Nouns, Adjectives and Verbs

Elementary (A1-A2) 25 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises: Identifying, Multiple Choice, Gap-fill, Writing Sentences - Elementary (A1-A2) - Nouns, Adjectives and Verbs worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises: Identifying, Multiple Choice, Gap-fill, Writing Sentences

In this introductory parts of speech worksheet, students learn how nouns, adjectives and verbs work together to give sentences meaning. First, students read about nouns and underline...

ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises: Identifying, Multiple Choice, Gap-fill, Writing Sentences In this introductory parts of speech worksheet, students learn how nouns, adjectives and verbs work together to give sentences meaning. First, students read about nouns and underline the nouns in sentences. Students then read about adjectives, look at pictures and circle the correct adjectives. Next, students read about verbs and complete sentences with verbs from a box. After that, students identify bold words as nouns, adjectives or verbs. Students then underline the correct words to complete sentences and identify their word types. Finally, students write three short sentences using nouns, adjectives and verbs, then underline a noun, circle an adjective and put a box around a verb in each sentence.

Word Swap

Elementary (A1-A2) 20 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar, Vocabulary and Speaking: Identifying, Guessing - Pair Work - Elementary (A1-A2) - Word Swap worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar, Vocabulary and Speaking: Identifying, Guessing - Pair Work

In this engaging parts of speech game, students use sentence clues to recognise nouns, adjectives and verbs. In pairs, students take turns reading a sentence aloud to their partner, saying 'blank'...

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar, Vocabulary and Speaking: Identifying, Guessing - Pair Work In this engaging parts of speech game, students use sentence clues to recognise nouns, adjectives and verbs. In pairs, students take turns reading a sentence aloud to their partner, saying 'blank' instead of the bold word. Their partner chooses a suitable noun, adjective or verb from the word box on their worksheet and says it. Students have one guess per sentence. The reader checks the guess against the bold word and puts a tick in the score box for a correct answer. If not, the reader leaves the box blank and says the correct word. When the students have finished, they count the ticks and tell their partner their score. The student with the most points wins the game.

Word Whiz

Elementary (A1-A2) 25 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar: Identifying, Matching, Providing Vocabulary, Gap-fill - Group Work - Elementary (A1-A2) - Word Whiz worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar: Identifying, Matching, Providing Vocabulary, Gap-fill - Group Work

In this fast-paced parts of speech game, students identify missing nouns, adjectives and verbs and suggest suitable words to complete sentences. In groups, students take turns picking up a...

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar: Identifying, Matching, Providing Vocabulary, Gap-fill - Group Work In this fast-paced parts of speech game, students identify missing nouns, adjectives and verbs and suggest suitable words to complete sentences. In groups, students take turns picking up a sentence card, reading it aloud using 'blank' for the gap and placing it face up on the table. All the students then race to put down a parts of speech card showing the correct word type and say a suitable word to complete the sentence. If the other students agree that both answers are correct, the two cards are removed from the game. If not, the student takes back their card and the other students can try. The first student to get rid of all their parts of speech cards wins the game.

Parts of Speech Parley

Pre-intermediate (A2) 30 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Activity - Vocabulary and Speaking: Gap-fill, Categorising, Asking and Answering Questions, Controlled and Freer Practice - Group and Pair Work - Pre-intermediate (A2) - Parts of Speech Parley worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Activity - Vocabulary and Speaking: Gap-fill, Asking and Answering Questions - Group and Pair Work

In this insightful parts of speech speaking activity, students review their knowledge of the basic parts of speech while completing, asking and answering conversation questions. First, in two groups, students...

ESL Parts of Speech Activity - Vocabulary and Speaking: Gap-fill, Categorising, Asking and Answering Questions, Controlled and Freer Practice - Group and Pair Work In this insightful parts of speech speaking activity, students review their knowledge of the basic parts of speech while completing, asking and answering conversation questions. First, in two groups, students complete each conversation question with a suitable word from a box and then indicate whether the word is a noun, verb, adjective or adverb. Next, students pair up with someone from the other group and take turns asking the conversation questions to their partner, who responds accordingly. Afterwards, students share what they found out about their partner with the class.

Silly Sentences

Pre-intermediate (A2) 25 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Activity - Vocabulary and Grammar: Brainstorming, Categorising, Forming Sentences - Pair Work - Pre-intermediate (A2) - Silly Sentences worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Activity - Vocabulary and Grammar: Brainstorming, Categorising, Forming Sentences - Pair Work

This creative parts of speech activity helps students learn and practice how to use nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs in sentences. First, brainstorm nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs as a class. Students...

