Parts of speech are the basic types of words that English has. Most grammar books say that there are eight parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions and interjections. We will add one more type: articles.

It is important to be able to recognize and identify the different types of words in English, so that you can understand grammar explanations and use the right word form in the right place. Here is a brief explanation of what the parts of speech are:

Part of Speech	Explanation	Examples
Noun	It names a person, place, thing, idea, living creature, quality, or action.	class, boss, tree, arrival, cowboy, thought, computer
Verb	It describes describes an action or a state	run, walk, think, feel, want, love
Adjective	It describes a noun. It tells you something about the noun.	red, big, amazing, fast, important, intelligent
Adverb	It describes a verb. It tells you how something is done. It may also tell you when or where something happened.	Slowly, carefully, here, yesterday, well, tomorrow
Pronoun	It is used instead of a noun, to avoid repeating the noun.	I, you, he, she , it, we, they
Conjunction	It joins two words, phrases or sentences together.	but, so, and, because, or, yet, although, if
Preposition	It usually comes before a noun, pronoun or noun phrase. It joins the noun to some other part of the sentence	on, in, by, with, under, through, at , along, through, up, down, over
Interjection	It is a word which express emotion or surprise, and it is usually followed by exclamation marks.	Ouch!, Hello!, Oh no!, Wow!, Ha!, Hurray!, My God!, Hey!
Article	An article is used to introduce a noun	the, a, an

2. Compound Sentences

A compound sentence is made up of two simple sentences joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction or by a semicolon. For example:

Mary is going to the party and she is wearing her red dress.
I can't speak now, but I will soon.
Over 10 percent of the students dropped out; They were forced out by poverty.

3. Complex Sentences

A complex sentence is made up of a simple sentence and one or more dependent or subordinate clauses. There are three different types of subordinate clauses:

• Adverbial clauses are introduced by a subordinating conjunction such as after, although, as, because, before, once, though, until, whether, if, how, while, where, while. For example:
  While I was at the bathroom, a big fight started in the dancing area.
  
• Adjective clauses are introduced by relative pronouns such as who, whom, that, which, whichever, whomever, whoever. For example:
  You may invite whomever you like to the party.
  
• Noun Clauses are introduced by that, whether, if, or questions words. For example:
  It would be interesting to know where Susan is from.