Down is a very frequently used word in the English language. In everyday use, it often functions as an adverb or preposition, but it can also be an adjective, noun, or even a verb.
If you need help identifying the part of speech of the word “down” in a sentence, ask Quillbot’s free AI Chat.
Down examples in a sentence
Example
Part of speech
Meaning
Paint spilled on the hallway floor and ran slowly down the steps.
The word around can mean “surrounding,” “along the outside of,” and “to different places.” It functions as a preposition or an adverb and is a particle of phrasal verbs like “come around” and “turn around.”
Quillbot’s free AI chat can help you identify the part of speech of “around” in a sentence.
Around in a sentence examplesPut some bubble wrap around it.
A subject complement is the word or phrase that completes the meaning of a linking verb by describing or identifying the subject of the sentence. Quillbot’s free AI Chat can help you identify subject complements in sentences.
Subject complement in a sentence examplesThe roomwascold. [Subject complement: an adjective describing the subject]
Her favorite sportis soccer. [Subject complement: a noun identifying the subject]
That doesn’tsoundright. [Subject complement: an adjective describing the subject]
The boysbecamefriends. [Subject complement: a noun identifying the subject]
The problemisthat we’re running out of time. [Subject complement: a noun clause identifying the subject]
Being able to identify parts of speech is important if you want to understand how English works. Quillbot’s free AI Chat can help you practice identifying parts of speech in a sentence.
The word over can be a preposition of place or time, an adjective, an adverb, or the particle of a phrasal verb. It is part of many idiomatic phrases, like “over the top” and is the opposite of “under” in many contexts.
Need to figure out how “over” is being used in a sentence (i.e., its part of speech)? Ask Quillbot’s free AI Chat for help?
Over in a sentence examplesThere used to be a sign over the door.
The word into is a preposition that can mean “to a place within something” or “in the direction of something.” It can also indicate the result of a transformation or what something is about. When it’s part of a phrasal verb, “into” is a particle.
Quillbot’s free Grammar Checker can help you use “into” correctly in your writing.
Into in a sentence examplesThe cat jumped into the box. [Preposition]
Look into the camera, please. [Preposition]
Now chop it into pieces. [Preposition]
The results of a study into the long-term benefits of the treatment were inconclusive. [Preposition]
Rising inflation is eating into people’s hard-earned savings. [Particle of the phrasal verb “eat into,” meaning “deplete”]
Published on
July 8, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
A suffix is one or more letters or syllables added to the end of a root word. For example, when you add the suffix “-ly” to “quiet,” you get “quietly.” Common suffixes include “-ed,” “-ion,” “-ful,” and “-ment.” Suffixes can change a word’s part of speech (e.g., “freedom”), plurality (e.g., “roses”), verb tense (e.g., “worked” or “working”), and more.
Learning about suffixes is extremely helpful for improving vocabulary, spelling, and grammar. The examples and explanations below show how to spell and use a variety of common suffixes. If you want to learn even more about suffixes, follow the links at the end for more suffix examples and a suffixes worksheet.
Quillbot’s free Grammar Checker is also a quick and painless way to use suffixes correctly in your writing.
Suffix examplesThe scientist delivered an informative and fascinating presentation about foxes.
Taylor is a famous singer who is very supportive of her biggest fans.
Published on
July 8, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
October 29, 2025
A prefix is a letter or group of letters at the beginning of a root word (e.g., the “micro-” prefix in “micronutrient”). There are over 30 prefixes in the English language. Each prefix changes the meaning of a root word in a specific way. For example, if you add the “in-” prefix (meaning “not”) to “edible,” you get “inedible,” which means “not edible.”
Learning about English prefixes helps with reading comprehension and vocabulary. The prefix definitions and examples below show how a variety of prefixes affect the meaning of root words. If you want to learn more about prefixes, follow the links at the end for more prefix examples and a prefixes worksheet.
Quillbot’s free Grammar Checker can also help you with correct spelling when you use words with prefixes in your writing.
Prefix examplesIn her autobiography, the triathlete described an extraordinary race in subfreezing temperatures.
Walt pursued a postsecondary degree in microbiology and researched prehistoric unicellular organisms.
Published on
June 16, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
February 10, 2026
Direct speech and indirect speech/reported speech are the two ways to tell someone what another person said. Direct speech repeats the same words in the same order in quotation marks. Indirect speech/reported speech involves paraphrasing with slightly different words, so it doesn’t have quotation marks.
Reported speech and direct speech are useful in many situations, such as taking messages or telling someone about a meeting or conversation. If you’re taking an English proficiency test, you’ll probably use reported speech during the speaking or writing sections.
Direct and indirect speech both have specific grammar and punctuation rules. The following tips and examples show how to use them correctly. And when you’re writing with direct or indirect/reported speech, Quillbot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors.
Direct and indirect speech examples
Direct speech
Indirect speech/reported speech
Miley said, “I can buy myself flowers.”
Miley said that she can buy herself flowers.
The neighbor just stopped by and asked, “Can I borrow a cup of sugar?”
The neighbor asked if he could borrow a cup of sugar.
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