Before, it has been briefly explained that an adjective is a word that give more information about a noun or pronoun. Now, comes to adverb. An adverb is usually defined as a word that gives more information about a verb, an adjective or another adverb. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives and adverbs in terms of such qualities as time, frequency and manner. In the sentence Sue runs fast, fast describes how or the manner in which Sue runs. In the sentence Sue runs very fast, very describes the adverb fast and gives information about how fast Sue runs. Most, but not all adverbs end in -ly as in But not all words that end in -ly are adverbs (ugly is an adjective, supply and reply can both be nouns or verbs). Many times an adjective can be made into an adverb by adding -ly as in nicely, quickly, completely, sincerely.
Adverbs modify or describe verbs (run fast), adjectives (often sad), or other adverbs (too often). Adverbs often, but not always, end in -ly. A test for deciding if a word is an adverb is to think about the word's function. Adverbs tend to tell where, when, or how.
In addition, an adverb can modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb, a phrase, or a clause. An adverb indicates manner, time, place, cause, or degree and answers questions such as "how," "when," "where," "how much".
While some adverbs can be identified by their characteristic "ly" suffix, most of them must be identified by untangling the grammatical relationships within the sentence or clause as a whole. Unlike an adjective, an adverb can be found in various places within the sentence.
In the following examples, each of the highlighted words is an adverb:
The seamstress quickly made the mourning clothes.
In this sentence, the adverb "quickly" modifies the verb "made" and indicates in what manner (or how fast) the clothing was constructed.
The midwives waited patiently through a long labour.
Similarly in this sentence, the adverb "patiently" modifies the verb "waited" and describes the manner in which the midwives waited.
The boldly-spoken words would return to haunt the rebel.
In this sentence the adverb "boldly" modifies the adjective "spoken."
We urged him to dial the number more expeditiously. Here the adverb "more" modifies the adverb "expeditiously."
Unfortunately, the bank closed at three today. In this example, the adverb "unfortunately" modifies the entire sentence.
There is one kind of adverb called conjunctive adverb.
You can use a conjunctive adverb to join two clauses together. Some of the most common conjunctive adverbs are "also," "consequently," "finally," "furthermore," "hence," "however," "incidentally," "indeed," "instead," "likewise," "meanwhile," "nevertheless," "next," "nonetheless," "otherwise," "still," "then," "therefore," and "thus." A conjunctive adverb is not strong enough to join two independent clauses without the aid of a semicolon.
The highlighted words in the following sentences are conjunctive adverbs:
-The government has cut university budgets; consequently, class sizes have been increased. -He did not have all the ingredients the recipe called for; therefore, he decided to make something else. -The report recommended several changes to the ways the corporation accounted for donations; furthermore, it suggested that a new auditor be appointed immediately. -The crowd waited patiently for three hours; finally, the doors to the stadium were opened. -Batman and Robin fruitlessly searched the building; indeed, the Joker had escaped through a secret door in the basement.
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Adjective is part of speech which includes words like big, small, beautiful, smart, etc. English and many other languages have a large number and growing class of adjectives, though in still other languages the class of adjective is tiny and closed or absent altogether. (In these languages, the meanings expressed by adjectives in English are expressed by other parts of speech).
"Fast, fun, new, old, red, ugly" are all adjectives. They describe a noun.
Read these examples:
It's a fast car. It's a fun car. It's a new car. It's an old car. It's a red car. It's an ugly car. In English, adjectives may be defined by a umber of criteria. Not every adjective exhibits every single one of the ytpical adjectival properties, but a word that exhibits most of them must still be classed as an adjective. Here are some tests for adjective.
Distribution: An adjective can typically appear in each of the following slots to produce a good sentence: This is a(n) _____ book; This book is _____; _____ though this book is, it's not what we want. (Try this with new, interesting, expensive, beautiful).
Comparison: An adjectivecan be compared in one of the following two ways: big/bigger/biggest, beautiful/more beautiful/ most beautiful. It can akso appear in the as ..... as construction: as pretty as Rita, etc.
Degree: An adjective can be modified by a degree modifier like very, fairly, too, so, or rather. Examples: very big, fairly nice, so good, etc.
