diff --git a/doc/site/classes.markdown b/doc/site/classes.markdown
index 317e1416..60ca1631 100644
--- a/doc/site/classes.markdown
+++ b/doc/site/classes.markdown
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 ^category types
 
 Every value in Wren is an object, and every object is an instance of a class.
-Even `true` and `false` are full-featured objects—instances of the `Bool`
-class.
+Even `true` and `false` are full-featured objects—instances of the
+[`Bool`](core/bool.html) class.
 
 Classes contain both *behavior* and *state*. Behavior is defined in *methods*
 which are stored in the class. State is defined in *fields*, whose values are
@@ -24,13 +24,13 @@ To let our unicorn do stuff, we need to give it methods.
 
     :::dart
     class Unicorn {
-      prance {
+      prance() {
         IO.print("The unicorn prances in a fancy manner!")
       }
     }
 
-This defines a `prance` method that takes no arguments. To support parameters,
-add a parenthesized parameter list after the method's name:
+This defines a `prance()` method that takes no arguments. To support
+parameters, put their names inside the parentheses:
 
     :::dart
     class Unicorn {
@@ -43,12 +43,12 @@ add a parenthesized parameter list after the method's name:
 
 Unlike most other dynamically-typed languages, in Wren you can have multiple
 methods in a class with the same name, as long as they have a different
-parameter *signature*. In technical terms, you can *overload by arity*. So this
-class is fine:
+*signature*. In technical terms, you can *overload by arity*. So this class is
+fine:
 
     :::dart
     class Unicorn {
-      prance {
+      prance() {
         IO.print("The unicorn prances in a fancy manner!")
       }
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ And you can call each of the methods like so:
 
     :::dart
     var unicorn = Unicorn.new()
-    unicorn.prance
+    unicorn.prance()
     unicorn.prance("Antwerp")
     unicorn.prance("Brussels", "high noon")
 
@@ -77,8 +77,25 @@ sets of arguments. In other languages, you'd define a single method for the
 operation and have to check for "undefined" or missing arguments. Wren just
 treats them as different methods that you can implement separately.
 
-Signature is a bit more than just arity. It also lets you distinguish between a
-method that takes an *empty* argument list (`()`) and no argument list at all:
+### Getters
+
+Many methods on a class exist to expose or compute some property of the object.
+For example:
+
+    :::dart
+    IO.print("string".count) // "6".
+
+These *getters* are just another kind of method—one without a parameter
+list. You can define them like so:
+
+    :::dart
+    class Unicorn {
+      isFancy { true } // Unicorns are always fancy.
+    }
+
+Whether or not a method name has parentheses is also part of its signature.
+This lets you distinguish between a method that takes an *empty* argument list
+(`()`) and no argument list at all:
 
     :::dart
     class Confusing {
@@ -91,30 +108,38 @@ method that takes an *empty* argument list (`()`) and no argument list at all:
     confusing.method() // "empty argument list".
 
 Like the example says, having two methods that differ just by an empty set of
-parentheses is pretty confusing. That's not what this is for. It's mainly so
-you can define methods that don't take any arguments but look "method-like".
+parentheses is pretty confusing. That's not what this is for. Instead, it
+ensures that the way you *declare* the method is the way you *call* it.
 
-Methods that don't need arguments and don't modify the underlying object tend
-to omit the parentheses. These are "getters" and usually access a property of
-an object, or produce a new object from it:
-
-    :::dart
-    "string".count
-    (1..3).min
-    0.123.sin
-
-Other methods do change the object, and it's helpful to draw attention to that:
-
-    :::dart
-    list.clear()
-
-Since the parentheses are part of the method's signature, the callsite and
-definition have to agree. These don't work:
+Unlike other languages with "optional parentheses", Wren wants to make sure you
+call a getter like a getter and a `()` method like a `()` method. These don't
+work:
 
     :::dart
     "string".count()
     list.clear
 
+Methods that don't need arguments and don't modify the underlying object are
+usually getters:
+
+    :::dart
+    "string".count
+    (1..10).min
+    1.23.sin
+    [1, 2, 3].isEmpty
+
+When a method doesn't need any parameters, but does modify the object, it's
+helpful to draw attention to that by requiring an empty set of parentheses:
+
+    :::dart
+    list.clear()
+
+Also, when a method supports multiple arities, it's typical to include the `()`
+in the zero-argument case to be consistent with the other versions:
+
+    Fn.new { "a function" }.call()
+    Fiber.yield()
+
 ### Operators
 
 Operators are just special syntax for a method call on the left hand operand
@@ -159,16 +184,9 @@ overloading by arity, it's no problem for a class to define both.
 
