss.
Peter guessed the right number.
Adjectives Modify Pronouns
Although less common, adjectives can also modify pronouns.

Examples:

It is a blue one.
(In this example, the adjective blue modifies the pronoun one.)

Only a brave few have received a recommendation.


THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADJECTIVES
Adjectives are describing words. However, there are many other words that
are classified as adjectives, some of which do not fall easily under this
description.
POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES
Possessive adjectives are used to show possession. They
are my, your, his, her, its, our and their. (They are a type ofpossessive
pronoun.)
Read more about possessive adjectives.
THE ARTICLES
The words a, an, and the are known as articles. They are classified as
adjectives. A and an are called the indefinite articles because they are used
to indicate non-specific people or things. The is called the definite
article because it does indicate a specific person or thing.

A cup (i.e., any cup)

The cup (i.e., a specific cup)


Read more about articles.
DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES
Demonstrative adjectives are used to demonstrate or indicate specific
things. This, that, these and those are all demonstrative adjectives.

If I hear that parrot again, I will call the RSPCA.


(That is a demonstrative adjective. It refers to a specific parrot.)

Medals will only be given to those runners who complete the marathon
in less than 8 hours.
(Those is a demonstrative adjective. It refers to specific people.)

Read more about demonstrative adjectives.


INDEFINITE ADJECTIVES
Unlike demonstrative adjectives, which indicate specific items, indefinite
adjectives do not point out specific things. They are formed from indefinite
pronouns. The most common indefinite adjectives
are no, any, many, few and several.

The chief has heard many people make the same promise.
(The indefinite adjective many modifies the noun people.)

According to a council spokesman, there are no wallabies left in


Derbyshire. However, over the past few months, many walkers have
reported seeing several adults with young.
(The indefinite adjectives in this example are no, few, many and several.)
Read more about indefinite adjectives.
NUMBERS
Numbers are classified as adjectives too.

Four dolphins stayed with the boat until dawn.


(The adjective four modifies the noun dolphins.)

All we could muster was 9 cans of beans.


(The adjective 9 modifies the noun cans.)

3- Adverbs
An adverb can be added to a verb to modify its meaning. Usually, an adverb
tells you when, where, how, in what manner, or to what extent an action is
performed.
Many adverbs end in ly particularly those that are used to express how an
action is performed.
Although many adverbs end ly, lots do not, e.g., fast, never, well, very, most,
least, more, less, now, far, and there.
Examples:

Anita placed the vase carefully on the shelf.


(The word carefully is an adverb. It shows how the vase was placed.)

Tara walks gracefully.


(The word gracefully is an adverb. It modifies the verb to walk.)

He runs fast.
(The word fast is an adverb. It modifies the verb to run.)

You can set your watch by him. He always leaves at 5 o'clock.


(The word always is an adverb. It modifies the verb to leave.)

The dinner guests arrived early.


(early modifies to arrive)

She sometimes helps us.


(sometimes modifies to help)
I am the only person in the world I should like to know thoroughly.
(Oscar Wilde)
(thoroughly modifies to know)

Types of Adverbs
Although there are thousands of adverbs, each adverb can usually be
categorized in one of the following groupings:
Adverbs of Time

Press the button now.


(now - adverb of time)

I have never been.


(never - adverb of time)

I tell him daily.


(daily - adverb of time)
Adverbs of Place

Daisies grow everywhere.


(everywhere - adverb of place)

I did not put it there.


(there - adverb of place)
Adverbs of Manner

He passed the re-sit easily.


(easily - adverb of manner)

The lion crawled stealthily.


(stealthily - adverb of manner)
Adverbs of Degree

That is the farthest I have ever jumped.


(farthest - adverb of degree)

He boxed more cleverly.


(more cleverly - adverb of degree and manner.)
Read more about comparatives of adverbs (like more cleverly).
Adverbs Can Modify Adjectives and Other Adverbs
Although the term adverb implies that they are only used with verbs,
adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs. For example:

The horridly grotesque gargoyle was undamaged by the debris.


(The adverb horridly modifies the adjective grotesque .)

Peter had an extremely ashen face.


(The adverb extremely modifies the adjective ashen.)