ESL Parts of Speech Activity - Vocabulary and Grammar: Brainstorming, Categorising, Forming Sentences - Pair Work This creative parts of speech activity helps students learn and practice how to use nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs in sentences. First, brainstorm nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs as a class. Students then copy down the words into the word bank on their worksheet. In pairs, students then take it in turns to choose a word from the word bank to complete each sentence with the parts of speech indicated. Students say each word to their partner, and both students cross it off in the word bank and write it in the space provided. Each word can only be used once. When the students have finished, review the sentences they came up with together as a class.

Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives, and Adverbs

Pre-intermediate (A2) 30 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Vocabulary Exercises: Categorising, Unscrambling, Binary Choice, Error Correction, Gap-fill - Speaking Game: Forming Sentences - Pair Work - Pre-intermediate (A2) - Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives, and Adverbs worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Vocabulary Exercises: Categorising, Binary Choice, Error Correction, Gap-fill - Speaking Game: Forming Sentences - Pair Work

This free parts of speech worksheet helps students learn how to identify verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs and use them in sentences. First, students...

ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Vocabulary Exercises: Categorising, Unscrambling, Binary Choice, Error Correction, Gap-fill - Speaking Game: Forming Sentences - Pair Work This free parts of speech worksheet helps students learn how to identify verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs and use them in sentences. First, students read a sentence and put the words in the correct parts of speech category. Students then read sentences describing verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs and indicate which part of speech is being described in each one. Next, students put words into the correct parts of speech category and put words in the correct order to make sentences. Students then move on to read sentences and underline the correct part of speech to be used in each one. Afterwards, students rewrite sentences, correcting the mistakes. Next, students read sentences and fill in gaps with the correct parts of speech using their own ideas. Lastly, in pairs, students take it in turns to say a letter of the alphabet and then the word verb, noun, adjective or adverb. Their partner then has 30 seconds to think of a suitable word and use it in a sentence. Students score one point for each correct sentence. The student with the most points at the end of the game wins.

What Type of Word?

Pre-intermediate (A2) 25 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar: Gap-fill, Guessing, Sentence Completion, Freer Practice - Group Work - Pre-intermediate (A2) - What Type of Word? worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar: Gap-fill, Guessing, Sentence Completion, Freer Practice - Group Work

Here is a useful parts of speech game to help students identify the position of verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs in sentences. In groups of three, two students play the first game and one student acts...

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar: Gap-fill, Guessing, Sentence Completion, Freer Practice - Group Work Here is a useful parts of speech game to help students identify the position of verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs in sentences. In groups of three, two students play the first game and one student acts as judge. The players take it in turns to choose a square and identify the missing part of speech in the sentence. The student acting as judge checks the answer sheet. If the part of speech is correct, the player chooses a suitable word to complete the sentence. If the judge agrees the word is appropriate, the player marks the square with an 'O' or an 'X' accordingly. It is then the other player's turn to choose a square. The first player to get five squares in a row wins the game. Afterwards, students play a second game, giving the student who acted as judge a chance to play.

Crucial Combinations

Intermediate (B1) 25 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Game - Vocabulary: Identifying, Gap-fill, Guessing - Pair Work - Intermediate (B1) - Crucial Combinations worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Vocabulary: Identifying, Gap-fill, Guessing - Pair Work

In this fun parts of speech game, students race to guess missing parts of speech in sentences. First, in two groups, students identify the two missing parts of speech in each sentence on their worksheet, writing down their answers. Next...

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Vocabulary: Identifying, Gap-fill, Guessing - Pair Work In this fun parts of speech game, students race to guess missing parts of speech in sentences. First, in two groups, students identify the two missing parts of speech in each sentence on their worksheet, writing down their answers. Next, students pair up with someone from the other group. Students then take turns reading each sentence to their partner using the word 'blank' for the missing words and then asking for the two parts of speech they need to complete the sentence, e.g. 'I need a verb and a noun'. Their partner checks the word pairs in the box on their worksheet for the appropriate words and reads them aloud. If the student agrees the answers are correct, they write the words in the sentence and their partner crosses them out. When a pair has completed all their sentences, they put up their hands to have their answers checked. The first pair to complete all their sentences correctly wins.

