Inglise keele struktuur
categories.
Number: Number is the only inherent category for which nouns are inflected in all of the
GMC languages, and the majority of nouns in all of these languages have plural forms which
are distinct from those of the singular.
Hierarchy: singular > plural > dual > trial
IE had dual as well as singular and plural forms. The dual has disappeared in GMC in the
inflection of nouns.
cf. Arabic: malikun `king' malikani 'two kings' malikuna `three or more kings'
The English number system constitutes a two-term contrast: SINGULAR (`one') and
PLURAL (`more than one'). Each noun phrase is either singular or plural, and its number is
determined by its head.
Distinguishes three main number classes of nouns (property of nouns).
a) singular invariable nouns (noncount nouns, abstract adjective heads): music, Thomas, the
mystical; no plural unless reclassification takes place
annaabi.ee 
