English Grammar – Using Words as Different Parts of Speech for JKBOSE Class 9
You might have noticed that the same word can take on completely different meanings when used in one sentence. Take for example, the word “light”. You might say, “The light is bright” (here, light is a noun), or “She carried a light bag” (here, light is an adjective), or even “The candle lit up the room” (where light functions as a verb). This flexibility of the English language makes it fun, interesting and dynamic in nature.
Words, just like chameleons, can change their function depending on how they are used. Understanding these changes helps in improving your comprehension ability, grammar skills and writing and communication skills. This article will help you in exploring the different parts of speech, examples of how words can have different uses in different parts of speech, and some practice questions to improve your skills.
- Different Parts of Speech
- Examples of Different Parts of Speech
- Exercises on Different Parts of Speech – Practice Questions
Different Parts of Speech
In English, words are categorized into different parts of speech based on their function in a sentence. The same word can sometimes belong to multiple categories, depending on how it is used. Below are the eight main parts of speech, along with examples of how words can shift between them:
1. Noun
A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns are often used with an article (the, a, an), but not always. Nouns can be singular or plural, concrete or abstract. Nouns show possession by adding apostrophe (‘) ‘s’. Nouns can function in different roles within a sentence; for example, a noun can be a subject, direct object, indirect object, subject complement, or object of a preposition.
For example:
- The book is on the table. (Thing)
- She traveled to Paris last summer. (Place)
- His happiness was evident in his smile. (Idea)
Same Word, Different Role:
- She gave me a light to read by. (Noun)
- She carried a light bag. (Adjective)
- The candle lit the room. (Verb)
2. Pronoun
A pronoun takes the place of a noun to avoid repetition. A pronoun is usually substituted for a specific noun, which is called its antecedent. Pronouns are further defined by type: personal pronouns refer to specific persons or things; possessive pronouns indicate ownership; reflexive pronouns are used to emphasize another noun or pronoun; relative pronouns introduce a subordinate clause; and demonstrative pronouns identify, point to, or refer to nouns.
For example:
- Lisa is my friend. She is very kind.
- John and I are classmates. We study together.
Same Word, Different Role:
- This book is mine. (Pronoun)
- This is my book. (Noun)
3. Verb
A verb expresses an action or a state of being.There is a main verb and sometimes one or more helping verbs such as, “She can sing.” Sing is the main verb; can is the helping verb. A verb must agree with its subject in number (both are singular or both are plural). Verbs also take different forms to express tense.
For example:
- He runs every morning. (Action)
- She is a doctor. (State of being)
Same Word, Different Role:
- They had a good talk. (Noun)
- Let’s talk about it later. (Verb)
4. Adjective
An adjective describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. It usually answers the question of which one, what kind, or how many.
For example:
- She wore a beautiful dress.
- He gave a quick response.
Same Word, Different Role:
- The fast car sped past. (Adjective)
- He runs fast. (Adverb)
5. Adverb
An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It often answers how, when, where, or to what extent. Adverbs often end in -ly.
For example:
- She sings beautifully. (Modifies the verb sings)
- It was a very good movie. (Modifies the adjective good)
- He ran quickly to the store. (Modifies the verb ran)
Same Word, Different Role:
- She worked hard to succeed. (Adverb)
- She had a hard task to complete. (Adjective)
6. Preposition
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to form a phrase modifying another word in the sentence. Therefore a preposition is always part of a prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase almost always functions as an adjective or as an adverb.
For example:
- The keys are on the table.
- She walked through the park.
Same Word, Different Role:
- She climbed down the ladder. (Preposition)
- He is down. (Adverb)
7. Conjunction
A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses, and indicates the relationship between the elements joined. Coordinating conjunctions connect grammatically equal elements: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet. Subordinating conjunctions connect clauses that are not equal: because, although, while, since, etc.
For example:
- I wanted to go, but it was raining.
- She likes tea and coffee.
Same Word, Different Role:
- Sing well, and you will win the contest. (Conjunction)
- She is very well today. (Adverb)
8. Interjection
An interjection is a word used to express emotion. It is often followed by an exclamation point.
For example:
- Wow! That was amazing!
- Oh no, I forgot my keys!
Same Word, Different Role:
- She said wow when she saw the view. (Interjection)
- The artist painted a picture that made people say wow. (Noun)
Examples of Different Parts of Speech
Some examples of words used as different parts of speech are as follows:
- Noun: The light is too dim.
- Adjective: She carried a light bag.
- Verb: The candle lit up the room.
- Adjective: He is a fast runner.
- Adverb: He runs fast.
- Verb: He fasted for two days.
