~~NOCACHE~~ ~~NOTOC~~ ====== Kigan: Practical English Grammar (1825) ====== Last Change: 12.10.2015 10 7 12.10.2015 Kigan, John Male A Practical English Grammar, Agreeably to the New System. Adapted to the Use of Schools, and Private Students; Containing Copious Examples of Wrong Choice of Words, under Etymology: and Wrong Arrangement of them under Syntax. Practical English Grammar Simms and McIntyire, Donegall Street Belfast 1825 1825 140 English British English Teaching Grammar Textbook School, Self Study Intermediate Schools, Private Students A PRACTICAL ENGLISH GRAMMAR, AGREEABLY TO THE NEW SYSTEM. ADAPTED TO The Use of Schools, and private Students; CONTAINING Copious Examples of wrong choice of Words, under Etymology: and wrong arrangement of them under Syntax. WITH A KEY, SHOWING THE CORRECTION OF THESE EXAMPLES. AND Questions on both Etymology and Syntax, To be answered by the Pupil. By JOHN KIGAN, Author of the New System.BELFAST: SIMMS AND M'INTYRE, DONEGALL STREET. 1825. [Entered at Stationers' Hall.]T. Mairs & Co. printers. Preface. MY principal design in publishing the following compilation, is to correct some errors that appear to exist in the science of English grammar, as it is at present taught: to facilitate the instruction of youth, in this science; and to abridge the labour of students, in acquiring a knowledge of it. The correction of long established errors, in any science, is, perhaps, one of the most hopeless tasks, in which an individual need expect to succeed. He will have many difficulties to encounter; and many obstacles to remove, before he can make any progress. One of those, which will oppose the present attempt, will be, the difficulty of gaining the teachers over to his interest. Many of these, who have grown grey in the service, and whose respectability, has kept pace with their years, will not, for any thing that he can say, deviate from the path, in which they have so long, and so successfully walked. Others who have not been an equal length of time in the office, have yet filled it long enough to acquire such an attachment to the present system, as not to be easily persuaded that it is deformed by any errors. Some of these modestly assume to themselves, as teachers, the exclusive privilege, and capability, of either writing a school book, or judging of one. And with equal modesty, prescribe binding and invariable rules to those who undertake these tasks. Rules which, like the laws of the Medes and Persians of old, must be unalterable. Thus, laying an injunction on the human mind, in its search after truth, and its progress to perfection, similiar to that which we read that the Almighty laid on the ocean, at the time of the creation, namely, "this far you may go; but no farther." They, besides, strenuously recommend the establishment of what may be called, A Scientific Inquisition; through which to enforce the observance of those rules, and obedience to this injunction. The design of these teachers may be good; but fortunately, I think, for the improvement of science, we live in a climate that is not favourable to such establishments. Much might be said against this proposed Inquisition; but it seems unnecessary here: for every liberal and enlightened mind, will at once conceive the ultimate ill consequence of permitting any self - created tribunal, to exercise arbitrary power over, or limit the operations of the human intellect. Another difficulty may arise from the opinion which some classical scholars, as well teachers as others, seem to entertain, that the alterations pro-posed by this system, will increase the difficulty which students find in learning Greek and Latin, by departing widely from the terms and forms used in the Grammars of these languages. But I request those scholars to show how the terms and forms used in the Grammars of the Greek and Latin, which are transpositive languages, can be truly applicable to the grammar of the English language, which is purely analogous. Terms, several of which, when applied to the English tongue, are either void of signification, or convey an improper one. And I would further ask any of those scholars, Is a lad who has acquired an accurate grammatical knowledge of the English language, by the shortest and simplest system possible, worse fitted for learning Greek and Latin, than if he had not read English grammar; or had acquired but an imperfect knowledge of it? Doctor Lowth, about sixty years ago, gave the English grammar a scientific form: and subsequently, numerous other writers offered essays on the subject, each proposing some improvement. Of these Mr. Lindley Murray seems to have taken the lead; his grammar is therefore in very general use. But whatever improvement any of these writers proposed in the science, was confined to the mode of teaching the system, or its adaptation to schools. Not one of them seems to have