PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS.

The grammatical subject and the grammatical predicate are the principal elements of a sentence; as,—

The shadows dance upon the wall.

SUBORDINATE ELEMENTS.

The modifiers of the principal elements in a sentence are called subordinate elements; as,

The light of smiles shall fill again

The lids that overflow with tears.

When the predicate verb is of incomplete predication, the object or the complement may be called a modifier of the grammatical predicate; as,

1. The sexton rang the bell.

2. My mirror is the mountain spring.

STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES.

Sentences may be simple, complex, or compound.
A sentence that expresses one thought is called a simple

sentence; as,

The march of the human mind is slow.

A sentence consisting of one principal clause and one or more subordinate clauses is called a complex sentence; as,

Some murmur when their sky is clear.

A sentence made up of two or more independent members is called a compound sentence; as,

I listened, but I could not hear.

EXERCISE I.

I. State the difference between the grammatical subject and the logical subject, and give examples of each. 2. State the difference between the principal elements and the subordinate elements of a sentence. Give examples

EXERCISE II.

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1. Write three sentences containing adjective phrases.

Write three sentences containing adverbial phrases. 3. Write three sentences containing substantive phrases.

KLESSO

LESSON XCVI.

THE SIMPLE SENTENCE.

A simple sentence is a sentence that expresses one thought.

We expected a different answer.

III. An infinitive, or an infinitive phrase; as, —

1. To delay is dangerous.

2. To say nothing is often better than to speak.
3. Saying nothing is often better than speaking.

MODIFIERS OF THE SUBJECT.

The subject may be modified by

I. An adjective; as,

Still waters run deep.

II. A noun or a pronoun in the possessive case; as, – 1. Edward's friends were present.

2. My opinion is not changed.

III. An appositive word or phrase.

I. I, Paul, have written it with mine own hand. 2. Hope, the balm of life, soothes us under every misfortune.

IV. A prepositional phrase, as adjective; as,

The paths of glory lead but to the grave. V. A participle, or a participial phrase; as, 1. Having sung, she left the room.

2. Advancing cautiously, he opened the door. VI. An infinitive; as,

His desire to learn is great.

THE PREDICATE.

The predicate of a simple sentence may be

I. A complete verb

1. In a simple form; as, The sun rose.

2. In a compound form; as, The sun has risen. II. An incomplete intransitive verb completed by —

1. A noun; as, He was secretary.

2. A pronoun; as, It was he.

3. An adjective; as, Iron is hard.

4. An infinitive, or an infinitive phrase; as, To see her is to love her.

5. An adverb, or an adverbial phrase; as, The moon is up; All the household are at rest.

III. An incomplete transitive verb with its object

I. A noun; as, I hear music.

2. A pronoun; as, We saw them.

3. An infinitive, or an infinitive phrase; as, She likes to read.

4. Or objects; as, He gave John a book.

5. And objective complement; as, They made him treasurer; The heat turned the milk sour.

MODIFIERS OF THE PREDICATE.

The predicate verb may be modified by

The bells ring merrily.

II. A prepositional phrase, as adverb; as,—
He went towards the river.

III. An infinitive, or an infinitive phrase; as,-
They came to see the paintings.

IV. An adverbial objective; as,

She remained two hours.

V. A nominative absolute phrase; as,

The war being ended, the soldiers returned.

The phrase, "the war being ended," gives a reason for the return of the soldiers. It is an adverbial phrase, being nearly equivalent in meaning to the adverbial clause, "as the war was ended."

When the subject, the object, or the complement consists of two or more connected terms, it is said to be compound; as,—

Games and carols closed the busy day.
Learn to labor and to wait.

Her voice was low and sweet.

Modifiers may be simple, compound, or complex-
A modifier consisting of a single word or phrase is simple.

The ship went slowly.

We spoke not a word of sorrow.

A modifier consisting of two or more connected words or phrases is compound; as,

The ship went slowly and smoothly.

His cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold.

A modifier consisting of a word or phrase with modifiers of its own is complex; as,

The ship went very slowly.

Here rests his head upon the lap of earth.

A series of adjectives may form a compound or a complex modifier; as,

1. He was an honest, temperate, forgiving man.

2. Two large elm trees stood near the house.

In the first example the adjectives are co-ordinate, each modifying the same noun. Adjectives used in this manner may be separated by commas or joined by conjunctions.

In the second example the adjectives form a complex modifier. Thus