- Noun: His work is excellent.
- Verb: She works at a bank.
- Adjective: They visited a working farm during their trip.
- Adjective: That is the right answer.
- Adverb: Turn right at the next street.
- Noun: You have the right to speak.
- Verb: He will correct his mistakes.
- Noun: Let’s take a short break.
- Verb: Don’t break the glass!
Exercises on Different Parts of Speech – Practice Questions
MCQs
(A). Identify the Part of Speech
Choose the correct part of speech for the underlined word in each sentence.
1. The light was too bright for my eyes.
a) Verb
b) Noun
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
2. She gave me a warm welcome.
a) Noun
b) Adjective
c) Verb
d) Adverb
3. He runs very fast.
a) Verb
b) Adverb
c) Noun
d) Preposition
4. We took a short break during the meeting.
a) Verb
b) Adverb
c) Noun
d) Adjective
5. She breaks a glass every time she washes dishes.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
6. I need to book a hotel room for the trip.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Preposition
7. The book is on the table.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
8. We walked down the street.
a) Verb
b) Adjective
c) Preposition
d) Noun
9. He spoke well in the debate.
a) Noun
b) Adjective
c) Adverb
d) Preposition
10. The teacher asked us to write an essay.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Preposition
11. The answer is right.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
12. Turn right at the next signal.
a) Noun
b) Adverb
c) Verb
d) Conjunction
13. The baby sleeps soundly.
a) Noun
b) Adverb
c) Verb
d) Preposition
14. She had a hard day at work.
a) Adjective
b) Verb
c) Adverb
d) Noun
15. They work hard to achieve success.
a) Adverb
b) Adjective
c) Noun
d) Verb
16. The children play in the park every evening.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
17. He is a famous play writer.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
18. The cat jumped over the wall.
a) Verb
b) Preposition
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
19. I will call you later.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
20. She received an urgent call from her office.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Preposition
21. The students walked in a line.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
22. Please line up for the assembly.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Preposition
23. The light suitcase was easy to carry.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
24. Can you light the candle?
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Preposition
25. The new phone is quite heavy.
a) Noun
b) Verb
c) Adjective
d) Adverb
Answers:
1. b) Noun
2. b) Adjective
3. b) Adverb
4. c) Noun
5. b) Verb
6. b) Verb
7. a) Noun
8. c) Preposition
9. c) Adverb
10. b) Verb
11. c) Adjective
12. b) Adverb
13. b) Adverb
14. a) Adjective
15. a) Adverb
16. b) Verb
17. a) Noun
18. b) Preposition
19. b) Verb
20. a) Noun
21. a) Noun
22. b) Verb
23. c) Adjective
24. b) Verb
25. c) Adjective
(B). Identify the Correct Transformation
Each question presents a word in a sentence. Choose the correct sentence where the word has been changed into another part of speech.
1. The children showed great excitement before the trip. (Change excitement to a verb.)
a) The children were exciting before the trip.
b) The children were excite before the trip.
c) The children were excited before the trip.
d) The children excite themselves before the trip.
2. Her happiness was evident to everyone. (Change happiness to an adjective.)
a) She looked happy all day.
b) She had a happily face.
c) She was a happiness person.
d) She happied all day.
3. They had to complete the assignment quickly. (Change quickly to a noun.)
a) They showed great quick in finishing the assignment.
b) Their quickness helped them complete the assignment.
c) They worked with quicker to complete the task.
d) Their quickly was impressive.
4. The decision to relocate was difficult. (Change decision to a verb.)
a) They decisioned to relocate.
b) They were decisional in relocating.
c) They decided to relocate.
d) They showed great decisioning.
5. She felt a deep connection to her hometown. (Change connection to a verb.)
a) She connected with her hometown.
b) She connecting with her hometown.
c) She was connective with her hometown.
d) She felt connectivity to her hometown.
6. The teacher emphasized the importance of discipline. (Change importance to an adjective.)
a) The teacher spoke about the import matter of discipline.
b) The teacher discussed the important role of discipline.
c) The teacher shared importance details about discipline.
d) The teacher was importantly strict about discipline.
7. The athlete trained daily to improve his performance. (Change performance to a verb.)
a) He worked hard to performed better.
b) He wanted to perform well in the competition.
c) He focused on his performing skills.
d) His performative training was intense.
8. The stranger’s kindness was unexpected. (Change kindness to an adjective.)
a) He was extremely kind to us.
b) His actions were full of kindnessly.
c) He was kinded towards us.
d) He acted with great kindnessing.
9. She handled the situation with wisdom. (Change wisdom to an adjective.)
a) She was very wise in handling the situation.
b) She showed wisely decisions.
c) She was a wisdomed leader.
d) Her actions were full of wisdomly.
