3.3 Word classes
Dictionaries also define words in terms of the class to which they belong. Words that belong to the same class behave in the same way within sentences.
Knowing whether a word is a noun, a verb, an adjective or some other type of word will help you to use it correctly. In particular, it helps university students to understand their tutors’ corrections and explanations.
The table below presents the word classes.
You can also download [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] a version of the above diagram.
Activity 8
The table below defines each word class but it is incomplete. Using the information contained in the mind-map, fill the empty boxes. One has already been filled as an example. You can download a version of the table.
| Definition | Word class | Examples |
| Words that describe what happens, an action or something someone does, or a state of being. | verbs | Dictionaries are useful The student wrote an essay. It rained all day. |
| Words that identify: people, things, states, qualities, ideas. | Dictionaries are useful. The student wrote an essay. Tiredness can kill. | |
| Words that give information about a noun. | An important point. A good idea. | |
| Words used to describe an adjective, a verb or an adverb; for example they may explain how, when and where and how action takes place. | Private and public spaces differ greatly. | |
| Words that take the place of a noun that has already been mentioned or is known. | Sam walked all day. In the evening, she was very tired. | |
| Words that express emotion, such as joy or anger. | Wow! I can’t believe it! | |
| Words that are used to connect other words and sentences. | I have a dog and a cat. | |
| Words that indicate whether the noun contained in a sentence is general or specific. | I bought a (general) new computer. This (specific) car is quite powerful. |
Answer
| Definition | Word class | Examples |
| Words that describe what happens, an action or something someone does, or a state of being | verbs | Dictionaries are useful The student wrote an essay. It rained all day. |
| Words that identify: people, things, states, qualities, ideas. | nouns | Dictionaries are useful. The student wrote an essay. Tiredness can kill. |
| Words that give information about a noun. | adjectives | An important point. A good idea. |
| Words used to describe an adjective, a verb or an adverb; for example it may explain how, when and where and how action takes place. | adverbs | Private and public spaces differ greatly. |
| Words that take the place of a noun that has already been mentioned or is known. | pronouns | Sam walked all day. In the evening, she was very tired. |
| Words that express emotion, such as joy or anger. | exclamations | Wow! I can’t believe it! |
| Words that are used to connect other words and sentences. | conjunctions | I have a dog and a cat. |
| Words that indicate whether the noun contained in a sentence is general or specific. | determiners | I bought a (general) new computer. This (specific) car is quite powerful. |