Parts of Speech Dominoes

Intermediate (B1) 25 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar, Vocabulary and Speaking: Matching, Forming Sentences from Prompts - Group Work - Intermediate (B1) - Parts of Speech Dominoes worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar, Vocabulary and Speaking: Matching, Forming Sentences - Group Work

In this productive parts of speech game, students match words with parts of speech and make sentences using the words. The first player places one of their dominoes at either end of the domino...

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar, Vocabulary and Speaking: Matching, Forming Sentences from Prompts - Group Work In this productive parts of speech game, students match words with parts of speech and make sentences using the words. The first player places one of their dominoes at either end of the domino on the table, matching a word with a part of speech or vice versa. The player then makes a sentence using the word they just matched with the part of speech. For example, if a student matched the word of with preposition, they might say 'Windows are made of glass'. The other group members listen and judge the sentence. If the other students agree the sentence is correct and uses the part of speech appropriately, the domino remains in place. If not, the player must take back the domino. Play then passes to the next student and so on. The first player to get rid of all their dominoes wins the game.

Parts of Speech Practice

Intermediate (B1) 30 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises: Matching, Categorising, Identifying, Gap-fill - Intermediate (B1) - Parts of Speech Practice worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises: Matching, Categorising, Identifying, Gap-fill

Here is a free parts of speech worksheet to help students learn and practice the eight parts of speech. Students start by matching definitions to the correct parts of speech. Next, students put words...

ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Grammar and Vocabulary Exercises: Matching, Categorising, Identifying, Gap-fill Here is a free parts of speech worksheet to help students learn and practice the eight parts of speech. Students start by matching definitions to the correct parts of speech. Next, students put words into their parts of speech categories. Students then decide which parts of speech are missing from sentences. After that, students complete sentences with words from Exercise B. Following that, students identify and underline the word that does not belong in each word group. Lastly, students complete sentences with their own words.

Word Family Races

Upper-intermediate (B2) 20 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar and Vocabulary: Multiple Choice, Identifying, Matching - Group Work - Upper-intermediate (B2) - Word Family Races worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar and Vocabulary: Multiple Choice, Identifying, Matching - Group Work

In this engaging parts of speech game, students identify which of several related words is the correct part of speech to complete sentences. In groups, students take turns picking up a card...

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Grammar and Vocabulary: Multiple Choice, Identifying, Matching - Group Work In this engaging parts of speech game, students identify which of several related words is the correct part of speech to complete sentences. In groups, students take turns picking up a card and reading out the sentence on the card using the word 'blank' for the missing word in the sentence, e.g. I thought the movie was very 'blank'. Next, the student reads out three words from a word family, e.g. enjoy, enjoyment, enjoyable. The other group members listen and race to choose the correct word to complete the sentence, along with correctly identifying the word's part of speech. The first student to say the correct word and part of speech wins and keeps the card. Students get one guess per round. If no one gets the correct word and part of speech, the card is placed at the bottom of the pile to be used again later in the game. The student with the most cards at the end of the game wins.

Word Wizard

Upper-intermediate (B2) 35 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Grammar Exercises: Gap-fill, Identifying, Categorising, Error Correction, Unscrambling - Upper-intermediate (B2) - Word Wizard worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Grammar Exercises: Gap-fill, Identifying, Categorising, Error Correction, Unscrambling

In this comprehensive parts of speech worksheet, students identify parts of speech and use them to construct grammatically correct sentences. Students start by completing sentences with...

ESL Parts of Speech Worksheet - Grammar Exercises: Gap-fill, Identifying, Categorising, Error Correction, Unscrambling In this comprehensive parts of speech worksheet, students identify parts of speech and use them to construct grammatically correct sentences. Students start by completing sentences with words from a box. Next, students sort the underlined words in the sentences by their parts of speech. After that, students identify parts of speech errors in sentences and rewrite them so that they are correct. Finally, students use their knowledge of parts of speech to unscramble sentences.

Parts of Speech Bingo

Advanced (C1) 20 minutes
ESL Parts of Speech Game - Vocabulary and Listening: Matching - Group Work - Advanced (C1) - Parts of Speech Bingo worksheet preview

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Vocabulary and Listening: Matching - Group Work

In this enjoyable parts of speech game, students play bingo by matching advanced parts of speech with words. You or a student reads a word at random from the caller's sheet. There are four words to choose from for each part of speech...

