The term parts of speech refer to the eight word categories. They are: Adjective Adverb Conjunction Interjection Noun Preposition Pronoun Verb These categories are often referred to as "The Eight Parts of Speech." (They are sometimes called word classes.) In a sentence, every word or phrase can be classified as one of these parts of speech depending on its function in the sentence. Remember, in English, a word which performs a particular function in one sentence might perform a different function in another. Let's take the word well for example. You need to dig a well. (noun) You look well. (adjective) You dance well. (adverb) Well, I agree. (interjection) My eyes will well up. (verb) The Parts of Speech (Quick Overview) Below is a brief explanation for each part of speech with an example. Part of SpeechBasic Function Adjectivemodifies a noun or a pronoun Examples: happy, red, enormousExample in a sentence:That is an enormous fish.(The adjective enormous modifies the noun fish.) Adverbmodifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb Examples: happily, loosely, oftenExample in a sentence:They walked smartly to the counter.(The adverb smartly modifies the verb walked.) Conjunctionjoins words, phrases, and clauses Examples: and, but, orExample in a sentence:A large bass still eluded Mark and Lee.(The conjunction and joins the nouns Mark and Lee.) Interjectionexpresses emotion Examples:indeed, well, oopsExample in a sentence:Ouch, that hurt.(The interjection Ouch expresses pain.) Nounnames a person, place, or thing Examples: man, city, dancingExample in a sentence:Take me to your leader.(The noun leader names a person.) Prepositionshows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence Examples: at, in, near, on, withExample in a sentence:Sarah sang with Jeremy.(The preposition with shows the relationship between Jeremy, sang, and Sarah.) Pronounreplaces a noun Examples: I, me, you, he, she, we, us, theyExample in a sentence:Joanne is smart. She is also funny.(The pronoun She replaces the noun Joanne.) Verbidentifies an action or state of being Examples: work, play, think, guess, write, exist, beExample in a sentence:Tony works down the pit now. He was unemployed.(The verb works expresses an action. The verb was expresses a state of being.)

The term parts of speech refer to the eight word categories. They are:

Adjective

Adverb

Conjunction

Interjection

Noun

Preposition

Pronoun

Verb

These categories are often referred to as "The Eight Parts of Speech." (They are sometimes called word classes.)

In a sentence, every word or phrase can be classified as one of these parts of speech depending on its function in the sentence. Remember, in English, a word which performs a particular function in one sentence might perform a different function in another. Let's take the word well for example.

You need to dig a well. (noun)

You look well. (adjective)

You dance well. (adverb)

Well, I agree. (interjection)

My eyes will well up. (verb)

The Parts of Speech (Quick Overview)

Below is a brief explanation for each part of speech with an example.

Part of Speech	Basic Function
Adjective	modifies a noun or a pronoun
Examples:  happy, red, enormous Example in a sentence: That is an enormous fish. (The adjective enormous modifies the noun fish.)
Adverb	modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb
Examples:  happily, loosely, often Example in a sentence: They walked smartly to the counter. (The adverb smartly modifies the verb walked.)
Conjunction	joins words, phrases, and clauses
Examples:  and, but, or Example in a sentence: A large bass still eluded Mark and Lee. (The conjunction and joins the nouns Mark and Lee.)
Interjection	expresses emotion
Examples: indeed, well, oops Example in a sentence: Ouch, that hurt. (The interjection Ouch expresses pain.)
Noun	names a person, place, or thing
Examples:  man, city, dancing Example in a sentence: Take me to your leader. (The noun leader names a person.)
Preposition	shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence
Examples: at, in, near, on, with Example in a sentence: Sarah sang with Jeremy. (The preposition with shows the relationship between Jeremy, sang, and Sarah.)
Pronoun	replaces a noun
Examples:  I, me, you, he, she, we, us, they Example in a sentence: Joanne is smart. She is also funny. (The pronoun She replaces the noun Joanne.)
Verb	identifies an action or state of being
Examples:  work, play, think, guess, write, exist, be Example in a sentence: Tony works down the pit now. He was unemployed. (The verb works expresses an action. The verb was expresses a state of being.)