English Grammar Class #05 (Part-2)

Dear Friends!


In our previous class #05 (Part -1), we discussed about the first four Parts of Speech-------- Noun, Pronoun, Adjective and Verb. In our class today we will discuss about the other four Parts of Speech--------- Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction and Interjection. Let's begin with an Adverb.

5. Adverb------------ is used to add something to the meaning of a Verb, an Adjective or another Adverb.

Let's understand this little bit complex definition with easy and simple examples. Consider the following sentences.

I) He finished his assignment quickly.
II) This girl is very clever.
III) She pronounced the word quite clearly.


Notice the prefix 'Ad' in Adverb, which means to 'add' something. Let's consider the above sentences in this context.

I) He finished his assignment quickly.

In this sentence, the word 'quickly' adds something to the meaning of the Verb 'finished'. Therefore, 'quickly' is an Adverb. In this case, an Adverb comes after a Verb.

II) The girl is very clever.

In this sentence, the word 'very' adds something to the meaning of the Adjective 'clever'. Therefore, 'very' is an Adverb. In this case, an Adverb mostly comes before an Adjective.

III) She pronounced the word quite clearly.

In this sentence, the word 'quite' (which is also an Adverb) adds something to the meaning of another Adverb 'clearly'. Therefore, 'quite' and 'clearly' are the Adverbs. In this case, an Adverb comes before another Adverb.
There are two most important tips to find an Adverb from a sentence.


i) Most commonly, if any word in a sentence ends with 'ly', is an Adverb. Like: quickly, slowly, successfully etc.

ii) If an Adverb is taken out of a sentence, the sentence doesn't lose its grammatical accuracy. It means that an Adverb is an 'addition' in a sentence. For example, if we take the Adverb 'quickly' from the sentence: He finished his assignment quickly', we will get: He finished his assignment', which is still grammatically correct and giving the complete meaning. Likewise, if we take the Adverbs 'quite' and 'clearly' out of the sentence: 'She pronounced the word quite clearly', we will get: 'She pronounced the word', which is still grammatically correct and giving a complete meaning.

6. Preposition----------is used to provide information about the position or movement of a Noun or a Pronoun. Let's understand this situation with some easy and simple examples. Consider the following sentences:


I) There are twenty students in the class.

II) A fair little girl sat under a tree.

III) They will leave from Manila to Bangkok.


In the first sentence, what is the position of the Noun students? Or where are they? The answer is, they are 'in' the class. Therefore, this 'in' is the Preposition because it is informing about the position of those twenty students.

In the second sentence, what is the position of the Noun 'girl'? Or where is she sitting? The answer is, she is sitting 'under' a tree. Therefore, this 'under' is a Preposition because it is informing about the position of 'a fair little girl'.

In the third sentence, what is the movement of the Pronoun 'they'? Or where are they moving to? The answer is, they are moving 'from' Manila 'to' Bangkok. Therefore, 'from' and 'to' are the Prepositions because they are informing about the movement of the Pronoun, 'they'.

-To, from, of, for, under, on, in, with etc. are the examples of a Preposition.


7. Conjunction------- is used to join or connect two words or two sentences.


Notice the prefix 'con' in Conjunction, which means 'to connect'. Let's understand the word Conjunction in this context. Consider the following sentences.

I) Marilyn and Josephine are sisters.
II) I ran fast, but I missed the train.
III) Please, take care of my house, while I am away.


In the first sentence, 'Marilyn' and 'Josephine' are the two different persons or words. They are joined or connected by the word, 'and'. Therefore 'and' in this sentence is a Conjunction.
In the second sentence, 'I ran fast' and 'I missed the train' are the two different sentences which are connected or joined by the word 'but'. Therefore 'but' in the sentence is a Conjunction.
In the third sentence, 'Please, take care of my house' and ' I am away' are the two different sentences which are connected or joined by the word 'while'. Therefore, 'while' is a Conjunction in the sentence.

-And, but, while, whether etc. are the examples of a Conjunction.


8. Interjection----------is used to express some sudden outburst of feelings from inside.


Notice the prefix 'inter' in Interjection, which means 'inner' or 'inside' and '-jection' which can be taken as 'projection'. So the meaning of the word, Interjection can be: projecting or expressing (sudden) feelings from inside.

Consider the following sentences.

I) Alas! He is no more.
II) Oh, how beautiful the night is!
III) Waow! She looks gorgeous.


The sentences of Interjection carry an exclamation mark (!) with them because they express some sudden and uncontrollable feelings from inside.

-Imperative and Optative Sentences fall into the category of an Interjection. (For details about Imperative and Optative Sentences, read our English Grammar Class #04).


We hope you find this class helpful for you. If you have difficulty in understanding the tutorial, you can ask us for help in our inbox of our Facebook page English Speaking Club .


Best of luck.