The 9 Parts of Speech | Chart, Definition & Examples

The 9 parts of speech in English categorize the various roles that words play in a sentence. These categories—nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections—help us understand sentence structure and the function of each word. While the classification of words into these categories may vary slightly across different grammar systems, these eight parts are the backbone of English grammar. Additionally, understanding the relationship between these parts allows for more precise and effective communication.

In this article, we’ll explore each 9 part of speech in detail, providing you with definitions, examples, and additional insights that will deepen your understanding of their use. Let’s dive in.

9 Parts of Speech  Chart, Definition & Examples

Part of Speech	Definition	Examples
Noun	Names a person, place, thing, or idea.	cat, teacher, New York, happiness
Pronoun	Replaces a noun to avoid repetition.	he, she, it, they, who, which
Verb	Describes an action, occurrence, or state of being.	run, eat, is, become, sing
Adjective	Describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.	big, blue, happy, tall, expensive
Adverb	Modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb.	quickly, very, often, beautifully, here
Preposition	Shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words.	in, on, at, before, under, through
Conjunction	Connects words, phrases, or clauses.	and, but, or, because, although
Interjection	Expresses strong feelings or reactions.	wow, ouch, hooray, oh, ugh
Determiner	Modifies a noun to specify or limit its meaning.	the, a, my, some, each, this, those

1. Nouns

A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns are the building blocks of sentences, and they can act as subjects (who or what performs the action) or objects (who or what receives the action). Understanding the different types of nouns helps you identify how they function in sentences.

Types of Nouns:

• Common Nouns: Refer to general people, places, things, or concepts. They are not capitalized unless at the beginning of a sentence.

  • Example: book, city, car

• Proper Nouns: Specific names of people, places, or things and are always capitalized.

  • Example: Sarah, New York, Eiffel Tower

• Collective Nouns: Refers to a group of people or things considered as a single unit.

  • Example: team, family, audience

• Countable Nouns: Nouns that can be counted (e.g., one apple, two apples).

  • Example: apple, dog, chair

• Uncountable Nouns: Nouns that cannot be counted or do not have a plural form.

  • Example: water, air, information

• Abstract Nouns: Represent ideas, emotions, or concepts that cannot be physically touched.

  • Example: love, happiness, democracy

Examples in a Sentence:

• Common Noun: “I love reading books.”

• Proper Noun: “Paris is a beautiful city.”

• Collective Noun: “The team celebrated their victory.”

• Countable Noun: “I bought five chairs.”

• Uncountable Noun: “Water is essential for life.”

• Abstract Noun: “Courage is needed in difficult times.”

Here’s a detailed table specifically for Nouns, breaking down the different types of nouns, their definitions, and examples:

Type of Noun	Definition	Examples
Common Noun	Refers to general, non-specific people, places, things, or ideas.	dog, city, book, car
Proper Noun	Refers to specific names of people, places, or things. Always capitalized.	John, London, Eiffel Tower, Monday
Collective Noun	Refers to a group or collection of people or things considered as a unit.	team, family, audience, class
Countable Noun	Nouns that can be counted, both in singular and plural forms.	apple, chair, car, idea
Uncountable Noun	Nouns that cannot be counted, usually referring to substances, concepts, or masses.	water, air, information, music
Concrete Noun	Nouns that refer to things that can be perceived by the senses (can be touched, seen, etc.).	apple, dog, table, rain
Abstract Noun	Nouns that refer to ideas, emotions, or concepts that cannot be physically touched.	love, freedom, happiness, courage
Gerund	A verb form ending in “-ing” that functions as a noun.	swimming, reading, writing, dancing

This table organizes the various types of nouns in English to provide clarity on how they function and gives readers practical examples to easily identify them in sentences.

 

2. Pronouns

A pronoun is a word used to replace a noun in a sentence. Pronouns help avoid repetition and make sentences clearer. A pronoun can stand in for a person, place, thing, or idea that is already mentioned or implied.

Types of Pronouns:

• Personal Pronouns: Represent specific people or things.

  • Examples: I, you, he, she, it, we, they

• Demonstrative Pronouns: Point to specific things or people.

