Name.... Grade.. EXERCISE 32 Insert the proper preposition in each blank space in the following sen 22. He entered .......... business 27. He would rather part 29. The mother is dependent 33. We were disappointed 36. There is close affinity 37. I cannot agree 38. Did you agree the money. his friends than his advancement. you on these questions. ........ the play. a large salary. my duties next Monday. you ........ the subject. support. his money. LESSON XVII MODIFICATIONS OF NOUNS AND PRONOUNS-NUMBER Modifications of the parts of speech are changes in their form, meaning, and use. Nouns and pronouns are modified for number, person, gender and case. NUMBER Number is that modification of the noun or pronoun that denotes whether one or more than one object is meant; as, boy, boys; man, men; I, we; he or she, they. RULES FOR FORMING PLURAL OF NOUNS 1. Most nouns form their plurals by adding s or es to the singular form; as, book, books; table, tables; for, foxes; church, churches. 2. Nouns ending in y preceded by a consonant form their. plurals by dropping y and adding ics; as, lady, ladics; city, cities. 3. Nouns ending in y preceded by a vowel add s only; as, boy, boys; monkey, monkeys. 4. Nouns ending in o preceded by a vowel add s only; as, folio, folios; cameo, cameos. 5. Nouns ending in o preceded by a consonant usually add s, but sometimes cs; as, piano, pianos; potato, potatoes. 6. Some nouns ending in f or fe drop the f and add ves; others are regular; as, self, selves; knife, knives; gulf, gulfs. 7. Letters, marks, and signs form their plurals by adding an apostrophe and s; as, 2's; x's; t's. 8. Compound nouns pluralize the base; as, step-son, step-sons; brotherin-law, brothers-in-law. 9. Compounds of "man" form their plurals by changing "man" to "men." This rule does not include "Mussulman," "German," "cayman," and "talisman," as they are not compounds of "man." 10. The nouns "spoonful," "cupful," etc., form their plurals by adding s, as in the case of "pint," "quart," etc. Note that to add s to "spoon" and "cup" would give to the words different meanings. 11. Complex nouns sometimes pluralize the title and sometimes the name. The following forms are correct: SINGULAR Mr. Foote Dr. Green Miss White PLURAL Messrs. Foote, or The two Mr. Footes 12. A great many nouns form their plurals irregularly; as mouse, mice; 14. Some nouns and pronouns have the same form in both numbers; as, 15. When used with numerals, the following nouns have the same form in both numbers; otherwise they add s: Observation. The names of other sciences ending in ics also come under this ruling. Note.-"Athletics," "calisthenics," "gymnastics," are more frequently plural than singular, because each is commonly understood to include several sports or exercises.-Hill. |