10. The boy’s bravery was admired. (Change bravery to an adjective.)
a) The boy was braved in danger.
b) The boy was brave in facing challenges.
c) The boy acted bravery in trouble.
d) The boy had a braveness nature.
11. She always responded with politeness. (Change politeness to an adverb.)
a) She replied politely to the teacher.
b) She spoke in a politeness manner.
c) She was always polite to others.
d) She had a politing tone.
12. His explanation was completely unclear. (Change unclear to a noun.)
a) There was complete unclearness in his explanation.
b) His explanation was full of unclearly ideas.
c) His explanation had a lot of unclearity.
d) His unclearing statement confused everyone.
13. They celebrated their success joyfully. (Change joyfully to a noun.)
a) Their joyfulness was visible to everyone.
b) Their day was filled with joyfully.
c) Their actions were joyful.
d) They showed their joying in the party.
14. She sat at the table and started writing. (Change at to another preposition.)
a) She sat in the table and started writing.
b) She sat on the table and started writing.
c) She sat under the table and started writing.
d) She sat over the table and started writing.
15. She spoke to him in a friendly manner. (Change friendly to a noun.)
a) She showed great friendliness towards him.
b) She was friendlying with him.
c) Her friendlity was noticeable.
d) She had a friendly nature.
16. The book is placed on the shelf. (Change on to another preposition.)
a) The book is placed in the shelf.
b) The book is placed at the shelf.
c) The book is placed side of the shelf.
d) The book is placed under the shelf.
17. He entered the competition with confidence. (Change confidence to an adverb.)
a) He walked confidentially into the room.
b) He spoke confidently about his goals.
c) He approached the event confide.
d) He had a confidencing nature.
18. The agreement between the two companies was beneficial. (Change agreement to a verb.)
a) The companies agreed on the contract.
b) The companies were agreeing in the deal.
c) The contract was an agreel decision.
d) The decision was made in agreementing.
19. His generosity surprised everyone. (Change generosity to an adjective.)
a) He was extremely generous.
b) His behavior was full of generously.
c) He was a generousness person.
d) He acted in a generosical way.
20. She tried to find the perfect solution. (Change solution to a verb.)
a) She tried to solve the problem.
b) She solutioned the problem well.
c) She was a solving person.
d) Her work was solutionary.
21. The effectiveness of the medicine was proven. (Change effectiveness to an adjective.)
a) The medicine was very effective.
b) The medicine showed effecting power.
c) The medicine was effectivity.
d) The effectivism was noticed.
22. Wow! That was a fantastic goal. (Change Wow to another interjection.)
a) Alas! That was a fantastic goal.
b) Ouch! That was a fantastic goal.
c) Hurray! That was a fantastic goal.
d) Oops! That was a fantastic goal.
23. She walked with grace across the stage. (Change grace to an adjective.)
a) She had a graceful walk.
b) She walked gracefully.
c) She had a graceness manner.
d) She showed gracing in her moves.
24. Oops, I forgot to bring my wallet! (Change Oops to another interjection.)
a) Hurrah, I forgot to bring my wallet!
b) Oh, I forgot to bring my wallet!
c) Alas, I forgot to bring my wallet!
d) Ouch, I forgot to bring my wallet!
25. Hurray! I can’t believe we finally won the match. (Change Hurray to another interjection.)
a) Wow! I can’t believe we finally won the match.
b) Oops! I can’t believe we finally won the match.
c) Alas! I can’t believe we finally won the match.
d) Oh! I can’t believe we finally won the match.
Answers:
1. c) The children were excited before the trip.
2. a) She looked happy all day.
3. b) Their quickness helped them complete the assignment.
4. c) They decided to relocate.
5. a) She connected with her hometown.
6. b) The teacher discussed the important role of discipline.
7. b) He wanted to perform well in the competition.
8. a) He was extremely kind to us.
9. a) She was very wise in handling the situation.
10. b) The boy was brave in facing challenges.
11. a) She replied politely to the teacher.
12. a) There was complete unclearness in his explanation.
13. a) Their joyfulness was visible to everyone.
14. b) She sat on the table and started writing.
15. a) She showed great friendliness towards him.
16. d) The book is placed under the shelf.
17. b) He spoke confidently about his goals.
18. a) The companies agreed on the contract.
19. a) He was extremely generous.
20. a) She tried to solve the problem.
21. a) The medicine was very effective.
22. c) Hurray! That was a fantastic goal.
23. a) She had a graceful walk.
24. b) Oh, I forgot to bring my wallet!
