This presentation was designed for a learning support class at a community college. It covers the basics like nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

1. ENGL 0870
Chapters 1-4
Danielle Fagans
2022-2023

2. Introduction
• The English Language is
considered the hardest language to
learn. Some say it's hard because
of all the rules and exceptions.
While others say it's hard to learn
because of all the different origins
of words and different dialects.
• There's 8 parts of speech with a
variety of words that fit under each
part. The way the word is used
determines what part of speech
that word is.
• Understanding the way each part of
speech is used and the correct way
to use it, allows us not only as
writers but readers as well, to
express our thoughts and ideas.
• Communication for all purposes
is key.

3. Chapter 1 Nouns
• What is a noun: a noun is a person, place, thing,
or idea.
• There's common nouns (day) and proper nouns
(Monday)
• There's concrete and abstract nouns
like persons(concrete) and pride/happiness
(abstract)
• Nouns can be singular or plural. For
example, name(singular- meaning
one) Names(plural—more than one)

4. Nouns Exercise 1.1
Instructions: Determine whether the
following nouns identify a person,
place, thing, or idea. Which category
does each one fall in: Concrete or
Abstract?
1. street
2. love
3. loneliness
4. loyalty
5. lamp
6. patriotism
7. patio
8. integrity
9. librarian
10. hostess

5. Chapter 2 Pronouns
A pronoun is a word that takes place of a noun.
Pronouns convey the same meaning as nouns but
help to keep us from repeating the same word
over and over and over and over (see what I did
there?!)
Just like nouns, pronouns can be singular (I) or
plural (we) and can change depending on their
classification.
• All pronouns fall into one of six
categories: personal, interrogative,
demonstrate, possessive, reflexive, &
indefinite.
• Personal pronouns typically refer to
people and depending on what person
(1st, 2nd, or 3rd) you are speaking or
writing in, they can also refer to
places, things, or ideas.

6. Pronouns Exercise 2.2
Instructions: Find the 23 personal
pronouns in the following sentences.
1. The newscaster reported the news in
his city, and then he collapsed.
2. Most salespeople talk their heads off
if you will listen to them.
3. Our counselor uses her knowledge
and strategies to help us cope.
4. Unlike a reporter, he burst into tears
as he reported the devastating news.
5. If I had a choice, I would take all of my
classes online.
6. You and your twin sister don’t look
anything alike.
7. It is not my input that matters; it is
yours.
8. Your property is parallel to mine.
9. We have overcome many obstacles in
our way.
10. I hope I pass all my courses this
semester.

7. Chapter 3 Verbs
• A verb is a word that shows action.
• A verb can indicate a state of being
(is, become, seem, appear) or
conveys a perception through the
senses (taste, touch, smell).
• A verb tells what the subject does
or what is done to the subject.
Sometimes the easiest way to
determine the verb is to ask the
question "What does the sentenced
say about the subject?"
Another way to determine the verb is
to put I, you, she, it, or they in front of
the word you think is the verb. If the
result makes sense, the word is a
verb.

8. Verbs conti.
• Verbs can be linking (is, seems) or
helping (is, am, was..)
• Verbs can also be in different
tenses. For example, let's look at
the word "work"
The present tense of the word is
work, the past tense is worked, and
the future tense is working.
• Some verbs are known as irregular
verbs which means that they have
present, past, and participle forms
that do not follow the rules for
regular verbs.
• The following most common verbs
are irregular: Be, Have, and Do

9. Verbs Exercise 3.3
Instructions: Identify the verb that
goes with the subject of each
sentence. Determine whether it's past
or present tense.
1. Mary entered the museum through
the south door.
2. Constance practiced her piano
lessons.
3. He scrambled through the papers with
a horrified look on his face.
4. You eat what is placed on the table.
5. The music sounded loudly throughout
the auditorium.
6. I assume that you met the
requirements for admission.
7. Call the alumni one week prior to the
luncheon.
8. He scribbled his name on the sign-in
sheet.
9. I park in the empty parking lot next to
the garage.
10. Tony skipped the last line of the
reading.

10. Chapter 5 Subject/ Verb
Agreement
• A verb must agree with its subject
in number.
• A singular subject takes a singular
verb while a plural subject takes a
plural verb.
• Normally, nouns that end in s are
plural (boys, teachers) but verbs
that end in s are singular (goes,
needs).
• For example, Let's look at the
following sentences:
1. The chemist pours the solution
into the flask with ease.
2. The chemists pour the solution
into the flask with ease.

11. Subject- Verb Agreement
Errors
Mistakes in subject-verb agreement often occur in the
following situations:
• With compound subjects
• When a verb comes before the subject
• With indefinite pronouns
• When words come between the subject and the verb

12. Subject-Verb Agreement
in Compound Subjects
• A compound subject is two or more
subjects joined by and usually
requires a plural verb.
• A compound subject thought of as
a single unit requires a singular
verb.
• If compound subjects are joined by
or, nor, or not only... but also,
problems may arise.
If both subjects are singular, the verb
is singular. Ex The professor or the
counselor is wrong.
If both subjects are plural, the verb is
plural. Ex The professors or the
counselors are wrong.