EXERCISE IX.

The Sentence.-Use.-Structure.

A sentence is a group of words expressing a thought; as, The laws of nature are the thoughts of the Creator.

Every sentence consists of two parts,—a subject and a predicate.

The subject of a sentence is the part of the sentence about which something is said; as, The laws of nature are the thoughts of the Creator.

The predicate of a sentence is the part of the sentence that expresses what is said about the subject; as, The laws of nature are the thoughts of the Creator.

Sentences are classified with regard to use, also with regard to structure.

I. According to their use, they are classified as declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory.

A declarative sentence is one that declares or tells something; as, Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate.

An interrogative sentence is one that asks a question: as, Does one always reap what he sows ?

An imperative sentence is one that expresses a request or a command; as, Get me permission to go home.

An exclamatory sentence is one that expresses emotion or surprise; as, How like a villain he looks!

II. According to their structure sentences are classified as simple, complex, and compound.

A simple sentence is one that contains only one assertion; as, Integrity of purpose is always admired.

A complex sentence is one that contains one principal assertion and one or more subordinate assertions; as, The task, which was assigned him, was too difficult.

A compound sentence is one that contains two or more coördinate assertions; as, Time is more valuable than money, but few recognize the fact.

Test Questions.-Sentence-Making.

TO THE TEACHER: In every recitation the most inspiring, illustrative sentences, original or quoted, should be written upon the blackboard for the inspection of the class. Pupils do not study grammar merely to learn how to imprison sentences in diagrams, analyze sentences, and parse words mechanically, but to learn to express their own thoughts clearly, concisely, and logically.

As mind is developed only by what it creates and uses, the pupil should be required to use a grammatical fact in original sentences as soon as he has learned it. This method requires the pupil to review what he has gone over and to compose sentences. It tends to impress on him the fact that he must get understanding while he is getting information, Insist upon thoughtful illustrations. Exact and accept only such illustrative sentences, original and quoted, as show a careful preparation of the lesson on the part of the class. Teachers should ever bear in mind the fact that there is nothing inspiring or lasting in merely formal recitations. The aim is to make these exercises interesting and profitable by omitting detail, and presenting only points of general

importance. They compel thought but do not tax the memory. A grammatical relation applied in the construction of original sentences will be remembered long after technical terms are forgotten. The use of language should accompany the study of its structure. The exercises are a complete review of the text, and should be made topics for real language lessons-oral and written.

1. In what respect does a complex sentence differ from a compound sentence?

2. In what respect does a compound sentence differ from a simple sentence?

3. In what respect does a declarative sentence differ from an exclamatory sentence?

4. In what respect does an interrogative sentence differ from an imperative sentence?

5. In what respect does an exclamatory sentence differ from the other kinds of sentences in regard to use?

6. In what does a simple sentence differ from a complex sentence?

7. Compose three simple sentences.

8. Compose three complex sentences.

9. Compose three compound sentences.

10. Compose three compound-complex sentences.

11. Connect the two members of a compound sentence with and, with also, with besides.

EXERCISE X.

Phrases.

A phrase is a group of words not containing subject and predicate and used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

According to their uses, phrases are classified as substantive, adjective, and adverbial.

A substantive phrase is one used as a noun; as, 1. To do right is a duty. 2. He likes to study arithmetic. 3. My purpose is to finish the work.

An adjective phrase is one used as an adjective; as, 1. The laws of nature are the thoughts of God. 2. He has a library filled with rare books. 3. A ship, gliding over the water, is a beautiful sight.

An adverbial phrase is one that is used as an adverb; as, 1. The birds will return in the spring. 2. I shall be glad to see you. 3. Believing in him, he trusted him.

Phrases are also distinguished with regard to form, as prepositional, participial, and infinitive.

A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and its object; as, The children in the grove are happy. He came to town yesterday.

An infinitive phrase is one introduced by to followed by a verb; as, To love is to live. To launch the boat was a long and pleasant task.

A participial phrase is one introduced by a participle and used as an adjective; as, 1. Forsaken by his friends, he was defeated. 2. Truth, crushed to earth, will rise again. 3. Cæsar, having arrived, decided to cross the Rhine.

Phrases are also distinguished as simple, complex, compound, independent, and idiomatic.

A simple phrase is a single, unmodified phrase; as, He came to town yesterday. Heaven hides the book of fate.

A complex phrase is a modified phrase; as, Pines grow on the very tops of the highest mountains.

A compound phrase is composed of two or more phrases of equal rank; as, We should learn to labor and to wait.

A phrase may be wholly independent in meaning and in grammar; as, To say the truth, he was a conscientious man. To make a long story short, the company disbanded.

An idiomatic phrase is one peculiar to a language. The relation of an idiomatic phrase to the sentence with which it is used is logical, not grammatical. Our language abounds in idiomatic phrases; as, As yet, by far, at last, at first, at present, at random, by the by, out and out, side by side, hand to hand, through and through, year by year, etc.

From the foregoing discussion we glean the following important facts:

1. That a prepositional phrase may be used as an adjective or as an adverb.

2. That an infinitive phrase may be used as a noun, an adjective, or adverb.

3. That phrases are used as parts of speech, and should be regarded as units.