25. a) Wow! I can’t believe we finally won the match.
Exercise 1: Identify the Part of Speech
Identify the part of speech of the bold word in each sentence.
1. She quickly ran to the store before it closed.
2. The dog barked loudly at the stranger.
3. He was tired, yet he continued working late into the night.
4. They arrived at the airport early to avoid any delays.
5. Wow, that was an incredible performance!
6. We sat under the tree to enjoy the shade.
7. Her happiness was evident from her smile.
8. I bought a new dress for the occasion.
9. He always forgets where he puts his keys.
10. The teacher gave us extra homework before the weekend.
11. She wore a beautiful gown to the party.
12. The cat hid behind the couch when it heard thunder.
13. I can’t believe he actually said that.
14. They were very kind to the new student.
15. The baby cried because he was hungry.
16. The old man walked slowly across the street.
17. Their friendship has lasted for years.
18. The children played in the garden all afternoon.
19. We will visit our grandparents during the holidays.
20. He lifted the heavy box with great effort.
21. The audience cheered as the band came on stage.
22. I love reading books, but I rarely find time for it.
23. The detective carefully examined the evidence.
24. They finally reached the mountain’s peak after hours of climbing.
25. Alas, we missed the last train home!
Answers:
1. quickly – adverb
2. dog – noun
3. yet – conjunction
4. early – adverb
5. Wow – interjection
6. under -preposition
7. happiness – noun
8. new – adjective
9. always – adverb
10. gave – verb
11. beautiful – adjective
12. behind – preposition
13. actually – adverb
14. kind – adjective
15. because – conjunction
16. slowly – adverb
17. years – noun
18. garden – noun
19. during – preposition
20. with – preposition
21. cheered – verb
22. but – conjunction
23. carefully -adverb
24. peak -noun
25. Alas -interjection
Exercise 2: Change the Given Word to Another Part of Speech
1. She felt a sense of joy when she saw her family. (Change joy to an adjective.)
2. The teacher asked for a clear explanation. (Change explanation to a verb.)
3. The cat sat under the table. (Change under to a noun.)
4. His bravery saved many lives. (Change bravery to an adjective.)
5. She was extremely happy about her promotion. (Change happy to a noun.)
6. The dog ran quickly to its owner. (Change quickly to an adjective.)
7. The flowers gave the room a fresh scent. (Change fresh to an adverb.)
8. He shouted because he was excited. (Change because to a preposition.)
9. We could not go out since it was raining. (Change since to an adverb.)
10. His decision changed the course of events. (Change decision to a verb.)
11. Oh! That was a huge surprise. (Change Oh! to a noun.)
12. She spoke with great confidence. (Change confidence to an adverb.)
13. We went outside after the movie ended. (Change after to a conjunction.)
14. I love reading in my free time. (Change reading to a verb.)
15. Wow! That’s an amazing painting. (Change Wow! to an adjective.)
16. His kindness was appreciated by all. (Change appreciated to a noun.)
17. The weather showed signs of improvement. (Change improvement to a verb.)
18. He had a strong belief in justice. (Change belief to a verb.)
19. She responded to the question quickly. (Change quickly to an adjective.)
20. He opened the door carefully. (Change carefully to an adjective.)
21. The teacher gave us instructions before the test. (Change instructions to a verb.)
22. They built a beautiful house by the lake. (Change beautiful to a noun.)
23. She was feeling anxious about the interview. (Change anxious to a noun.)
24. The child spoke with great curiosity. (Change curiosity to an adjective.)
25. She gave a beautiful speech at the event. (Change beautiful to a noun.)
Answers:
1. Joy – Joyful
2. Explanation – Explain
3. Under – The Underneath
4. Bravery – Brave
5. Happy – Happiness
6. Quickly – Quick
7. Fresh – Freshly
8. Because – Due to
9. Since – Lately
10. Decision – Decide
11. Oh! – Exclamation
12. Confidence – Confidently
13. After – Although
14. Reading – Read
15. Wow! – Wonderful
16. Appreciated – Appreciation
17. Improvement – Improve
18. Belief – Believe
19. Quickly – Quick
20. Carefully – Careful
21. Instructions – Instruct
22. Beautiful – Beauty
23. Anxious – Anxiety
24. Curiosity – Curious
25. Beautiful – Beauty
Conclusion
Understanding how words function as different parts of speech is important for mastering language and improving communication. By recognizing how a word can shift from a noun to a verb, or an adjective to an adverb, or even function as a conjunction or preposition, you gain greater flexibility in both writing and speaking. This article provides a detailed guide on using words as different parts of the speech, examples and some practice questions in different formats to strengthen your grammatical knowledge.