 ## Constructors
 
-To create a new instance of a class, call a *constructor method* on its class.
-By default, if you don't define any constructors yourself, you get a free one
-named `new()`:
-
-    :::dart
-    Unicorn.new()
-
-However, you almost always want to define some state or do some other
-initialization on a new object. For that, you'll want to define your own
-constructor, like so:
+Unicorns can prance around now, but we don't actually *have* any unicorns to do
+it. To create instances of a class, we need a *constructor*. You can define one
+like so:
 
     :::dart
     class Unicorn {
@@ -177,9 +195,17 @@ constructor, like so:
       }
     }
 
-The `construct` before the method name makes it a constructor. The `new` isn't
-special. Constructors can have any name you like, which lets you clarify how it
-creates the instance:
+The `construct` keyword says we're defining a constructor, and `new` is its
+name. In Wren, all constructors have names, just like [methods][#methods]. The
+word "new" isn't special to Wren, it's just a common constructor name.
+
+To make a unicorn now, we just call the constructor method on the class itself:
+
+    :::dart
+    var fred = Unicorn.new("Fred", "palomino")
+
+Giving constructors names is handy because it means you can have more than one,
+and each can clarify how it creates the instance:
 
     :::dart
     class Unicorn {
@@ -188,14 +214,23 @@ creates the instance:
       }
     }
 
-Constructors can obviously have arguments, and can be overloaded by
-[arity](#signature). A constructor *must* be a named method with a (possibly
-empty) argument list. Operators, getters, and setters cannot be constructors.
+    var dave = Unicorn.brown("Dave")
+
+Note that we have to declare a constructor because, unlike some other
+languages, Wren doesn't give you a default one. This is useful because some
+classes aren't designed to be constructed. If you have an abstract base class
+that just contains methods to be inherited by other classes, it doesn't need
+and won't have a constructor.
+
+Like other methods, constructors can obviously have arguments, and can be
+overloaded by [arity](#signature). A constructor *must* be a named method with
+a (possibly empty) argument list. Operators, getters, and setters cannot be
+constructors.
 
 A constructor is actually a pair of methods. You get a method on the class:
 
     :::dart
-    Unicorn.brown("Fred")
+    Unicorn.brown("Dave")
 
 That creates the new instance, then it invokes the *initializer* on that
 instance. This is where the constructor body you defined gets run.
diff --git a/example/import-module/cthulu.wren b/example/import-module/cthulu.wren
index 301f1e9e..f125b5b2 100644
--- a/example/import-module/cthulu.wren
+++ b/example/import-module/cthulu.wren
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 class Cthulu {
+  construct new() {}
   message { "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn" }
 }
diff --git a/example/import-module/lovecraft.wren b/example/import-module/lovecraft.wren
index 7eebb15e..728c081a 100644
--- a/example/import-module/lovecraft.wren
+++ b/example/import-module/lovecraft.wren
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import "cthulu" for Cthulu
 
 class Lovecraft {
+  construct new() {}
   say() { Cthulu.new().message }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/vm/wren_compiler.c b/src/vm/wren_compiler.c
index fef7212f..49c9bd94 100644
--- a/src/vm/wren_compiler.c
+++ b/src/vm/wren_compiler.c
@@ -2964,7 +2964,7 @@ static void defineMethod(Compiler* compiler, int classSlot, bool isStatic,
 // Returns `true` if it compiled successfully, or `false` if the method couldn't
 // be parsed.
 static bool method(Compiler* compiler, ClassCompiler* classCompiler,
-                   int classSlot, bool* hasConstructor)
+                   int classSlot)
 {
   // TODO: What about foreign constructors?
   bool isForeign = match(compiler, TOKEN_FOREIGN);
@@ -3030,31 +3030,11 @@ static bool method(Compiler* compiler, ClassCompiler* classCompiler,
     
     createConstructor(compiler, &signature, methodSymbol);
     defineMethod(compiler, classSlot, true, constructorSymbol);
-    
-    // We don't need a default constructor anymore.
-    *hasConstructor = true;
   }
 
   return true;
 }
 
-// Defines a default "new()" constructor on the current class.
-//
-// It just invokes "init new()" on the instance. If a base class defines that,
-// it will get invoked. Otherwise, it falls to the default one in Object which
-// does nothing.
-static void createDefaultConstructor(Compiler* compiler, int classSlot)
-{
-  Signature signature = { "new", 3, SIG_INITIALIZER, 0 };
-  int initializerSymbol = signatureSymbol(compiler, &signature);
-  
-  signature.type = SIG_METHOD;
-  int constructorSymbol = signatureSymbol(compiler, &signature);
-  
-  createConstructor(compiler, &signature, initializerSymbol);
-  defineMethod(compiler, classSlot, true, constructorSymbol);
-}
-
 // Compiles a class definition. Assumes the "class" token has already been
 // consumed (along with a possibly preceding "foreign" token).
 static void classDefinition(Compiler* compiler, bool isForeign)
@@ -3117,11 +3097,9 @@ static void classDefinition(Compiler* compiler, bool isForeign)
   consume(compiler, TOKEN_LEFT_BRACE, "Expect '{' after class declaration.");
   matchLine(compiler);
 
-  bool hasConstructor = false;
-  
   while (!match(compiler, TOKEN_RIGHT_BRACE))
   {
-    if (!method(compiler, &classCompiler, slot, &hasConstructor)) break;
+    if (!method(compiler, &classCompiler, slot)) break;
     
     // Don't require a newline after the last definition.
     if (match(compiler, TOKEN_RIGHT_BRACE)) break;
@@ -3129,12 +3107,6 @@ static void classDefinition(Compiler* compiler, bool isForeign)
     consumeLine(compiler, "Expect newline after definition in class.");
   }
   
