11. State concisely and clearly the distinguishing difference between a finite verb and an infinitive.

12. State concisely and clearly the distinguishing difference between a participle and a verb.

13. Use a phrasal infinitive (1) as the subject of a verb; (2) as the object of a verb; (3) as the complement of a copulative verb; (4) as an adjective; (5) as an adverb.

14. Use an infinitive in ing (1) as the subject of a verb; (2) as the object of a verb; (3) as the complement of a copulative verb.

15. Show that a phrasal infinitive may be the logical subject of a verb with it as the anticipative subject.

16. Show that a phrasal infinitive may be in apposition with a noun.

17. Show that the phrasal infinitive and the infinitive in ing are frequently interchangeable.

18. Show that the infinitive in ing and the present participle are alike in form, but unlike in use.

19. Show that a phrasal infinitive may be the object of a preposition.

20. In each of three sentences, use a participial phrase as an adjunct of the subject of a verb.

21. In each of three sentences, use a different form of the noun-term as the object of a participle.

22. In each of three sentences, use a different form of the adverb-term as a modifier of a participle.

23. In each of two sentences, use an adjective as the complement of a participle and point out its use in the phrase.

24. In each of two sentences, use a noun as the complement of a participle and point out its use in the phrase.

EXERCISE XV.

Varied Uses of Words.

This is a convenient place to review the uses of several puzzling words that have, at different times, the force of two or more different parts of speech. In English a word does not belong exclusively to a single class or part of speech. The part of speech to which a word belongs in a particular sentence depends upon its use in that sentence. That is, the same form of a word may be used as several parts of speech. The master-key that unlocks every profitable system of teaching grammar is therefore, not because. What part of speech a word is cannot be determined at sight, but only by its connection and dependence. A pupil should be taught first to see what a word does in the sentence, then to infer what part of speech it is.

In the sentence, "Black is a color," the word black is the subject of the sentence, therefore it is a noun. In the sentence, “John is a black boy," the word black limits a noun, therefore it is an adjective. In the sentence, "Black my shoes," the word black expresses action, therefore it is a verb. Almost any part of speech may be used as a verb. Thus, man is a verb in the sentence, "Man the boat. Up, usually a preposition, is a verb in the sentence, "Up with the flag." Black, usually an adjective, is a verb in the sentence, "Black your shoes." While, usually an adverb, is a verb in the sentence, "While away the time."

The following brief survey of the words most widely used as two or more parts of speech shows that use decides classification:

All. All may be (1) a noun; as, He lost all. (2) An adjective; as, All men are mortal. (3) An adverb; as, His cheeks were all pale.

As. As may be (1) a relative pronoun; as, Such as I have, give I unto thee. (2) A conjunctive adverb of time; as, I arrived as he was taking his leave. (3) A conjunctive adverb of manner; as, Speak as you think. (4) An adverb of degree; as, You are as old as I am. (5) A preposition; as, His place as a thinker is difficult to fix. (6) Part of a phrase; as, As to that matter, he was silent.

Both. Both may be (1) an adjective; as, Both methods are good. (2) A correlative conjunction; as, He is both virtuous and wise.

But. But may be (1) a conjunction; as, He is not sick, but faint. (2) A preposition; as, They gave all but one. (3) an adverb; as, If they kill us, we shall but die. (4) A relative pronoun; as, There is no sailor but is superstitious. This means there is not a sailor who is not superstitious.

Considering. Considering may be (1) a participle; as, Loudon carefully considering the offer decided to accept it. (2) A preposition; as, Considering the difficulties, the journey was quickly made. (3) A gerund; as, His time was occupied with considering the affairs of state.

No. No may be (1) a limiting adjective; as, He had no more money. (2) An adverb; as, He is there no longer. (3) An independent adverb; as, No, I will never consent.

Only. Only may be (1) an adjective; as, The only lesson heard was reading. (2) An adverb; as, I wrote only to amuse myself. (3) A conjunction; as, It is the right kind, only it is too small.

So. So may be (1) an adverb of manner; as, Do it so. (2) A subordinate conjunction; as So he can gain his point, he does not care. (3) A substitute for an expression; as, I am in earnest, but he is more so = in earnest.

That.

That may be (1) a relative pronoun; as, The man that I met was the teacher. (2) An adjective pronoun; as, That is what I mean; (3) An adjective; as, That book belongs to me. (4) A substantive conjunction; as, I knew that he would soon retire. (5) A conjunction of purpose; as, He died that we might live.

What. What may be (1) a relative pronoun; as, It is what (that which) I wanted. (2) An interrogative pronoun; as, What (things) do you want? (3) An interrogative adjective; as, What excuse does she make? (4) An interjection; as, What! Have you come at last?

Which. Which may be (1) a relative pronoun; as, The horse which I rode. (2) An interrogative pronoun; as, Which did you take? (3) An interrogative adjective; as, Which horse did you buy?

Yet. Yet may be (1) an adverb; as, The deed was made yet darker by his profession of friendship. (2) A coördinate conjunction; as, "Yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

As-As denotes a comparison of equality; as, John is as old as William (is old). The first as modifies old, hence

it is an adverb.

The second as introduces a subordinate

clause, hence it is a conjunction.

So-As denotes a comparison of inequality; as, John is not so old as William (is old). In this sentence so modifies the adjective old, hence it is an adverb. As introduces a subordinate clause, hence it is a conjunction.

Phrase Combinations.

Certain phrases or combinations become idiomatic and practically inseparable. Their meaning and force are lost in trying to separate or analyze them. To study and accept these idiomatic forms is far more useful than to try to adjust every word to its proper class and rule of construction. Even classical scholars and technical grammarians do not always agree upon the classification and construction of peculiar and idiomatic expressions. The difference in opinion in regard to the case of a noun is often of small moment, but it is very important that the use of the word or expression should be clearly understood. The difference between tweedle dum and tweedle dee is not a vital one.

The following are the most important combinations:

1. A noun with a verb; as, The steak eats well. The sentence reads well. In each of the foregoing sentences the verb is used passively. In a similar way we have the progressive form; as, The house is building. Potatoes are selling high.

2. A double object, a noun and an adjective; as, Lay the head low. Drink the cup dry. Bake the bread brown. Plough the furrow deep. In the foregoing it is clear that the adjective is an attributive object.