supposed, that the principles on which it is founded are erroneous. But a long and attentive consideration of the subject has convinced me, that these principles are erroneous. Or rather, that it is a mere practical system, not founded on any principle. A system extracted, I presume, from the grammars of those languages called learned languages; but which is not adapted to the genius of the English tongue. However, lest the error should be in myself, instead of the system of which I complain; and to procure the opinions of competent judges of the subject, I published, about a year ago, a treatise entitled, "Remarks on the practice of grammarians, with an attempt to discover the principles of a new system of English grammar:" in which I pointed out the errors that I conceived to exist in the present system; showed the mode by which I proposed to correct those errors; and explained the principles on which I make each correction, and on which I found the new system. To this treatise, I must refer those, whose curiosity may prompt them to a philosophical inquiry into the nature of the subject. The favourable opinions that I have received of this treatise, from men whose acquirements render them undoubted judges of it, have encouraged me to bring forward this Practical Grammar, sooner than I at first intended. This grammar, shows the practice, agreeably to the principles explained in the above - mentioned treatise; and in a form adapted to the use of schools. Under Etymology, it treats of the different kinds of words, and their modifications; and illustrates by examples, the proper choice of the words of each class, and the customary mode of using them; and immediately after, contrasts these examples with others which show the improper choice, or use of these words. In these last examples the erroneous words are marked, and left to be corrected. Thus it instructs the pupil how to correct errors in the choice or use of the words of the first class, before it proceeds to the second; and the same with each succeeding class. It then gives as many examples of errors promiscuously chosen; in each of which, the pupil is expected to select the erroneous word, as well as to correct it. Thus it conveys as much information under Etymology, as can be collected from both the Etymology and Syntax of Murray's Grammar, with his Exercises in addition. Under Syntax, it shows how words are formed into phrases; distinguishes a phrase from a sentence; and words and phrases from each other, in a sentence, by an improved mode of punctuation. It then shows, by ten short and simple rules of Syntax, the arrangement and relative situation of every word and phrase, of which each kind of sentence is composed, so as to convey the precise meaning intended. These rules are likewise illustrated by examples, which are also contrasted with others that exhibit a wrong arrangement of words and phrases; and these are left to be corrected. Nearly the entire of Syntax is new matter; not to be found in any other grammar. To facilitate a reference to the Key, the erroneous examples in the grammar are numbered; and the correction of each in the Key, is shown by a correspondent number. These numbers prevented, in most instances, the necessity of reprinting the entire sentence, and thus contributed greatly to diminish the size of the book. The questions on Etymology, are each accompanied with its answer: and those that were thought necessary on Syntax, are numbered, and the answer of each in the grammar, is similarly numbered; so that a reference to them will be very easy. A teacher, or other person who has not read grammar, may, by the help of these questions, examine and cross-examine a pupil with sufficient accuracy. And surely a grammarian will be able to do so, with at least equal facility. Thus, I trust, will be removed, one of the greatest obstacles that could be raised against the immediate introduction of this grammar into schools. And as these questions will be equally useful and applicable to those who may wish to learn the science without the assistance of a teacher, I trust I may on the whole, risk the assertion, that the entire is so constructed, and is rendered so simple, so concise, and so comprehensive, that a lad of common talents, who has acquired the use of his understanding, may learn more of the science, by attentively reading it, than he could from all the Grammars, Exercises and Keys, now in use, with the assistance of any teacher. Those who have read the principles alluded to above, may perceive that the rules of Syntax are arranged here, differently from what they are there. That two of the rules, the substance of which appears to be included in two others, are omitted: and two others, the 9th. and 10th. are substituted. This alteration, I trust, will be found to be an improvement. And I anticipate the discovery of many other