Number expresses only the distinction of one from more
than one; to express more precisely how many, we use adjectives, and say
_two boys_, _four boys_, _many_ or _several boys_.
+DEFINITIONS+.
+_Modifications of the Parts of Speech_ are changes in their form, meaning,
and use+.
+_Number_ is that modification of a noun or pronoun which denotes one thing
or more than one.+
+The _Singular Number_ denotes one thing+.
+The _Plural Number_ denotes more than one thing+.
NUMBER FORMS.
+RULE.--The _plural_ of nouns is regularly formed by adding _s_ to the
singular+.
To this rule there are some exceptions.
When the singular ends in a sound that cannot unite with that of _s_, _es_
is added and forms another syllable.[Footnote: In Anglo-Saxon, _as_ was the
plural termination for a certain class of nouns. In later English, _as_ was
changed to _es_, which became the regular plural ending; as, _bird-es_,
_cloud-es_. In modern English, _e_ is dropped, and _s_ is joined to the
singular without increase of syllables. But, when the singular ends in an
_s_-sound, the original syllable _es_ is retained, as two hissing sounds
will not unite.]
+Remark+.--Such words as _horse_, _niche_, and _cage_ drop the final _e_
when _es_ is added.
Pages:
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306