-  // If no constructor was defined, create a default new() one.
-  if (!hasConstructor)
-  {
-    createDefaultConstructor(compiler, slot);
-  }
-
   // Update the class with the number of fields.
   if (!isForeign)
   {
diff --git a/src/vm/wren_core.c b/src/vm/wren_core.c
index 0a0a8499..fe1b930d 100644
--- a/src/vm/wren_core.c
+++ b/src/vm/wren_core.c
@@ -213,16 +213,6 @@ static const char* coreLibSource =
 "\n"
 "class Range is Sequence {}\n";
 
-// A simple primitive that just returns "this". Used in a few different places:
-//
-// * The default new() initializer on Object needs no initialization so just
-//   uses this.
-// * String's toString method obviously can use this.
-DEF_PRIMITIVE(return_this)
-{
-  RETURN_VAL(args[0]);
-}
-
 DEF_PRIMITIVE(bool_not)
 {
   RETURN_BOOL(!AS_BOOL(args[0]));
@@ -1258,6 +1248,11 @@ DEF_PRIMITIVE(string_subscript)
   RETURN_ERROR("Subscript ranges for strings are not implemented yet.");
 }
 
+DEF_PRIMITIVE(string_toString)
+{
+  RETURN_VAL(args[0]);
+}
+
 // Creates either the Object or Class class in the core library with [name].
 static ObjClass* defineClass(WrenVM* vm, ObjModule* module, const char* name)
 {
@@ -1282,7 +1277,6 @@ void wrenInitializeCore(WrenVM* vm)
   PRIMITIVE(vm->objectClass, "!", object_not);
   PRIMITIVE(vm->objectClass, "==(_)", object_eqeq);
   PRIMITIVE(vm->objectClass, "!=(_)", object_bangeq);
-  PRIMITIVE(vm->objectClass, "init new()", return_this);
   PRIMITIVE(vm->objectClass, "is(_)", object_is);
   PRIMITIVE(vm->objectClass, "toString", object_toString);
   PRIMITIVE(vm->objectClass, "type", object_type);
@@ -1436,7 +1430,7 @@ void wrenInitializeCore(WrenVM* vm)
   PRIMITIVE(vm->stringClass, "iterateByte_(_)", string_iterateByte);
   PRIMITIVE(vm->stringClass, "iteratorValue(_)", string_iteratorValue);
   PRIMITIVE(vm->stringClass, "startsWith(_)", string_startsWith);
-  PRIMITIVE(vm->stringClass, "toString", return_this);
+  PRIMITIVE(vm->stringClass, "toString", string_toString);
 
   vm->listClass = AS_CLASS(wrenFindVariable(vm, coreModule, "List"));
   PRIMITIVE(vm->listClass->obj.classObj, "new()", list_new);
diff --git a/test/api/foreign_class.wren b/test/api/foreign_class.wren
index 7c6e1bdd..03889f4d 100644
--- a/test/api/foreign_class.wren
+++ b/test/api/foreign_class.wren
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ class Api {
 
 // Class with a default constructor.
 foreign class Counter {
+  construct new() {}
   foreign increment(amount)
   foreign value
 }
@@ -53,7 +54,9 @@ var error = Fiber.new {
 IO.print(error) // expect: Class 'Subclass' cannot inherit from foreign class 'Point'.
 
 // Class with a finalizer.
-foreign class Resource {}
+foreign class Resource {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 
 var resources = [
   Resource.new(),
diff --git a/test/core/bool/no_constructor.wren b/test/core/bool/no_constructor.wren
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..acf41c16
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/bool/no_constructor.wren
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Bool.new() // expect runtime error: Bool metaclass does not implement 'new()'.
diff --git a/test/core/class/no_constructor.wren b/test/core/class/no_constructor.wren
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e3e25abf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/class/no_constructor.wren
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Class.new() // expect runtime error: Class does not implement 'new()'.
diff --git a/test/core/list/join.wren b/test/core/list/join.wren
index 02bbe9d4..07f41333 100644
--- a/test/core/list/join.wren
+++ b/test/core/list/join.wren
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ IO.print([1, [2, [3], 4], 5].join(",")) // expect: 1,[2, [3], 4],5
 
 // Calls toString on elements.
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   toString { "Foo.toString" }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/core/list/to_string.wren b/test/core/list/to_string.wren
index 9de95977..8392aa96 100644
--- a/test/core/list/to_string.wren
+++ b/test/core/list/to_string.wren
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ IO.print([1, [2, [3], 4], 5]) // expect: [1, [2, [3], 4], 5]
 
 // Calls toString on elements.
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   toString { "Foo.toString" }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/core/map/to_string.wren b/test/core/map/to_string.wren
index 8b51c6a7..66a951b4 100644
--- a/test/core/map/to_string.wren
+++ b/test/core/map/to_string.wren
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ IO.print({1: {2: {}}}) // expect: {1: {2: {}}}
 
