[262a]
Stranger
One called nouns, the other verbs.1Theaetetus
Define each of them.Stranger
The indication which relates to action we may call a verb.Theaetetus
Yes.Stranger
And the vocal sign applied to those who perform the actions in question we call a noun.Theaetetus
Exactly.Stranger
Hence discourse is never composed of nouns alone spoken in succession, nor of verbs spoken without nouns.Theaetetus
I do not understand that. [262b] Stranger
I see; you evidently had something else in mind when you assented just now; for what I wished to say was just this, that verbs and nouns do not make discourse if spoken successively in this way.Theaetetus
In what way?Stranger
For instance, “walks,” “runs,” “sleeps” and the other verbs which denote actions, even if you utter all there are of them in succession, do not make discourse for all that.Theaetetus
No, of course not.Stranger
And again, when “lion,” “stag,” “horse,” and all other names of those who perform these actions are uttered, [262c] such a succession of words does not yet make discourse; for in neither case do the words uttered indicate action or inaction or existence of anything that exists or does not exist, until the verbs are mingled with the nouns; then the words fit, and their first combination is a sentence, about the first and shortest form of discourse.Theaetetus
What do you mean by that?Stranger
When one says “a man learns,” you agree that this is the least and first of sentences, do you not? [262d] Theaetetus
Yes.Stranger
For when he says that, he makes a statement about that which is or is becoming or has become or is to be; he does not merely give names, but he reaches a conclusion by combining verbs with nouns. That is why we said that he discourses and does not merely give names, and therefore we gave to this combination the name of discourse.Theaetetus
That was right.Stranger
So, then, just as of things some fit each other and some do not, so too some vocal signs do not fit, [262e] but some of them do fit and form discourse.Theaetetus
Certainly.Stranger
Now there is another little point.Theaetetus
What is it?Stranger
A sentence, if it is to be a sentence, must have a subject; without a subject it is impossible.Theaetetus
True.Stranger
And it must also be of some quality, must it not?Theaetetus
Of course.Stranger
Now let us pay attention to each other.Theaetetus
Yes, at any rate we ought to do so.Stranger
Now, then, I will speak a sentence to you in which a action and the result of action are combined by means of a noun and a verb, and whatever the subject of the sentence is do you tell me.
One called nouns, the other verbs.1Theaetetus
Define each of them.Stranger
The indication which relates to action we may call a verb.Theaetetus
Yes.Stranger
And the vocal sign applied to those who perform the actions in question we call a noun.Theaetetus
Exactly.Stranger
Hence discourse is never composed of nouns alone spoken in succession, nor of verbs spoken without nouns.Theaetetus
I do not understand that. [262b] Stranger
I see; you evidently had something else in mind when you assented just now; for what I wished to say was just this, that verbs and nouns do not make discourse if spoken successively in this way.Theaetetus
In what way?Stranger
For instance, “walks,” “runs,” “sleeps” and the other verbs which denote actions, even if you utter all there are of them in succession, do not make discourse for all that.Theaetetus
No, of course not.Stranger
And again, when “lion,” “stag,” “horse,” and all other names of those who perform these actions are uttered, [262c] such a succession of words does not yet make discourse; for in neither case do the words uttered indicate action or inaction or existence of anything that exists or does not exist, until the verbs are mingled with the nouns; then the words fit, and their first combination is a sentence, about the first and shortest form of discourse.Theaetetus
What do you mean by that?Stranger
When one says “a man learns,” you agree that this is the least and first of sentences, do you not? [262d] Theaetetus
Yes.Stranger
For when he says that, he makes a statement about that which is or is becoming or has become or is to be; he does not merely give names, but he reaches a conclusion by combining verbs with nouns. That is why we said that he discourses and does not merely give names, and therefore we gave to this combination the name of discourse.Theaetetus
That was right.Stranger
So, then, just as of things some fit each other and some do not, so too some vocal signs do not fit, [262e] but some of them do fit and form discourse.Theaetetus
Certainly.Stranger
Now there is another little point.Theaetetus
What is it?Stranger
A sentence, if it is to be a sentence, must have a subject; without a subject it is impossible.Theaetetus
True.Stranger
And it must also be of some quality, must it not?Theaetetus
Of course.Stranger
Now let us pay attention to each other.Theaetetus
Yes, at any rate we ought to do so.Stranger
Now, then, I will speak a sentence to you in which a action and the result of action are combined by means of a noun and a verb, and whatever the subject of the sentence is do you tell me.
