LESSON I.

Language is the expression of thought by means of words, and may be either spoken or written.

English Grammar is the science which teaches how to speak and write the English Language correctly.

THE SENTENCE.

A word is the expression of an idea.

A sentence is a thought expressed in words.

A proposition is a subject combined with its predicate.

A sentence may consist of one proposition or of a combination of two or more propositions.

A phrase is a group of words forming a single expression, but not constituting a proposition.

A clause is one of two or more united propositions.

The analysis of a sentence is the separation of it into its parts or elements. Analyze the following sentences:

Example.-Trees grow. This is a sentence because it expresses a thought. Of what is something thought? Trees. Which word tells what is thought? Grow. Lions roar. Corn grows. Stars have disappeared. Sirius has risen. Napoleon surrendered. Planets have been discovered. Palaces shall crumble. are built.

In every sentence there are two parts: the subject and the predicate.
The subject of a sentence is that of which something is said.
The predicate of a sentence is that which is said of the subject.

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS.

Monuments

The principal elements of a sentence are the subject and the predicate.
The subject may be a word, a phrase, or a clause.
Ex.-Winter is coming. B is a letter.

use of money is a vice.

To cheat is wrong.

The predicate consists of a verb with or without adjuncts.

Carelessness in the

Ex.-Rain falls. To be contented is to be happy. He studies that he may learn. The subject of a proposition is either simple or compound.

The subject is simple when something is affirmed of only one thing; as, Water

moves.

The subject is compound when something is affirmed of two or more things; as, Wisdom and truth must prevail. Ohio and Iowa are states.

The predicate of a proposition is either simple or compound. A simple predicate makes but one affirmation of the subject; as, Men die. "God is love."

1

A compound predicate makes two or more affirmations of the subject; as, Animals eat and sleep. Birds walk, fly, and hop.

Write sentences illustrating the definitions given above.

NOTE.—The subject-nominative, with its modifiers, is called the entire subject; the predicate-verb, with its modifiers, is called the entire predicate.

MODIFYING ELEMENTS.

The modifying elements of a sentence are adjective elements, adverbial elements, objective elements, independent elements, and connecting elements.

These elements may be words, phrases, or clauses.

Whatever modifies a noun or a pronoun is an adjective element.

Ex.-The diligent scholar improves. which stood on the corner burned down.

A flock of birds was in sight. The house
The sky is cloudless.

Whatever modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb, is an adverbial element. Ex.-The house was sold yesterday. The house was sold to pay the owner's debts. He studies that he may learn. She is very proud.

Whatever is the object of a verb or a preposition is an objective element.

Ex. The soil produces corn. He knows that you are diligent. I did not hear of it in time.

The connecting elements are the conjunctions, the prepositions, some adverbs, and the relative pronouns.

it

may

The independent element may be a noun or a pronoun used independently; or be an interjection; or it may be something that represents an entire sentence. Ex.-My friend, you are not wise. He failing, who shall meet success? O! that you were wise.

A word, a phrase, or a clause, used in the predicate, but relating to the subject, is called the attribute.

Ex. The man is honest. Milton is the sublimest of poets. My impression is, that you will succeed.

The verb be, with its different forms, am, is, are, was, were, etc., when used to connect the subject and its attribute, is called the copula.

Ex. The world is beautiful. I am weary. He was rich.

LESSON II.

CLASSIFICATION OF SENTENCES.

Sentences are divided with respect to use, into four classes: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory.

A declarative sentence is used to affirm or to deny.

Ex.-Men walk. Fish do not walk.

An interrogative sentence is used to ask a question.

Ex. Are you sorry? Where do you live?

An imperative sentence is used to express a command or an entreaty.
Ex.-Know thyself. Give me a penny.

Do not rob me.

An exclamatory sentence is used in exclamation or to express strong emotion. Ex.-Oh, how sorry I am! Alas! I shall perish!

Tell to which class each of the following sentences belongs: The day is calm. How many pecks in a bushel? Write rapidly. How careless you are! Where is Australia? How bright the moon is! Bring forth the prisoners. "The Lord is my helper.”

Write twelve sentences illustrating these four classes.

Sentences are divided with respect to form, into three classes: simple, complex, and compound.

A simple sentence consists of but one proposition.

Ex.-Stars shine. Who comes here? Move slowly.

A complex sentence consists of a principal proposition, either itself, or some part of itself, modified by a subordinate proposition.

Ex.-Leaves fall when autumn comes.

I hear that you have bought a fine residence.

He who is diligent will win the race.

A compound sentence consists of two or more propositions joined together by coördinate connectives.

Ex.-Summer comes and fruit ripens. "I go, but I return."

Obs. 1.-Propositions composing complex or compound sentences, are called clauses or members.

Obs. 2. The propositions composing compound or complex sentences, may themselves be compound or complex.

Obs. 3.-Relative pronouns, subordinate conjunctions, and conjunctive adverbs, are used to connect the dependent clauses of complex sentences to the principal clause, and to each other when they themselves are complex.

Obs. 4.-Sometimes the connectives are omitted.

Ex.-"Talent is power, tact is skill."

Write three simple, three complex, and three compound sentences.

Propositions are either principal or subordinate.

A principal proposition is one which makes complete sense when standing alone.

A subordinate proposition is one which must be connected with another proposition to make complete sense.

Ex. The man that does no good does harm. In this sentence, "The man does harm," is the principal proposition, for it makes complete sense when standing "That does no good," is the subordinate proposition, modifying man.

alone.

Phrases are either simple, complex, or compound.

A simple phrase is one unconnected with any other; as, " in the mind."

A complex phrase is one that contains a phrase or a clause, as an adjunct of its principal part; as, "in the varieties of life."

66

as,

A compound phrase is one composed of two or more coördinate phrases; as, stooping down and looking in.”

A phrase which is introduced by a preposition, is called a prepositional phrase: "of a truth.”

A phrase, the principal part of which is a verb in the infinitive mood, is an infinitive phrase; as, to do good.

66

A phrase, the principal part of which is a participle, is a participial phrase; as, a measure founded on justice.”

A phrase may be used as subject, object, or attribute, or it may be an adverbial or an adjective modifier, or it may be independent.

LESSON III.

ANALYSIS OF SENTENCES.

Examples.-Washington captured Cornwallis.

This is a sentence; declarative, simple (why?). Washington is the subject; captured is the predicate verb, and is modified by Cornwallis, an objective element. What did you find ?

This is a sentence; interrogative, simple (why ?). You is the subject; did find is the predicate verb (why?). The predicate verb is modified by what, an objective element.

Bring me flowers.

This is a sentence; imperative, simple (why?). Thou or you understood is the subject; bring is the predicate verb (why?). The predicate verb is modified by flowers, a direct objective, and by me, an indirect objective element.

They have chosen Garfield president.

This is a sentence; declarative, simple (why?). They is the subject; have chosen is the predicate verb (why?). The predicate verb is modified by Garfield, an objective element, and Garfield is modified by president, an adjective element denoting office.

He read the books. Students study astronomy. They rowed the boat. Obey the laws. Brokers sell stocks. We elected him moderator. I gave him an apple. Whom did you see?

This is a sentence; declarative, simple (why?). Boat is the subject nominative; glides is the predicate verb. The subject nominative is modified by the, an adjective element; the predicate verb is modified by smoothly, an adverbial element. Eva ran rapidly. I shall surely oppose you. Is the Promptly give him your attention.

The ladies sing sweetly.

mountain very beautiful?