  • Examples: this, that, these, those

• Interrogative Pronouns: Used to ask questions.

  • Examples: who, whom, which, what

• Possessive Pronouns: Indicate ownership.

  • Examples: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs

• Reflexive Pronouns: Refer back to the subject of the sentence.

  • Examples: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves

Examples in a Sentence:

• Personal Pronoun: “She loves to read books.”

• Demonstrative Pronoun: “This is my favorite song.”

• Interrogative Pronoun: “What is your favorite color?”

• Possessive Pronoun: “The book is mine.”

• Reflexive Pronoun: “He prepared the dinner himself.”

Here’s a detailed table specifically for Pronouns, breaking down the different types, their definitions, and examples:

Type of Pronoun	Definition	Examples
Personal Pronoun	Replaces a specific noun (person or thing), and shows the relationship between the speaker, listener, and others.	I, you, he, she, it, we, they
Demonstrative Pronoun	Points to specific things or people and indicates their position (near or far).	this, that, these, those
Interrogative Pronoun	Used to ask questions about people, things, or ownership.	who, whom, which, what
Possessive Pronoun	Indicates ownership or possession.	mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs
Reflexive Pronoun	Refers back to the subject of the sentence, indicating that the subject performed the action on itself.	myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves
Relative Pronoun	Introduces a dependent clause and relates to a noun earlier in the sentence.	who, whom, which, that
Indefinite Pronoun	Refers to non-specific people, things, or quantities.	someone, anything, nobody, each, all, many, few

This table helps clarify the different types of pronouns in English, making it easier for readers to understand how they function within sentences.

3. Verbs

Verbs are words that express actions, occurrences, or states of being. Every sentence requires at least one verb to form a complete thought. Verbs are essential in telling the reader or listener what is happening.

Types of Verbs:

• Action Verbs: Show physical or mental actions.

  • Example: run, jump, think, write

• Linking Verbs: Connect the subject with a subject complement (a word or phrase that describes or identifies the subject).

  • Example: is, are, was, were, seem, become

• Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs): Combine with other verbs to express tense, mood, or voice.

  • Example: am, have, will, shall, must

• Modal Verbs: Express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability.

  • Example: can, could, will, would, should

• Phrasal Verbs: Combinations of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that change the meaning of the original verb.

  • Example: turn on, look up, give up

Examples in a Sentence:

• Action Verb: “She runs every morning.”

• Linking Verb: “He is a teacher.”

• Auxiliary Verb: “They have finished their work.”

• Modal Verb: “You should see a doctor.”

• Phrasal Verb: “She looked up the information online.”

Here’s a detailed table specifically for Verbs, breaking down the different types, their definitions, and examples:

Type of Verb	Definition	Examples
Action Verb	Describes a physical or mental action. These verbs tell what the subject is doing.	run, jump, think, write, sing
Linking Verb	Connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement (describes or identifies the subject).	am, is, are, was, were, seem, become
Auxiliary (Helping) Verb	Works with the main verb to form tenses, moods, voices, and aspects of a verb.	am, is, have, will, shall, can, should
Modal Verb	Expresses necessity, possibility, permission, or ability.	can, could, will, would, shall, may, must
Phrasal Verb	A verb combined with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) that changes its meaning.	look up, give up, turn on, come over
Transitive Verb	A verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning.	She reads the book. (object: “book”)
Intransitive Verb	A verb that does not require a direct object to complete its meaning.	He sleeps peacefully. (no object)
Regular Verb	Verbs that form their past tense by adding “-ed” (or “-d” if the verb ends with “e”).	walk → walked, play → played, talk → talked
Irregular Verb	Verbs that do not follow the standard pattern for past tense and past participle.	go → went → gone, eat → ate → eaten, see → saw → seen

This table provides an organized view of the different types of verbs and their functions in sentences, offering clear definitions and examples for better understanding.

 

4. Adjectives

Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns. They help provide more detail and clarify what is being referred to. Adjectives can describe qualities such as color, size, shape, or emotion.

Types of Adjectives:

• Attributive Adjectives: Appear before the noun they modify.

