Peter asks excellent questions!
As an example of how muddled things can
get, I would probably think that “red” in the examples below is an
adjective functioning nomially (noun-ial? How does one specify that
again?), and that the final sentence shows the word “red” as an
adjective. I admit my bias: I was “taught” that colors were
adjectives, back in the Old Days of my grammar school, and only learned later
that “some adjectives can be nouns, too” (how I remember it being
explained at the time – again, back in the Old Days). Hence now I
still think of colors as adjectives which can behave as nouns.
I’m fascinated by distinctions like
this, which makes my students think I am a Nerd. I have embraced this,
and laugh about it with them, although I prefer “language geek,”
really.
-patty
From:
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008
5:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: tion & nouns
Martha,
Could help me a little further with the form/function distinction.
I'm wondering about a word like "red," which seems to be an
adjective but also seems to satisfy the tests for a noun:
Many of the reds in Carpaccio's paintings have faded over the years.
(has a plural form)
The red's intensity drew my eye to the corner of the painting. (takes
possessive; takes determiner)
But would that mean that "red" in the following sentence is a
noun in form but functioning as an adjectival?
The red bathrobe was draped over the back of the chair.