Badly trained dogs that fail the test will become pets.
(The adverb badly modifies the adjective trained.)
(Note: The adjective trained is an adjective formed from the verb to train. It
is called a participle.)

She wore a beautifully designed dress.


(The adverb beautifully modifies the adjective designed.)
Peter Jackson finished his assignment remarkably quickly.
(The adverb quickly modifies the verb to finish. The
adverb remarkably modifies the adverb quickly.)

4- Prepositional Phrases and their Functions

What Is a Prepositional Phrase? (with Examples)


A prepositional phrase is phrase that starts with a preposition and ends with
noun (or a pronoun). For example:

It is a little bit more complicated than shown above because the noun can be
anything that plays the role of a noun. For example:

from her
(the "noun" is a pronoun)

from sleeping
(the noun is a gerund, i.e., a verbal noun)

from the man across the street


(the noun is a noun phrase)

from what he said


(the noun is a noun clause)
The words after the preposition (shown in bold above) are known as
the object of a preposition. There will often be modifiers in the object of the
preposition making it a noun phrase. For example:

with John
(There are no modifiers in this example. Compare it to the next example.)

with the wonderful John


(With the modifiers the and wonderful, the object of the preposition is now
a noun phrase.)
Here is another example:

without trying
(There are no modifiers in this example. The object of the preposition is a
noun. In this case, it's a gerund. Compare it to the next example.)

without overly trying


(With the modifier overly, the object of the preposition is a noun phrase.)

Prepositional Phrases Function As Adjectives or Adverbs


Here are some more examples of prepositional phrases. In each example, the
prepositional phrase is shaded with the preposition in bold. Be aware that
prepositional phrases function as adjectives or adverbs.
Prepositional phrases functioning as adjectives:

Please read the message from Lee.


(The prepositional phrase describes the noun message.)

The man on the radio has a boring voice.


(The prepositional phrase describes the noun man.)

May I see one of the brown ones?


(The prepositional phrase describes the pronoun one.)
Prepositional phrases functioning as adverbs:

Lee caught a small mackerel with utmost pride.


(The prepositional phrase modifies the verb caught. It is an adverb of
manner; i.e., it tells us how he caught it.)

Before the war, Lee played football for Barnstoneworth United.


(The prepositional phrase modifies the verb played. It is an adverb of
time; i.e., it tells us when he played.)

Lee is tired from the hike.


(The prepositional phrase modifies the verb is. It is an adverb of reason;
i.e., it tells us why he is tired.)

Lee lives in that fridge.


(The prepositional phrase modifies the verb lives. It is an adverb of place;
i.e., it tells us where he lives.)
BE CAREFUL WHEN A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE PRECEDES A VERB
The noun at the end of a prepositional phrase will never be the subject of a
verb. For example:

A list of factors are at play.


(Here, the subject is not factors. It is list. Therefore, the verb should be
singular in number.)

A list of factors is at play.


Read more about mistakes with prepositional phrases and verbs.
HOWEVER, A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE CAN INFLUENCE A VERB
The indefinite pronouns all, any, more, most, and some can be singular or
plural. When modified by a prepositional phrase, they copy the number of
the noun in the prepositional phrase. For example:

Some of the cake has been


eaten.
(The noun in the prepositional phrase (cake) is singular;
therefore, Some is treated as singular.)

Some of the cakes have been


eaten.

(The noun in the prepositional phrase (cakes) is plural; therefore, Some is


treated as plural.)

5- Infinitive Phrase
What Is an Infinitive Phrase? (with Examples)
An infinitive phrase is the infinitive form of a verb plus
any complements and modifiers.
The complement of an infinitive verb will often be its direct object, and
the modifier will often be an adverb. For example:

He likes to knead the dough slowly.


(The infinitive verb is to knead. The complement is its direct object (the
dough). The modifier is the adverb (slowly). They all make up the infinitive
phrase (the shaded text).)
Examples of Infinitive Phrases
Here are some examples of infinitive phrases (shaded):

He helped to build the roof.

The officer returned to help the inspectors.

Let me show you the best way to fit a door quickly.

She tells you to dance like no one is watching.