ESL Parts of Speech Game - Vocabulary and Listening: Matching - Group Work In this enjoyable parts of speech game, students play bingo by matching advanced parts of speech with words. You or a student reads a word at random from the caller's sheet. There are four words to choose from for each part of speech. Students look at their bingo cards to see if they can match the word with a part of speech shown on their card. If they can, they cross off the part of speech. The game continues until a student has crossed off all the parts of speech on their card. When this happens, the student shouts 'Bingo!' and reads out the parts of speech they crossed off. If they match with the words that were called out, the student wins the game. Play several rounds, making sure students receive a different bingo card each time.

Understanding Parts of Speech

Parts of speech group words according to their grammatical roles, such as naming things, expressing actions or describing qualities. Recognising these roles helps students choose suitable word forms and understand how sentences fit together.

This page covers parts of speech from elementary (A1-A2) to advanced (C1), with 13 resources comprising games, worksheets and activities, including two free downloads.

The table introduces eight traditional parts of speech. A word's class can change with its use: 'work' is a noun in 'My work is interesting' and a verb in 'I work at home'.

Part of SpeechFunctionExample WordExample Sentence
NounNames a person, place, thing or ideacity'The city never sleeps.'
VerbExpresses an action or staterun'They run every morning.'
AdjectiveDescribes a noun or pronounbright'She wore a bright jacket.'
AdverbModifies a verb, adjective, another adverb or a whole clausequickly'He quickly finished his work.'
PrepositionIntroduces a phrase showing a relationship such as place or timeon'The book is on the table.'
ConjunctionConnects words, phrases or clausesbut'I wanted to go, but I was tired.'
PronounRefers to someone or something without repeating a noun phrasethey'The children left early. They were tired.'
InterjectionExpresses a feeling or reactionwow'Wow, that was unexpected!'

How to Use Parts of Speech

Check the word's job in context: Look at the whole sentence before assigning a label. In 'We drink water', 'drink' expresses an action; in 'Would you like a drink?', it names something.

Use surrounding words as clues: Consider what a sentence needs before choosing a word form. Compare 'It was a success' with 'It was successful': the first names an outcome, while the second describes it.

Check meaning as well as word class: A word can fit grammatically without expressing the intended idea. Both 'hot' and 'cold' fit 'The soup is...', but the speaker must choose the adjective that matches the situation.

3-Step Framework for Teaching Parts of Speech

This progression focuses on nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs for pre-intermediate learners. Select other resources on the page to match a different level or a wider set of word classes.

1. Recognise Words in Sentences: Begin with a worksheet in which students sort words from a sentence into parts of speech and identify word classes from descriptions. Use this recognition work to establish the categories students will need when choosing words for sentence gaps.

2. Choose Words Together: Brainstorm nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs, then have students copy them into a word bank. In pairs, students take turns choosing words to complete sentences with the indicated parts of speech, crossing off each word after using it. This provides shared practice before students identify the required category themselves.

3. Identify the Category and Supply a Word: Use a grid game in groups of three, with two players and a judge. Players identify the missing part of speech in a sentence, then suggest a suitable word. Correct answers let them mark a square as they aim for five in a row. This brings classification and word choice together without a supplied category label.

Common Mistakes with Parts of Speech

Using a noun where an adjective is needed: Choose an adjective when describing the weather in this sentence. Incorrect: 'The weather was beauty yesterday.' Correct: 'The weather was beautiful yesterday.'

Confusing subject and object pronouns: A pronoun used as the object of a verb needs the object form. Incorrect: 'I saw she at school.' Correct: 'I saw her at school.'

Common Questions About Teaching Parts of Speech

What is a good worksheet for teaching parts of speech?

The free worksheet Parts of Speech Practice moves from recognising word classes to choosing words for sentences. Students match definitions, categorise words, identify missing parts of speech and find the word that does not belong in each group. They finish by completing sentences with their own words.

What is an engaging game for practicing parts of speech?

In the game Word Whiz, students race to identify a missing noun, adjective or verb and supply a suitable word. After a sentence is read aloud, all players can compete. Correct answers let students discard cards, so the race combines recognising word classes with choosing words that fit the sentence.

What speaking activity can I use for practicing parts of speech?

The speaking activity Parts of Speech Parley connects word classification with conversation. Students complete questions using words from a box and identify each word as a noun, verb, adjective or adverb. They then ask and answer the questions with a partner and share what they learnt with the class.

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