Functional English

Basics of Grammar
❖ Parts of Speech
Words are divided into different kinds and classes according to their use and their work
in a sentence called Parts of Speech.
There are eight parts of speech:
i. Noun
ii. Adjective
iii. Pronoun
iv. Verb
v. Adverb
vi. Preposition
vii. Conjunction
viii. Interjection

I. Noun
Words used as a name of a person, place, thing or an object known as Noun. Objects are
the things we can see, touch, hear, taste or smell; even an idea about which we can
think but cannot perceive by our senses.
• Akbar was a great king.
• The sun shines bright.
• The rose smells sweet.
• His courage won him honor.
II. Adjective
Is a word use to add something to the meaning of a noun. It modifies noun. Enhances
the meanings of the noun.
• There are twenty boys in this school.
• He is a brave boy.
III. Pronoun
A word used instead of a noun is called Pronoun. A word that can function by itself as a
noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse (e.g. I, You) or to
someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse (e.g. he, she, it, them).
• The books are where you left them.
• John is absent, because he is ill.
 IV. Verb
A word used to express an action or state. A word forming the main part of the
predicate of a sentence is called verb.
• The girl wrote a letter.
• Iron and copper are useful metals.
V. Adverb
A word used to add something to the meaning of a verb and an adjective is called
adverb.
• This flower is very beautiful.
• She pronounced the word quite correctly.
VI. Preposition
A word used to link nouns, pronouns, phrases and words to other words. They convey
objects, time and location of a sentence. A short word placed before a pronoun and
indicating the relation of that pronoun to the other parts of the sentence.
• There is a cow in the garden.
• The girl is fond of music.
• A fair little girl sat under a tree.
VII. Conjunction
Is a word used to join words or sentences; as
• Rama and Hari are cousins.
• Two and two makes four.
• I ran fast, but missed the train.
VIII. Interjection
is a word which expresses some sudden feeling; as,
• Hurrah! We have won the game
• Alas! She is dead.
 KINDS OF ADJECTIVE

1. Adjectives of Quality or Descriptive Adjective:

Show the kind or quality of a person, noun. Or add something in the noun as well
enhance the meaning of the noun.

• Kolkata is a large city.

• He is an honest man.
• Sana is gorgeous lady

➢ Proper Adjectives:
Adjectives formed from Proper Noun (e.g. French wines or Indian tea) are sometimes
called Proper Adjectives.

2. Adjective of Quantity: (uncountable noun)

Shows how much of a thing is meant; as
• I ate some rice
• He has lost all his wealth
• You have no sense
• He showed much patience

3. Adjective of Number or Numeral Adjectives: (Countable noun)

Shows how many persons and things are meant:
• The hand has five fingers
• All men must die
• Most boys like cricket
• There are no pictures in this book.
(b). Definite Numeral Adjective
Shows the exact number as:
• One, two, three, etc. these are called Cardinals.
• First, second, third, etc. these are called Ordinals.
(c). Indefinite Numeral Adjective
Which do not donate an exact number as:
• All, no, many, few, some, several
(d). Distributive Numeral Adjective
Which refer to each one of a number
• Each boy must take his turn.
• Every word of it is false.
4. Demonstrative Adjective:
 • Point out which person or thing is meant as:
• This boy is stronger than Hari.
• That boy is industrious
• Don’t be in such a hurry.
Demonstrative adjectives answer the question: which?

5. Interrogative Adjective
What, which and whose, when they are used with noun to ask questions, are called
Interrogative Adjectives.
• Whose book is this?
• What manner of man is he?
 THE NOUN: CASE
The case of the noun shows the position of the noun in a sentence.
There are five CASES in English.
They are:
• Nominative Case
• Objective Case or Accusative Case
• Dative Case
• Possessive Case
• Vocative Case

1. Nominative Case
A noun or pronoun is said to be in the Nominative case if it is the
subject of the of a verb. It usually comes before the verb. Or
sometimes the subject of a simple sentence.

Examples:
i. Mr. Ali is an intelligent boy. (Proper Noun)
ii. The painter paints the portrait. (Common Noun)
iii. I am buying vegetables for my family. (Pronoun)

2. Objective Case (effected by verb)

Noun or pronoun are said to be in objective case if they are the
direct object of the verb. (Direct Object is the person or thing
upon which or upon whom the action of the verb is carried out).

Example:
i. I met your sister.
ii. The vendors sell mangoes.
• Accusative Case
 If Nouns or pronouns are the objects of the preposition.
Example:
i. The book is on the table.
ii. This is one of my policies.

3. Dative Case
A noun is said to be in dative case if it is indirect object of verb.
(indirect object is the noun for whom or for which the action of
the verb is carried out).
Example:
i. He gave Sana a book.
ii. The postman brought me a letter.
iii. Get him a pen.

4. Possessive Case
A noun is said to be a possessive case if it denotes possession or
ownership. A noun or pronoun in the possessive case is governed
by the noun that follows it.

Example:
i. This is your pencil.
ii. It is our idea.
iii. John’s sister has been hospitalized.

5. Vocative Case
A noun is said to be in a Vocative case if it is used to call or to get
attention of persons or a person.
Example:
i. Mr. Ali, students are waiting for you in the main hall.
ii. You there, stand up.
iii. Chairman, all the letters are posted two days ago.