WORD CATEGORIES

ENG1511 AND ENG1502

Presented By: Lynne April
Academic Reading and Writing
Facilitator QALitCT@unisa.ac.za

OUTCOMES
Know the definitions of:
Nouns
Adjectives
Verbs
Adverbs
Auxiliary Verbs

Be able to identify the
mentioned categories
individually and as part
of a complex sentence
Understand what the
functions are of these
word categories
Be able to use this
information to analyze a
poem linguistically.
Common Nouns vs. Proper Nouns




Common Nouns are therefore
words given to a category of people, place, animals or thing
that DO NOT need a capital letter


people
places
animals
things
NB!
Proper Nouns
NB!
Abstract vs. Concrete Nouns
like love and tiredness
name feelings or qualities. They are called
abstract because you CANNOT see, touch or
hear them.
do not usually have plural
forms because it is difficult to count abstract
things
Examples of Abstract Nouns

happiness
beauty
respect
loneliness
anger
silence
honesty
Concrete Nouns
This is the opposite of abstract nouns.
These nouns you can see, touch or hear
boy
computer
referee
chocolate
Verbs and Verb Categories
Categories Type Examples
Person
1st person
2nd person
3rd person
I go
You go
She goes
Number
Singular
Plural
He has written
They have written
Tense
present
past
future
I eat
I ate
I will eat
Aspect
simple,
progressive,
perfect,
perfect-progressive
I study every day.
I am studying today.
I have studied for years.
I have been studying for hours.
Mood
Voice
indicative
imperative
subjunctive
I am always on time.
Be there on time!
If I were on time, I would

Auxiliary Verbs
Be, Do and Have
"Be" as an auxiliary verb

a) Used in progressive sentences:

I am taking a bath.
She is preparing dinner for us.
They have been studying all night.

b) Used in passive sentences:

I was given a free meal.
He was seen by fans at the airport.
This song has been sung by all nations.

Auxiliary Verbs
Be, Do and Have
"Do" as an auxiliary verb

a. Used in negative sentences:

I do not know the truth.
She doesnt agree with me.
They didnt arrive here yet.

b. Used in questions:

Do you want to have another one?
Did he finish his homework?
Do we need to keep going straight?

Auxiliary Verbs
Be, Do and Have
"Have" as an auxiliary verb

a. Used in perfect sentences:

I have been following you for a mile.
We have done a lot so far.
She had been queen of the town.

Modal Auxiliary Verbs

Class Activity;
try to analyze this poem by looking at the word categories and
how meaning is created
The Red Wheelbarrow

so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens.

William Carlos Williams