 // Calls toString on elements.
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   toString { "Foo.toString" }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/core/null/no_constructor.wren b/test/core/null/no_constructor.wren
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6e334122
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/null/no_constructor.wren
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Null.new() // expect runtime error: Null metaclass does not implement 'new()'.
diff --git a/test/core/number/no_constructor.wren b/test/core/number/no_constructor.wren
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aadfbd24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/number/no_constructor.wren
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Num.new() // expect runtime error: Num metaclass does not implement 'new()'.
diff --git a/test/core/object/no_constructor.wren b/test/core/object/no_constructor.wren
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2337cb9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/object/no_constructor.wren
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Object.new() // expect runtime error: Object metaclass does not implement 'new()'.
diff --git a/test/core/object/not.wren b/test/core/object/not.wren
index 14da7283..d658d6fb 100644
--- a/test/core/object/not.wren
+++ b/test/core/object/not.wren
@@ -1,2 +1,4 @@
-class Foo {}
+class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 IO.print(!Foo.new()) // expect: false
diff --git a/test/core/object/same.wren b/test/core/object/same.wren
index 95274db4..43b51494 100644
--- a/test/core/object/same.wren
+++ b/test/core/object/same.wren
@@ -24,7 +24,9 @@ IO.print(Object.same(Bool, Num)) // expect: false
 IO.print(Object.same(Bool, Bool)) // expect: true
 
 // Other types compare by identity.
-class Foo {}
+class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 
 var foo = Foo.new()
 IO.print(Object.same(foo, foo)) // expect: true
@@ -32,6 +34,7 @@ IO.print(Object.same(foo, Foo.new())) // expect: false
 
 // Ignores == operators.
 class Bar {
+  construct new() {}
   ==(other) { true }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/core/object/to_string.wren b/test/core/object/to_string.wren
index b64a8f82..59d44126 100644
--- a/test/core/object/to_string.wren
+++ b/test/core/object/to_string.wren
@@ -1,2 +1,4 @@
-class Foo {}
+class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 IO.print(Foo.new().toString == "instance of Foo") // expect: true
diff --git a/test/core/range/no_constructor.wren b/test/core/range/no_constructor.wren
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..acb65737
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/range/no_constructor.wren
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Range.new() // expect runtime error: Range metaclass does not implement 'new()'.
diff --git a/test/core/sequence/count.wren b/test/core/sequence/count.wren
index 4d753cc1..959026f8 100644
--- a/test/core/sequence/count.wren
+++ b/test/core/sequence/count.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class TestSequence is Sequence {
+  construct new() {}
+
   iterate(iterator) {
     if (iterator == null) return 1
     if (iterator == 10) return false
diff --git a/test/core/sequence/is_empty.wren b/test/core/sequence/is_empty.wren
index 9bf15213..5134d608 100644
--- a/test/core/sequence/is_empty.wren
+++ b/test/core/sequence/is_empty.wren
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ IO.print([].isEmpty) // expect: true
 IO.print([1].isEmpty) // expect: false
 
 class InfiniteSequence is Sequence {
+  construct new() {}
   iterate(iterator) { true }
   iteratorValue(iterator) { iterator }
 }
diff --git a/test/core/sequence/map.wren b/test/core/sequence/map.wren
index e977fe68..cb9833a2 100644
--- a/test/core/sequence/map.wren
+++ b/test/core/sequence/map.wren
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ class FibIterator {
 }
 
 class Fib is Sequence {
+  construct new() {}
+
   iterate(iterator) {
     if (iterator == null) return FibIterator.new()
     iterator.iterate
diff --git a/test/core/sequence/no_constructor.wren b/test/core/sequence/no_constructor.wren
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..50ac93d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/sequence/no_constructor.wren
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Sequence.new() // expect runtime error: Sequence metaclass does not implement 'new()'.
diff --git a/test/core/sequence/to_list.wren b/test/core/sequence/to_list.wren
index 7594d8dd..cdaf96ff 100644
--- a/test/core/sequence/to_list.wren
+++ b/test/core/sequence/to_list.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class TestSequence is Sequence {
+  construct new() {}
+
   iterate(iterator) {
     if (iterator == null) return 1
     if (iterator == 3) return false
diff --git a/test/core/sequence/where.wren b/test/core/sequence/where.wren
index f59b3917..c40176fd 100644
--- a/test/core/sequence/where.wren
+++ b/test/core/sequence/where.wren
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ class FibIterator {
 }
 
 class Fib is Sequence {
+  construct new() {}
+
   iterate(iterator) {
     if (iterator == null) return FibIterator.new()
     iterator.iterate
diff --git a/test/core/string/no_constructor.wren b/test/core/string/no_constructor.wren
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..52a049d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/core/string/no_constructor.wren
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+String.new() // expect runtime error: String metaclass does not implement 'new()'.
diff --git a/test/io/print.wren b/test/io/print.wren
index d402ac12..c02647d8 100644
--- a/test/io/print.wren
+++ b/test/io/print.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   toString { "Foo.toString" }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/io/print_bad_to_string.wren b/test/io/print_bad_to_string.wren
index 9dbd99af..af750175 100644
--- a/test/io/print_bad_to_string.wren
+++ b/test/io/print_bad_to_string.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class BadToString {
+  construct new() {}
   toString { 3 }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/io/write_bad_to_string.wren b/test/io/write_bad_to_string.wren
index c8015573..df9d3b66 100644
--- a/test/io/write_bad_to_string.wren
+++ b/test/io/write_bad_to_string.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class BadToString {
+  construct new() {}
   toString { 3 }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/language/class/lowercase_name_inside_body.wren b/test/language/class/lowercase_name_inside_body.wren
index 015e9eae..6819fd70 100644
--- a/test/language/class/lowercase_name_inside_body.wren
+++ b/test/language/class/lowercase_name_inside_body.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   static callFoo {
     IO.print(foo)
   }
diff --git a/test/language/class/name_inside_body.wren b/test/language/class/name_inside_body.wren
index 871a004d..477777c0 100644
--- a/test/language/class/name_inside_body.wren
+++ b/test/language/class/name_inside_body.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   static sayName {
     IO.print(Foo)
   }
diff --git a/test/language/closure/close_over_method_parameter.wren b/test/language/closure/close_over_method_parameter.wren
index 93831906..f1aa8080 100644
--- a/test/language/closure/close_over_method_parameter.wren
+++ b/test/language/closure/close_over_method_parameter.wren
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 var F = null
 
