This document provides an overview of the 8 parts of speech in 3 paragraphs: Nouns name people, places, or things. Pronouns are used in place of nouns. Verbs express actions or states of being. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Adjectives describe nouns. Prepositions show relationships of direction, time, or location. Interjections express emotions. Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses.