This will separate the young from the more seasoned among Courier readers. The question is: can you name the nine parts of speech? For some of us, that question evokes memories of schooldays. For whippersnappers, it is often met merely with an inability to understand the question.
Parts of speech, or word classes as they are also termed, don’t seem to be taught in schools any more. Although if you know of an exception, then please pass on my regards to the teacher for properly doing the job of an educator.
The nine parts of speech are:
Nouns. The names of things: dog, house, car.
Verbs. Actions, states or occurrences: read, run, allow.
Adjectives. Describing words: fat, beautiful, undeniable.
Adverbs. Modify verbs or adjectives: very, cheerfully, quite.
Pronouns. Words that replace nouns: he, she, it, them.
Prepositions. Express place and time: under, until, in.
Conjunctions. Connect words, phrases or clauses: and, but, if.
Interjection. Express emotion or surprise: yikes, gosh, ouch.
Articles. Specify definite: the. Or indefinite: a, an.
Some might tell you there are only eight parts of speech, that articles don’t qualify, or are part of a larger determiner class of words. These are reasonable arguments, but I believe articles deserve their place. Others might say that numerals, expressed for instance as three, or eighty-four, are parts of speech. Again, the argument has merit. But I feel numerals are pronouns or adjectives depending upon context.
There is, in some circles, quite a debate on word classifications. It is a fascinating subject.
But it is unforgiveable that so many people have never even thought of the building blocks of language in this way. If you were unaware of the parts of speech, then it probably isn’t your fault. The education system let you down.
When writing, sorting the language into constituent parts is a useful way to think. The entirety of English is constructed from these nine types of words. Everything that can be said or written consists only of those words.
Once you have mastered how they are put together, then you are a writer.
But that’s the easy bit.
To be a good writer your prose must be made memorable by using spellbinding nouns and enchanting adjectives.
That can be learned.
To be a great writer, you need the above – and also have something great to say.
And that’s not so easy.
Word of the week
Foppotee
Foppotee. (Noun) a simpleton, or foolish person. From the Latin fatuus, fool. EG: “Failure to teach the parts of English makes foppotees of us all.”
Read the latest Oh my word! every Saturday in The Courier. Contact me at sfinan@dctmedia.co.uk
