Lesson – 5 Classifications of Terms (1 of 3)

Lesson Overview and Objectives:

In this lesson on Classification of Terms, we will look at words that we commonly use daily in
a way that you have never seen or considered before. As we learn how terms are categorized
in classes, it will teach us the proper usage of many words, quantifiers and articles, and open
up the many facets of how terms and words can be employed to accurately convey what we
mean. After completing this lesson you will know how to:

1. Distinguish the different classification of terms.

2. Identify the category of terms according to its classification.
3. Improve your ability to choose words for proper usage.
4. Be more precise and clear in your statements and understanding of terms.

Study Guide:

Read and understand this first part out of three parts of Lesson 5. Then answer the exercise
after each classification below. Wait for the instruction on how to submit the exercises.

Classification of Terms

The most common and useful Classifications of Terms are the following:

1. According to Quantity or Extension

2. According to Quality
3. According to Definiteness of Meaning
4. According to Nature of Referents
5. According to Relation: Compatible or Incompatible

Under each classification are the categories that specify the different aspects of the term as
signaled by different indicators. Let’s examine these classifications and the categories under
them, one at a time.

1. According to Quantity/Extension – this classification deals with how many are

included or how far is the coverage or extension that is signified by the term. The
different categories are: Singular, Particular, Universal and Collective.

A. Singular – refers to one individual or thing. A term is Singular when it involves

only one or single individual or thing. Usually, the following are the indicators of
singularity:

a. Proper noun/proper names (Manila, Joshua, Man)

b. Personal pronoun (I, am, she, he)
 c. Definite Article (The… as in the Way, the Truth, the Life)
d. Superlatives (Best actor, or Most beautiful, Highest)
e. Demonstrative adjectives (This or That book)

Example: Box - This term is categorized as Singular because it is a noun.

Emily - is Singular because it is a proper name.

B. Particular – refers to the indefinite part of the whole. A term is Particular when
it represents at least one or more component of a class, group or individuals.
Indicators of particularity are the following:

a. Indefinite pronouns/adjectives (some, many, several, few, most)

b. Indefinite articles ( “a” and “an”)
c. Number modifier (7 trees, 3 ladies)
d. Modifiers (majority, almost all, generally all, nearly all)

Example 1: Some students

This is categorized as Particular because “some students” refers

to at least one or more part of the whole class. We don’t know definitely
who exactly are the students being referred to, but they are part of the
whole class. Thus, Particular is defined as referring to the indefinite part of
the whole. Plus, the indicator “some” signifies that its category is Particular.

Example 2: 7 Senators

“7 Senators” is Particular because it refers to the indefinite part of the

whole Senate which is composed of 24 Senators. Whenever you have a
number modifier, it is categorized as Particular.

C. Universal or also know as General – refers to all…applies or covers all classes. A

term is considered Universal or General when it includes or excludes all classes,
groups or individuals.

There are two kinds of Universal Quantifiers: Affirmative and Negative

- Universal Affirmative Quantifiers are; all, each, every, any, everything,

everyone, anything, anyone, whatever, whichever, whenever, whoever.
These are affirmative quantifiers because they INCLUDE all.

Examples: All nations; any person; each student; every voter.

 - Universal Negative Quantifiers are; no, none, no one, nothing, nobody,
never. These are negative quantifiers because they EXCLUDE all.

Examples: No person; nobody allowed; none can commit.

D. Collective – refers to group of individuals considered as single unit. A term is

tagged as Collective when it points or involves number of people, animal or
things but they are taken or seen as one, single entity or unit. A great example
would be the Collective nouns such as; audience, committee, crowd, flock, gang,
team, family.

Exercise: Categorize the following term according to quantity or extension.

1. Maria ______Singular______ 6. Each Country ____Universal_____

2. Bundle of Joy _____Particular_____ 7. A slice of pizza ____Particular______

3. Whole world __Universal___ 8. Greatest movie ____Singular______

4. Beauty Pageant __Universal__ 9. Nothing matters ____Universal_____

5. Philippines __ __Singular_______ 10. Congressmen ____Collective_____

2. According to Quality – this classification of term has to do with whether a term is

affirmative or negative.

A. Affirmative – a term is affirmative if it points to what is true, what is real or the

basic essence of things. Like life, existence, optimism or positivity. Anything that is
good or desirable traits are affirmative term.

There are two kinds of Affirmative Term:

- Positive in form, positive in meaning. “Positive in form” means...the

construction or the way the term is written is in essence, positive. While
“positive in meaning” means exactly as it says… it conveys something that is good
and desirable.

Examples: life, good, honest, justice, beautiful, rich, smart, tall, decent.

- Negative in form, positive in meaning. “Negative in form” pertains to the

construction or the way the term is written, which is in the negative. But it
 still conveys a positive meaning.

Examples: Unselfish, blameless, immortality, selfless, infinity, unconditional

The negative form is usually signified by the prefixes like, “un”, “in” or “im”
or by the suffix “less”.

B. Negative - a term is negative when it indicates the opposite of positive, conveying

the lack or absence of the good or desirable traits. Like, death is the absence of
life, or sick the absence of health and so on like poor, weak, limited, choppy, etc.

There are two kinds of Negative Term:

- Negative in form, negative in meaning. “Negative in form” pertains to the

construction or the way the term is written, which is in the negative. And
its meaning is also negative as defined above.

Examples: Selfish, immoral, illegal, inactive, childish, uncontrollable.

The negative form usually is signified by the negative prefixes or suffixes.

- Positive in form, negative in meaning. Here, the construction or appearance of

the term is in the positive, but its meaning conveys negativity.

Examples: Death, sick, poor, weak, limited, choppy.

Exercise: Categorize each term below, according to quality. For affirmative terms answer
either, Pos – Pos, or Neg - Pos. And for negative terms, put either, Neg – Neg or Pos – Neg.

1. Disorganized ____Neg – Neg____ 6. Mistake _____ Pos – Neg________

2. Wonderful _____Pos - Pos_______ 7. Unreliable _____ Neg – Neg_______

3. Indestructible ____Neg - Pos____ 8. Limitless ______ Neg - Pos______

4. Uncompromising __Neg – Neg__ 9. Healthy _____ Pos - Pos______

5. Unjust ___Neg – Neg_____ 10. Justice _____ Pos – Pos_______