Affixation: An adjective may take the prefix un- or in- to form another adjective. Like happy/unhappy, possible/impossible, etc.
Negative properties: An adjective can't be marked for number (singular vs. plural) of for tense (past vs. non-past), nor can it take the suffix -ing which goes onto verb.
Moreover, the meaning of an adjective is typically a temporary or permanent state or condition : big, young, red, asleep, shiny, etc. Many adjetives also express subjective perceptions, rather than objective facts: interesting, beautiful, disgusting, etc. In fact, a few adjectives express very unusual types of meaning: mere, utter, etc.
To conclude, adjectives are words used to describe nouns. Adjectives give more information about a noun. Use adjectives to make your writing more interesting.
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A verb is often defined as a word which shows action or state of being. The verb is the heart of a sentence - every sentence must have a verb. Recognizing the verb is often the most important step in understanding the meaning of a sentence. In the sentence The dog bit the man, bit is the verb and the word which shows the action of the sentence. In the sentence The man is sitting on a chair, even though the action doesn't show much activity, sitting is the verb of the sentence. In the sentence She is a smart girl, there is no action but a state of being expressed by the verb is. The word be is different from other verbs in many ways but can still be thought of as a verb. Unlike most of the other parts of speech, verbs change their form. Sometimes endings are added (learn - learned) and sometimes the word itself becomes different (teach-taught). The different forms of verbs show different meanings related to such things as tense (past, present, future), person (first person, second person, third person), number (singular, plural) and voice (active, passive). Verbs are also often accompanied by verb-like words called modals (may, could, should, etc.) and auxiliaries(do, have, will, etc.) to give them different meanings.
One of the most important things about verbs is their relationship to time. Verbs tell if something has already happened, if it will happen later, or if it is happening now. For things happening now, we use the present tense of a verb; for something that has already happened, we use the past tense; and for something that will happen later, we use the future tense.
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What is a Pronoun? A pronoun can replace a noun or another pronoun. You use pronouns like "he," "which," "none," and "you" to make your sentences less cumbersome and less repetitive.
Grammarians classify pronouns into several types, including the personal pronoun, the demonstrative pronoun, the interrogative pronoun, the indefinite pronoun, the relative pronoun, the reflexive pronoun, and the intensive pronoun.
Personal Pronouns A personal pronoun refers to a specific person or thing and changes its form to indicate person, number, gender, and case. Subjective Personal Pronouns A subjective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as the subject of the sentence. The subjective personal pronouns are "I," "you," "she," "he," "it," "we," "you," "they."
In the following sentences, each of the highlighted words is a subjective personal pronoun and acts as the subject of the sentence:
I was glad to find the bus pass in the bottom of the green knapsack. You are surely the strangest child I have ever met. He stole the selkie's skin and forced her to live with him. When she was a young woman, she earned her living as a coal miner. After many years, they returned to their homeland. We will meet at the library at 3:30 p.m. It is on the counter. Are you the delegates from Malagawatch? Objective Personal Pronouns An objective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as an object of a verb, compound verb, preposition, or infinitive phrase. The objective personal pronouns are: "me," "you," "her," "him," "it," "us," "you," and "them."
In the following sentences, each of the highlighted words is an objective personal pronoun:
Seamus stole the selkie's skin and forced her to live with him. The objective personal pronoun "her" is the direct object of the verb "forced" and the objective personal pronoun "him" is the object of the preposition "with."
After reading the pamphlet, Judy threw it into the garbage can. The pronoun "it" is the direct object of the verb "threw".
The agitated assistant stood up and faced the angry delegates and said, "Our leader will address you in five minutes." In this sentence, the pronoun "you" is the direct object of the verb "address."
Deborah and Roberta will meet us at the newest café in the market. Here the objective personal pronoun "us" is the direct object of the compound verb "will meet."
Give the list to me. Here the objective personal pronoun "me" is the object of the preposition "to".
I'm not sure that my contact will talk to you. Similarly in this example, the objective personal pronoun "you" is the object of the preposition "to".
Christopher was surprised to see her at the drag races. Here the objective personal pronoun "her" is the object of the infinitive phrase "to see."