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   method(param) {
     F = Fn.new {
       IO.print(param)
diff --git a/test/language/closure/closed_closure_in_method.wren b/test/language/closure/closed_closure_in_method.wren
index 78300fa8..44971792 100644
--- a/test/language/closure/closed_closure_in_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/closure/closed_closure_in_method.wren
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ var foo = null
 {
   var local = "local"
   class Foo {
+    construct new() {}
+
     method {
       IO.print(local)
     }
diff --git a/test/language/closure/open_closure_in_method.wren b/test/language/closure/open_closure_in_method.wren
index f4c577b3..977dbe59 100644
--- a/test/language/closure/open_closure_in_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/closure/open_closure_in_method.wren
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 {
   var local = "local"
   class Foo {
+    construct new() {}
+
     method {
       IO.print(local)
     }
diff --git a/test/language/conditional/precedence.wren b/test/language/conditional/precedence.wren
index 41cd8c45..d24a7fef 100644
--- a/test/language/conditional/precedence.wren
+++ b/test/language/conditional/precedence.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   static bar { true }
   static baz { 1 }
 }
diff --git a/test/language/constructor/default.wren b/test/language/constructor/default.wren
deleted file mode 100644
index 77585262..00000000
--- a/test/language/constructor/default.wren
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,8 +0,0 @@
-class Foo {
-  toString { "Foo" }
-}
-
-// Classes get an argument-less "new()" by default.
-var foo = Foo.new()
-IO.print(foo is Foo) // expect: true
-IO.print(foo.toString) // expect: Foo
diff --git a/test/language/constructor/default_calls_new.wren b/test/language/constructor/default_calls_new.wren
deleted file mode 100644
index 1c00bca0..00000000
--- a/test/language/constructor/default_calls_new.wren
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-class Foo {
-  construct new() {
-    IO.print("Foo.new()")
-  }
-}
-
-class Bar is Foo {}
-
-Bar.new() // expect: Foo.new()
diff --git a/test/language/constructor/no_default.wren b/test/language/constructor/no_default.wren
index 287f1b83..1bb916f7 100644
--- a/test/language/constructor/no_default.wren
+++ b/test/language/constructor/no_default.wren
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
-class Foo {
-  construct real() {}
-}
+class Foo {}
 
-// Classes do not get an argument-less "new()" if they define a constructor.
+// Classes do not get a constructor by default.
 var foo = Foo.new() // expect runtime error: Foo metaclass does not implement 'new()'.
diff --git a/test/language/constructor/object.wren b/test/language/constructor/object.wren
deleted file mode 100644
index b60f99ac..00000000
--- a/test/language/constructor/object.wren
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,11 +0,0 @@
-// Tests that Object implements new(). The only way to call that is through a
-// super() call in a subclass, so this does that.
-
-class Foo {
-  construct new() {
-    super() // Should not cause a no method error.
-    IO.print("ok")
-  }
-}
-
-Foo.new() // expect: ok
diff --git a/test/language/field/default_to_null.wren b/test/language/field/default_to_null.wren
index 7b9e2fc4..5b834f71 100644
--- a/test/language/field/default_to_null.wren
+++ b/test/language/field/default_to_null.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   write { IO.print(_field) }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/language/field/multiple.wren b/test/language/field/multiple.wren
index dcf7536d..4c6f7e45 100644
--- a/test/language/field/multiple.wren
+++ b/test/language/field/multiple.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   set(a, b, c, d, e) {
     _a = a
     _b = b
diff --git a/test/language/field/nested_class.wren b/test/language/field/nested_class.wren
index d9f53d6e..f23fed32 100644
--- a/test/language/field/nested_class.wren
+++ b/test/language/field/nested_class.wren
@@ -1,9 +1,13 @@
 class Outer {
+  construct new() {}
+
   method {
     _field = "outer"
     IO.print(_field) // expect: outer
 
     class Inner {
+      construct new() {}
+
       method {
         _field = "inner"
         IO.print(_field) // expect: inner
diff --git a/test/language/field/use_before_set.wren b/test/language/field/use_before_set.wren
index 62e5d83d..d5a56f65 100644
--- a/test/language/field/use_before_set.wren
+++ b/test/language/field/use_before_set.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   write { IO.print(_field) } // Compile a use of the field...
   init { _field = "value" }  // ...before an assignment to it.
 }
diff --git a/test/language/implicit_receiver/inherited_methods.wren b/test/language/implicit_receiver/inherited_methods.wren
index 89dae1e6..12888cc7 100644
--- a/test/language/implicit_receiver/inherited_methods.wren
+++ b/test/language/implicit_receiver/inherited_methods.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   getter {
     IO.print("getter")
   }
@@ -13,6 +15,8 @@ class Foo {
 }
 
