In sentence 2, the noun horse is the Subject. It is the answer to the question, 'Who kicked
the boy?”
The noun boy is the Object. It is the answer to the question, 'Whom did the horse kick?”
49. When a noun (or pronoun) is used as the Subject of a verb, it is said to be in the
Nominative Case.
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When a noun (or pronoun) is used as the Object of a verb, it is said to be in the Objective
(or Accusative) Case.
Note-To find the Nominative, put Who? or What? before the verb.
To find the Accusative put, Whom? or What? before the verb and its subject.
50. A noun which comes after a preposition is also said to be in the Accusative Case; as,
The book is in the desk.
The noun desk is in the Accusative Case, governed by the preposition in.
51. Read the following sentences:-
Hari broke the window. (Object)
The window was broken. (Subject)
It will be seen that Nouns in English have the same form for the Nominative and the
Accusative.
The Nominative generally comes before the verb, and the Accusative after the verb.
Hence they are distinguished by the order of words, or by the sense.
52. Compare:-
1. Rama gave a ball.
2. Rama gave Hari a ball.
In each of these sentences the noun ball is the Object of gave.
In the second sentence we are told that Hari was the person to whom Rama gave a ball.
The noun Hari is called the Indirect Object of the verb gave.
The noun ball, the ordinary Object, is called the Direct Object.
It will be noticed that the position of the Indirect Object is immediately after the verb and
before the Direct Object.
Note:
Rama gave Hari a ball = Rama gave a ball to Hari.
Will you do me a favour? = Will you do a favour to me?
I bought Rama a ball = I bought a ball for Rama.
Fetch the boy a book = Fetch a book for the boy.
She made Ruth a new dress = She made a new dress for Ruth.
Get me a taxi = Get a taxi for me.
We see that the Indirect Object of a verb denotes the person to whom something is given,
or for whom something is done.
53. Examine the sentence:-
This is Ram's umbrella.
Ram's umbrella = the umbrella belonging to Rama.
The form of the noun Rama is changed to Rama's to show ownership of possession. The
Noun Rama’s is therefore said to be in the possessive (or Genitive) Case
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The Possessive answers the question, ‘Whose?’
Whose umbrella? - Rama's.
54. The Possessive Case does not always denote possession. It is used to denote
authorship, origin, kind, etc. as,
Shakespeare's plays = the plays written by Shakespeare.
A mother's love = the love felt by a mother.
The President's speech = the speech delivered by the President.
Mr. Aggarwal's house = the house where Mr. Aggarwal lives.
Ashok's school = the school where Ashok goes.
A children's playground = a playground for children.
A week's holiday = a holiday which lasts a week.
Formation of the Possessive Case
55. (1) When the noun is Singular, the Possessive Case is formed by adding ‘s to the
noun; as,
The boy's book; the king's crown.
Note:- The letter s is omitted in a few words where too many hissing sounds would come
together; as,
For conscience' sake; for goodness' sake;
For justice' sake; for Jesus' sake; Moses' laws.
(2) When the noun is Plural, and ends in s, the Possessive Case is formed by adding only
an apostrophe; as,
Boys' school; girls' school; horses' tails.
(3) When the noun is Plural but does not end in s, the Possessive sign is formed by
adding 's as,
Men's club; children's books.
56. When a noun or a title consists of several words, the Posses sive sign is attached only
to the last word; as,
The King of Bhutan's visit.
The Prime Minister of Mauritius's speech.
57. When two nouns are in apposition, the possessive sign is put to the latter only; as,
That is Tagore the poet's house.
58. Also when two nouns are closely connected, the possessive is put to the latter; as,
Karim and Salim's bakery.
William and Mary's reign.
59. Each of two or more connected nouns implying separate possession must take the
possessive sign; as,
Raja Rao's and RK Narayan's novels.
Goldsmith's and Cowper's poems.
Use of the Possessive Case
60. The Possessive Case is now used chiefly with the names of living thing; as,
The Governor’s bodyguard; the lion’s mane.
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So we must say:
The leg of the table [not, the table's leg].
The cover of the book [not, the book's cover].
The roof of the house [not, the house's roof).
61. But the Possessive is used with the names of personified (When n inanimate thing has
ascribed to it the attributes of a person it is said to be personified. (See § 28)) objects; as,
India's heroes; Nature's laws; Fortune's favourite; at duty's call; at death's door.
62. The Possessive is also used with nouns denoting time, space or weight; as,
A day's march; a week's holiday; in a year's time; a stone's throw; a foot's length; a
pound's weight.
63. The following phrases are also in common use:-
At his fingers' ends; for mercy's sake; to his heart's content; at his wit's end; a boat's crew.
