The word around can mean โsurrounding,โ โalong the outside of,โ and โto different places.โ It functions as a preposition or an adverb and is a particle of phrasal verbs like โcome aroundโ and โturn around.โ
QuillBotโs free AI chat can help you identify the part of speech of โaroundโ 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. QuillBotโs 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 doesnโtsoundright. [Subject complement: an adjective describing the subject]
The boysbecamefriends. [Subject complement: a noun identifying the subject]
The problemisthat weโre 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. QuillBotโs 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 โover the topโ and is the opposite of โunderโ in many contexts.
Need to figure out how โoverโ is being used in a sentence (i.e., its part of speech)? Ask QuillBotโs 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 โto a place within somethingโ or โin the direction of something.โ It can also indicate the result of a transformation or what something is about. When itโs part of a phrasal verb, โintoโ is a particle.
QuillBotโs free Grammar Checker can help you use โintoโ 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.ย [Preposition]
Rising inflation is eating into people’s hard-earned savings. [Particle of the phrasal verb โeat into,โ meaning โdepleteโ]
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 โ-lyโ to โquiet,โ you get โquietly.โ Common suffixes include โ-ed,โ โ-ion,โ โ-ful,โ and โ-ment.โ Suffixes can change a wordโs part of speech (e.g., โfreedomโ), plurality (e.g., โrosesโ), verb tense (e.g., โworkedโ or โworkingโ), 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.
QuillBotโs 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 โmicro-โ prefix in โmicronutrientโ). 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 โin-โ prefix (meaning โnotโ) to โedible,โ you get โinedible,โ which means โnot edible.โ
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.
QuillBotโs 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 doesnโt 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 youโre taking an English proficiency test, youโll 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 youโre writing with direct or indirect/reported speech, QuillBotโs free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors.
Direct and indirect speech examples
Direct speech
Indirect speech/reported speech
Miley said, โI can buy myself flowers.โ
Miley said that she can buy herself flowers.
The neighbor just stopped by and asked, โCan I borrow a cup of sugar?โ
The neighbor asked if he could borrow a cup of sugar.
I donโt mind where we stay as long as itโs not too far from the venue.
Neither the gym nor the pool was open this morning.
We can take a taxi into town, or thereโs a bus that goes every 10 minutes.
She said that we can catch a bus into town from the stop outside the hotel.
Either we can take a taxi or we can walk.
Do you want to fly or drive?
Rather than fly, why donโt we drive?
Iโd rather fly than drive.
TipQuillBotโs free Grammar Checker will instantly show you the correct punctuation to use with conjunctions (e.g., whether to put a comma before or, but, or because).
