English Language

Parts of Speech

1,977 Questions

The parts of speech form the foundation of English grammar, categorizing words into nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and other functional classes. Identifying the correct part of speech is crucial for sentence construction and comprehension. This topic is a staple in the English language sections of SSC, Banking, and various other competitive exams.

Nouns and verbsAdjectives identificationAdverbs and modifiersWord categorization

Parts of Speech Questions

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. noun

  3. conjunction

  4. pronoun

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'North' is a noun referring to one of the four cardinal directions. Nouns name people, places, things, or ideas. 'North' names a specific direction and is used as a noun in phrases like 'The north of France' or 'North is straight ahead.' While 'north' can function as an adjective in some contexts (north wind), its primary classification is as a noun.

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. pronoun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To nod means to move one's head up and down, typically to show agreement or greeting. This is an action, which makes it a verb. For example, in the sentence 'She nodded in agreement,' nodded is the past tense of the verb nod.

Multiple choice
  1. <font face="Arial">conjunction</font>

  2. noun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A nose is a physical body part - the protruding part of the face that contains the nostrils. Body parts and people are persons, places, or things, which makes them nouns. You can put 'a' or 'the' before it: 'the nose' or 'a nose.'

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. noun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Notorious is an adjective that means famous or well known for some bad quality or deed. Adjectives describe nouns. For example, 'a notorious criminal' means a criminal who is famous for bad reasons. The word describes the quality of being famous in a negative way.

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. noun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A notary is a person authorized to perform certain legal formalities, especially to draw up or certify contracts. Since it refers to a person or their role, it is a noun. You can say 'a notary public' or 'the notary,' which shows it functions as a naming word.

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. noun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A novice is a person new to a field or situation - a beginner. Since it refers to a person, it is a noun. You can say 'a novice' or 'the novice,' just as you would with any person's title or role. It names the person's level of experience or status.

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. noun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Notable is an adjective meaning worthy of attention or notice; remarkable. Adjectives describe qualities of nouns. For example, in 'a notable achievement,' the word notable describes what kind of achievement it is - one worth noticing. It characterizes the noun it modifies.

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. noun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

To nourish means to provide with food or other substances necessary for growth and health. This is an action you do, which makes it a verb. For example, in 'Plants need water to nourish their roots,' nourish is the action of providing nutrients. It describes what someone or something does.

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. noun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A nozzle is a part or device - specifically a short tube with a tapering end, attached to a hose or pipe. Physical objects and parts are things, which makes them nouns. You can say 'a nozzle' or 'the nozzle,' which confirms it functions as a naming word for an object.

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. <font face="Arial">noun</font>

  3. adjective

  4. <font face="Arial">conjunction</font>

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Nowhere is classified here as an adjective describing a place with no positive identity or direction, as in 'a nowhere town' - a town that is insignificant or isolated. However, this is debatable; 'nowhere' is more commonly classified as an adverb indicating no place or position (e.g., 'He looked nowhere'). In this context, it may function adjectivally by modifying a noun, though this is not its primary grammatical role.

Multiple choice
  1. <font face="Arial">conjunction</font>

  2. pronoun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Null describes something that has no legal or binding force, or zero value in mathematics. In this sense, it functions as an adjective by describing the quality or state of having no value or effect. For example, 'a null contract' means a contract with no legal effect - the word null describes what kind of contract it is.

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. noun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Noxious is an adjective meaning harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant. Adjectives describe qualities or characteristics of nouns. For example, in 'noxious fumes,' the word noxious describes what kind of fumes they are - harmful or poisonous. It characterizes the noun it modifies.

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. pronoun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Nude is an adjective meaning naked or without clothing. Adjectives describe the state or condition of nouns. For example, in 'nude figures' in art, the word nude describes the state of the figures - they are without clothing. It characterizes what condition the noun is in.

Multiple choice
  1. conjunction

  2. noun

  3. adjective

  4. adverb

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The word 'Number' is primarily a noun that refers to a mathematical concept, quantity, or symbol used to represent count or value. It can be used as a verb (to count), but as a standalone word without context, its most fundamental classification is a noun. The other options (conjunction, adjective, adverb, preposition) do not describe the primary grammatical function of 'number'.

Multiple choice
  1. verb

  2. noun

  3. adjective

  4. <font face="Arial">conjunction</font>

  5. preposition

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The word 'Nor' is a coordinating conjunction used to introduce an alternative negative clause or to connect two negative ideas. It pairs with 'neither' to show that two negative statements are both true. It cannot be a verb, noun, adjective, or preposition - its grammatical function is exclusively as a conjunction that connects negative constructions.