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.
Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/
To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list"
Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/