(MPU3022 ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY)

TOPIC 1 PARTS OF SPEECH / WORD CLASS PART2

SYNOPSIS

This topic aims to enhance learner’s knowledge of the formal features of

the English language system. It provides an explanation to a selection of
language structures identified in the English Language Proficiency
syllabus for non- TESL learners.

The exercises that follow the explanation should provided some

immediate practice applying the language rules learnt. Leraners are
required to practice much more from publications readily available, should
they wish to improve thier personal proficiency in the English language.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the topic, you will be able to;

1. understand the different types of language structures of word clasess

namely, conjuctions, prepositions and interjections.

2. apply the language structures appropriately through relevant exercises

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1.0 Parts of Speech

Words are divided into nine different classes, traditionally named as Parts
of Speech or word classes. These word classes are categorised
according to their use in a sentence. The main parts of speech in English
include nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, prepositions,
conjunctions and interjections.

1.1 Conjunctions

Conjunctions are used to join words, phrases, clauses or sentences to

express a partticular idea or ideas. Study the following examples.

Anne and Kamilla are coming to the The conjunction and joins the
party. words ”Anne” and” Kamilla”.

You can write the answer in ink or The conjunction or joins the
in pencil phrases ”in ink” or ”in pencil”

Although she is a famous and The conjunction although joins ”she

successful writer, she leads a is, a famous and successful writer”
simple and frugal life. and ”she leads a simple and frugal
life”

Both the girls and their fathers are The conjunction both...and joins the
scientists. sentences ”the girls are scientists”
and ”their fathers are scientists”

We can further discuss conjunctions in terms of their meanings or functions.

A conjunction usually performs one function, but some conjunctions perform
two different functions.
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Conjunctions Examples Function – shows

As As he was walking down time

the dark lane, he heard
a strange noise behind
him.

I did not want to go to cause and effect

the movies as I did not
have enough money

since I have not met my time

brother since the day I
was born.
cause and effect
Since I studied hard for
the examination, I
passed them with flying
colours.

Or ”Coffee or tea, sir” choice

asked the waiter.

You had better finish the condition

assingment fast, or you
will not be able to submit
it on time.

while While I was walking time

home, it started to rian
heavily.

In the movie Beauty and contrast

the Beast, the heroine is
ravishingly beautiful,
while the hero is just the
opposite.

Conjunctions are analysed from three aspects, which are form, function and
position.
Forms
Conjunctions have three basic forms;
 Single word
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Example: so, for, while, since

 Compound
Example: provided that, as well as, so that
 Correlative
Correlative conjunctions always appear in parts. The most common
correlative conjunctions
are; ”both...and”, ”either...or”, ”neither...nor” ”not only...but
also”,”so...as” and ”whether...or”.
Example: Both my husband and my father were born in November.

Functions
Conjunctions have two basic functions
a) Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two parts of a sentence that
are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single or clauses, for
example:
1. Amariah and Azham are getting married next month (noun and noun)
2. They ran and laughed together. (verb and verb)
3. The water was warm, but I didn’t go swimming. (clause and clause)
b) Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a subordinate dependent
clause to a main clause, for example;
1. I went swimming although it was cold.
Positions
Conjuctions can be placed at the beginning or between words or clauses.
Example;
1. Since he is not there, we should not enter.
2. When I am sick, my father takes me to that clinic.
3. My mother cooked through the night though she was not well.
4. They would not take any action unless the firm does not meet thje
requirement.
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Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate conjunctions.

1. _______________he tried hard, he failed to get through the security.

2. Wait here___________ I tell you to move.

3. Take your umbrella___________it is going to rain.

4. Sazali is slow____________ smart.

5. ______________he was ill, he had to stay at home.

6. I shall not ride in his carriage____________invited.

7. Be kind ___________you will be rewarded.

8. ____________Azlan ___________his wife are attending the ceremony.

9. ____________soon __________he is ready, bring down the cake.

10. He is___________here__________there.

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks with because, since, so and as long as.

1. The house was in need of major repairs______________we decided not to

buy it.

