Difference between revisions of "Declension - conjugation"
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| − | + | Almost all languages have [[inflect]]ions - changes (usually small) to the form of some words. These changes reflect either different functions in a sentence, e.g. the [[Case in grammar|case]] of a [[noun]] or [[pronoun]]; or (slight) differences in the meaning of the word, for example in [[Number in grammar|number]], [[gender]] or [[person]]. In [[verb]]s, such inflections typically show in addition [[tense]], [[aspect]] and [[Voice (grammatical)|voice]]. Typically, though not always, these changes involve a change in the ending of the word while the rest of the word - the stem - remains unchanged. ('''Inflection''' and 'to '''inflect'''' are derived from the [[Latin]] ''inflectere'', which means 'to bend or alter'.) English is a relatively uninflected language: it does not involve the inflection of words to any great extent, unlike many other ancient and modern languages, such as Latin and Greek, German, Russian, and Arabic. | |
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| + | In [[grammar]] we use different sets of words to talk about the '''inflection''' of [[noun]]s, [[pronoun]]s, and [[adjective]]s, on the one hand, and the '''inflection''' of [[verb]]s, on the other. | ||
*When we list systematically the different forms of a '''noun''', '''pronoun''', or '''adjective''' we are said to '''decline''' it. (from the [[Latin]] verb ''declinare'', which means to bend away or inflect grammatically). The related [[noun]] '''declension''' means either the act of declining such a word or a systematic list of the different forms which the word can have. Here, as an example, is the '''declension''' (i.e., a systematic list of the different forms) of the [[Latin]] word ''hortus'' (garden) in the singular: | *When we list systematically the different forms of a '''noun''', '''pronoun''', or '''adjective''' we are said to '''decline''' it. (from the [[Latin]] verb ''declinare'', which means to bend away or inflect grammatically). The related [[noun]] '''declension''' means either the act of declining such a word or a systematic list of the different forms which the word can have. Here, as an example, is the '''declension''' (i.e., a systematic list of the different forms) of the [[Latin]] word ''hortus'' (garden) in the singular: | ||
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| − | + | For more on the different cases see [[Case in grammar]]. In [[Latin]] and in many other languages not all [[noun]]s have the same set of endings for the different cases, i.e., there are different '''declensions''' of [[noun]]s. In [[Latin]] there are in fact five '''declensions''': ''hortus'' belongs to the second declension. In English, nouns 'do not decline' (= 'we do not decline nouns'; they are '''indeclinable'''), but [[pronoun]]s still have inflections: see [[Table of personal pronouns]]. | |
| − | For more on the different cases see [[Case in grammar]]. | + | |
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| − | In [[Latin]] and in many other languages not all [[noun]]s have the same set of endings for the different cases, i.e., there are different '''declensions''' of [[noun]]s. In [[Latin]] there are in fact five '''declensions'''. | + | |
Revision as of 10:21, 14 April 2008
Almost all languages have inflections - changes (usually small) to the form of some words. These changes reflect either different functions in a sentence, e.g. the case of a noun or pronoun; or (slight) differences in the meaning of the word, for example in number, gender or person. In verbs, such inflections typically show in addition tense, aspect and voice. Typically, though not always, these changes involve a change in the ending of the word while the rest of the word - the stem - remains unchanged. (Inflection and 'to inflect' are derived from the Latin inflectere, which means 'to bend or alter'.) English is a relatively uninflected language: it does not involve the inflection of words to any great extent, unlike many other ancient and modern languages, such as Latin and Greek, German, Russian, and Arabic.
In grammar we use different sets of words to talk about the inflection of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives, on the one hand, and the inflection of verbs, on the other.
- When we list systematically the different forms of a noun, pronoun, or adjective we are said to decline it. (from the Latin verb declinare, which means to bend away or inflect grammatically). The related noun declension means either the act of declining such a word or a systematic list of the different forms which the word can have. Here, as an example, is the declension (i.e., a systematic list of the different forms) of the Latin word hortus (garden) in the singular:
| Nominative case | hortus | 'garden' as subject of a verb |
| Vocative case | horte | used to address a garden: O garden |
| Accusative case | hortum | 'garden' as object of a verb |
| Genitive case | horti | used to indicate possession: of a garden |
| Dative case | horto | 'garden' as indirect object of the verb: to a garden |
| Ablative case | horto | by, with, or from a garden |
For more on the different cases see Case in grammar. In Latin and in many other languages not all nouns have the same set of endings for the different cases, i.e., there are different declensions of nouns. In Latin there are in fact five declensions: hortus belongs to the second declension. In English, nouns 'do not decline' (= 'we do not decline nouns'; they are indeclinable), but pronouns still have inflections: see Table of personal pronouns.
- When we list systematically the different forms of a verb we are said to conjugate it. (from the Latin verb conjugare, which means: to join together) The related noun conjugation means either the act of conjugating a verb or a systematic list of the different forms which the verb can have. Here, as an example, is the conjugation (i.e., a systematic list of the different forms) of the Latin verb laborare (to work) in the present tense:
| First person singular | laboro | I work |
| Second person singular | laboras | you (singular) work |
| Third person singular | laborat | he or she works |
| First person plural | laboramus | we work |
| Second person plural | laboratis | you (plural) work |
| Third person plural | laborant | they work |
In Latin and in many other languages not all verbs have the same set of endings for the different possibilities, i.e., there are different conjugations of verbs. In Latin there are in fact four conjugations.