Possessive Personal Pronouns A possessive pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as a marker of possession and defines who owns a particular object or person. The possessive personal pronouns are "mine," "yours," "hers," "his," "its," "ours," and "theirs." Note that possessive personal pronouns are very similar to possessive adjectives like "my," "her," and "their."
In each of the following sentences, the highlighted word is a possessive personal pronoun:
The smallest gift is mine. Here the possessive pronoun "mine" functions as a subject complement.
This is yours. Here too the possessive pronoun "yours" functions as a subject complement.
His is on the kitchen counter. In this example, the possessive pronoun "his" acts as the subject of the sentence.
Theirs will be delivered tomorrow. In this sentence, the possessive pronoun "theirs" is the subject of the sentence.
Ours is the green one on the corner. Here too the possessive pronoun "ours" function as the subject of the sentence.
Demonstrative Pronouns A demonstrative pronoun points to and identifies a noun or a pronoun. "This" and "these" refer to things that are nearby either in space or in time, while "that" and "those" refer to things that are farther away in space or time.
The demonstrative pronouns are "this," "that," "these," and "those." "This" and "that" are used to refer to singular nouns or noun phrases and "these" and "those" are used to refer to plural nouns and noun phrases. Note that the demonstrative pronouns are identical to demonstrative adjectives, though, obviously, you use them differently. It is also important to note that "that" can also be used as a relative pronoun.
In the following sentences, each of the highlighted words is a demonstrative pronoun:
This must not continue. Here "this" is used as the subject of the compound verb "must not continue."
This is puny; that is the tree I want. In this example "this" is used as subject and refers to something close to the speaker. The demonstrative pronoun "that" is also a subject but refers to something farther away from the speaker.
Three customers wanted these. Here "these" is the direct object of the verb "wanted".
Interrogative Pronouns An interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions. The interrogative pronouns are "who," "whom," "which," "what" and the compounds formed with the suffix "ever" ("whoever," "whomever," "whichever," and "whatever"). Note that either "which" or "what" can also be used as an interrogative adjective, and that "who," "whom," or "which" can also be used as a relative pronoun.
You will find "who," "whom," and occasionally "which" used to refer to people, and "which" and "what" used to refer to things and to animals.
"Who" acts as the subject of a verb, while "whom" acts as the object of a verb, preposition, or a verbal.
The highlighted word in each of the following sentences is an interrogative pronoun:
Which wants to see the dentist first? "Which" is the subject of the sentence.
Who wrote the novel Rockbound? Similarly "who" is the subject of the sentence.
Whom do you think we should invite? In this sentence, "whom" is the object of the verb "invite."
To whom do you wish to speak? Here the interrogative pronoun "whom " is the object of the preposition "to."
Who will meet the delegates at the train station? In this sentence, the interrogative pronoun "who" is the subject of the compound verb "will meet".
To whom did you give the paper? In this example the interrogative pronoun "whom" is the object of the preposition "to."
What did she say? Here the interrogative pronoun "what" is the direct object of the verb "say."
Relative Pronouns You can use a relative pronoun is used to link one phrase or clause to another phrase or clause. The relative pronouns are "who," "whom," "that," and "which." The compounds "whoever," "whomever," and "whichever" are also relative pronouns.
You can use the relative pronouns "who" and "whoever" to refer to the subject of a clause or sentence, and "whom" and "whomever" to refer to the objects of a verb, a verbal or a preposition.
In each of the following sentences, the highlighted word is a relative pronoun.
You may invite whomever you like to the party. The relative pronoun "whomever" is the direct object of the compound verb "may invite".
The candidate who wins the greatest popular vote is not always elected. In this sentence, the relative pronoun is the subject of the verb "wins" and introduces the subordinate clause "who wins the greatest popular vote". This subordinate clause acts as an adjective modifying "candidate."
In a time of crisis, the manager asks the workers whom she believes to be the most efficient to arrive an hour earlier than usual. In this sentence "whom" is the direct object of the verb "believes" and introduces the subordinate clause "whom she believes to be the most efficient". This subordinate clause modifies the noun "workers."
