1. A common noun is a person, place, idea, or thing. It is capitalized only at the start of a sentence. It can be a single word, a group of words, or a hyphenated word.

Examples:

The girl was learning to drive
person (girl)
next to the ocean;
place (ocean)
it takes self-control
idea (self-control)
to earn a driver's license.
thing (license)

2. A proper noun is the name of a person, place, or thing. It is always capitalized. It may be a single word, a group of words (with or without abbreviations), or a hyphenated word.

Examples:

Josh was honored
person (Josh)
at U.S. Memorial Auditorium
place (U.S. Memorial Auditorium)
with the Smith-Lee Award.
thing (Smith-Lee Award)

3. A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun(s). It can be in the subject case, acting as a "do-er" of the action in the subject case, or acting as a "receiver" of the action in the object case. Pronouns can also serve as singular or plural possessives to show ownership.

Examples:

She walked to town.
subject case (She)
I gave her a basket.
object case (her)
It was his wallet.
possessive (his)

4. An adjective describes a proper noun, a common noun, or a pronoun by describing how many, what kind, or which one.

Examples:

The five teammates
How Many? (five)
took the tiring trip
What Kind? (tiring)
to that arena across town.
Which One? (that)

5. A verb shows a physical or mental action or it describes a state of being.

Examples:

She works long hours,
physical action (works)
but knows that
mental action (knows)
there is more to life than work.
state of being (is)

6. An adverb describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb by describing how, when, where, or what degree.

Examples:

Trey walked slowly
How? (slowly)
because he had arrived early
When? (early)
to the place where
Where? (where)
he knew very well.
What Degree? (very well)

7. A preposition is a word that has a relationship with a common noun, a proper noun, or a pronoun. The preposition is always part of a phrase comes and comes before its object. The preposition asks "What?" and the object provides the answer.

Examples:

The politician voted against the law
(against) what?...the law
through the secret ballot.
(through) what?...the secret ballot

8. A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses together. There are three kinds:

-Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses used in the same way.
Example:
The student tries, but does not always succeed.
(but)
-Correlative conjunctions are paired conjunctions that connect words, phrases, or clauses used in the same way.
Example:
Either you must tell the police, or I will.
(either, or)
-Subordinating conjunctions come at the beginning of adverb clauses. These clauses restrict the meaning of the rest of the sentence.
Example:
Although he is often late, Ryan shows up to work every day.
(Although)

9. An article determines number or identification of a noun and always precedes a noun. The "a" article signals a singular noun beginning with a consonant. The "an" article signals a plural noun beginning with a vowel.

Examples:

A lion and an elephant are considered the "kings of the jungle."
(a, an, the)

10. An interjection is a word or phrase that shows surprise or emotion. It is usually followed by an exclamation point.

Example:

Hey! Stop that.
(Hey!)

Mark Pennington is an educational author, presenter, reading specialist, and middle school teacher. Mark is committed to differentiated instruction for the diverse needs of today's remedial reading students. Visit Mark's website at http://www.penningtonpublishing.com to check out his free teacher resources and books: Teaching Reading Strategies, Teaching Essay Strategies, Teaching Grammar and Mechanics, and Teaching Spelling and Vocabulary.