 class Bar is Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   test {
     getter            // expect: getter
     setter = "value"  // expect: setter
diff --git a/test/language/implicit_receiver/instance_methods.wren b/test/language/implicit_receiver/instance_methods.wren
index a3db0f42..a3e5ab13 100644
--- a/test/language/implicit_receiver/instance_methods.wren
+++ b/test/language/implicit_receiver/instance_methods.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   getter {
     IO.print("getter")
   }
diff --git a/test/language/implicit_receiver/locals_shadow_getter.wren b/test/language/implicit_receiver/locals_shadow_getter.wren
index 90ef6a58..f04ef590 100644
--- a/test/language/implicit_receiver/locals_shadow_getter.wren
+++ b/test/language/implicit_receiver/locals_shadow_getter.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   bar { "getter" }
 
   test {
diff --git a/test/language/implicit_receiver/locals_shadow_setter.wren b/test/language/implicit_receiver/locals_shadow_setter.wren
index 09de076c..56bea7c7 100644
--- a/test/language/implicit_receiver/locals_shadow_setter.wren
+++ b/test/language/implicit_receiver/locals_shadow_setter.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   bar=(value) {
     IO.print("setter")
     return value
diff --git a/test/language/implicit_receiver/nested_class.wren b/test/language/implicit_receiver/nested_class.wren
index 5e9fc18c..738447b9 100644
--- a/test/language/implicit_receiver/nested_class.wren
+++ b/test/language/implicit_receiver/nested_class.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Outer {
+  construct new() {}
+
   getter {
     IO.print("outer getter")
   }
@@ -17,6 +19,8 @@ class Outer {
     method("arg")     // expect: outer method
 
     class Inner {
+      construct new() {}
+
       getter {
         IO.print("inner getter")
       }
diff --git a/test/language/inheritance/inherit_fields.wren b/test/language/inheritance/inherit_fields.wren
index d9532870..d25e1e38 100644
--- a/test/language/inheritance/inherit_fields.wren
+++ b/test/language/inheritance/inherit_fields.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   foo(a, b) {
     _field1 = a
     _field2 = b
@@ -11,6 +13,8 @@ class Foo {
 }
 
 class Bar is Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   bar(a, b) {
     _field1 = a
     _field2 = b
diff --git a/test/language/inheritance/inherit_methods.wren b/test/language/inheritance/inherit_methods.wren
index 164c8668..d71b696b 100644
--- a/test/language/inheritance/inherit_methods.wren
+++ b/test/language/inheritance/inherit_methods.wren
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ class Foo {
 }
 
 class Bar is Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   methodOnBar { IO.print("bar") }
   method(a, b) { IO.print("bar") }
   method(a, b, c, d) { IO.print("bar") }
diff --git a/test/language/inheritance/is.wren b/test/language/inheritance/is.wren
index 893e21a1..d07d776a 100644
--- a/test/language/inheritance/is.wren
+++ b/test/language/inheritance/is.wren
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
-class A {}
-class B is A {}
-class C is B {}
+class A {
+  construct new() {}
+}
+class B is A {
+  construct new() {}
+}
+class C is B {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 var a = A.new()
 var b = B.new()
 var c = C.new()
diff --git a/test/language/method/arity.wren b/test/language/method/arity.wren
index 91efd35d..987de59f 100644
--- a/test/language/method/arity.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/arity.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   method { "getter" }
   method() { "no args" }
   method(a) { a }
diff --git a/test/language/method/empty_block.wren b/test/language/method/empty_block.wren
index fcd0a2d8..70dba5ba 100644
--- a/test/language/method/empty_block.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/empty_block.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   bar {}
 }
 
diff --git a/test/language/method/long_name.wren b/test/language/method/long_name.wren
index 871f7221..83cb6e7f 100644
--- a/test/language/method/long_name.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/long_name.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   thisHasAMethodNameThatIsExactly64CharactersLongWhichIsTheMaximum {
     return "result"
   }
diff --git a/test/language/method/many_methods.wren b/test/language/method/many_methods.wren
index d24d34b4..adc69b0b 100644
--- a/test/language/method/many_methods.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/many_methods.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   method000 { 1 }
   method001 { 1 }
   method002 { 1 }
diff --git a/test/language/method/newlines.wren b/test/language/method/newlines.wren
index 87cf45e6..0f9225e9 100644
--- a/test/language/method/newlines.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/newlines.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   method(a, b) { "method " + a + " " + b }
   [a, b] { "subscript " + a + " " + b }
 }
diff --git a/test/language/method/not_found.wren b/test/language/method/not_found.wren
index 68e0dbc9..fc678905 100644
--- a/test/language/method/not_found.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/not_found.wren
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
-class Foo {}
+class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 
 Foo.new().someUnknownMethod // expect runtime error: Foo does not implement 'someUnknownMethod'.
diff --git a/test/language/method/not_found_eleven_arguments.wren b/test/language/method/not_found_eleven_arguments.wren
index fd946fe8..b909cbe0 100644
--- a/test/language/method/not_found_eleven_arguments.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/not_found_eleven_arguments.wren
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
-class Foo {}
+class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 
 Foo.new().someUnknownMethod(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) // expect runtime error: Foo does not implement 'someUnknownMethod(_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_)'.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/language/method/not_found_multiple_arguments.wren b/test/language/method/not_found_multiple_arguments.wren
index 75436201..76bf64f2 100644
--- a/test/language/method/not_found_multiple_arguments.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/not_found_multiple_arguments.wren
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
-class Foo {}
+class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 
 Foo.new().someUnknownMethod(1, 2) // expect runtime error: Foo does not implement 'someUnknownMethod(_,_)'.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/language/method/not_found_one_argument.wren b/test/language/method/not_found_one_argument.wren
index d86a083d..59b52b67 100644
--- a/test/language/method/not_found_one_argument.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/not_found_one_argument.wren
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
-class Foo {}
+class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 
 Foo.new().someUnknownMethod(1) // expect runtime error: Foo does not implement 'someUnknownMethod(_)'.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/language/method/operators.wren b/test/language/method/operators.wren
index c181c788..53934f51 100644
--- a/test/language/method/operators.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/operators.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   +(other) { "infix + " + other }
   -(other) { "infix - " + other }
   *(other) { "infix * " + other }
diff --git a/test/language/method/static.wren b/test/language/method/static.wren
index bbab05ef..bdf4984c 100644
--- a/test/language/method/static.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/static.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   bar { "on instance" }
   static bar { "on metaclass" }
 
