Return to CLAA Classical Grammar I
In this lesson, the student begins the study of the first of the eight parts of speech, which is the noun. The purpose of this lesson is to learn what a noun is, how it is defined, and how to recognize its different kinds. Special attention is given to the distinction between substantive and adjective nouns, and to the difference between proper and common nouns. These distinctions are fundamental, because nouns form the backbone of all speech, and without understanding them clearly, it is impossible to read, write, or analyze Latin accurately.
A noun, as defined in grammar rule sixteen, is a word or part of speech which has cases and signifies a thing without time. This definition contains two essential ideas that must be carefully understood and remembered. First, a noun is a word which has cases. This means that a noun can change its form in order to express different grammatical meanings. Latin nouns change their endings to show how they are used in a sentence, such as whether they are subjects, objects, or possessors. Although English nouns change their forms far less than Latin nouns, the idea is still present. When we say “child” and “children,” we are using different forms of the same noun to express different ideas. Because nouns admit of such changes, they are said to have cases.
The second part of the definition teaches that a noun signifies a thing without time. When a noun is spoken, it does not tell us anything about past, present, or future action. If we say “king,” the word simply names a thing and does not indicate when anything happens. This distinguishes nouns from verbs. A verb always signifies time. When we say “the king governs,” the word governs refers to present time. When we say “the king will govern,” the verb points to future time. A noun, however, remains free from time and simply names what something is.
Grammar rule seventeen teaches that there are two sorts of nouns: substantive and adjective. The names of these two kinds are helpful, because they explain their meanings. The word “substantive” means “standing alone,” while the word “adjective” means “placed next to.” A substantive noun is a noun that can stand by itself in speech and still make complete sense. Words such as “table,” “hand,” and “king” are substantive nouns because they name things that can be understood without the help of any other word.
An adjective noun, on the other hand, cannot stand by itself in speech. It must be joined to a substantive noun, either expressed or understood, in order to have meaning. Words such as “good,” “holy,” and “great” are adjective nouns. If someone simply says “good” or “great,” the listener naturally asks, “Good what?” or “Great what?” The adjective has no complete meaning until it is joined to a substantive that it describes.
Sometimes an adjective appears to stand alone, but in reality the substantive is only understood, not spoken. For example, when Our Lord says, “Blessed are the poor,” the word “poor” is an adjective. It cannot truly stand alone, yet it is meaningful because the substantive “people” is understood. The adjective agrees with a substantive that is present in the mind, even though it is not expressed in words. This explains how an adjective may appear alone without violating its definition.
One useful method for determining whether a noun is substantive or adjective is known as the “thing test.” If placing the word “thing” next to the noun causes the expression to make no sense, then the noun is substantive. For example, “table thing” does not make sense, which shows that “table” is a substantive noun. If placing the word “thing” next to the noun does make sense, then the noun is adjective. The phrase “tall thing” makes sense, showing that “tall” is an adjective noun. This simple test helps students recognize the nature of a noun quickly and accurately.
Grammar rule twenty teaches that substantive nouns are divided into two kinds: proper and common. A proper substantive noun signifies a certain or determinate thing. The word “proper” comes from the Latin proprium, meaning “one’s own.” A proper noun names something that has its own special name and is set apart from others in its group. Words such as “Rome,” “Romulus,” and “Caesar” are proper nouns because they name particular persons or places. Proper nouns are normally written with a capital letter to mark their special status.
A common substantive noun signifies more than one thing. It names something that shares its name with others of the same kind. Words such as “king,” “city,” and “book” are common nouns, because they can apply to many different individuals. A king may be any king, a city may be any city, and a book may be any book. Common nouns are not set apart as one particular individual, but apply broadly to a class.
To determine whether a noun is proper or common, students may use the “any” test. If placing the word “any” before a noun makes no sense, the noun is proper. For example, “any Rome” does not make sense, which shows that “Rome” is a proper noun. If placing the word “any” before a noun does make sense, the noun is common. The phrase “any city” makes sense, showing that “city” is a common noun. This test usually gives a clear answer.
Sometimes, however, nouns such as days of the week seem confusing. We might say, “You may visit on any Monday,” which appears to make sense. To understand this properly, we must remember why names are given. Names do not distinguish something from everything else in the world, but from other things within a certain group. The name “Monday” distinguishes one day from the other days of the week. When understood in this way, “any Monday” does not truly make sense, because Monday is a proper name within the group of weekdays. Therefore, “Monday” is a proper noun.
The lesson concludes with instruction on the use of capital letters. Capital letters serve several purposes in writing, but some uses must always be followed carefully. Proper nouns are always begun with a capital letter, such as James, Monday, Texas, and America. Capital letters are also used to mark the first word of every sentence, whether it is a statement, question, or quotation. The word “I” is always written with a capital letter, regardless of its position in a sentence.
Finally, capital letters are used for words that refer to God. Titles, names, and pronouns that refer to God are capitalized as a sign of reverence and clarity. Expressions such as “the Lord,” “the Lamb of God,” “the Father,” and “His people” follow this rule. By observing these conventions carefully, students learn not only grammatical accuracy but also clarity, respect, and order in their writing.
Memory Work
1. What is a noun?
A noun is a word, or part of speech, which has cases, and signifies a thing without time, as: mensa a table; manus, a hand; rex, a king; bonus, good; pulcher, beautiful; felix, happy.
2. How many sorts of nouns are there?
Two: Substantive and Adjective.
3. What is a substantive noun ?
A substantive noun is a noun which cannot agree with another in meaning, but stands by itself in speech, as: mensa a table; manus, a hand; rex, a king.
4. What is an adjective noun?
An adjective noun is a noun which must agree with a substantive noun (either expressed or understood) to have meaning; or, a noun which cannot stand by itself in speech, as: bonus, good; sanctus, holy; magnus, great.
5. How many kinds of substantive nouns are there?
Two. First, a Proper Substantive Noun, which signifies a certain or determinate thing, as: Romulus, Roma, Caesar; Second, a Common Substantive Noun which signifies more than one things, as: rex signifies any king; urbs any city; liber any book.
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