imperfections that will need improvement; and many errors and mistakes that will need correction. I trust however, that even a near approximation to perfection, will not be expected in a first essay on such a subject: and that I may apologize for these imperfections in the words of Doctor Lowth, in the preface to his grammar: "A system of this kind, arising from the collection and arrangement of a multitude of minute particulars, which often elude the most careful search; and sometimes escape observation when they are most obvious, must always stand in need of improvement. It is indeed the necessary condition of every work of human art or science, small as well as great, to advance towards perfection by slow degrees: by an approximation, which, though it may still carry it forward, yet will certainly never bring it to the point to which it tends." I have perhaps, in some instances, given a greater number of examples of illustration, than teachers may think necessary for the pupils to commit to memory. This is done, with a view to the advantage of those who may wish to learn the science, without the assistance of a teacher. The utility of using different sized types in the printing, will, I trust, be evident. If this system should be thought worthy of encouragement, I would be extremely thankful for any communications that would point out errors or propose improvements. PRACTICAL ENGLISH GRAMMAR. Grammar is the science that regulates the use of articulate sounds, in representing objects, and in expressing our thoughts by words. English Grammar may be divided into two parts; Etymology and Syntax. PART I. ETYMOLOGY. Etymology treats of the different sorts of words and their modifications; and shows how one word may be derived from another word. The English language contains two orders of words; Nouns and Verbs. Nouns, are the names of the objects or things that exist; or of which we have any notion. Verbs, are words by which we represent the notions that we conceive concerning objects or things. Nouns, are of four kinds; substantive; attributive; active, and personal. Verbs, are of six kinds; definitive, descriptive; ascriptive; affirmative; comparative, and relative. CHAP. I. — Of Nouns. SECTION I. OF SUBSTANTIVE NOUNS. Substantive nouns, are the names of substances, or things that occupy any portion of space, and appear to possess an independent existence. These names, are either proper or common. Proper names, are those appropriated to individuals; as, George, Dublin, Shannon, Ireland. Common names, stand for kinds containing many sorts; or for sorts, containing many individuals under them; as, Man, City, River, Nation. Common names are varied, or modified, to represent the number and gender of the things which they signify. OF NUMBER. Number, is the distinction of one object, from more objects than one. Nouns, have two numbers; the singular singluar, and the plural. The singular denotes one object; as, book, table. The plural denotes more than one; as, books, tables. Nouns are generally made plural, by adding s to the singular; but to some, for the ease of pronunciation, we add es; as, miss, misses; brush, brushes; fox, foxes; hero, heroes; coach, coaches. Some, change y, into ies; as, lady, ladies; city, cities. And some change f, or fe into ves; as, loaf, loaves; life, lives.The mode of forming or spelling words, seems to belong to orthography; I have therefore, great doubts about the propriety of treating of it here. Some nouns, are irregular in the formation of their plurals; as, Man, men, woman, women; child, children; foot, feet; ox, oxen; die, dice; tooth, teeth; goose, geese; mouse, mice; louse, lice; penny, pence. Some nouns, from the nature of the things which they express, are used only in the singular form; as, wheat, pitch, gold. Others, only in the plural form; as, bellows, scissors scissars, lungs, riches. Some express both numbers without changing their form; as, deer, sheep, swine. EXERCISES ON NUMBER. Tell, or spell the plural of Book, candle, hat, table, street, potato, rock, stone, house, flower, boy, girl, tyro, grotto, monarch, stomach, ruff, muff, gulf, multitude, roof, sea, key, toy. Fox, fish, inch, coach, church, glass, branch, peach, brush. Army, enemy, city, booby, lady. Loaf, leaf, life, wife, sheaf, calf. EXAMPLES OF ERRORS TO BE CORRECTED. 1. The water was one hundred fathom in depth. 2. The well was ten foot deep. 3. I saw a flock of gooses. 4. I killed two mouses. 5. John met three mans, and two childs. 6. He has but one teeth. 7. Look at the Oxes. 8. I have two penknifes. 9. Two pair of ladies' ladie's gloves. 10. Henry had six wifes. OF GENDER. Animals are distinguished by a difference of sex, and their common names are adapted to show this distinction. It is either masculine or feminine. The masculine gender, denotes animals of the male kind; as, man, boy. The feminine gender, denotes animals of the female kind; as, woman, girl. This distinction is shown in three different ways. 1st, By different words; as, Male Female Bachelor Maid Boar Sow Boy Girl Brother Sister Buck Doe Bull Cow Cock Hen Dog Bitch Drake Duck Earl Countess Father Mother Friar Nun Gander Goose Hart Roe Horse Mare Husband Wife King Queen Lad Lass Lord Lady Man Woman Master Mistress Milter Spawner Nephew Niece Ram Ewe Sloven Slut Son Daughter Stag Hind Uncle Aunt Wizard Witch
