C. SUMMARY OF DEFINITIONS. An adjective is a word used with a noun to designate more definitely that for which the noun stands. A predicate adjective is an adjective used with a copulative verb to form the predicate. An attributive adjective is an adjective that precedes the noun with which it is used. An appositive adjective is an adjective that immediately follows the noun with which it is used. A descriptive adjective is an adjective that is used to describe the kind or quality of that for which the noun stands. A quantitive adjective is an adjective that is used to distinguish how many there are, or how much is contained in that for which the noun stands. A demonstrative adjective is an adjective that is used to direct attention to that for which the noun stands. An article is a demonstrative adjective that is used to point out any one of a group or class of persons or things, or point out a particular individual group or class of persons or things. The indefinite article is the article that is used to point out any one of a group or class of persons or things. The definite article is the article that is used to point out a particular group or class of persons or things. Comparison is the property of adjectives that designates the degree of quality or characteristic of that for which the noun stands. Degrees of comparison are the different steps of comparison. The positive degree is the simple form of the adjective used as the basis or absolute degree of comparison. The comparative degree is the form of the adjective used to designate a quality or a characteristic as one degree higher or lower than that designated by the positive. The superlative degree is the form of the adjective used to designate a quality or a characteristic in the degree highest or lowest from that designated by the positive. Inflectional form of comparison is the form of comparison expressed by inflectional endings. Less and least may be used with the positive degree to express comparison. Too and very may be used with the positive degree to express an implied comparison. Adverbial form of comparison is the form of comparison expressed by adverbs in connection with the positive degree of the adjective. OUTLINE CLASSIFICATION OF ADJECTIVES. I. Classes. 1. As to position. 1. Predicative. 2. Attributive. 3. Appositive. 2. As to use. 1. Descriptive. 2. Quantitive. 3. Demonstrative. a. Ordinal Numeral. b. Cardinal Numeral. c. Article. 1. Definite. 2. Indefinite. II. Comparison. 1. Degrees. 1. Positive. 2. Forms. 1. Inflectional. a. Regular. 2. Adverbial. Auxiliary Verbs. Notional IV. VERBS. A. CLASSES OF VERBS. A verb is a word used to assert something about some person or thing. (See 30.) A verb usually expresses action; as, Petty laws breed great crimes. - Ouida. A verb is sometimes used to express a state; as, 204. Note that the verbs in full-faced type in the following sentences have lost their own meaning, and are used to help the verbs with which they are joined in the expression of their meaning. Such verbs are called auxiliary verbs. 1. The advice that is wanted is generally unwelcome. - Johnson. 2. Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. - Channing. 3. In all ages solitude has been called for, has been flown to. - Disraeli. 205. Verbs that retain their meaning in expressVerbs. ing an action are called notional verbs; as,— 1. We see the world, each of us, with our own sight, and make from within us the world we see. Thackeray. 2. By attention, ideas are registered on the memory. - Locke. 206. A transitive verb is one that requires an Transitive object to complete the idea of the action expressed by the verb. Transitive is from the Latin transitivus-a going over, and refers to the idea that the action expressed by the transitive verb generally goes over and terminates on an object; as, 1. Pedantry crams our heads with lumber. Colton. 2. We cultivate literature on a little oatmeal. Smith. Note whether the idea expressed by the transitive verbs in the following sentences can be said to go over and terminate on objects: 1. The rich man's son inherits cares. - Lowell. Channing. 2. Every life has some secret pain. Johnson. Verb. Verb. 207. An intransitive verb is one that does not Intransitive require an object to complete the idea of the action expressed by the verb; as, I was born an American, I live an American, I shall die an American. - Webster. 208. Many verbs are used either as transitive or intransitive verbs. Some intransitive verbs may be used as transitive verbs, and nearly all transitive verbs may be used as intransitive verbs. 1. For I know that Death is a guest divine Who shall drink my blood as I drink this wine. - Winter. |