Test Your Grammar Knowledge!
The word each is pretty common. It didn’t make the list of the 101 most used words in English, but it’s the kind of word we use all the time–and hear all the time–without ever wondering what it means. It’s just not a word anyone looks up very often.
But what kind of word is it exactly? Here’s a quick test of your basic grammar knowledge. Grammar is all about figuring out what words are doing in a sentence–the role they play in the creating of meaning. There are eight parts of speech: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, conjunction, preposition, and interjection. Can you identify the part of speech of each in the following three sentences? (Hint: it’s different in each sentence)
- When sentencing the bank robbers, Judge Gloom gave each his just punishment.
- Stanley gladly gave each beauty contestant a congratulatory kiss.
- At Eddie’s House O’ Grub, you can buy frogs legs for fifty-cents each.
Extra Credit: The chimps hunted for lice on each other.
I’ll post the correct answers in the comments section. Post a comment about how you did!
Hello Brian ~ Except for the ‘extra credit,’ I made 100%! (Even Write-at-Home coaches can learn something new about grammar.) My children are also enjoying this blog – my grateful thanks for taking the time to share your talents in this way.
~Merri
Well done, Lindsey! Even the extra credit?
Hi Brian
You should be satisfied to know as an ex staff member, I got them all right! 🙂
Lindsey x
Answers:
1. “Each” is a pronoun here. It’s the object of the verb “gave.”
2. This time, “each” is an adjective. It is modifying the noun “contestant.”
3. When we use “each” this way–a synonym for “apiece”–it’s an adverb. Here it’s modifying the verb “can buy.”
Extra Credit: This is a bit of a trick because “each other” is actually a single, compound pronoun. “Each” may appear to be an adjective modifying “other,” but the two words in this usage are actually inseparable and have a distinct definition as a compound. If you said “adjective,” good job–you are thinking. But, sorry, no extra credit.