EXERCISE XVII.

Twelve Rules of Syntax.

Syntax is that part of grammar which treats of the construction of sentences and the proper arrangement of words in sentences. It treats of the agreement, government, and position of the elements of a sentence.

Agreement is the similarity of the parts of speech in their properties; as, a plural noun and a plural verb are said to agree in number; a masculine pronoun referring to a noun of the masculine gender as its antecedent is said to agree with it in gender.

Government is the power that some parts of speech are said to have in determining the properties of others; as, a preposition requires its object to be in the objective case; a transitive verb requires that its object shall be in the objective case; a plural subject demands a plural verb.

Position is the place that words properly occupy with respect to other words of the sentence.

This general agreement, expressed in the form of a statement, is called a Rule of Syntax. In English there are comparatively few changes in form to denote agreement. The construction of the sentence depends, not upon wordforms, but upon the laws of order and reason. A few general principles govern the grammatical construction of the words in a sentence. Of these, the following ten are the most important:

TO THE TEACHER: Experience proves that a formal, memory knowledge of the rules which govern the use of pure English will not dislodge the use of incorrect constructions and verbose and careless expressions. The use of correct forms becomes a habit only through long and persistent effort of the will. No amount of parsing and analysis will materially change the forms used in expressing original thought. Revision is the only sure remedy for incorrect and indirect statements.

Rule I. The verb agrees with its subject in person and number.

This rule is violated by using a plural verb with every one, each, any one.

It is violated by using a plural verb with a subject plural in form but singular in meaning.

Violation. The news have arrived.

Rule II. The subject of a finite verb is in the nominative case.

This rule is violated by using the objective case after as or than.

Violation. You knew this as well as me.

Correction. You knew this as well as I (did).

Rule III. Two or more singular subjects connected by and require a plural verb.

Rule IV. Two or more singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.

Correct the following sentences:

1. He or his brother are guilty of the theft.

2. Neither John nor James walk to school.

3. The man or his brother sleep in the parlor.

4. Neither the husband nor his wife call at the office.

Rule V. A pronoun used as the subject of a verb is in the nominative case.

Violation.

Correction.

Him and me went to the theatre together.

He and I went to the theatre together.

Correct the following sentences:

1. He is taller than me.

2. She is further advanced than him.

3. She is not one whom I thought would do this.

4. Why won't father answer as well as me?

5. You and me will go together.

6. They that seek wisdom will be wise.

7. Is James as old as me?

8. Whom do you think called upon me this morning?

9. My brother is a better swimmer than him.

10. Such a man as him could never be President.

Rule VI. Pronouns agree with their antecedents in person, number, and gender.

This rule is often violated by using a plural pronoun in referring to each, any one, and every one.

Violation.

Every one should attend to their own business. Correction. Every one should attend to his own business.

Correct the following examples:

1. Not a boy of the entire class knew their own name.

2. If any pupil present is in favor of this, let them hold up their right hand.

3. Every one was looking out for themselves.

4. Each of the five children had a present to take to their home.

5. When he shoots a partridge, a woodcock, or a pheasant, he gives them away.

6. Each was the centre of their own world.

Rule VII. An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

This rule is often violated by using an adjective in place of an adverb.

Examine carefully the following sentences and think the adverbs into their proper places :

1. All that glitters is not gold.

2. We cannot deprive any one of merit wholly.

3. We have been disappointed greatly at your conduct.

4. We always should prefer duty to pleasure.

5. The planets are in motion perpetually.

6. They are nearly dressed alike.

7. He used to often come; I wished to really know him.

The adverb is more frequently misplaced than any other part of speech. The most troublesome adverb is "only." The use of this adverb deserves particular attention.

Violation. I only have five dollars on hand.
Correction. I have only five dollars on hand.

The adverb should be placed before the adjective, the adverb, and the phrase which it modifies. It may be placed before or after the verb; as, 1. I have only three apples left. 2. They were dressed nearly alike. 3. He left early in the morning. 4. He walked slowly to town.

Rule VIII. The object of a verb, a participle, or a preposition is in the objective case.

This rule is violated by using the nominative case-form of a pronoun instead of the objective.

Violation. Who did you see yesterday?
Correction. Whom did you see yesterday?
Who did you intend this for?
Whom did you intend this for?

Violation.
Correction.

Correct the following sentences:

1. Who did he marry?

2. Who should I find but my cousin? 3. Will you let him and I sit together?

4. They that help us we should reward.

5. He that made the last speech the audience cheered.

Rule IX. A predicate pronoun agrees in case with the subject which it qualifies.

This rule is violated by using the objective case-form of the pronoun instead of the nominative.