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BLS ENGLISH COURSE Inglês

básico
CURSO DE INGLÊS

Lesson 01: Nouns

1. Word classes: nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc

 Introduction

Look at the different kinds of word in this sentence.

I have an important conference at work tomorrow, I am rather busy.

Pronoun Verb Determiner Adjective Noun Preposition Noun Adverb

I have an important conference at work tomorrow,

Linking word Pronoun Verb Adverb Adjective

So I am rather busy.

There are eight different kinds of word in English. They are called word classes or parts of
speech. Here are some examples:

o Verb: have, am, is, would, like, come, are, sitting, look
o Noun: conference, work, coffee, party, Saturday, Jessica, friends, corner
o Adjective: important, busy, good, cheap
o Adverb: tomorrow, rather, really, here
o Preposition: at, to, on, in
o Determiner: an, this, our, the
o Pronoun: I, it, you
o Linking word: so, and

 Words in sentences
Some words can belong to different classes depending on how they are used in a sentence.

VERBS NOUNS

Can I look at your photos? We work on I like the look of that coat. I'll be at work
Saturday morning. tomorrow.
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2. Nouns

Every name is called a noun, As field and fountain, street and town.

1
In place of noun the pronoun stands, As he and she can clap their hands.

There are two main types of nouns: common nouns and proper nouns.

2.1. Common nouns

Words for people, places and things are called common nouns. These common nouns are
words for things.

o ruler o axe o cooker

o chair o truck o dictionary
o hammer o television o carpet
o bicycle o pencil o lawnmower
o truth o loyalty o bus
o pen o drill o computer
o table o ferry o courage
o saw o fridge o telephone
o ship o book o spade
o calculator o lamp o laziness
o crayons o ladder o printer
o sofa o train

2.2.Proper Nouns

The names of particular people, places and things are proper nouns. They always begin with
a capital letter. Your own name and the names of your friends are proper nouns too.

The names of countries and their people are also proper nouns.

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Source: Basic English Grammar – 2, pg. 9.

o For more information read Basic English Grammar – 2 pages 7 to 9.

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 Exercises

1. What kind of word?

a) sociable ............................... h) an ………………………
b) in ……………………… i) there …………………….
c) the…………………………. j) excellent …………………….
d) and ……………………. k) he …………………………
e) told………………………… l) but ……………………
f) totally ……………………. m) finish ……………………
g) they………………………. n) fun …………………..
2. Is the underlined word a verb, a noun or an adjective?
a. Shall we go for a walk?
b. Shall we walk into town?
c. Laura wanted to talk to Rita.
d. Laura wanted a talk with Rita.
e. The windows aren't very clean.
f. Doesn't anyone clean the windows?
g. We went to a fabulous show in New York.
h. Laura wanted to show Rita her photos.
i. Henry thought Claire looked beautiful.
j. A strange thought came into Emma's head.
k. Sarah is feeling quite tired now.
l. Studying all night had tired Andrew out.

3. Write each common noun under the correct heading.

theater doctor elephant
lion restaurant kangaroo
father builder museum
brother stove library

Things Animals Places People

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