  • Example: a tall man, a red car

• Predicative Adjectives: Appear after a linking verb and modify the subject.

  • Example: The car is red.

• Comparative Adjectives: Compare two things or people.

  • Example: bigger, more beautiful, taller

• Superlative Adjectives: Show the highest or lowest degree of a quality.

  • Example: biggest, most beautiful, tallest

Examples in a Sentence:

• Attributive Adjective: “I bought a new blue car.”

• Predicative Adjective: “The sky is beautiful.”

• Comparative Adjective: “This book is better than that one.”

• Superlative Adjective: “She is the smartest student in the class.”

Type of Adjective	Definition	Examples
Attributive Adjective	Appears before the noun it modifies. It directly describes or modifies the noun.	a tall building, an old car, a happy child
Predicative Adjective	Appears after a linking verb and describes the subject.	The building is tall. The car is old. The child is happy.
Comparative Adjective	Compares two things or people, usually formed by adding “-er” to the adjective or using “more/less.”	taller, bigger, more beautiful, more interesting
Superlative Adjective	Describes the highest or lowest degree of a quality, often formed by adding “-est” or using “most/least.”	tallest, biggest, most beautiful, most interesting
Demonstrative Adjective	Points out specific nouns or pronouns, indicating which one is being referred to.	this, that, these, those
Possessive Adjective	Shows ownership or possession and modifies the noun.	my, your, his, her, its, our, their
Interrogative Adjective	Used in questions to modify a noun.	which, what, whose
Indefinite Adjective	Modifies a noun in a non-specific way, indicating quantity or degree, but not a specific item.	some, any, few, many, several, all, each
Distributive Adjective	Refers to individual members of a group, showing distribution or selection.	each, every, either, neither
Emphasizing Adjective	Used to emphasize a particular characteristic of the noun.	*own (in “my own car”), very (in “the very best”)

5. Adverbs

Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They help provide more information about how, when, where, or to what extent something happens. Most adverbs answer questions like “How?” “When?” “Where?” and “To what degree?”

Types of Adverbs:

• Adverbs of Manner: Describe how an action is performed.

  • Example: quickly, gently, loudly

• Adverbs of Time: Indicate when an action occurs.

  • Example: yesterday, today, soon, always

• Adverbs of Place: Show the location of an action.

  • Example: here, there, everywhere

• Adverbs of Frequency: Show how often an action happens.

  • Example: often, rarely, never, always

• Adverbs of Degree: Tell us the extent or intensity of an action or description.

  • Example: very, too, quite, almost

Examples in a Sentence:

• Adverb of Manner: “She sings beautifully.”

• Adverb of Time: “I will call you tomorrow.”

• Adverb of Place: “We went everywhere during the trip.”

• Adverb of Frequency: “He often goes to the gym.”

• Adverb of Degree: “The movie was too long.”

Type of Adverb	Definition	Examples
Adverb of Manner	Describes how an action is performed, indicating the way in which something happens.	quickly, slowly, carefully, loudly
Adverb of Time	Indicates when an action happens or how often.	yesterday, today, now, soon, always, never
Adverb of Place	Describes the location where an action happens.	here, there, everywhere, nowhere
Adverb of Frequency	Indicates how often an action occurs.	often, rarely, always, frequently, sometimes
Adverb of Degree	Describes the intensity or extent of an action, adjective, or another adverb.	very, too, almost, quite, extremely
Adverb of Purpose	Indicates the reason for the action.	to, in order to, for the purpose of
Adverb of Affirmation/Negation	Expresses certainty, affirmation, or negation about an action.	yes, no, certainly, definitely, not, never
Interrogative Adverb	Used to ask questions related to time, place, manner, or reason.	when, where, how, why

6. Prepositions

A preposition is a word that links nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of a sentence. It shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another word in the sentence, typically indicating location, time, direction, or cause.

Types of Prepositions:

• Prepositions of Time: Indicate time or duration.

  • Example: at, on, in, before, after

• Prepositions of Place: Indicate location or position.

  • Example: at, in, on, under, beside

• Prepositions of Direction: Show the direction in which something is moving.

  • Example: to, into, through, towards

• Prepositions of Cause or Reason: Explain the cause or reason behind an action.

