Every word in a sentence is named according to its function.

Noun

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Common Noun

Function:

• Naming word, names of ordinary, everyday things
  Clue:
• a, the ...
  Example
• There are desks and chairs in every classroom.
  
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Proper Nouns

Function

• Names of people, places etc.
  Clue
• Capital letter
  Examples
  My teacher, Mrs Jones, comes from England.

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Collective Nouns

• Names a collection or group
  Clue
  -Replaces 'lots of ...'
  Example
• A staff of teachers
• A class of students
  
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Abstract Nouns

Function

• Something which is not visible or tangible
  Clue
• You can give it to someone but not in a box.
• He/She is full of ...
  Example
• John's intelligence and perseverance won him the trophy.

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Pronoun

Function

• Stands in place of the noun
  Clue
• Can replace a noun
  Example
  Mary is given homework every day and mary (She) does homework (it) diligently.

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Adjective

Function

• Describing Word
  Clue
• The ... boy, girl, house
  Example
• The talented teacher motivated the enthusiastic students.

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Verb

Function

• Doing Word
  Clue
• Can you ..? (work, play, study)
• He ... (works, plays, studies)
  Example
• We work in the mornings; we play sport in the afternoons; we study in the evenings.

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Adverb

Function

• Modifies (tells you more about) the verb.
  Clue
• Tells you when, where or how something is done.
  Example
• He ran fast (how) at the athletics meeting (where) yesterday (when).

Source: EBH Joubert: English Grammar

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