An infinitive phrase can play the role of a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
Infinitive Phrases Used As Nouns
Here are some infinitive phrases (shaded) used as nouns:
He helped to build the roof.
The only solution is to lower the standards.
Infinitive Phrases Used As Adjectives
Here are some infinitive phrases used as adjectives:

Let him show you the best way to paint the door.

I need a book to read on holiday.


Infinitive Phrases Used As Adverbs
Here are some infinitive phrases used as adverbs:

The officer returned to help the inspectors

He opened the box to reveal a huge bullfrog.


6 The Subject
What Is the Subject of a Sentence? (with Examples)
The subject of a sentence is the person or thing doing the action or being
described. For example (subjects shaded):

Lee ate the pie.

(Lee is the subject of the sentence. Lee is the subject of the main verb ate;
i.e., Lee is the doing the action.)

Lee is putting on weight.


(Lee is the subject of the sentence. Lee is the subject of the main verb is;
i.e., Lee is being described.)
The subject of a sentence is one of the basic parts of a sentence. The other
basic part is the predicate. The predicate tells us something about the
subject (i.e., it tells us what action the subject is performing, or it describes
the subject). Every sentence must have a verb, and every verb must have a
subject.
Read more about predicates.
Simple Subject, Complete Subject, and Compound Subject
The subject of a sentence will be a noun or a pronoun (including all
the modifiers that go with it). For example:

Pierre puts a lot of garlic in his food.


(Pierre is the subject, and puts a lot of garlic in his food is the predicate.
This is an example of a simple subject. A simple subject is just one word
without any modifiers.)

That boy puts a lot of garlic in his food.


(That boy is an example of a complete subject. It is the simple subject (in
this case, boy plus all modifiers.)

That new boy from Paris puts a lot of garlic in his food.
(That new boy from Paris is a complete subject. It is the simple subject
(boy) plus all modifiers.)

Pierre and Claudette put a lot of garlic in their food.


(Pierre and Claudette is a compound subject. That just means it is made up
of more than one element.)

That new boy from Paris and the tall girl with the long hair put a lot of
garlic in their food.
(That new boy from Paris and the tall girl with the long hair is a compound
subject made up of two complete subjects.)
A complete subject will be a noun phrase or a noun clause.
7- Predicate Nominative
A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb and
renames the subject. It is a complementor completer because it completes
the verb. Predicate nominatives complete only linking verbs. The linking
verbs include the following: the helping verbs is, am, are, was, were, be,
being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste, smell, feel, and sound; and
verbs like become, seem, appear, grow, continue, stay, and turn.

The verb in a sentence having a predicate nominative can always be


replaced by the word equals. Examples: Mr. Johanson is a teacher. Mr.
Johanson equals a teacher. Mr. Johanson is a father. Mr. Johanson equals a
father. Mr. Johanson is my neighbor. Mr. Johanson equals my neighbor.

Predicate nominatives can be compound. Example: Mr. Johanson is a teacher,


father, and my neighbor.
Predicate Nominative Examples:
-

Sean Connery has been an actor for many years.

(What has Sean Connery been? He has been an actor. Actor is the predicate
nominative; it identifies Sean Connery.)
-

Stallions are male horses.

(What are stallions? They are horses. Horses is the predicate nominative; it
identifies stallions.)
-

The Turn of the Screw is a famous Henry James novel.

(What is The Turn of the Screw? It is a novel. Novel is the predicate


nominative; it identifies The Turn of the Screw.)
-

Art Deco is a style of design that was popular in the 1920s and
1930s.

(What is Art Deco? It is a style. Style is the predicate nominative; it


identifies Art Deco.)

8 Direct Object
What Is a Direct Object? (with Examples)
The direct object of a verb is the thing being acted upon (i.e., the receiver of
the action).
Examples of Direct Objects
Here are some examples of direct objects (shaded):

Play the guitar.

Every actor played his part.

The crowd will cheer the President.

We can climb the hill and fly the kite.


How to Find the Direct Object of a Sentence
You can find the direct object by finding the verb and
asking what? (or whom?). For example:

She fed the cat.


(Step 1. Find the verb = fed)
(Step 2. Ask What? = the cat)
(Therefore, the direct object is the cat.)
Craig will read the book tomorrow.
(Step 1. Find the verb = will read)
(Step 2. Ask What? = the book)
(Therefore, the direct object is the book.)

