substantiviset

Substantiviset is a term used in some linguistic traditions to refer to the set of nouns in a language. It encompasses the nouns themselves, their inflectional paradigms, and their syntactic behavior within noun phrases. The concept is not universally standardized and can vary by tradition; in Scandinavian grammars it is often used to discuss the inventory, class structure, and patterns of agreement with determiners and adjectives.

Scope and structure: The substantiviset includes base forms (lemmata) and inflected forms across number (singular, plural), definiteness (indefinite vs definite), and, where applicable, case. In languages with grammatical gender or noun classes, the set is organized into categories that reflect agreement patterns with determiners, adjectives, and pronouns. The rules governing these forms determine how nouns participate in concord and article formation.

Morphology and syntax: The noun set exhibits regular and irregular inflection, derived forms, and sometimes phonological alternations across forms. How new nouns are added to the set and how irregularities arise are important aspects of the noun lexicon and its morphology. The substantiviset also interacts with syntax, influencing noun phrase structure and determiner placement.

Cross-linguistic variation: Some languages have minimal noun inflection, others possess rich case systems or extensive noun-class systems. Consequently, the size and organization of the substantiviset vary widely—from simple inventories to richly structured paradigms with numerous agreement patterns.

See also: Substantiv, noun, noun phrase, grammatical gender, noun class, lexicon.