Parts of Speech and their Sentence Functions Parts of speech are the building blocks of sentences: form follows function.
Word form errors occur when writers fail to understand the sentence functions of the parts of speech. Use of the wrong word form affects sentence grammar. Problems with verbs, prepositions, relative pronouns, articles and other determiners will be covered in other sections. Study the table below and click all hyperlinked text.
Nouns Nouns are names of persons, places, and things. Nouns can be abstract concepts--like love, peace, harmony, or concrete things--like bricks, stones, rocks. Nouns can be count nouns--like pens and pencils, or noncount nouns--like ink or water.
subjects, objects, subject complements
Steve Irwin subject
was an Australian conservationistsubject complement | who achieved world-wide famedirect object | as the crocodile hunterobject of preposition.
PronounsSubject (I, you, he, we, they) and object pronouns (me, you, her, us, them) replace nouns. Possessive pronouns (my, your, its, our, their) function as determiners before nouns, e.g., his boat.
subjects, objects, determinersPossessive pronoun determiners are possessive adjectives: my, your, his/her/its, our, your (plural), their.
He Subject was killed recently when a stingray stabbed himdirect objectin the heart with itspossessive adj. poisonous barb.
AdjectivesScroll through the entire window: Some words are easily recognized as adjectives--like big or small.
Other adjectives are formed by adding a suffix to a noun or verb form--like dangerous or creative.
Verbals called participial adjectives--are formed from verbs. Past participles (-ed, or -d, -t, -en endings) have a passive meaning (showing result). Present participles (-ing ending) have an active meaning (indicating cause):
Examples: Animals interestedVerb Steve. Steve was interested in animals. Animals were interesting to him. The word order is: Adjective + Noun (an amazing person) or S+LV+Adj (as subject complement) as in He was amazing.
noun modifiers subject complements
Irwin was a skilledAdj.+Nountrapper and handler of dangerousAdj.+Noun animals and reptiles. He became very popularSubj.Complement in the United States, and his television shows were broadcast in over 120 countries.
AdverbsThere are different types of adverbs: • adverbs of frequency: always to never
• Adverbs of manner (How?): includes words that often have -ly suffix (He approached the animal slowly) and adverbial phrases with a preposition ( He approached the animal with great caution).
• Adverbs of time: soon, early, late, tomorrow, etc.
• Adverbs of place: nearby, here, there,everywhere, etc.
The correct placement of adverbs within sentences will be handled under word order.
verb, adjective, and adverb modifiers
Irwin handled reptiles fearlesslyThis adverb modifies the verb handled. It's an adverb of manner.. He was extremelyThis adverb modifies the adjective confident. It's an intensifier as it makes the adjective stronger.confident about his ability to handle wild animals that most people would neverAdverb of frequency go nearAdverb of place modifying the verb. . He worked veryVery modifies the adverb diligently. It's an intensifier. diligentlyDiligently modifies the verb worked. to protect endangered species.
GerundsA gerund is verbal, called such because it is formed from a verb. It looks the same as a present participle (verb +ing) but is recognized as a gerund by its noun function and placement within the sentence.
subjects or objects of verbs or prepositions
Gettingsubject up close and personal with dangerous animals came naturally to Irwin. He didn't support illegal poachingdirect object of animals. He promoted environmentalism by sharingobj.of prepositionhis excitement about the natural world.
InfinitivesAn infinitive is another type of verbal formed with to + the base form of the verb (e.g., to be, to do). Like all other verbals, it is a nonfinite form, having no reference to time or tense.
subjects, objects, subject complements, adjectives and adverbs
To educateThe infinitive phrase (to educate) functions as the subject of the sentence.
People functions as the object of the infinitive, which is followed by an adverbial prepositional phrase that modifies the infinitive.
Conserving is the gerund object of the preposition of.
people about the importance of conserving endangered species was one of Irwin's lifelong passions.
His mission was to save The infinitive phrase functions as the subject complement. [S+LV+C]
Endangered species is the direct object of the infinitive. endangered species all over the world. His plan to openThe infinitive phrase functions as an adjective, modifying plan.
An Australian zoo is the object of the infinitive. an Australian zoo in the United States was never realized. He worked hard to promote The infinitive phrase modifies the verb, telling why he worked hard. Thus, it's function is adverbial, showing purpose.
conservation.
A further note on infinitives:
An infinitive may have a subject, called an actor. The actor is the one who will complete the action expressed by the infinitive phrase.
The sign says to wash your hands after using the toilet.
The infinitive has no subject, or actor. Identify the actor where there is one below.
The sign asks employees to wash their hands after using the toilet.
The actor or subject of the infinitive is .
The hotel guest asked to have his room cleaned.
The infinitive has no subject, or actor.
The hotel guest asked the housekeeper to clean his room.
The actor or subject of the infinitive is .
The manager asked to see the latest quarterly report.
The infinitive has no subject, or actor.
The boss asked Roberto to work overtime.
The actor or subject of the infinitive is .
The detectives wanted to question the alleged murderer.
The infinitive has no subject, or actor.
The police asked the bystanders to move away from the crime scene.
Parts of Speech and their Sentence Functions