Module 1: English Grammar Fundamentals Chapter 1: Parts of Speech

Module 1: English Grammar Fundamentals

Chapter 1: Parts of Speech

English Medium Chapter

Introduction

The English language relies on different types of words, known as parts of speech, to build sentences. Each part of speech serves a specific role in communication, such as naming things, describing actions, connecting ideas, or expressing emotions. Understanding these roles is essential for mastering grammar and sentence structure.

1. What Are Parts of Speech?

Parts of speech are categories of words based on their function in a sentence. There are eight primary parts of speech:

1. Nouns
2. Pronouns
3. Verbs
4. Adjectives
5. Adverbs
6. Prepositions
7. Conjunctions
8. Interjections

2. Detailed Explanation of Each Part of Speech

2.1 Nouns (නාම පද)

• Definition: Words that name a person, place, thing, or idea.
• Examples:
  • Person: teacher, doctor
  • Place: school, Colombo
  • Thing: book, phone
  • Idea: happiness, freedom

2.2 Pronouns (සර්වනාම පද)

• Definition: Words that replace nouns to avoid repetition.
• Types:
  • Personal: I, you, he
  • Possessive: mine, ours
  • Reflexive: myself, themselves
• Examples:
  • She is going to the market.
  • This is mine.

2.3 Verbs (ක්‍රියා පද)

• Definition: Words that express actions or states of being.
• Types:
  • Action: run, eat, write
  • Linking: is, seem, become
• Examples:
  • She runs every morning.
  • He is happy.

2.4 Adjectives (ගුණ විශේෂණ පද)

• Definition: Words that describe nouns or pronouns.
• Examples:
  • The beautiful flower.
  • A large house.

2.5 Adverbs (ක්‍රියා විශේෂණ පද)

• Definition: Words that describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They answer how, when, where, or to what extent.
• Examples:
  • He runs quickly.
  • They arrived yesterday.

2.6 Prepositions (සම්බන්ධක පද)

• Definition: Words that show relationships between nouns/pronouns and other parts of a sentence.
• Examples:
  • The book is on the table.
  • She is going to the market.

2.7 Conjunctions (සංසන්දන පද)

• Definition: Words that connect words, phrases, or clauses.
• Types:
  • Coordinating: and, but, or
  • Subordinating: because, although, if
• Examples:
  • She likes apples and oranges.
  • I stayed home because it rained.

2.8 Interjections (උදහාස පද)

• Definition: Words that express strong emotions or sudden reactions.
• Examples:
  • Wow! That’s amazing!
  • Oh! I forgot my keys.

3. Functions of Parts of Speech in Sentences

4. Exercises for Practice

1. Identify the parts of speech in the following sentences:

   • The cat jumped over the fence.
   • Wow! You did a great job!

2. Fill in the blanks with suitable parts of speech:

   • She runs ______ (adverb) in the morning.
   • This is a ______ (adjective) book.