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Tenacious Learner Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Which part of speech is 'two'?

Hi teachers,
Could you help me on this one?
According to this question, 'How many of the man's ribs are fractured?' This is a possible answer, 'Two of them are'.
If 'them' is an object pronoun. The object of the preposition 'of', which part of speech is 'two' besides a number?

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

Numbers are tricky conceptually, aren't they? It's a noun. It has to be, because it is the subject of the sentence.

— Enoon

  • Numbers are tricky conceptually, aren't they?
  • It's a noun.
  • It has to be, because it is the subject of the sentence.
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19 Answers
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Numbers are tricky conceptually, aren't they? It's a noun. It has to be, because it is the subject of the sentence.
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enoonNumbers are tricky conceptually, aren't they?
Hi,
Thank you for your reply.
Yes, they are! So, 'two' the subject of the sentence; 'of' the preposition; 'them' the object pronoun and the object of the preposition; and 'are' the verb.

TS
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enoon It's a noun. It has to be, because it is the subject of the sentence.
It may be, according to some writers, a noun phrase, but it does not have to be a noun. A pronoun can be the subject of a sentence.

I'd stick with 'number' but, if I had to choose another term, it would be 'pronoun'.
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fivejedjon enoon It's a noun. It has to be, because it is the subject of the sentence.It may be, according to some writers, a noun phrase, but it does not have to be a noun. A pronoun can be the subject of a sentence.I'd stick with 'number' but, if I had to choose another term, it would be 'pronoun'.
Number is not one of the parts of speech, and neither is nou
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fivejedjonIt may be, according to some writers, a noun phrase, but it does not have to be a noun. A pronoun can be the subject of a sentence.I'd stick with 'number' but, if I had to choose another term, it would be 'pronoun'.
Hi,
Thank you for your reply. I've got the same answer from another excellent teacher, 'noun'. I do think the same, it can also be a
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I have two brothers - adjective.
Two of my friends are staying with me now. - pronoun
He put two and two together and realised who had done it. - noun (I think!)

I agree with enoon that 'number' is not generally regarded as a part of speech; I think it would be helpful if it were. I don't think that the labels I have given to the fi
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fivejedjonI agree with enoon that 'number' is not generally regarded as a part of speech; I think it would be helpful if it were. I don't think that the labels I have given to the first three 'twos' above are particulalrly helpful to a learner.
Hi,
Not to a student, but to me yes. Though I'm a teacher, I do learn every day.

TS
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If it is of interest to you, fine.

As I have said to you elsewhere, I think that in the field of English Language teaching, some of us attach a little too much importance to labelling structures at the expense of enabling learners to use them. That is merely a personal opinion, and implies no criticism of you and your interest in this.
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fivejedjonAs I have said to you elsewhere
Hi,
Ooophs! I do remember now. I completely agree with you. But I have changed through the years. Though not as much as I would like to. It takes time, but I'm there, trying, walking, improving. That's why you are very right in saying, '... some of us attach a little too much importance to labelling structures at t
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