2nd, By different terminations of the same word; as, Male Female Abbott Abbess Actor Actress Administrator Administratrix Adulterer Adulteress Arbiter Arbitress Author Authoress Ambassador Ambassadress Baron Baroness Bridegroom Bride Benefactor Benefactress Caterer Cateress Chanter Chantress Conductor Conductress Count Countess Deacon Deaconess Duke Duchess Elector Electress Emperor Empress Enchanter Enchantress Executor Executrix Governor Governess Heir Heiress Hero Heroine Hunter Huntress Host Hostess Jew Jewess Lion Lioness Marquis Marchioness Mayor Mayoress Patron Patroness Peer Peeress Prophet Prophetess Priest Priestess Poet Poetess Prince Princess Prior Prioress Protector Protectress Shepherd Shepherdess Songster Songstress Sorcerer Sorceress Sultan Sultaness, or Sultana Tiger Tigress Traitor Traitress Tutor Tutress Tyrant Tyranness Votary Votaress Widower Widow
3rd, By prefixing another word; as, Cock sparrow: hen sparrow; he goat: she goat; man servant: maid servant; male child: female child. Some nouns, are either masculine, or feminine; as, parent; child; infant; servant; neighbour; foal; calf; goat. These, and the name of any thing that does not possess life, are said to be neuter; that is, not to include the idea of gender; as, book, pen, milk. EXERCISES ON GENDER AND NUMBER. Father, brothers, boys, book, loaf, arms, wife, hats, bottles, brush, goose, mouse, kings, queen, bread, glass, tooth, tongs, candle. Mode of using these exercises. Father; a noun, singular; (number) masculine; (gender) plural, fathers. Brothers; a noun, plural, masculine. Book; a noun, singular, neuter; plural, books. Mouse; a noun, singular, neuter. SECTION II. OF ATTRIBUTIVE NOUNS. Attributive nouns, are the names of o- attributes; or of the qualities that distinguish disftinguish substances, or other things. They are either proper or common. Proper attributive nouns, represent, each, a particular attribute; as, whiteness, blackness, sweetness, bitterness, prudence, justice, pride, envy. Common attributive nouns, represent, each a genus of attributes; as, colour, figure, flavour, odour, virtue, vice, error. The only variation which these names admit, is that of number; and this is applied only to common names; as, colours, flavours, figures, odours, virtues, vices, errors. SECTION III. OF ACTIVE NOUNS. Active nouns, are the names of actions. They are of two sorts, partial and complete. Partial active nouns, are the names of actions in part, or began, but not finished; as, altering, trying, abstaining, selling, delivering. Complete active nouns, are the names of actions, considered as complete, or entire; as, alteration, trial, abstinence, sale, delivery. These, generally admit the plural number; as, alterations, trials, sales, deliveries. Partial active nouns, being all proper names, do not admit of the plural number. Yet they are frequently used in the plural form; as, carpenter's shavings; the savings of penury. But when used in this way, they are evidently borrowed to supply a deficiency of substantive nouns. So likewise, the incomings: the outgoings; and the like. EXERCISES ON NOUNS, SUBSTANTIVE, ATTRIBUTIVE, AND ACTIVE. Man, books, prudence, possibility, John, eye, impediment, sheep, city, constancy, sleepiness, virtue, tables, leaf, freedom, Ireland, mountain, errors, accuracy, apples, house, trees, authenticity, colours, oak, corn, key, vapour, vanity, wheat, Dublin, widow. Abridging, adoration, tobacco, brother, abstinence, abjuring, actor, executrix, believing, intentions, gander, motion, guilding, engagements, Shannon, Baron, loving, reverence, procuring, resolving. SECTION IV. OF PERSONAL NOUNS. Personal nouns, are names, that refer in a direct manner, to the persons or things which they respectively represent. They are adapted to express the person, number, state, and gender of the subject. The persons are three: 1st, the speaker; 2nd, the person addressed; 3d, the person or thing of which we speak. The numbers are two, singular and plural. The states are two, active, and objective. The genders are three, masculine, feminine, and neuter; that is, neither gender. The names adapted to shew these distinctions, are the following: Singular SingularSingular Persons Active state Objective state Active Objective 1. I me We us 2. Thou or you Thee or you Ye our you You 3. mas. He Him They Them 3. fem. She her They Them 3. neu. It it They Them