diff --git a/test/language/method/subscript_operators.wren b/test/language/method/subscript_operators.wren
index 4daca244..57b6d4df 100644
--- a/test/language/method/subscript_operators.wren
+++ b/test/language/method/subscript_operators.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   [a] { "1-subscript " + a }
   [a, b] { "2-subscript " + a + " " + b }
   [a, b, c] { "3-subscript " + a + " " + b + " " + c }
diff --git a/test/language/nonlocal/mutual_recursion.wren b/test/language/nonlocal/mutual_recursion.wren
index f88169f9..a0c9e65e 100644
--- a/test/language/nonlocal/mutual_recursion.wren
+++ b/test/language/nonlocal/mutual_recursion.wren
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   static bar { Bar.new() }
 }
 
 class Bar {
+  construct new() {}
   static foo { Foo.new() }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/language/nonlocal/use_in_method.wren b/test/language/nonlocal/use_in_method.wren
index bef96b5f..91945fa9 100644
--- a/test/language/nonlocal/use_in_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/nonlocal/use_in_method.wren
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 var Global = "global"
 
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   method {
     IO.print(Global)
   }
diff --git a/test/language/nonlocal/use_in_method_before_definition.wren b/test/language/nonlocal/use_in_method_before_definition.wren
index 8c2974c7..81f27b38 100644
--- a/test/language/nonlocal/use_in_method_before_definition.wren
+++ b/test/language/nonlocal/use_in_method_before_definition.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   method {
     IO.print(Global)
   }
diff --git a/test/language/return/in_method.wren b/test/language/return/in_method.wren
index 7f0cbbc2..eeee1f38 100644
--- a/test/language/return/in_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/return/in_method.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   method {
     return "ok"
     IO.print("bad")
diff --git a/test/language/setter/instance.wren b/test/language/setter/instance.wren
index b9f5c1a8..05362131 100644
--- a/test/language/setter/instance.wren
+++ b/test/language/setter/instance.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   bar=(value) {
     IO.print(value)
   }
diff --git a/test/language/setter/result.wren b/test/language/setter/result.wren
index 55d78346..dbc315c4 100644
--- a/test/language/setter/result.wren
+++ b/test/language/setter/result.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   bar=(value) { "result" }
 }
 
diff --git a/test/language/setter/same_name_as_method.wren b/test/language/setter/same_name_as_method.wren
index 4e05c388..c6b34cc4 100644
--- a/test/language/setter/same_name_as_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/setter/same_name_as_method.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   bar=(value) { IO.print("set") }
   bar { IO.print("get") }
 }
diff --git a/test/language/static_field/in_instance_method.wren b/test/language/static_field/in_instance_method.wren
index 0e0f8060..bb00412e 100644
--- a/test/language/static_field/in_instance_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/static_field/in_instance_method.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   set(a, b, c, d, e) {
     __a = a
     __b = b
diff --git a/test/language/static_field/nested_class.wren b/test/language/static_field/nested_class.wren
index 3517da77..8e1ce892 100644
--- a/test/language/static_field/nested_class.wren
+++ b/test/language/static_field/nested_class.wren
@@ -1,9 +1,13 @@
 class Outer {
+  construct new() {}
+
   static staticMethod {
     __field = "outer"
     IO.print(__field) // expect: outer
 
     class Inner {
+      construct new() {}
+
       static staticMethod {
         __field = "inner"
         IO.print(__field) // expect: inner
@@ -19,6 +23,8 @@ class Outer {
     IO.print(__field) // expect: outer
 
     class Inner {
+      construct new() {}
+
       instanceMethod {
         __field = "inner"
         IO.print(__field) // expect: inner
diff --git a/test/language/super/call_different_arity.wren b/test/language/super/call_different_arity.wren
index 0666149a..03edb94f 100644
--- a/test/language/super/call_different_arity.wren
+++ b/test/language/super/call_different_arity.wren
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ class Base {
 }
 