64. The possessive of a proper name or of a noun denoting a trade, profession, or
relationship may be used to denote a building or place of business (church, house, school,
college, shop, hospital, the atre; etc.) as,
She has gone to the baker's ( = baker's shop).
Tonight I am dining at my uncle's ( = uncle's house).
Can you tell me the way to St .Paul's ( ='St. Paul's church)?
I attend the Town High School but my cousin attends St. Xavier's.
He was educated ai St. Joseph's.
65. When you are in doubt whether to use a noun in the possessive case or with the
preposition of, remember that, as a general rule, the possessive case is used to denote
possession or ownership. Thus it is better to say 'the defeat of the enemy' than 'the
enemy's defeat', even though no doubt as to the meaning would arise.
Sometimes, however, a noun in the possessive case has a different meaning from a noun
used with the preposition of; as,
‘The Prime Minister's reception in Delhi’ means a reception held by the
Prime Minister in Delhi.
‘The reception of the Prime Minister in Delhi’ means the manner in which the people
welcomed him when he entered Delhi.
The phrase 'the love of a father' may mean either 'a father's love of his
child' or 'a child's love of his father'.
Nouns in Apposition
66. Read the following sentence:-
Rama, our captain, made fifty runs.
We see that Rama and our captain are one and the same person. The noun captain follows
the noun Rama simply to explain which Rama is referred to.
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When one noun follows another to describe it, the noun which follows is said to be in
apposition to the noun which comes before it.
[Apposition means placing near.]
A noun in apposition is in the same case as the noun which it explains.
In the above sentence the noun captain is in apposition to the noun Rama, and is in the
Nominative Case (because Rama is in the Nominative Case.)
Further examples:-
1. Kabir, the great reformer, was a weaver.
2. Yesterday I met your uncle, the doctor.
3. Have you seen Ganguli, the artist's drawings?
In sentence 1, the noun in apposition is in the Nominative Case.
In sentence 2, the noun in apposition is in the Accusative Case. [Why?]
In sentence 3, the noun in apposition is in the Genitive Case. [Why?]
CHAPTER 9
THE ADJECTIVE
67. Read the following sentences :-
1. Sita is a clever girl. (Girl of what kind1?)
2. I don't like that boy, (Which boy ?)
3. He gave me five mangoes. (How many mangoes?)
4. There is little time for preparation. (How much time ?)
In sentence 1, ‘clever’ shows what kind of girl Sita is; or, in other words, ‘clever’
describes the girl Sita.
In sentence 2, ‘that’ points out which boy is meant.
In sentence 3, ‘five’ shows how many mangoes he gave me.
In sentence 4, ‘little’ shows how much time there is for preparation.
A word used with a noun to describe or point out, the person, animal, place or thing
which the noun names, or to tell the number or quantity, is called an Adjective.
So we may define an Adjective as a word used with a noun to add something for its
meaning.
[Adjective means added to.]
68. Look at the following sentences:-
1. The lazy boy was punished.
2. The boy is lazy.
In sentence 1, the Adjective lazy is used along with the noun boy as an epithet or
attribute. It is, therefore, said to be used Attributively.
In sentence 2, the Adjective lazy is used along with the verb is,
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and forms part of the Predicate. It is, therefore, said to be used Predicatively.
Some Adjectives can be used only Predicatively; as,
She is afraid of ghosts.
I am quite well.
A work from S. CHAND & COMPANY LTD.
Kinds of Adjectives
Adjectives may be divided into the following classes:-
69. Adjectives of Quality (or Descriptive Adjective) show the kind or quality of a person
or thing; as,
Kolkata is a large city.
He is an honest man.
The foolish old crow tried to sing.
This is a Grammar of the English
(Adjectives formed from Proper Nouns (e.g., French wines, Turkish tobacco, Indian tea,
etc.) are sometimes called Proper Adjectives. They are generally classed with Adjectives
of Quality) language.
Adjectives of Quality answer the question : Of what kind ?
70. Adjectives of Quantity show how much of a thing is meant as,
I ate some rice.
He showed much patience.
He has little intelligence.
We have had enough exercise.
He has lost all his wealth.
You have no sense.
He did not eat any rice.
Take great care of your health.
He claimed his half share of the booty.
There has not been sufficient rain this year.
The whole sum was expended.
Adjectives of Quantity answer the question: How much?
71. Adjectives of Number (or Numeral Adjectives) show how many persons or things are
meant, or in what order a person or thing stands; as,
The hand has five fingers.
Few cats like cold water.
There are no pictures in this book.
I have taught you many things.
All men must die.
Here are some ripe mangoes.
Most boys like cricket.
There are several mistakes in your exercise.