Sir, mas. Madam, fem. without regard to state. We use these names in the active state, when the person or thing is represented as the agent, or subject. But in the objective state, when the person or thing is represented as the object of an action, or of a relation: Thus, Active state. Agent; He came. They fled. Subject; I am pleased. We were there. Objective state; Object of an action; He warned them. I sent him. — Object of a relation; I sent him to her. They came with me. She relies on him. EXERCISES ON PERSONAL NAMES. Sir, I, thee, we, you, me, he, us, she, ye, him, they, you, them, it, me, we, thou, her, I, ye, us, madam, him, she, thee, it, they, you, them, her, sir, him, he, ye, we. EXAMPLES OF ERRORS TO BE CORRECTED. With respect to person. 1. Thou and he shared it between them. 2. You and he are diligent in reading your books, therefore they are good boys. 3. My sister and I, waited till they were called. 4. You and the Gardener and the Huntsman, must share the blame of the business between them. With respect to number. 5. A lampoon or a satire, does not carry in them, robbery or murder. 6. Man is not such a machine as a clock or a watch, which moves merely as they are moved. 7. Take handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it towards heaven, in the sight of Pharaoh Pharoah, and it shall become small dust. 8. Can any person, on his entrance into the world, be sure that they shall not be deceived. 9. If one take a wrong method at first, it will lead them astray. With respect to state. 10. Will you go with I? 11. Upon seeing I he turned pale. 12. Withhold not good from they who are entitled to it. 13. Great friendship subsists between he and I. 14. I would not act the same part if I were him. 15. I saw one whom I took to be she. 16. Let them and we unite to oppose this growing evil. 17. My brother and him, are tolerable grammarians. 18. You and us, enjoy many privileges. 19. She and him, are very unhappily united. 20. Between thee and I, there is some disparity of years; but none between him and she. 21. Him and her were of the same age. With respect to gender. 22. She is the person who I understood it to have been. 23. Can a woman forget her child, that he should not have compassion on the son of her womb? 24. The Hercules man of war foundered at sea: she overset. 25. He so much resembled his brother, that I took it to be he. 26. I am certain it was not him. 27. Who is it that calls on me? Used superfluously. The king he is just. The men they were there. Many words they darken speech. My banks they are furnished with bees. The lofty city, he layeth it low. When he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth. For all the men that followed Baolpeor, the Lord thy God hath destroyed them from among you. CHAP. II. — Of Verbs. SECTION I. OF DEFINITIVE VERBS. Definitive verbs, are words used with nouns, to limit their signification, and to define, or ascertain the subject which the noun represents. Some definitives, are adapted, each to define a subject in the singular number; as, A, or an, another, each, every, either, neither, one, first, second, &c. this, that. Some are adapted to define plural subjects; as, All, few, many, other, these, those, two, three, &c. both. Some are equally adapted to each number; as, The, any, no, yon. The definitive verbs, that respect number, are used as follows.Singular. A man; another man; each man; every man; either of the men; one man; first man; second man, &c. this man; that man; this is the book that I bought. An, is used instead of a, before every word, with which a will not readily coalesce; as, an ox, an ass, an inch; an hour; but a is used before every word that requires it, and will coalesce with it; as, a unit, a ewe, such a one.Plural. All men; few men; many men; other men; these men; those men; two men; &c. both men.Singular, or Plural. The man, or men; any man, or men; yon man, or men; no man, or men. Some definitives, are adapted to define subjects, as belonging to other subjects. These are derived from nouns, both proper and personal; as, John's, James's, (that is, Jameses) Henry's, My, thy, his, her, our, your, their, its. Mine, thine, his, hers, ours, yours, theirs, of. These may be called possessive definitives. They are used as follows. John's pen; James’s pen. My pen; thy pen; his pen; &c. Of is often used as a substitute for these definitives; thus, instead of saying Henry's son, we say the son of Henry. When the subject is understood, but not expressed, we say, mine, thine, his, hers, &c. The definitive whose, defines a subject, as being the possessor of some other subject; as, He whose pen this is. Who, and which, are adapted to define subjects, as being in the active state; or as being the subject of an affirmation; and whom, to define a subject in the objective state. Each of these require the assistance of a definitive