 class Derived is Base {
+  construct new() {}
+
   foo(a) {
     IO.print("Derived.bar(a)")
     super
diff --git a/test/language/super/call_other_method.wren b/test/language/super/call_other_method.wren
index ca1ac678..e048ac5b 100644
--- a/test/language/super/call_other_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/super/call_other_method.wren
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ class Base {
 }
 
 class Derived is Base {
+  construct new() {}
+
   bar {
     IO.print("Derived.bar")
     super.foo
diff --git a/test/language/super/call_same_method.wren b/test/language/super/call_same_method.wren
index cf765e94..a70d60bf 100644
--- a/test/language/super/call_same_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/super/call_same_method.wren
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ class Base {
 }
 
 class Derived is Base {
+  construct new() {}
+
   foo {
     IO.print("Derived.foo")
     super.foo
diff --git a/test/language/super/closure.wren b/test/language/super/closure.wren
index 8a6c2b84..b1302467 100644
--- a/test/language/super/closure.wren
+++ b/test/language/super/closure.wren
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ class Base {
 }
 
 class Derived is Base {
+  construct new() {}
   getClosure { Fn.new { super.toString } }
   toString { "Derived" }
 }
diff --git a/test/language/super/implicit_name.wren b/test/language/super/implicit_name.wren
index c9ed109c..75100560 100644
--- a/test/language/super/implicit_name.wren
+++ b/test/language/super/implicit_name.wren
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ class Base {
 }
 
 class Derived is Base {
+  construct new() {}
+
   foo {
     IO.print("Derived.foo")
     super
diff --git a/test/language/super/indirectly_inherited.wren b/test/language/super/indirectly_inherited.wren
index b9d7706c..765459b8 100644
--- a/test/language/super/indirectly_inherited.wren
+++ b/test/language/super/indirectly_inherited.wren
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ class A {
 class B is A {}
 
 class C is B {
+  construct new() {}
+
   foo {
     IO.print("C.foo")
     super.foo
diff --git a/test/language/super/no_superclass_method.wren b/test/language/super/no_superclass_method.wren
index e85c5afa..1e177dcd 100644
--- a/test/language/super/no_superclass_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/super/no_superclass_method.wren
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 class Base {}
 
 class Derived is Base {
+  construct new() {}
   foo { super.doesNotExist(1) } // expect runtime error: Base does not implement 'doesNotExist(_)'.
 }
 
diff --git a/test/language/super/super_in_closure_in_inherited_method.wren b/test/language/super/super_in_closure_in_inherited_method.wren
index c39c83d2..ef97d602 100644
--- a/test/language/super/super_in_closure_in_inherited_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/super/super_in_closure_in_inherited_method.wren
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ class A {
   toString { "A.toString" }
 }
 
-class B is A {}
+class B is A {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 
 IO.print(B.new().callSuperToString) // expect: instance of B
diff --git a/test/language/super/super_in_inherited_method.wren b/test/language/super/super_in_inherited_method.wren
index 229fddc8..1a7e914d 100644
--- a/test/language/super/super_in_inherited_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/super/super_in_inherited_method.wren
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ class A {
   toString { "A.toString" }
 }
 
-class B is A {}
+class B is A {
+  construct new() {}
+}
 
 IO.print(B.new().callSuperToString) // expect: instance of B
diff --git a/test/language/this/closure.wren b/test/language/this/closure.wren
index 6c220984..d254b371 100644
--- a/test/language/this/closure.wren
+++ b/test/language/this/closure.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   getClosure { Fn.new { toString } }
   toString { "Foo" }
 }
diff --git a/test/language/this/nested_class.wren b/test/language/this/nested_class.wren
index 8efdc1e9..f7c5351f 100644
--- a/test/language/this/nested_class.wren
+++ b/test/language/this/nested_class.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Outer {
+  construct new() {}
+
   method {
     IO.print(this) // expect: Outer
 
@@ -6,6 +8,8 @@ class Outer {
       IO.print(this) // expect: Outer
 
       class Inner {
+        construct new() {}
+
         method {
           IO.print(this) // expect: Inner
         }
diff --git a/test/language/this/nested_closure.wren b/test/language/this/nested_closure.wren
index 9fb5793a..ccb5f146 100644
--- a/test/language/this/nested_closure.wren
+++ b/test/language/this/nested_closure.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   getClosure { Fn.new { Fn.new { Fn.new { toString } } } }
   toString { "Foo" }
 }
diff --git a/test/language/this/this_in_method.wren b/test/language/this/this_in_method.wren
index af5fddba..ba212a56 100644
--- a/test/language/this/this_in_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/this/this_in_method.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
   bar { this }
   baz { "baz" }
 }
diff --git a/test/language/variable/local_in_middle_of_block.wren b/test/language/variable/local_in_middle_of_block.wren
index a0f1c819..47266af1 100644
--- a/test/language/variable/local_in_middle_of_block.wren
+++ b/test/language/variable/local_in_middle_of_block.wren
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   bar {
     var a = "a"
     IO.print(a) // expect: a
diff --git a/test/language/variable/outside_method.wren b/test/language/variable/outside_method.wren
index 19a77919..b2a5d59d 100644
--- a/test/language/variable/outside_method.wren
+++ b/test/language/variable/outside_method.wren
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 var foo = "variable"
 
 class Foo {
+  construct new() {}
+
   foo { "method" }
 
   method {