2. __________________you are UITM students, you must always abide by its

rules and regulations.

3. We decided not to go out shopping ______________we were tired.

4. You can play with your friends______________you have finished your

homework.

5. ______________the weather was bad, we had to cancel the camping trip.

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Exercise 3

Join the sentences using before, after or while.

1. The children were sleeping on the second floor. The fire started in the
basement.

________________________________________________________________

2. It rained heavily. We arrived at the camping site.

________________________________________________________________

3. The nomads set up the tent. They tied up the camels.

________________________________________________________________

4. The police rushed over the house. They received the emergency call.

________________________________________________________________

5. I withdrew some money from the bank. I went shopping.

________________________________________________________________

1.2 Prepositions

Prepositions are used to show the relationship or connection of a word with

other words. They are used with nouns, pronouns, adjectives and verbs to
introduce phrases which give more information about a thing, quality or action.
They are used to indicate time, direction and other functions.

Eg: We will go to Sabah on Monday. We will go by plane.

Prepositions are usually single words, but there are some prepositions which
have more than one word.

Eg: We walked in between the parked cars.

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Types of prepositions

Roles Prepositions

Place in , at, around, beyond

Accompaniment along, with

Manner in, with, like

Instrument with, by

Time before, after, at

Direction/movement out of, toward, from, across

Agent by

Stimulus of, to, by

Purpose to, for

Cause,reason by, from, due to

Source from

There are three types of prepositions, which are prepositions of place,

prepositions of time and preposition of movement.

Preposition of Place

In general, there are some confusion regarding the use of prepositions “at”, “in”
and “on”

 “at “ is used when referring to a point.

 “in” is used when referring to an enclosed space.
 “on” is used when referring to a surface.

at (point) in (enclosed space) on (surface)

at the park in Bangsar on the swing

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at N0. 3 In Kuala Lumpur on Jalan Bangsar

at the house in the bedroom on the door
at the junction in the bookstore on the wall
Examples:

1. Mariana is waiting for you at the park in Bangsar. She will be on the swing.

2. My house is at No. 3 on Jalan Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur.

3. The boys are reading some books at the English corner in the bookstore on
the 3rd floor.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions

1. The picture is hanging _____the door _____the bedroom _____the house.

2. You can’t find the plate? Maybe it is ____the entrance of the kitchen or ___the
kitchen or hanging ____the wall.

3. A: I see you ____the junction.

B: No, I am ____the building _____the ground floor.

4. Please go and get the leaflet ____ the front desk ___the main office. It
is____the chair.

5. Gwen is studying Accountancy _____England.

Prepositions of Time

The following examples illustrate the use of prepositions in time expressions: at,
in, on

 at for a PRECISE TIME

 in for MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES and LONG PERIODS
 on for DAYS and DATES

At / PRECISE TIME IN/ MONTHS, YEARS etc ON/ DAYS, DATES

at 4 o’clock in December on Sunday

at lunchtime in spring On 4 December
at sunset in 1963 On my birthday
at the moment in the past / future on New Year’s Day
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Examples;

1. I am going shopping at 11.00am with a friend.

2. My anniversary falls on 15 December.

3. I forsee a lot of movement in the next month.

Exercise 2

The following sentences have the prepositions at, in or on omitted. Rewrite each
sentence, inserting the preposition at, in or on in the correct position.

1. We can look for car accessories the new hypermarket Ampang Jaya.

________________________________________________________________

2. People Malaysia live peace and harmony.

________________________________________________________________

3. Sandra works as a sales assistant an antique shop Jonker Street.

________________________________________________________________

4. The little child was trapped the bottom of the wall.

________________________________________________________________

5. The parcel that you have been waiting for is your study table.

________________________________________________________________

6. Mosquitoes breed clear stagnant water.

________________________________________________________________

7. Do look the different models available the market before you decide which
bicycle to buy.

________________________________________________________________
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Preposition of Movement

“to” is used to express movement

Examples:

1. They were going to school together.

2. She has gone to the registrar office.

Toward/towards are also used to express movement.

