GRAMMATICAL PERSON Meaning and
Definition
-
Grammatical person refers to the classification of pronouns, verbs, and other linguistic elements that indicate the perspective or point of view from which a sentence is being expressed. In English, there are three grammatical persons: first person, second person, and third person.
First person represents the speaker or writer. It is typically indicated by pronouns such as "I," "we," or "us." For example, in the sentence "I went to the store," "I" is used to refer to the person speaking or writing.
Second person denotes the person being addressed. It is usually marked by pronouns like "you." For instance, in the sentence "You should come with us," "you" is employed to refer to the person being spoken to.
Third person signifies anyone or anything that is not the speaker or the person being addressed. It commonly employs pronouns like "he," "she," or "they." For instance, in the sentence "She is playing tennis," "she" is used to refer to a third person.
The grammatical person affects the form of the verb as well. In English, verbs undergo changes in their endings or conjugation based on the grammatical person. For example, "I run," "you run," and "he runs" demonstrate how the verb "run" changes based on the grammatical person.
Understanding grammatical person is crucial in accurately conveying the intended meaning and maintaining clarity in communication. It allows for proper agreement between pronouns and verbs, thereby ensuring grammatical cohesion in sentences.
Etymology of GRAMMATICAL PERSON
The term "grammatical person" comes from the combination of the words "grammar" and "person".
The word "grammar" originates from the Latin word "grammatica", which originally referred to the study of Greek and Latin language structure. It was derived from the Greek word "grammatikē tékhnē", meaning "art of letters" or "craft of letters". In this sense, "grammar" referred to the rules and principles governing the structure, syntax, and usage of a language.
The word "person" comes from the Latin word "persona", which originally meant a "role" or "character" in a play. Over time, it evolved to also refer to an individual's identity, marked by their social and legal status.