  • Example: because of, due to, owing to

Examples in a Sentence:

• Preposition of Time: “I will meet you at 3 p.m.”

• Preposition of Place: “The book is on the table.”

• Preposition of Direction: “She walked towards the park.”

• Preposition of Cause: “The flight was delayed because of the weather.”

Type of Preposition	Definition	Examples
Prepositions of Time	Indicate when something happens or the duration of an event.	at, on, in, before, after, during, since
Prepositions of Place	Indicate the location or position of something.	at, on, in, under, over, behind, next to, between
Prepositions of Direction	Show the direction of an action or movement.	to, into, toward, through, across, onto
Prepositions of Cause/Reason	Indicate the cause, reason, or motive behind an action.	because of, due to, owing to
Prepositions of Purpose	Show the purpose or intention behind an action.	for, in order to, to
Prepositions of Instrument	Indicate the means or method used to do something.	by, with, through
Prepositions of Manner	Describe how something is done or the manner in which it happens.	by, like, as

7. Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words used to connect clauses, phrases, or words. They allow us to combine ideas, making sentences more complex and coherent.

Types of Conjunctions:

• Coordinating Conjunctions: Connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance.

  • Example: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet

• Subordinating Conjunctions: Introduce dependent clauses and connect them to independent clauses.

  • Example: because, although, while, if, unless, since

• Correlative Conjunctions: Work in pairs to connect words or phrases.

  • Example: either…or, neither…nor, both…and, not only…but also

Examples in a Sentence:

• Coordinating Conjunction: “I want to go to the beach, but it’s raining.”

• Subordinating Conjunction: “I’ll stay home because it’s too cold outside.”

• Correlative Conjunction: “You can either have tea or coffee.”

Type of Conjunction	Definition	Examples
Coordinating Conjunction	Connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance or structure.	and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet
Subordinating Conjunction	Connects an independent clause with a dependent clause, showing a relationship between the two.	because, although, if, unless, while, since, after, before
Correlative Conjunction	Works in pairs to connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance.	either…or, neither…nor, both…and, not only…but also
Conjunctive Adverb	Connects independent clauses and shows a relationship (cause, effect, contrast, etc.)	however, therefore, moreover, consequently, thus, indeed

8. Interjections

An interjection is a word or phrase that expresses a strong feeling or reaction. Interjections are often grammatically independent and can stand alone. While they’re not essential to the structure of a sentence, they convey emotions or add emphasis.

Types of Interjections:

• Emotive Interjections: Express emotions or feelings.

  • Example: Wow, Ouch, Hooray, Ugh

• Volitive Interjections: Indicate a request or command.

  • Example: Please, Stop, Wait

• Cognitive Interjections: Show thought or hesitation.

  • Example: Hmm, Uh, Well

• Greeting and Parting Interjections: Used to greet or say goodbye.

  • Example: Hello, Goodbye, Hey

Examples in a Sentence:

• Emotive Interjection: “Wow! That was an amazing performance!”

• Volitive Interjection: “Stop! You’re going too fast.”

• Cognitive Interjection: “Hmm, I’m not sure about that.”

• Greeting Interjection: “Hello! How are you?”

Type of Interjection	Definition	Examples
Emotive Interjection	Expresses strong feelings or emotions, often conveying excitement, surprise, or pain.	Wow, Ouch, Hooray, Ugh, Oh
Volitive Interjection	Used to make a request, command, or wish.	Please, Stop, Wait, Go
Cognitive Interjection	Shows hesitation, thinking, or uncertainty.	Hmm, Uh, Well
Greeting or Parting Interjection	Used to greet someone or say goodbye.	Hello, Goodbye, Hey, Hi, Bye
Surprise or Exclamation	Used to express sudden emotions like astonishment or surprise.	Oh my, Wow, Gee, Ah

9. Determiners

Determiners are words that modify nouns to clarify or limit their meaning. They help specify which noun is being referred to and can provide more information about the noun, such as possession, quantity, or specificity. Determiners are essential for making the meaning of nouns clearer in sentences.

