This nouns verbs adjectives game helps second and third graders sort the three most common parts of speech by playing: sort words into bins, pop balloons, race cars or sprint through true and false sentences. Each word is one of 30 clear examples, such as teacher, climb or shiny, and children decide whether it names something, shows an action or describes a noun. It is free, needs no sign-up, works on phones and tablets, and comes with a printable sorting mat and 24 word cards.
Nouns verbs adjectives game: see how it plays
The game below has four modes, and each one asks only for the part of speech of one word. The printable mat has three big boxes and 24 word cards to cut out, and the pictures show Sort It, Balloon Pop and True or False on this page.
How the nouns verbs adjectives game works
- Sort It: twenty words appear one at a time, and you tap the right bin for each one. A correct sort scores a point and the tally shows how many you have right.
- Answer Race: every right answer moves your car forward, and you race three computer cars to the finish flag. The first to 15 wins, and wrong taps cost time, not places.
- Balloon Pop: answers float up on balloons, and you pop the right one before it drifts off the top. The three balloons are labelled noun, verb and adjective, so only the word on screen needs to be judged. The game speeds up as your score climbs, and three misses ends the round.
- True or False: sixty seconds on the clock. Decide whether each sentence, such as swim = verb, is right or wrong. A streak of five or more scores double.
Parts of speech game: the 30 words in the game
Every word in the game is a clear example of one part of speech, with ten words for each. Memory Match is not offered here, because there are only three answers to match.
| Part of speech | Words in the game |
|---|---|
| Nouns | dog, teacher, apple, city, ball, river, pencil, garden, doctor, mountain |
| Verbs | run, jump, eat, write, swim, sing, build, laugh, climb, read |
| Adjectives | happy, tall, red, soft, noisy, tiny, brave, cold, shiny, quick |
Noun verb adjective sort: three quick tests
Teach children a test for each part of speech, and they can sort words they have never met before. The tests all work by putting the word into a tiny sentence:
| Part of speech | What it does | Test | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun | Names a person, place or thing | Can you say “the ___” or “a ___”? | the teacher, a river |
| Verb | Shows an action or a state | Can you say “to ___” or “I ___”? | to climb, I sing |
| Adjective | Describes a noun | Can you say “a very ___ dog”? | a very brave dog |
Children who find the nouns verbs adjectives game easy can try making up their own tests. The test “the ___” is useful because only nouns fit after “the” without changing the sentence. Wikipedia’s part of speech article explains how languages group their words in this way.
Words that can be a noun or a verb
English has many words that do two jobs, and the job depends on the sentence. This is why the game uses words with one clear job, but it is worth showing children the others, as they make a good discussion once the basics are sure:
| Word | As a verb | As a noun |
|---|---|---|
| run | We run to school. (verb) | She went for a run. (noun) |
| water | Please water the plants. (verb) | The water is cold. (noun) |
| paint | We paint a picture. (verb) | The paint is red. (noun) |
| smile | Smile for the camera. (verb) | She has a big smile. (noun) |
| light | Light a candle. (verb) | Turn on the light. (noun) |
| dance | Let us dance. (verb) | The dance was fun. (noun) |
A teaching order for this grammar game for kids
- Start with nouns, using things children can see in the room, and then people and places.
- Add verbs by acting them out: jump, swim, sing, laugh.
- Add adjectives by describing a real object: a soft toy, a shiny coin, a cold drink.
- Sort mixed words with the printable mat, then play Sort It to check the result.
- Use the words in sentences: ask for one sentence that holds a noun, a verb and an adjective, such as “The tiny dog climbs.”
Parts of speech sorting mat: how to use it
The parts of speech sorting mat has three big boxes and 24 word cards, eight for each part of speech. Cut out the cards, shuffle them and let children place each one on the right box, saying the test sentence aloud. When every card is placed, check the mat together, and then play the nouns verbs adjectives game on screen to see if the same words sort the same way. The mat works well in a group, because children have to explain their choices to each other.
Parts of speech activities to try after the game
- Word hunt: look around the room and write three nouns, then add an adjective for each.
- Action charades: act out a verb for others to guess, then say a sentence with it.
- Sentence builder: choose a noun, a verb and an adjective, and write a sentence that uses all three.
- Story swap: read a short story and underline nouns in blue, verbs in red and adjectives in green.
Where parts of speech fit at school
| Level | What children are expected to do |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 (US) | Use common nouns, verbs and frequently occurring adjectives in speaking and writing (L.1.1) |
| Grade 3 (US) | Explain the function of nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs in sentences (L.3.1.a) |
| Year 2 (England) | Use nouns, verbs and adjectives, and expanded noun phrases |
The Common Core grade 3 language standards set the target for the third grade, and our grammar worksheets give written practice for children who like pen and paper.
Nouns verbs adjectives game: frequently asked questions
What grade is the nouns verbs adjectives game for?
Grades 2 and 3, though first graders who know what a noun is can join in with the picture words.
How do I tell a noun from a verb?
Try the sentence tests. If “the ___” works, it is a noun. If “to ___” works, it is a verb. Keep the nouns verbs adjectives game open as a quick check.
Why is there no Memory Match mode?
Memory Match needs at least six different answers to pair up, and this game has only three, so it is hidden.
Can a word be a noun and a verb?
Yes. Words such as run, water and paint do both jobs. The nouns verbs adjectives game uses words with one clear job, so children learn the idea first.
Is the nouns verbs adjectives game free, and do kids need an account?
Yes, it is free, and no account is needed. Best scores are saved only in the browser on this device.
Does it work on phones and tablets?
Yes. Every game is built for touch first and also works with a mouse on a computer.