Grammar · Word Classes
Every word has a job — learn to name it
A word class (or "part of speech") is the job a word does in a sentence. The same word can change job depending on how it's used. In Stage 1 you identify the class of an underlined word, or pick the word of a given class. Learn the eight classes below.
Nouna person, place, thing or idea — dog, London, happiness
Verban action or a "being" word — run, is, think
Adjectivedescribes a noun — happy, red, enormous
Adverbdescribes a verb (how/when/where) — quickly, soon, here
Pronounreplaces a noun — he, she, it, they, we
Prepositionshows position/direction/time — in, on, under, before
Conjunctionjoins words or clauses — and, but, because, although
Determinercomes before a noun — the, a, this, my, three
1 Nouns & pronouns
A noun names something. A pronoun stands in for a noun so you don't repeat it.
Sara lost her bag. → 'Sara' and 'bag' are nouns; 'her' is a pronoun (Rule 1).
Tip: if you can put 'the' or 'a' in front of it, it's usually a noun.
2 Verbs
A verb is an action (run, jump) or a state of being (is, was, seems).
The dog barked and then was quiet. → 'barked' and 'was' are verbs (Rule 2).
Tip: try "I can ___" or change the time (yesterday I ___). If it works, it's a verb.
3 Adjectives & adverbs
An adjective describes a noun. An adverb describes a verb — often how, and often ending in -ly.
The quick fox ran quickly. → 'quick' (adjective) describes the fox; 'quickly' (adverb) describes how it ran (Rule 3).
Tip: adjective sits next to a noun; adverb tells you about the action.
4 Prepositions
A preposition shows where or when something is — position, direction or time.
The cat sat under the table before lunch. → 'under' and 'before' are prepositions (Rule 4).
Tip: "the cat went ___ the box" — in, on, under, over, behind all fit. Those are prepositions.
5 Conjunctions & determiners
A conjunction joins (and, but, or, because, although, when). A determiner comes before a noun to introduce it (the, a, this, my, some, three).
The dog barked because it was scared. → 'The' is a determiner; 'because' is a conjunction (Rule 5).
Watch out The same word, different jobs
A word's class depends on how it's used in the sentence — always look at its job, not just the word.
run: "I run fast" (verb) vs "a run in the park" (noun). light: "a light bag" (adjective) vs "switch on the light" (noun).
The 30-second method
How to name a word's class fast
- Is it a thing you can have? (the ___ ) → noun. Standing in for one → pronoun.
- Is it something you do or are? (I can ___ ) → verb.
- Does it describe a noun? → adjective. Describe a verb / end in -ly? → adverb.
- Does it show where/when? (___ the box) → preposition.
- Does it join? (and, but, because) → conjunction. Does it introduce a noun? (the, my, three) → determiner.
10 worked examples
Find the underlined word's class (shown in CAPITALS here).
1. The MOUNTAIN was huge.
Noun — it names a thing (Rule 1).
2. She SANG beautifully.
Verb — it's an action (Rule 2).
3. A BRIGHT star appeared.
Adjective — it describes the noun 'star' (Rule 3).
4. He spoke SOFTLY.
Adverb — it describes how he spoke; note the -ly (Rule 3).
5. THEY went home.
Pronoun — it stands in for a noun (Rule 1).
6. The ball rolled UNDER the car.
Preposition — it shows position (Rule 4).
7. I was tired BUT happy.
Conjunction — it joins two ideas (Rule 5).
8. THREE birds flew past.
Determiner — it comes before the noun 'birds' (Rule 5).
9. We will LIGHT the candles.
Verb here — 'light' is the action. (As 'a light bag' it'd be an adjective.) (Watch out)
10. The dog ran QUICKLY across THE field.
'quickly' = adverb; 'the' = determiner. Two different jobs in one sentence.