Let's have a pageant

Not all parts of speech are created equal. So which are rather dull, and which one is the most excitingly versatile? Let's have a parts-of-speech pageant and examine the contestants' features, shall we?

So here's the line-up: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction, interjection, article/determiner. Some would add numerals, but truth be told: to a linguist, numbers are about as exciting as lettuce to a carnivore.

Out with the monotonous ones

It's a contest in versatility and excitement. So let's start by disqualifying all the bland competitors that can't change form. At least the noun can switch from singular to plural and back. So it may stay, for now. But prepositions, conjunctions, interjections and articles sadly fall in the it-is-what-it-is category. So out they go.

With about half the candidates gone, we've now got the noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb and verb left on the stage for closer inspection. The adverb appears to have a slight edge over the adjective in comparisons, but does it really? If so, it's not nearly enough to stay in the race. They may both leave the stage.

The noun and the pronoun are closely linked, so it seems only fair that they share each other's fate. We'd already established that the noun is a one-trick pony: either singular or plural, nothing else - let alone anything wildly exciting. The pronoun may appear somewhat more versatile, but that difference is negligible and won't save it from elimination. It's bye-bye to nouns and pronouns alike.

The last one standing

The last one standing is not there simply because the jury looked at the other contestants first. The verb is still there for a solid reason: it's the one and only competitor that's truly versatile. It's a veritable chameleon, a shape-shifter, capable of morphing into fascinating and ever more intricate combinations of time, aspect and mood.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner! The undisputed champion of versatility, adaptability, and overall linguistic excitement in our parts-of-speech pageant is... drumroll... the VERB!

Now, this wasn't much of a contest, come to think of it. The verb is simply lightyears ahead of any runner-up, and the other parts of speech never stood a chance. So here's the thing: if verbs play such an important and diverse role in language, they should also get the attention they so justly deserve.

One more round

Why is this important in teaching English? Because what sets English apart from all other languages are two things: its word order and its verb forms. English would be just any other language, but with different words, if it weren't for those two distinct grammar points.

Then let's return to the stage for the final round of our pageant. This time, it's word order versus verb forms. Word order is a worthy contestant but no match for the indomitable verb. Word order?may?get complicated, but the vast range of verb constructs is complex. So again, there can be only one winner: the verb!

Not all parts of speech are created equal. So what are you going to do about it? Best deal with it by giving verbs the attention they deserve.

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