Types of Determiners:

• Articles: These are the most common type of determiners and specify the definiteness or indefiniteness of a noun.

  • Definite Article: the — Used to refer to a specific noun that both the speaker and listener are familiar with.

    • Example: The book on the table is mine.

  • Indefinite Articles: a, an — Used to refer to a non-specific or general noun.

    • Example: I saw a dog in the park. (any dog, not a specific one)

    • Example: She ate an apple for breakfast. (any apple, not a specific one)

• Possessive Determiners: Indicate ownership or possession.

  • Examples: my, your, his, her, its, our, their

    • Example: My car is parked outside.

    • Example: Their house is near the beach.

• Demonstrative Determiners: Point to specific nouns, showing their relative position (near or far).

  • Examples: this, that, these, those

    • Example: This book is my favorite.

    • Example: Those flowers are beautiful.

• Quantifiers: Indicate quantity or amount of the noun without specifying an exact number.

  • Examples: some, many, few, several, all, much, more, less

    • Example: I have many friends.

    • Example: She has a few ideas.

• Distributive Determiners: Refer to individual members of a group.

  • Examples: each, every, either, neither

    • Example: Each student must submit their assignment.

    • Example: Every book on the shelf is new.

• Interrogative Determiners: Used in questions to specify which noun is being referred to.

  • Examples: which, what, whose

    • Example: Which movie do you want to watch?

    • Example: Whose coat is this?

Examples in Sentences:

• Article: “I need a pen.”

• Possessive Determiner: “She loves her dog.”

• Demonstrative Determiner: “Can you pass that salt?”

• Quantifier: “There were few people at the event.”

• Distributive Determiner: “They gave each participant a gift.”

• Interrogative Determiner: “What book are you reading?”

 

Type of Determiner	Definition	Examples
Demonstrative Determiner	Points to specific nouns and shows their relative position (near or far).	this, that, these, those
Possessive Determiner	Indicates ownership or possession.	my, your, his, her, its, our, their
Quantifier	Indicates the quantity or amount of the noun, without specifying the exact number.	many, few, several, some, all, each, any
Distributive Determiner	Refers to individual members of a group or shows distribution.	each, every, either, neither
Interrogative Determiner	Used in questions to ask about specific nouns.	which, what, whose
Articles	Defines nouns as specific or unspecific. There are two types: definite and indefinite.	the (definite), a, an (indefinite)

Summary 9 parts of speech

Understanding the 9 parts of speech is fundamental to mastering English grammar. Each part plays a vital role in sentence structure, and knowing how to use them effectively can greatly improve your writing and speaking skills. Here’s a quick recap:

Part of Speech	Definition	Function
Nouns	Name a person, place, thing, or idea.	Identify the subject or object of a sentence.
Pronouns	Replace nouns to avoid repetition.	Stand in for nouns to make sentences less repetitive and clearer.
Verbs	Express actions or states of being.	Describe what the subject does, or its state of existence.
Adjectives	Describe or modify nouns and pronouns.	Provide more information about a noun or pronoun, such as its characteristics or qualities.
Adverbs	Modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.	Add detail to how, when, where, or to what extent an action or characteristic happens.
Prepositions	Show the relationship between nouns or pronouns and other words.	Indicate location, direction, time, or other relationships between words in a sentence.
Conjunctions	Connect words, phrases, or clauses.	Join words, phrases, or clauses to form complex sentences.
Interjections	Express emotions or reactions.	Convey strong feelings or sudden reactions, often standing alone.
Determiners	Modify nouns to clarify or specify their meaning.	Indicate which, how many, or whose noun is being referred to (includes articles, possessives, etc.).

While the 9 parts of speech are essential for clear communication, remember that there are other categories like determiners and articles that also serve unique functions in English. By mastering both the primary and additional parts of speech, you can speak and write more confidently and effectively.

Conclusion 9 parts of speech

The English language is rich and diverse, with each 9 part of speech contributing to its structure and meaning. By understanding how these components work, you can not only enhance your grammar but also improve your overall communication skills. So, whether you are drafting an essay, writing a professional email, or having a casual conversation, being aware of how words function within sentences will help you express your thoughts clearly and accurately.