Phrases and Clauses Can Be Direct Objects


The tip above also works when the direct object is a phrase or a clause. For
example:

She thought that the contract had ended.


(Step 1. Find the verb = thought)
(Step 2. Ask What? = that the contract had ended)
(Therefore, the direct object is that the contract had ended.)

The constable described what he saw at the scene.


(Step 1. Find the verb = described)
(Step 2. Ask What? = what he saw at the scene)
(Therefore, the direct object is what he saw at the scene.)

Toby loves cooking scones.


(Step 1. Find the verb = loves)
(Step 2. Ask What? = cooking scones)
(Therefore, the direct object is cooking scones.)

The cat wants to eat our goldfish.

(Step 1. Find the verb = wants)


(Step 2. Ask What? = to eat our goldfish)
(Therefore, the direct object is to eat our goldfish.)
(Note: This direct object has its own verb with its own direct object.
(Question: to eat what? Answer: our goldfish.))
9- Indirect Object
What Is an Indirect Object? (with Examples)
The indirect object of a sentence is the recipient of the direct object.
Every sentence must contain a verb. Most verbs have adirect object (the
thing being acted upon). For example:

Paula passed the parcel.


(The direct object is the parcel. There is no recipient in this sentence.
Therefore, there is no indirect object.)
Some sentences tell us about the recipient. That's the indirect object. For
example:

Paula passed her father the parcel.


(The indirect object (i.e., the recipient) is her father.)
Examples of Indirect Objects
Here are some examples of indirect objects (shaded):

Simon gave his uncle a dirty look.


(her uncle - indirect object)

Paula passed the money to her father.


(her father - indirect object)
(Note: Sometimes, the indirect object will follow a preposition like to or for.)

Let him have it.


(him - indirect object)
(Note: When the indirect object is a pronoun, the pronoun must be in
the objective case.)

Shall I tell the children our ghost story tonight?


(the children - indirect object)
How to Find the Indirect Object
Before you can find the indirect object, you have to find the direct object. You
can find the direct object by finding the verb and asking what?. Once you've
found the direct object, ask who or what received it? For example:

She gave the beggar a gold coin.


(Step 1. Find the verb = gave)
(Step 2. Ask What? = a gold coin)
(Therefore, the direct object is a gold coin.)
(Step 3. Ask Who (or what) received it? = the beggar)
(Therefore, the indirect object is the beggar.)
Remember, once you have found the direct object, you have to ask who (or
what) received it to find the indirect object.
10- Object of a Preposition
What Is the Object of a Preposition? (with Examples)

The object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun governed by a preposition.


The object of a preposition is usually (but not always) the noun or pronoun
immediately to the right of the preposition.
Examples of Objects of Prepositions
Here are some examples of objects of prepositions. In the examples below,
the objects of prepositions are shaded, and the prepositions are in bold.

This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind. (Neil
Armstrong)
(The word a before man is a modifier. The object of a preposition is often
accompanied by modifiers that precede it or follow it.)

The ants get in your ears when you are sleeping.


(The word your is a modifier.)

Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist. (George


Carlin)
(The words every and cynical are modifiers.)

Are those biscuits on the table for the dogs?


(Note: The words the before table and dogs are modifiers. Remember, the
object of a preposition is the head noun (or pronoun) within the noun
phrase or noun clause.)

Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we
have rushed through life trying to save. (Will Rogers, 1879-1935)
(In this example, the preposition relates to the noun clause the time we
have rushed through life trying to save. The object of the preposition
is time, which is the head noun. The word the is modifier. The clause we
have rushed through life trying to save is also a modifier. It's an adjective
clause.)

If you change the way you look at things, the things you
look at change. (Wayne Dyer)
(Remember, the object of a preposition does not always follow the
preposition. This is the case with the second things.)
Objects of Prepositions Are in the Objective Case
The noun or pronoun governed by a preposition is always in the objective
case. In English, this only affects pronouns. For example:

Go with her.
(The pronoun her is the objective case version of she.)

Sit near them.


(The pronoun them is the objective case version of they.)

You want me to talk to whom?


(The pronoun whom is the objective case version of who.)

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