phrase, and they are used thus; He who made this pen, (who is here assisted by the definitive phrase, made this pen.) He who preserves me, to whom I owe my being, whose I am, and whom I serve, is eternal. Who is applied to persons; as, the master who taught us: the boy who reads. Whose, and whom, are likewise applied to persons. Which, is applied to inferior animals, and to things without life; as, the horse which I sold: the book which you read. That, is often used instead of which; as, the dog which, or that barks; the book which or that was lost. And it is sometimes used instead of who; as, the boy who or that reads. What, is often used to supply the place of a noun, and the definitive which, or that; as, this is what I wanted; that is, the thing which I wanted. Who, whose, which, and what, are used in asking questions; they are then called interrogatives; as, who said so? whose hat is this? which of them said it? what did he say? How, why, whether, are adapted to asking questions; as, how does he read? why do you say so? whether will you go now, or in the evening? Here, there, where, hither, thither, refer to place. Here, is equivalent to this place, there, to that place, &c. In definitives formed from nouns, as George's, the apostrophe supplies the place of the letter e; it would otherwise be Georgees. The s after the apostrophe, is generally omitted, when the definite ends with the sound of s, and the noun defined begins with s; as, for righteousness' sake; for conscience' sake: but not in other cases; as, James' book, should be James's book. EXAMPLES OF ERRORS. 1. A army. 2, an heart. 3, an horn. 4, a hour. 5, a ox. 6, an house. 7, I have not travelled this twenty years. 8, those sort of people fear nothing. 9. I am not recommending these kind of sufferings. 10. But this people, who have not known the law, are cursed. 11, I have no interests, but that of truth and virtue. 12, We are placed here under a trial of our virtue. 13, The profligate man, is seldom or never found to be the good husband; the good father; or the beneficent neighbour. 14, On either side of the river, was there the tree of life. 15, A man who had on every hand six fingers; and on every foot six toes. 16, Pompeys pillar. 17, Virtues reward. 18, A mans manners, frequently influence his fortune. 19, Asa his heart was perfect with the Lord. 20, Helen her beauty was the cause of Troy its destruction. 21, He asked his father, as well as his mother’s advice. 22, Moses' rod. 23, Herodes' sake. 24, James and I, are attentive to their studies. 25, When the nation complains, the rulers should listen to their voice. 26, Can any man on their entrance into the world. 27, A mothers tenderness, and a fathers care, are natures gifts, for mans advantage. 28, He who pricketh the heart, and maketh it to show her knowledge. 29, Learning hath his infancy, when it is but beginning, and almost childish; then his youth, when it is luxuriant and juvenile; then his strength of years, when it is solid and reduced; and lastly his old age, when it waxeth dry and exhaust. 30, The committee were divided in its sentiments. 31. The man who he raised from obscurity. 32. They are the persons who we ought to respect. 33. They who opulence has made proud, and who luxury has corrupted, are not happy. 34. Who do you live with? 35. Pleasure whose nature. 36. Call every production whose parts, and whose nature. 37. Flattery whose nature is. 38. The question whose solution I require. 39. The fruit of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste. 40. Whom do men say that I am? 41. Whom think ye that I am? 42. Let him be whom he may. 43. Whom is there that can subsist by himself? 44. That is the student to whom I gave the book; and whom, I am persuaded, deserves it. 45. The exercise of reason, appears as little in these sportsmen, as in the beasts whom they sometimes hunt, and by whom they are sometimes hunted. 46. They which seek wisdom will certainly find her. 47. The wheel killed another man, which is the sixth which have lost their lives. 48. Our Father which art in heaven. 49. The man is prudent which speaks little. 50. He would not be persuaded but what I was greatly in fault. Errors by omitting definitives; and by using them superfluously. 51. Wisest and best men, sometimes commit errors. 52. Reason was given to a man, to control his passions. 53. A man is the noblest work of the creation. 54. The fire, the air, the earth, and the water, are four elements of the philosophers. 55. Beware of drunkenness; it impairs understanding; wastes an estate; destroys a reputation; consumes body; and renders man of the brightest parts, a common jest of meanest clown. 56. He is a much better writer than a reader. 57. The king has conferred on him the title of a duke. 58. Some evils of life, equally affect prince and people. 59. We must act our part with constancy; though reward of constancy be distant. 