Examples:

1. We are moving toward the future.

2. This is a big step towards the marriage

No preposition is needed for these words:

Home, downtown, uptown, inside, outside, downstairs, upstairs

Eg: My father went upstairs to look for my mother but unfortunately she has gone
home.

1.3 Interjections

Interjections are short exclamations which show excitement and emotion. They
do not carry grammatical value and are normally used in speaking rather than
writing; extremely common in English to express strong emotion and in many
situations where speakers are lost for words.
An interjection is followed by an exclamation mark ( ! )
Interjections are usually one or two words that come at the beginning of a
sentence.

Some examples of interjections and their functions

Interjections Functions Examples

Ah to express pleasure “Ah, that sounds better.”

to express realization “Ah, now I see the future. “

to express regret
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“Ah, well, this cannot be

avoided.”
to express surprise
“Ah! We have arrived!”

Alas to express relief, grief “Alas, it is over now.”

or pity

Dear to express pity “Oh dear! Is she badly

hurt?”

to express surprise “Dear me! I never thought

she would be here!”

Eh to reconfirm A: “The concert starts

now.”
B: “Eh?”
A: “I said the concert starts
now.”
to enquire
“What is your opinion on
that, eh?”
to express suprise
“Eh! Is that so?”
to express invitation
“Let’s move, eh?”

Er to hesitate “She is the wife

of...er...Major Lee.”

Hey to call for attention “Hey! Stop doing that.”

to express joy “Hey! That’s a brilliant

thing to do!”

Oh to plead “Oh, please be there for

me!”

Ouch to express pain “Ouch! That hurts!”

Well to reject “Well I wouldn’t want that!”

to introduce a point “Well, your next point is?”

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Exercise

Choose a suitable text and identify the use of conjunctions, prepositions and
interjections found in the text. Suggested materials; newspaper clippings, short
texts, excerpts from different text types, comic strips or drama scripts.

You are to present the task to your respective lecturer during your tutorial
session.

Further practice

Write a short passage inserting some form of conjunctions, prepositions and

interjections.

Task to be submitted to your lecturer during tutorial session.

Summary

In this topic some basic parts of speech in English especially conjunctions,

prepositions and interjections were presented. It gives you some practice in
identifying the different parts of speech and how they are used in the sentences.
This will help you to be more accurate in using the right parts of speech in your
daily conversations with your pupils and friends.

References;

1. Norhazian Mat Sapian and Yong Lee Choo (2011) Language Description 1.
Oxford Fajar Sdn Bhd. Shah Alam, Selangor.

2. Azar, B and Azar, D (2004). Fundamentals of English Grammar Second

Edition. Prentice Hall Inc. Malaysia.

3. Wren and Martin (2006). High School English: Grammar & Composition, Kuala
Lumpur:S. Chand & Company Ltd.
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Suggested Answers

TOPIC 1: Parts of Speech

Exercise 1 – Conjunctions

1. Although
2. Until
3. because
4. but
5. As
6. unless
7. and
8. Both...and
9. As...as
10. Niether...nor

Exercise 2

1. so
2. as long as
3. because
4. as long as
5. since

Exercise 3

1. The children were sleeping on the second floor while the fire started in the
basement.
2. It rained heavily before we arrived at the camping site.
3. The nomads set up the tent after they tied up the camels.
4. The police rushed over the house after they received the emergency call.
5. I withdrew some money from the bank before I went shopping.

Exercise 1 – prepositions

1. on, in, at
2. at, in, on
3. at, in on
4. at in, on
5. in
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Exercise 2

1. We can look for car accesories at the new hypermarket in Ampang Jaya.
2. People in Malaysia live in peace and harmony.
3. Sandra works as a sales assistant in an antique shop on Jonker Street.
4. The little child was trapped at the bottom of the well.
5. The parcel that you have been waiting for is on your study table.
6. Mosquitoes breed in clear stgnant water.
7. Do look at the different models available in the market before you decide
which bicycle to buy.