NOTE 4. The term nominative is taken from the Latin nominativus, the naming case, which was so called because its relation in Latin was the subjective relation, or a relation explanatory thereof. Inasmuch as three English cases have to express all the relations that were expressed in Latin by six cases, it is obvious that the technical case-term of the Latin must have a wider application in English and embody more relations. So varied are the relations expressed by the nominative and objective cases in English, that a formulated summary of their relations is the only practical definition which can be given. NOTE 5. Some pronouns are used in both noun and adjective uses. From the consideration of these uses of pronouns a great diversity of opinion has arisen, which has resulted in marked differences in the treatment and classification of pronouns. Inasmuch as the reference idea in the pronoun is never lost, and rarely modified, when used with a noun, it seems best to teach pronouns as pronouns, whether used in noun or in adjective relations. The possessive case of pronouns, like the possessive case of nouns, should not be considered an adjective relation, although it may be equivalent to it. NOTE 6.- Person is not, properly speaking, a property of nouns, for every noun having grammatical relation in the sentence designates only the relation of the person spoken of. It has sometimes been assumed that a noun in apposition defining the meaning of a pronoun takes the same personal relation as the pronoun. In such an assumption due consideration is not given to the fact that a noun being used as a name is limited by its definition to one personal relation; viz., the person or thing named; while a pronoun, being a reference word, has no such limitation. NOTE 7. The neuter pronoun is generally known as a personal pronoun of the third person, neuter. If gender is based on sex, it follows that the neuter pronoun cannot be used as a reference word when relating to sex. NOTE 8.It is sometimes claimed that a supplementary relative pronoun is, in reality, a coördinate connective, and with its antecedent clause forms a compound sentence. It is an equivalent of such a construction, but a relative of any kind by its very nature is always a subordinate connective, and introduces a subordinate sentence. NOTE 9. As the verbs in the formation of potential verb phrases retain or, to a great extent, do not lose their original or notional verb meanings which, as auxiliaries of mode, they must needs do, it is not entirely evident that such a modal classification is essentially logical. Nor is it clear that the mere distinguishing of these verb forms and the simple reference of them to a mode, based on general uses and forms, can produce as definite knowledge of their meanings and uses as can be reached through continually viewing these verbs and their uses in the light of their original and acquired meanings. NOTE 10. The relative pronouns and adverbs are all derived from demonstratives. It will be seen, therefore, that a demonstrative in the full construction should accompany the antecedent. We also find the antece dent sometimes repeated in the relative clause. The relative, therefore, in the full construction, connects two different cases of the same noun. The antecedent of the relative, as we have seen, is often omitted, especially the antecedent of relative adverbs, when emphasis is not required. NOTE 11. — In the earlier periods of languages the prepositions appear as simple local adverbs used to emphasize the meaning of the verb; they were called prepositions because they were placed before the verb (Latin praeposito) and often compounded with it. At that period the case ending indicated the relation of the noun to the verb. These prefixes which are still seen in many pure English words, as well as frequently in words derived from other languages, were sometimes separated from the verbs by tmesis, but still retained their original force. As the development of language went on, these adverbs gradually came to be placed before cases of nouns to emphasize the relation indicated by the case ending. When case endings for the most part disappeared, although placed after the verb, they still retained the name preposition and became the relation words. They did not, however, lose their adverbial force, which is still seen: (a) In their use as prefixes both separable and inseparable. (b) In their general use, showing adverbial relations in all languages. (c) In their common use as pure adverbs. The general relations expressed by the NOTE 12. prepositions are : — I. Adverbial, when the first term is a verb, adjective, or adverb; and show: 1. Indirect object. 2. Place to which. 3. Place in which. 4. Place from which. 5. Source, origin, separation. 6. Means or instrument, agent. 7. Cause or reason. 8. Name, specification, price, time. II. Adjective, when first term is a noun: 1. Quality. noun or pro 2. Possession. These relations may be grouped in various ways, but all depend upon the meaning of the preposition. Prepositions will present no difficulty to the learner as soon as the habit is formed of disposing of them in this manner, but, on the other hand, will add greatly to the interest of the pupils. It will be readily evident to the pupils that the preposition has more to do with the verb than with the noun. |