60. The virtues like his are not easily acquired. 61. Such qualities honour the nature of a man. 62. He has been much censured for paying a little attention to his business. SECTION II. OF DESCRIPTIVE VERBS. Descriptive verbs, are words added to nouns, to express the attributes or qualities of subjects. They are chiefly derived from attributive nouns; as from the noun goodness, we derive the verb good; from blackness, black; from industry, industrious; from prudence, prudent: from wisdom, wise; from solidity, solid. Some are derived from substantive nouns; as, from water, watery; from earth, earthy; from man, manly They are used thus; A good boy; a black horse; an industrious man; a prudent woman; solid food; wise men; watery diet; we expect manly conduct from you, not childish behaviour. EXAMPLES OF ERRORS. 1. A wise man would have guarded against it. 2. A prudent man, would have taken better means to secure success. 3. He was very dexterous at whist. 4. He was very skilful at hand ball. 5. To save your house from neighbouring fire is hard. 6. Use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thine often infirmities. SECTION III. OF ASCRIPTIVE VERBS. An ascriptive verb, is a word that represents an action, as referable to an agent: and that, when added to a noun, ascribes the action to the agent which the noun represents; as, I walk; George rides; Jane reads; they write. Ascriptive verbs, are of two kinds, habitual and complete. An habitual ascriptive verb, expresses an action; and implies that the agent is in the habit of performing it; as, I love; I walk; I correct. A complete ascriptive verb, expresses an action, and implies that the agent has completed, finished it; as, I loved; I walked; I corrected. These verbs, are derived from active nouns; as, from the noun loving, the verbs love, and loved, are derived; from walking, the verbs walk, and walked; from correcting, the verbs correct, and corrected. Habitual ascriptive verbs, are generally varied in their forms, that they may coalesce the more smoothly with the different personal names; thus, I, we, you, ye, they, love; thou lovest; he loveth or loves. And also to coalesce with other nouns, as being singular or plural; thus, Charles learns, or learneth fast; but Hugh and Thomas learn faster. This boy readeth, or reads well; but these boys read better. These variations are not used in a conditional phrase or sentence; as, Unless he repent, he will not be pardoned. If a man smite his servant, and he die, he shall surely be put to death. Despise not any condition, lest it happen to be thy own. "Either Thomas or thou hast spilled the ink on my paper." This is improper; it is confounding two different forms of the verb. It should be, "Either Thomas has spilled the ink, or thou hast." "John or I have done it;" should be, "John has done it, or I have done it." EXAMPLES OF ERRORS. 1. I loves reading. 2. In him we live and moves. 3. And wheresoever thou turns thy view. 4. He dare not act. 5. He need not proceed. 6. Has thou no better reason for it? 7. Thou art he who breathest on the earth: and who coverest it with verdure. 8. For thee who ever felt anothers woe. 9. Thou art he who driedst up the red sea. 10. The people has no opinion of their own. 11. I am the man who command you. 12. I am the person who adopt that sentiment. 13. I am a man who speak but seldom. 14. Why do this generation seek after a sign? 15. The rich and the poor meets together. 16. John and I reads better than you. 17. Wisdom, virtue, happiness, dwells with the golden mediocrity. 18. Luxurious living, and high pleasures, begets a languor and satiety. 19. Blessing and cursing, proceedeth out of the same mouth. 20. A lampoon, or a satire, do not carry in them. 21. A judicious arrangement of studies, facilitate improvement. 22. A variety of pleasing objects, charm the eye. 23. A few pangs of conscience, now and then, interrupts his pleasures; and whispers to him. 24. Frequent commission of crimes, harden the heart. 25. If he acquires riches. 26. If he does but intimate his desire. 27. Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down. 28. If he does but promise. 29. Let him that is sanguine, lake heed, lest he miscarries. 30. Though he urges me yet more earnestly, I will not comply, unless he advances more forcible reasons. 31. If thou dost not forgive. 32. If one man prefers a life of industry: If another prefers a life of gaiety. 33. On condition that he comes, I will consent to stay. 34. If virtue rewards us not. 35. Whether he confesses or not. 36. If thou censurest uncharitably. 37. If thou hast promised. Complete ascriptive verbs also, are varied in their forms, for the ease of pronunciation. These verbs are generally formed, by adding to the habitual verb, ed; or d only, when this verb ends in e; as, turns, turned; love, loved. Syntax. INDEX.