ENGLISH WORD CLASSES
| Site: | Newgate University Minna - Elearning Platform |
| Course: | Communication in English |
| Book: | ENGLISH WORD CLASSES |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Sunday, 5 April 2026, 12:19 AM |
1. INTRODUCTION
Definition
Word Class simply means the same thing as Part of Speech. Part of Speech means, the role, function or action of any word in a sentence. Single word in isolation does not belong to any part of speech rather only words in sentences or “words in action” belong to part of speech. So, we can say that Part of Speech is the contextual function of a particular word in a sentence.
Traditional grammarian recognised eight parts of speech which represent eight functions of words in a sentence.
2. Traditional grammarian recognised eight parts of speech which represent eight functions of words in a sentence.
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PART OF SPEECH |
FUNCTION/USE |
EXAMPLE |
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1 |
Noun |
To name a person, place, things, state or action |
Ahmed, Lagos, School, House |
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2 |
Pronoun |
To use instead of a Noun |
He, She, It |
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3 |
Verb |
To express action – or non-action (state of being) |
Walk, slap, run, dance, speak |
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4 |
Adverb |
To modify or qualify any v Verb, Adjective and Adverb |
Very slowly, done bravely, yours sincerely |
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5 |
Adjective |
To modify or qualify Noun or Pronoun |
Foolish man, short girl, many boys, red biro |
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6 |
Preposition |
To show the relationship between a Noun or Pronoun and some other words |
Near the room, on the table, over the bar, before the man |
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7 |
Conjunction |
To join two words or two group of words |
Boy and girl, tall but foolish, either or, neither nor
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8 |
Interjection |
To display emotion eg. Surprise, joy, anger, hurt etc |
Hurrah! Aaaah! Goodness gracious! |
3. Division of English Word Class
English words are divided into two categories: Lexical and Grammatical. Lexical words are those that have clear dictionary meaning and are also called Content words. They include: Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, and Adverbs. Grammatical words are also called Functional words. They show relationship with lexical words. That is, their meanings are contextually derived. They include: Conjunction, (Article, Auxiliary verb) Preposition, some Pronouns.
VERB
This is the most important of all the part of speech as its present or not in a sentence will make such sentence a sentence or non- sentence. We have two types of verbs – Finite and Non Finite.
Finite verb include: Transitive (this take object), Intransitive (those not require object) and Auxiliary (Helping and Modal) Non-Finite verb include: Infinitive (doesn’t have subject), Participle and Gerund.4. Infinitive uses
Infinitive uses ‘to’….. It expresses verbal notion
A. Without reference to any Subject
1. To err is human, to forgive is divine.
2. To walk briskly is a sign of health
B. As Object
1. George expects to pass the exam.
2. She also likes to dance.
C. As Compliment
1. My desire is to pass this exam.
Participle – is a form of verb with adjectival function and may also have verbal function. It is also called Verbal Adjective.
1. Our crying Prefect is late – modifying Noun.
2. I saw a very interesting film yesterday – Adjectival function.
Gerund – function as Noun so carries Noun function – Subject, Object and Compliment.
1. Teaching is a noble profession – subject.
2. Mrs Joy likes teaching – object.
3. I understand all of her teachings – compliment.