Practical Rules

OF

ENGLISH SYNTAX;

INTERSPERSED WITH

CRITICAL NOTES

AND

EXPLANATORY OBSERVATIONS.

INTENDED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS,
PRIVATE TEACHING AND SELF-INSTRUCTION.

ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL.

LONDON:

MESSRS. MARTIN AND CO., 34 COLEMAN STREET, E.C.;

PREFACE.

THE aim of the compiler of the following pages is to give further extension to a knowledge of those rules which are essentially requisite for the proper and assured construction of even the simplest English sentences. Whilst at school we are too prone to overlook the importance of that which we may then deem mere theory, and in consequence when we subsequently enter into general society our grammar becomes influenced by the colloquial inaccuracy that surrounds us. Indeed there are few persons unconnected with literature who make any pretension to an acquaintance with Syntax beyond that of ordinary rote and practice; and hence the embarrassment of the many when selfrespect, or absolute utility, demands from them correct composition. It is a well-known fact that our language, although so widely diffused throughout the civilised world, is relatively worse spoken and written than any other living tongue. To effect, therefore, some amelioration in this respect, be it repeated, is the leading object of the annexed treatise.

LONDON, January 1873.

PRELIMINARY DEFINITIONS.

Syntax is that part of Grammar which shows the proper arrangement and construction of words in sentences.

A SENTENCE is an assemblage of words making complete sense.

Sentences are either Simple or Compound.

A SIMPLE SENTENCE contains but one member, has only one subject, and one finite verb; as, "Virtue is amiable."

By a finite verb is meant, a verb in the indicative, potential, or imperative mood.

Simple Sentences are either Affirmative, Interrogative, or Imperative. Affirmative; as, "James is reading." "George is not attentive." Interrogative; as, "Said he so ?" "Will he not go ?" Imperative; as, "Go on." "Be diligent."

A COMPOUND SENTENCE is one that contains more than one member, and more than one finite verb; as, "Life is short, and art is long."

Compound sentences are divided into members; and these mem. bers into clauses. "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass, his master's crib; || but Israel does not know, my people do not consider," is a compound sentence containing two members, and each member two clauses.

When the member of a compound sentence is simple, it is called either a member or a clause; as, "I have called; || but ye have refused."

COMPOUND SENTENCES are of two kinds: PERIODS, or Compact Sentences, and LOOSE SENTENCES.

A PERIOD, OR COMPACT SENTENCE is an assemblage of such words or members as do not form sense independent of each other; or, if they do, the former members modify, or are modified by the latter.

In the Period, the meaning is suspended till the whole is finished; as, "The causes of good and evil are so various and uncertain, so often entangled with each other, so diversified by various relations,

and so much subject to accidents which cannot be foreseen, that he who would fix his condition upon incontestable reasons of preference, must live and die, enquiring and deliberating."

A LOOSE SENTENCE is an assemblage of such words or members as form sense independent of those that follow; and at the same time are not modified by them.

In a Loose Sentence there is always one place, sometimes several places before the end, at which, if a stop is made, the construction of the preceding part will render it a complete sentence; as, "To prevent evil, is the great end of government; the end for which vigilance and severity are properly employed."

In the Period, the dependence of the members is reciprocal; in the Loose Sentence, the preceding members have not a necessary dependence on the subsequent; though the subsequent depend for sense entirely on the preceding.

The Period possesses more strength, and greater majesty, and is best adapted to the graver subjects of history, philosophy, and religion.

The Loose Sentence is less artificial, and approaches nearer to the style of conversation; it is therefore suited to the gayer and more familiar subjects of tales, dialogues, and epistolary correspondence.

A SERIES is a whole compound of many particulars, arranged in such order as to show each part distinctly, and at the same time its relation to the whole.

The following are examples :-"To inform the ignorant, relieve the needy, comfort the afflicted, are duties which fall in our way almost every day of our lives." "He who follows the pleasures of the world, which are in their very nature disappointing, is in constant search of care, solicitude, remorse, and confusion."

The principal parts of a simple sentence containing an Active Verb, are the SUBJECT, the VERB or ATTRIBUTE, and the OBJECT.

The SUBJECT is the person or thing chiefly spoken of.

The VERB (or Attribute) is the thing, or action, affirmed or denied of the subject.

The OBJECT is the thing effected by such action.

SUBJECT.

Religion

A merry heart
James

VERB. purifies

maketh

has written

OBJECT.

the affections.

a cheerful countenance. his letter.

PRACTICAL RULES OF SYNTAX.

RULE I.—A Verb must agree with its subject in person and number; and number; as, "I am writing; John is speaking."

OBSERVATIONS.

1. A verb is said to agree with its subject, when it is of the same person and number as the subject. Thus, in the preceding examples, am writing, the verb is of the first person, singular number, because its subject or nominative, I, is so; and the verb is speaking is of the third person singular number, because its subject, John, is so.

2. The subject of a verb may be found by prefixing the interrogation, Who, or What to the verb. Thus, in the sentence, "John is writing a letter;" say, Who is writing a letter ?" the answer, "John," is the subject.

3. The subject of a verb may be a noun, a pronoun, a clause of a sentence, or the infinitive mood; as in the following examples: "George is very busy. He will be here soon. Who said so? This is the book which was lost. A man of a detracting spirit will misconstrue the most innocent words that can be put together. To write is easy.

4. Sometimes the subject is understood. This chiefly occurs in the second person of the imperative mood; as, "Fear God. Honour the king;" that is, "Fear thou God, or Fear ye God. Honour thou the king, or Honour ye the king.” In the phrases, " as follows; as appears," &c., it is understood.

66

5. The subject precedes the verb; as, "GREAT DESIGNS are often defeated by inexperience." Except in the following cases, where it follows the verb :

Firstly. When the verb is in the imperative mood; as, "Perform YOU your duty with fidelity." Or between the auxiliary and the verb; as, "Do not THOU envy the appearance of happiness in any man.'