Grammar Basics for Kids
Learn the building blocks of English grammar with fun examples and mini quizzes! Perfect for kids in elementary school.
Nouns Words that name people, places, things, or ideas
Types of Nouns
Common Nouns
General names for people, places, or things. They are NOT capitalized.
Proper Nouns
Specific names for people, places, or things. They ARE capitalized.
Plural Nouns
Nouns that mean more than one. Usually add -s or -es.
Examples in Sentences
- The cat sat on the mat.
- Sarah went to the park.
- My teacher gave me a book.
- Happiness is a wonderful feeling.
To find a noun, ask yourself: "Can I put 'the' or 'a' in front of it?" If yes, it's probably a noun! Example: the dog, a house, the love.
Mini Quiz: Find the Noun!
Verbs Words that show action or a state of being
Types of Verbs
Action Verbs
Show something happening. They describe physical or mental actions.
Linking Verbs
Connect the subject to more information. They don't show action.
Helping Verbs
Help the main verb in a sentence. They come before the main verb.
Examples in Sentences
- The dog runs in the park.
- She is a great singer.
- We will play soccer after school.
- The bird sang a beautiful song.
Verb Tenses
Past Tense
Already happened.
Present Tense
Happening now.
Future Tense
Will happen later.
To find the verb, ask: "What is happening in this sentence?" or "What did someone do?" The answer is usually the verb!
Mini Quiz: Find the Verb!
Adjectives Words that describe nouns
What Adjectives Tell Us
What Kind?
Describe the quality or type of something.
How Many?
Tell us the number or amount.
Which One?
Point out a specific thing.
Common Adjectives
Examples in Sentences
- The fluffy cat slept on the warm bed.
- She wore a beautiful, sparkly dress.
- The tall boy ate three delicious cookies.
- We saw a huge, colorful rainbow.
Adjectives usually come before the noun they describe: "the red ball." But they can also come after a linking verb: "The ball is red."
Mini Quiz: Find the Adjective!
Parts of Speech The 8 categories every word belongs to
The 8 Parts of Speech
1. Noun
Names a person, place, thing, or idea.
2. Verb
Shows action or state of being.
3. Adjective
Describes a noun.
4. Adverb
Describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Often ends in -ly.
5. Pronoun
Takes the place of a noun.
6. Preposition
Shows the relationship between a noun and another word.
7. Conjunction
Joins words, phrases, or sentences together.
8. Interjection
Shows strong emotion or surprise.
All 8 Parts in One Sentence
-
Wow! She quickly ran and jumped over the tall fence.
Interjection = Wow! | Pronoun = She | Adverb = quickly | Verb = ran, jumped | Conjunction = and | Preposition = over | Adjective = tall | Noun = fence
The same word can be different parts of speech depending on how it's used! "I run fast" (verb) vs "I went for a run" (noun).
Mini Quiz: Name That Part of Speech!
Sentence Structure How to build a complete sentence
The Basic Sentence Pattern
Example: The dog chased the ball.
Types of Sentences
Declarative (Statement)
Tells us something. Ends with a period.
Interrogative (Question)
Asks something. Ends with a question mark.
Exclamatory (Exclamation)
Shows strong feeling. Ends with an exclamation mark.
Imperative (Command)
Gives an order or instruction. Can end with a period or exclamation mark.
Building Better Sentences
- Simple: The cat sat.
- Add an adjective: The fluffy cat sat.
- Add where: The fluffy cat sat on the couch.
- Add when: The fluffy cat sat on the couch all afternoon.
- Full sentence: The fluffy cat sat on the couch all afternoon while it rained outside.
A sentence fragment is NOT a complete sentence. "Running to the store" is a fragment because it's missing a subject. Fix it: "Mom is running to the store."
Mini Quiz: Sentence Types!
Punctuation The marks that make sentences clear
Common Punctuation Marks
| Mark | Name | When to Use It | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| . | Period | End of a statement | I like pizza. |
| ? | Question Mark | End of a question | Do you like pizza? |
| ! | Exclamation Mark | Shows excitement or strong feeling | I love pizza! |
| , | Comma | Separates items in a list or adds a pause | I like pizza, pasta, and salad. |
| ' | Apostrophe | Shows ownership or missing letters | That's Sarah's book. |
| " " | Quotation Marks | Show someone's exact words | She said, "Hello!" |
| : | Colon | Introduces a list or explanation | I need: eggs, milk, and bread. |
Why Punctuation Matters
- Without: lets eat grandma
- With: Let's eat, Grandma! (Commas save lives!)
- Without: a woman without her man is nothing
- Version 1: A woman, without her man, is nothing.
- Version 2: A woman: without her, man is nothing.
Read your writing out loud. Where you naturally pause, you probably need a comma. Where you stop completely, you need a period, question mark, or exclamation mark!
Mini Quiz: Pick the Right Punctuation!
Frequently Asked Questions Common questions about grammar for kids
The easiest way is to use real examples from everyday life. Point out nouns, verbs, and adjectives in books you read together, signs you see, or conversations you have. Games and quizzes (like the ones on this page!) also make grammar fun and memorable. Start with simple concepts like nouns and verbs before moving on to more advanced topics like sentence structure.
Kids naturally start learning grammar rules around age 4-5 as they begin forming full sentences. Formal grammar instruction typically begins in 1st or 2nd grade (ages 6-7) with basic concepts like nouns, verbs, and sentence structure. By 3rd grade, most kids are ready to learn about adjectives, adverbs, and punctuation rules. The key is to make it age-appropriate and fun!
Start with these basics in order: 1) Every sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark. 2) Nouns name things, and verbs show actions. 3) Sentences need a subject and a verb to be complete. 4) Adjectives describe nouns. 5) Proper nouns (names) are always capitalized. Once these are solid, you can introduce more advanced concepts like conjunctions, prepositions, and different sentence types.
Try using memory tricks! A popular one is the sentence: "Every Nice Puppy Plays And Very Cheerfully Interacts" where each first letter stands for a part of speech (E = Exclamation/Interjection, N = Noun, P = Pronoun, P = Preposition, A = Adjective, V = Verb, C = Conjunction, I = Interjection). You can also create colorful flashcards, play sorting games where kids categorize words, or use our interactive quizzes above to practice!
A complete sentence has both a subject (who or what) and a predicate (what they do) and expresses a complete thought. For example: "The dog barks." A sentence fragment is missing one of these parts and doesn't express a complete thought. For example: "Running to school" (no subject) or "The big red" (no verb). To fix a fragment, add the missing part: "The boy is running to school."