An English Grammar For The Use Of High School, Academy, And College Classes

THE PARTS OF SPEECH_. 



NOUNS. 

1. In the more simple _state_ of the _Arabs_, the _nation_ is free, because each of her _sons_ disdains a base _submission_ to the _will_ of a _master_.--GIBBON.

[Sidenote: _Name words_]

By examining this sentence we notice several words used as names. The plainest name is _Arabs_, which belongs to a people; but, besides this one, the words _sons_ and _master_ name objects, and may belong to any of those objects. The words _state, submission,_ and _will_ are evidently names of a different kind, as they stand for ideas, not objects; and the word _nation_ stands for a whole group.

When the meaning of each of these words has once been understood, the word naming it will always call up the thing or idea itself. Such words are called nouns. 

[Sidenote: _Definition_.]

2. A noun is a name word, representing directly to the mind an object, substance, or idea. 

[Sidenote: _Classes of nouns_.]

3. Nouns are classified as follows:--

(1) Proper.

(2) Common. (a) CLASS NAMES: i. Individual. ii. Collective. (b) MATERIAL.

(3) Abstract. (a) ATTRIBUTE. (b) VERBAL 

[Sidenote: _Names for special objects._]

4. A proper noun is a name applied to a particular object, whether person, place, or thing.