II. An adjective loosely attached to its noun is said to be used appositively; as,— No misfortune, public or private, could oppress him. III. An adjective that completes the predicate, and shows what is asserted of the subject of the verb, or describes the object of the verb, is called a predicate adjective, or is said to be used predicatively; as, Snow is white. They set the prisoner free. In poetry an adjective is sometimes used for an adverb; as, Silent rows the gondolier. EXERCISE I. Tell how each adjective is used in the following sentences: 1. The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men. And the date grows ripe under sunny skies? 3. The fields were green, and the sky was blue. 4. 5. He wrapped her warm in his seaman's coat. 6. My keepers grew compassionate. - BYRON. - SOUTHEY. 7. Besides, our losses have made us thrifty. - BROWNING. 8. Heigh-ho! daisies and buttercups, Fair yellow daffodils, stately and tall! When the wind wakes, how they rock in the grasses, And dance with the cuckoo-buds, slender and small! EXERCISE II. I. Write four sentences containing adjectives used attributively. 2. Write three sentences containing adjectives used predicatively, with intransitive verbs. 3. Write three sentences containing adjectives used predicatively, with transitive verbs. LESSON LIII. THE VERB. AGREEMENT WITH SUBJECT. What determines the person and number forms of the italicized verbs in the following sentences? 1. The stream flows swiftly. 2. Thou art the man. 3. John and Henry are absent. 4. John or Henry is absent. 5. The committee has been appointed. When the form of the subject determines the form of the verb, a verb is said to agree with its subject in person and number; as, I see; thou seest; he sees. Two or more singular subjects connected by and require a plural verb; as, Time and tide wait for no man. If the subjects refer to the same person or thing, the verb must be singular; as, The soldier and statesman has passed away. When the subjects are preceded by each, every, or no, they refer to things considered separately, and require a singular verb; as, Each day and each hour brings its own duties. Two or more singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb; as, He or she was in the wrong. A collective noun requires a verb in the singular when it denotes the collection as a whole, and a verb in the plural, when it denotes the individuals in the collection separately; as, The congregation was dismissed. The whole congregation were in tears. EXERCISE I. State the person and the number of each italicized verb in the following sentence, and tell why these forms are used: 1. The difficulties were all over now, and everything was settled. 2. A little fire is quickly trodden out. 3. Delicacy and brilliancy characterize nearly all the California flowers. 4. The derivation of these words is uncertain. 5. It is an ill wind that blows nobody good. 6. Neither the secretary nor the treasurer was present. 7. The army is needed for the defence of the country. 8. How does such a loose pile of sticks maintain its place during a heavy wind? 9. A hundred eager fancies and busy hopes keep him awake. 10. The council were divided in their opinions. II. Slow and sure comes up the golden year. 12. Either ability or inclination was wanting. 13. Let us hold fast the great truth that the people are responsible. 14. A word or an epithet paints a whole scene. 15. The saint, the father, and the husband prays. — BURns. 16. Seasons return, but not to me returns Day, or the sweet approach of even or morn. - MILTON. EXERCISE II. I. Write three sentences in each of which the verb has two or more singular subjects connected by and. 2. Write three sentences in each of which the verb has two or more singular subjects connected by or or nor. 3. Write two sentences in each of which the subject is a collective noun denoting the collection as a whole. 4. Write two sentences in each of which the subject is a collective noun denoting the individuals in the collection separately. LESSON LIV. CONSTRUCTIONS OF INFINITIVES. The chief constructions of the infinitives, including those already given, are the following: I. The simple infinitive, without to, is used after the verbs may, can, must, dare, etc., as, Men must work. II. Both the infinitive with to and the participial infinitive may be used, like a noun 1. As the subject of a verb; as, To see is to believe. Seeing is believing. 2. As a predicate nominative; as, To hesitate is to fail. 3. As the object of a verb; as,— We purpose to call a meeting. 4. As the object of a preposition. She was about to speak. On reaching the door, he paused. I. To modify a noun, an adjective, or an adverb; as, There is a time to weep. |