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A verb that expresses something as conditional or doubtful is in the subjunctive mode; as,

If he were ill, he would inform us.

Take heed, lest thou fall.

A verb in the subjunctive mode is generally preceded by if, though, lest, unless, except, or some similar word.

The verb in a conditional clause is not always in the subjunctive mode. When the verb expresses doubt or denial it is in the subjunctive mode, but when it expresses certainty it is in the indicative mode; as,

If the law be [Subjunctive] unjust, it should be repealed. If the law is [Indicative] unjust, it must be enforced.

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Tell what each verb expresses in the following sentences, and name its mode:

1. Consider the lilies of the field. — Bible.

2. The blue smoke widened slowly upward through the quiet August atmosphere. - Lowell.

3. I stand upon my native hills again.

4. Thine own friend and thy father's friend, forsake not. 5. If you were in my place you would think differently. 6. Though this be madness, yet there is method in't. 7. Turn away thine eyes, lest they behold vanity. 8. Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.

9.

Last night, the moon had a golden ring,

And to-night no moon we see. - LONGFELLOW.

IO. If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness.

SHAKESPEARE.

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EXERCISE II.

I. Write three sentences containing verbs in the indicative mode.

2. Write three sentences containing verbs in the subjunctive mode.

3. Write three sentences containing verbs in the imperative mode.

LESSON XXXIV.

THE INFINITIVE.

Select from the following sentences forms of verbs that do not assert, but that name actions, like nouns, and tell how they are used:

1. To err is human.

2. They intend to return soon.

3. Doing nothing is tiresome.

The form of the verb that does not assert but that merely names action or being, like a noun, is called the infinitive.

There are two infinitives, the simple infinitive, and the infinitive in ing.

The simple infinitive is the simple form of the verb, alone or preceded by to; as,

Let him go, I expect to go.

The simple form, without to, is used alone, or after a few of the most common verbs, such as may, can, must, shall, will, bid, dare, do, let, make, need, hear, and see; as, Why flee? Do not flee.

The form with to is employed in most of the uses of the simple infinitive.*

The infinitive in ing, also called the participial infinitive or gerund, is formed by adding ing to the simple form of the verb; as,

Learn the luxury of doing good.

The infinitive, like a noun, may be used as subject or object; and, like a verb, it may take an object, if transitive, or may have modifiers; as,

I. To retreat is impossible.

2. I decided to remain at home.

3. There is no prospect of finding the treasure.

EXERCISE I.

Classify the infinitives in the following sentences, giving reasons for your statements:

I. I like to look on a scene like this.

2. Let music swell the breeze.

3. The rain had ceased to patter, and now began to fall with a steady determination.

4. There was no difficulty in finding the river.

5. But where to find that happiest spot below,

Who can direct, when all pretend to know?— GOLDSMITH.

* To was originally a preposition, used with the infinitive only in certain relations. It is now a mere prefix, or sign of the infinitive in most of its uses. As this is the only one of the infinitive forms that is distinctive, it is commonly named as the infinitive. The other forms are, however, equally true infinitives in origin and in use.

6. A man has no more right to say an uncivil thing than to act one. - DR. JOHNSON.

7. He hears the parson pray and preach. - LONGFELLOW.

8. As he approached the stream, his heart began to thump. — IRVING.

9. But it must be understood that we did not go to see the Pyramids. We went only to look at them. — A. B. EDWARds.

10. There are two opposite ways by which some men make a figure in the world; one by talking faster than they think, and the other by holding their tongues and not thinking at all. — IRVING.

EXERCISE II.

Write sentences containing (1) simple infinitives, (2) participial infinitives formed from the following verbs: —

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Tell of what verbs the italicized words are forms. and which parts of speech they most resemble :

1. Out came the children running.

2. We beheld a horseman approaching leisurely. 3. The company, seated round the fire, welcomed the stranger.

4. We sailed by an island covered with large trees.

The form of the verb that is part adjective and part verb is called a participle. The participle does not assert, but assumes or implies action or being. It qualifies a noun or pronoun, like an adjective, and takes modifiers like a verb. A participle from a transitive verb takes an object.

A participle that denotes unfinished action is called a present or imperfect participle; as, hearing, writing.

A participle that denotes finished action is called a past or perfect participle; as, heard, written.

The present participle and the participial infinitive have the same form, but the participle is partly verb and partly adjective, while the infinitive is partly verb and partly noun. The verbal noun derived from the verb, and the participial adjective, also end in ing; as,—

1. He hears his daughter's voice, singing [Participle] in the village choir. - LONGFELLOW.

2. They spent the evening in singing [Infinitive] carols.

3. The time of the singing [Noun] of birds has come.

- BIBLE.

4. A singing [Adjective] bird on every bough. - HOWITT.

The verbal noun may be distinguished from the participial infinitive by taking an article before it, and by not being followed by an object. The participial adjective may be distinguished from the participle, by expressing not action but quality, and by not taking an object.

EXERCISE I.

Select the participles in the following sentences, mention the kind, and tell what each modifies:

I. I heard my own mountain goats bleating aloft. —

CAMPBELL.

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