Sunday is the first day of the week
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72. Adjectives of Number (or Numeral Adjectives) are of three kinds:-
(i) Definite Numeral Adjectives, which denote an exact number; as,
One, two, three, etc. -- These are called Cardinals.
First, second, third, etc. -- These are called Ordinals.
[A Cardinal denotes how many, and an Ordinal the order of things in a series. It will be
seen that Ordinals really do the work of Demonstrative Adjectives. See 74]
(ii) Indefinite Numeral Adjectives, which do not denote an exact number; as,
All, no; many, few; some, any; certain, several, sundry.
(iii) Distributive Numeral Adjectives, which refer to each one of a number; as.,
Each boy must take his turn.
India expects every man to do his duty.
Every word of it is false.
Either pen will do.
On either side is a narrow lane.
Neither accusation is true.
73. The same Adjective may be classed as of Quantity or Number, according to its use.
Adjectives of Quantity -- Adjectives of Number
I ate some rice. -- Some boys are clever.
He has lost all his wealth. -- All men must die.
You have no sense. -- There are no pictures in this book.
He did not eat any rice. -- Are there any mango-trees in this garden?
I have enough sugar. -- There are not enough spoons.
74. Demonstrative Adjectives point out which person or thing is meant; as,
This boy is stronger than Hari.
That boy is industrious.
These mangoes are sour.
Those rascals must be punished.
Yonder fort once belonged to Shivaji.
Don't be in such a hurry.
I hate such things.
Demonstrative Adjectives answer the question: Which ?
[It will be noticed that this and that are used with Singular nouns and these and those with
Plural nouns.]
75. What, which and whose, when they are used with nouns toask questions, are called
Interrogative Adjectives; as,
What manner of man is he?
Which way shall we go?
Whose book is this?
[It will be seen that what is used in a general sense, and which in a selective sense.]
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Exercise in Grammar 6
Pick out all the Adjectives in the following sentences, and say to which class each of
them belongs:-
1. The ship sustained heavy damage.
2. I have called several times.
3. Every dog has his day.
4. A live ass is better than a dead lion,
5. Every man has his duties.
6. Say the same thing twice over.
7. Several persons were present at the time,
8. He is a man of few words.
9. Neither party is quite in the right.
10. What time is if?
11. Which pen do you prefer?
12. The way was long, the wind was cold, the minstrel was infirm and old.
13. He comes here every day.
14. I have not seen him for several days.
15. There should not be much talk and little work.
16. Abdul won the second prize.
17. The child fell down from a great height.
18. He was absent last week.
19. He died a glorious death.
20. A small leak may sink a great ship.
21. Good wine needs no bush.
22. I like the little pedlar who has a crooked nose.
23. King Francis was a hearty King and loved a royal sport.
24. In the furrowed land the toilsome patient oxen stand.
25. My uncle lives in the next house.
26. Some dreams are like reality.
27. A cross child is not liked.
28. It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
76. In the following sentences the words own and very are used as Emphasizing
Adjectives:-
I saw it with my own eyes.
He was beaten at his own game.
Mind your own business.
He is his own master.
That is the very thing we want.
“When all else left my cause.
My very adversary took my part”.
77. The word what is sometimes used as an Exclamatory Adjective; as.
What genius!
What folly!
What an idea!
What a blessing!
What a piece of work is man!
78. As already pointed out (§ 74) this and that are the only Adjectives which are
inflected or changed in form to show number.
This girl sings.
These girls sing.
That boy plays.
Those boys play.
This, these indicate something near to the speaker.
That, those indicate more distant objects.
Formation of Adjectives
79. (i) Many Adjectives are formed from Nouns.
Noun -- Adjective
Boy -- boyish
Fool -- foolish
Dirt -- dirty
Storm -- stormy
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Care -- careful
Pardon -- pardonable
Play -- playful
Laugh -- laughable
Hope -- hopeful
Outrage -- outrageous
Venture -- venturesome
Courage -- courageous
Trouble -- troublesome
Glory -- glorious
Shame -- shameless
Envy -- envious
Sense -- senseless
Man -- manly
Silk -- silken
King -- kingly
Gold -- golden
Gift -- gifted
(ii) Some Adjectives are formed from Verbs.
Verb -- Adjective
Tire -- tireless
Cease -- ceaseless
Talk -- talkative
Move -- moveable
(iii) Some Adjectives are formed from other Adjectives.
