Grammar Homework Help for Students

Help with Grammar Homework

Beyond the basics you know about nouns and verbs, these common elements of grammar can be divided into useful categories. Being aware of these elements may help you become a better writer because you'll know how to use the following parts of speech effectively.

Nouns

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns are used to refer to a group. Typically, these special nouns are written in singular form, but they all describe multiple people, animals or things.

• A flock of geese
• A deck of cards
• A team of players
• A school of fish
• A herd of buffalo

Concrete Nouns

Concrete nouns can be experienced with your five senses. They can be common or proper nouns.

• Dogs
• Flowers
• Sound
• Peter
• The Statue of Liberty

Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns cannot be experienced with your five senses. They generally refer to feelings, traits or concepts.

• Honesty
• Pride
• Bravery
• Love
• Trust

Compound Nouns

Compound nouns are created by combining two independent words. Usually, one of the words is a noun, and the other can be an adjective, a verb, a preposition or another noun. However, you can also create some compound nouns by adding an adjective or a preposition to a verb.

• Headache (noun + noun)
• Underground (preposition + noun)
• Hair cut (noun + verb)
• Input (preposition + verb)
• Dry-cleaning (adjective + verb)

Verbs

Linking

Unlike regular verbs, linking verbs don't express action. As their name suggests, they are used to connect additional information to the subject of the sentence.

My hand is tired.

That test seems really difficult.

Janet appeared happy after receiving her report card.

Those commercials are horrible.

We were friends.

Helping

Like linking verbs, helping verbs don't express action on their own. They are used with main action verbs to help establish mood and tense.

The basketball team is playing today.

You must try your best.

We will leave shortly.

I wish I could learn to fly.

Paula should wash the car.

Transitive

Transitive verbs are action verbs. However, to be transitive, they must be linked with an object that receives the action. If they don't have an object attached to them, their meaning is incomplete.

The captain named his new ship.

The dog caught the Frisbee.

Jason bought a brand new bike.

My mom revealed the bad news.

The judge sentenced the man to life in prison.

Intransitive

Intransitive verbs are also action verbs. However, they don't have an object linked to them. Without an object, their meanings are still complete.

We must leave.

When she heard the news, she cried.

The dog barked.

The leaves fell.

I slept.