9. The singular number is frequently used for the plural in nouns expressing quantity or number, when the plural idea of quantity or number is expressed by the words used with the nouns; as,

A hundred-yard dash, a ten-mile race, a ten-foot pole, two brace of partridges, three pair of shoes, four yoke of oxen, two span of horses, a hundred head of cattle.

Proper nouns are generally singular, but when used in the plural, follow the regular law of plural formations; as,

Yagers, Duffeys, Lanes, Reids, Halls.

When a title of address precedes the noun, either the title or the name may receive the plural; as,

Misses Fordham, or Miss Fordhams, Messrs. Murdock, or Mr. Murdocks; Drs. Didama, or Dr. Didamas.

Both of these forms are in common use, yet in formal address it is preferable to pluralize the title of address.

COMPOUND NOUNS.

The plural of compound nouns is formed in three different ways.

1. When the compound word is regarded as a unit word, the plural is added at the end of the compound word; as,

forget-me-nots, receiving-houses, four per cents, basketfuls, wagon-loads.

2. When the compound word has an important word in the union, that word receives the plural; as, hangers-on, sons-in-law, men-of-war, minute-men, reed

birds.

3. When the compound noun consists of words that are regarded of equal importance in the union, each part receives the plural; as,—

men-servants, women-servants, lords-justices, knightstemplars.

NOTES ON NUMBER.

1. Proper nouns do not regularly admit of a plural, but may be used in the plural number to designate more than one of the same family, name, etc. (See 80.)

2. Common class nouns designating material objects do not admit of a plural excepting to denote different qualities or component parts of materials; as,

soaps, teas, coffees, breads, sandstones, etc.

3. Some abstract nouns become common class nouns, and as such are used in the plural to denote particular action or particular varieties of quality; as,

liberties, virtues, vices, negligences.

D. CASE.

It has been stated that the sentence is the grammatical unit, and that its component elements are parts of speech.

The parts of speech are bound together in a sentence by certain relation; to illustrate, regard Henrybrought Mary's — letters, as isolated words, and ideas are suggested, but no thought is expressed by them.

Form these same words into a sentence; as, Henry brought Mary's letters, and the only addition made is the linking or relating of these words to one another. In nouns and pronouns this relating element is called.

case.

96. The property or use of a noun that denotes its relation to other words in the sentence is called case.

Case is from the Latin casus a falling (or varying from a standard form).

Note the case relations expressed in the foregoing sentence. The noun, Henry, is the subject of the verb, brought, hence denotes the subjective relation. The

Case.

noun, letters, is the object of the verb, brought, hence denotes the objective relation. The noun, Mary's, is used to denote the possessor of that which is expressed by the noun, letters, hence it denotes the possessive relation.

In modern English there are three cases or groups of relations the nominative, the objective, and the possessive.

NOMINATIVE CASE.1

Note that the nouns in full-faced type in the following sentences are subjects of verbs :

1. Roger Williams founded Providence.

2. Being is better than seeming.

3. Jefferson was elected president by the House of Representatives.

4. Darwin was a great naturalist.

Subject 97. The subject of the verb is in the nominative Nominative. case and is called the subject nominative.

Predicate

Note that the nouns in full-faced type in the following sentences are predicate nouns:—

1. Carbon is the chief element of charcoal.
2. Jupiter is the largest planet.

3. The Indians are the wards of the nation.

98. A predicate noun (see 38) is in the same Nominative. case as the subject of its verb, and when in the nominative is called the predicate nominative.

Name the subject and predicate nominatives in the following sentences:

1 See Notes for Teachers, 4.

1. Shakespeare is an intellectual miracle. - Chalmers.
2. True wisdom is the price of happiness. -Young.
3. Action is the true joy of the soul. — Gay.

4. Occupation alone is happiness. - Johnson.
5. Brisk talkers are generally slow thinkers. — Swift.
6. Absence of occupation is not rest.— Cowper.

7. The eye is the only true notebook of the poet.

- Lowell. Note that the nouns in full-faced type in the following sentences are placed after nouns to add definiteness to the meaning of these nouns :

1. Napoleon, the Emperor, died at St. Helena.

2. Harvey, a physician, discovered the circulation of the blood.

3. The glory of Greece is Plato, the philosopher.

99. A noun placed after another noun to describe or to add definiteness to the meaning of that noun is called an appositive.

Appositive is from the Latin appositus — placed after or joined to.

100. An appositive is in the same case as the noun whose meaning it defines, and when in the nominative is called the appositive nominative.

Name the subject, predicate, and appositive nominatives in the following sentences:

1. A noble deed is a step toward heaven.

- Holland.

2. Faith is power, the material of effect. Parkhurst.

3. The essence of friendship is entireness, a total magnanimity and trust. - Emerson.

4. Virtue is its own reward. - Gay.

Appositive.

Appositive Nominative.