Adjective -- Adjective
Tragic -- tragical
Black -- blackish
Whole -- wholesome
White -- whitish
Three -- threefold
Sick -- sickly
Exercise in Composition 7
Supply suitable Adjectives:-
1. The town stood a --- siege.
2. The --- prize was won by a Hindu.
3. The --- woman lives in a wretched hut.
4. This is a very --- matter.
5. The battle of Waterloo ended in a --- victory.
6. Suddenly there arose a --- storm.
7. It is a --- lie.
8. The --- tidings were a heavy blow to the old man.
9. Here is a rupee: pay the fare and keep the --- money.
10. His reading is of a very --- range.
11. The injured man wants --- advice.
12. You cannot have it --- ways.
13. India expects --- man to do his duty.
14. The --- bird catches the worm.
15. Have you any --- reason to give?
16. ---anxiety has undermined his health.
17. There were riots in --- places.
18. An --- man will not reason calmly.
19. He stands --- feet in his stockings.
20. Nelson won for himself --- fame.
21. I have no --- cash.
22. He always walks with a --- step.
23. --- errors are not easily corrected.
24. Every cloud has a --- lining.
25. He was a man of --- ambition.
26. He was listened to in --- silence.
Exercise in Composition 8
Form Adjectives from the following Nouns:
[Attach each Adjective to a suitable noun.]
Ease, pity, time, heaven, health, wealth, love, hill, need, green, room, cost.
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pain, doubt, wonder, peace, child, prince, mountain, ridicule, picture, labour,
wood, pomp, artist, progress, slave, contempt, tempest, sense, quarrel, I
thought, hope, friend.
Exercise in Composition 9
Use each of the following Adjectives in a sentence:
[Models.- A soft answer turneth away wrath.
His polite manners have endeared him to all.
Swimming is a healthy exercise.
A certain man fell among thieves.]
Happy, sad, industrious, lazy, big, small, soft, harsh, hard, polite, rude, wise, foolish, rich,
poor, young, new, old, long, short, quick, slow, strong, weak, handsome, ugly, clever,
dull, kind, cruel, healthy, dutiful, distant, certain.
Exercise in Composition 10
Use a suitable Adjective with each of the following Nouns :
[Models.- A violent storm.
A long siege.
A decisive victory.
A populous city.
A devoted husband.
Storm, siege, sleep, victory, advice, blow, silence, hands, water, servant, flower, city,
artist, dealer, voice, husband, subject, child, king, dog.
Exercise in Composition 11
Use as many suitable Adjectives as you can with each of the following Nouns:
[Models. - A narrow street, a wide street, a crooked street, a dirty street A clean street.
A deliberate lie, a black lie, a white lie.] Fortune, man, news, storm, health, noveh
progress, room, incident.
Exercise in Composition 12
Write down the Adjectives opposite in meaning to the following:-
Courageous, many, wild, hot, lean, heavy, costly, barren, beautiful, patient, honest,
civilized, careful, strong, experienced, slow, friendly, cruel, soft.
CHAPTER 10
COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
80. Read these sentences:
1. Rama's mango is sweet.
2. Hari's mango is sweeter than Rama's.
3. Govind's mango is the sweetest of all.
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In sentence 1, the adjective sweet merely tells us that Rama's mango has the quality of
sweetness, without saying how much of this quality it has.
In sentence 2, the adjective sweeter tells us that Hari's mango, compared with Rama's, has
more of the quality of sweetness.
In sentence 3, the adjective sweetest tells us that of all these mangoes Govind's mango
has the greatest amount or highest degree of the quality of sweetness.
We thus see that Adjectives change in form (sweet, sweeter, sweetest) to show
comparison. They are called the three Degrees of Comparison.
The Adjective sweet is said to be in the Positive Degree.
The Adjective sweeter is said to be in the Comparative Degree.
The Adjective sweetest is said to be in the Superlative Degree.
The Positive Degree of an Adjective is the Adjective in its simple form. It is used to
denote the mere existence of some quality of what we speak about. It is used when no
comparison is made.
The Comparative Degree of an Adjective denotes a higher degree of the quality than the
Positive, and is used when two things (or sets of things) are compared; as,
This boy is stronger than that.
Which of these two pens is the better?
Apples are dearer than oranges.
The Superlative Degree of an Adjective denotes the highest degree of the quality, and is
used when more than two things (or sets of things) are compared; as,
This boy is the strongest in the class.
Note 1:- There is another way in which we can compare things. Instead of saying 'Rama
is stronger than Balu we can say 'Balu is less strong than Rama'. Instead of saying 'Hari is
the laziest boy in the class', we can say 'Hari is the least industrious boy in the class7.
Note 2:- The Superlative with most is sometimes used where there is no idea of
comparison, but merely a desire to indicate the possession of a quality in a very high
degree; as,
This is most unfortunate.
It was a most eloquent speech.
Truly, a most ingenious device!
This usage has been called the Superlative of Eminence, or the Absolute Superlative.