Whoever broke the window will have to replace it. Here "whoever" functions as the subject of the verb "broke".
The crate which was left in the corridor has now been moved into the storage closet. In this example "which" acts as the subject of the compound verb "was left" and introduces the subordinate clause "which was left in the corridor." The subordinate clause acts as an adjective modifying the noun "crate."
I will read whichever manuscript arrives first. Here "whichever" modifies the noun "manuscript" and introduces the subordinate clause "whichever manuscript arrives first." The subordinate clause functions as the direct object of the compound verb "will read."
Indefinite Pronouns An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun referring to an identifiable but not specified person or thing. An indefinite pronoun conveys the idea of all, any, none, or some.
The most common indefinite pronouns are "all," "another," "any," "anybody," "anyone," "anything," "each," "everybody," "everyone," "everything," "few," "many," "nobody," "none," "one," "several," "some," "somebody," and "someone." Note that some indefinite pronouns can also be used as indefinite adjectives.
The highlighted words in the following sentences are indefinite pronouns:
Many were invited to the lunch but only twelve showed up. Here "many" acts as the subject of the compound verb "were invited".
The office had been searched and everything was thrown onto the floor. In this example ,"everything" acts as a subject of the compound verb "was thrown."
We donated everything we found in the attic to the woman's shelter garage sale. In this sentence, "everything" is the direct object of theverb "donated."
Although they looked everywhere for extra copies of the magazine, they found none. Here too the indefinite pronoun functions as a direct object: "none" is the direct object of "found."
Make sure you give everyone a copy of the amended bylaws. In this example, "everyone" is the indirect object of the verb "give" -- the direct object is the noun phrase "a copy of the amended bylaws."
Give a registration package to each. Here "each" is the object of the preposition "to."
Reflexive Pronouns You can use a reflexive pronoun to refer back to the subject of the clause or sentence.
The reflexive pronouns are "myself," "yourself," "herself," "himself," "itself," "ourselves," "yourselves," and "themselves." Note each of these can also act as an intensive pronoun.
Each of the highlighted words in the following sentences is a reflexive pronoun:
Diabetics give themselves insulin shots several times a day. The Dean often does the photocopying herself so that the secretaries can do more important work. After the party, I asked myself why I had faxed invitations to everyone in my office building. Richard usually remembered to send a copy of his e-mail to himself. Although the landlord promised to paint the apartment, we ended up doing it ourselves. Intensive Pronouns An intensive pronoun is a pronoun used to emphasise its antecedent. Intensive pronouns are identical in form to reflexive pronouns.
The highlighted words in the following sentences are intensive pronouns:
I myself believe that aliens should abduct my sister. The Prime Minister himself said that he would lower taxes. They themselves promised to come to the party even though they had a final exam at the same time.
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Noun is the part of speech which includes words like girl, tree, and happiness. Traditional grammarian often tries to define a noun as ‘the name of a person, place or things’, but this doesn’t work. Clearly, for example, red is the name of a colour, and so, by this definition , it should be noun – and yet it is most usually an adjective, as in Shinta is wearing a red skirt. Like any part of speech, nouns can be adequately defined only in terms of their grammatical behaviour. In English, an obvious grammatical characteristic of nouns is that most odf them can appear in two different grammatical forms, called singular and plural. Most english nouns form their plural by adding –s, as in girl/girls, tree/trees, and happiness/hapinesses, but some have irregular form of plural like child/children, goose/geese, etc. However, not all noun do this: some have only a singular form (like wheat, furniture, and spaghetti), while others heve only plural form (like pants, police, and water)
A better way of identifiying nouns is to use a suitable grammatical frame. Consider the two frames. The _______ was nice and The ______ were nice. If you can put single word into one of these blanks to make a good sebtence, then that word mus be a noun, because the grammar of English allows nouns, and only nouns, to appear in these positions. The first frame accepts singular form nouns, like girl, spaghetti, and furniture, while the second frame accepts plural form, like trees, pants and police. Still, of course, there is o guarantee that the result will be sensible: The torture was nice doesn’t sound very normal, but it’s cleary grammatical, and so torture is a noun.
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