INFINITIVES, ETC., AS SUBJECTS. 133 as, "To lie is base;" "Lying is base;" "That men should lie is base." So also a clause, consisting of an infinitive, with its subject in the objective preceded by for; as, "For men to lie is base." The verbs and participial nouns in such cases may be modified like the verb of a predicate. See the article "Modified Predicate," p. 135. Thus, "To hate our enemies is forbidden." The infinitive mood, the participial noun, the finite verb* with its subject, and the infinitive with its subject in the objective, may be considered the grammatical subjects. That and for may be considered as belonging to the subject. In such cases, when the subject comes after the predicate, the pronoun it is used; as, "It is base that men should lie." In this and similar propositions, the word it is not the subject; it serves only to introduce the sentence in a particular manner. The word there is often used to introduce a sentence, when the subject comes after the predicate; as, "There are five men here." Note. In the following pages, when the term subject alone is used, the grammatical subject is intended. EXERCISES. Name the subject and predicate in each of the following propositions. To be good is to be happy. To know is to be powerful. To be here is good. It is good to be here. That we should be here is good. It is good that we should be here. To study strengthens the mind. It strengthens the mind to study. It alarmed her to see the soldiers. of one of the wise men of Greece. "Know thyself," is a saying What is the subject of the proposition, | What purpose does the pronoun it serve "To lie is base?"of "Lying is base ?"of "That men should lie is base?"-of "For men to lie is base?" in such sentences as this, "It is base that men should lie ?" How is there often used? *Any verb, not in the infinitive mood, is called a finite verb. Four boys are in this class. A large number was present. ent. There are four boys in this class. There were five loaves in the basket. PREDICATE. I. The predicate, like the subject, is either grammatical or logical. The grammatical predicate is a verb. The logical predicate consists of the grammatical predicate with its various modifications. Thus, "Scipio routed the forces of Hannibal." Here, routed is the grammatical, and routed the forces of Hannibal the logical predicate. Note.-If the grammatical predicate is not modified, it is the same as the logical. EXERCISES. Name the logical and grammatical predicates in each of the following propositions. Cicero delivered four orations against Catiline. James was expelled from his kingdom. William the Conqueror governed England. John preached in the wilderness. The sentinel stars set their watch in the sky. Washington was called the Father of his Country. John walks slowly. II. The predicate, like the subject, is also either simple or compound. A simple predicate is one which contains a single finite verb; as, "Pleasure is brief;" "They are scattered in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America." A compound predicate consists of two or more simple predicates belonging to the same subject; as, "He laughs and weeps." What is the grammatical predicate? What is a simple predicate ?—a compound predicate? EXERCISES. Tell whether the predicate in each of the following propositions is simple or compound. John desires to learn. The devils believe and tremble. They were commanded to return to their own country. The bird chirps and sings. Honesty is praised and [is] neglected. He was attacked and [was] slain. The houses were plundered and burned. He left his home and went to a foreign land. He comes in the roar of a thousand storms, and scatters battle from his eyes. High on a throne of royal state, Satan exalted sat. MODIFIED PREDICATE. A grammatical predicate may be modified, or limited, in different ways: 1. By a noun, or pronoun, in the same case as the subject; as, "He was called John ;” “She moves a goddess;" "It is he.” 2. By a noun, or pronoun, in the objective case; as, “Jolin struck Alfred;" "I saw them." 3. By an adjective referring to the subject; as, “Aristides was called just." 4. By an adjunct; as, "William spoke to Thomas." 5. By an adverb; as, "George learns rapidly." 6. By an infinitive; as, "James wishes to learn." 7. By a dependent clause; as, "James wishes that you learn ;" ;" "James wishes you to learn." should Remarks.-1. An infinitive or participle may be modified like the verb of a predicate. 2. All other words used to modify verbs may themselves be modified in the ways mentioned under the article " Modified Subject." EXERCISES. How is the grammatical predicate in each of the following propositions modified? 1. She is a queen. She walks a queen. He is an orator. What is the first way in which a grammatical predicate may be modified?the second?-the third ?-the fourth? the fifth ?-the sixth ?--the seventh ?How may an infinitive or participle be modified? He is considered a poet. Washington was elected President of the United States. 2. The Duke of Wellington defeated Bonaparte. God governs the world. Virtue bestows tranquillity. Labor conquers all things. Him I know. That man I have never seen before. 3. He is proud. You are happy. He is fond of novelty. You are too eager in the pursuit of riches. 4. Bonaparte marched into Russia. He came to the city. Pompey was defeated by Cæsar. He walks with a staff. 5. The evening fled swiftly. The grass grows rapidly. 6. I desire to see him. The sun shines beautifully. He studies diligently. He labors to do good. William has determined to go. He strives to excel. 7. I wish that he may be chosen. I hope that you may be happy. I confess that I am in fault. I believe that he is a good man. I believe him to be a good man. SENTENCES. A sentence may consist either of one proposition, or of two or more propositions connected together. A sentence consisting of one proposition is called a simple sentence. A sentence consisting of two or more propositions is called a compound sentence, and the propositions of which it is composed are called members or clauses. Thus, "Phocion was poor," is a simple sentence; "Phocion was poor, though he might have been rich," is a compound sentence. In this compound sentence, "Phocion was poor," and "he might have been rich," are members or clauses. Of what does a sentence consist? What is a simple sentence? What is a compound sentence? INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT CLAUSES. 137 EXERCISES. Which of the following sentences are simple, and which compound? Age increases the desire of living. Age increases the desire of living, though it lessens the enjoyments of life. Age, though it lessens the enjoyments of life, increases the desire of living. He will not be pardoned, unless he repent. They all slumbered while the bridegroom tarried. While the bridegroom. tarried, they all slumbered. John's devotion to study, and his blameless conduct, commanded the approbation of all. I will go, if you command me. INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT CLAUSES. The members of a compound sentence are either independent or dependent. An independent clause is one which makes complete sense by itself. A dependent clause is one which makes complete sense only in connection with another clause. Thus, “That man is happy, though he is affected with disease." Here the former clause is independent, the latter dependent. Remark. And connects propositions of the same kind, either independent or dependent; as, "The winds subside and the clouds disperse." So also the negatives neither and nor; (equivalent to and not ;) as, "The winds did not subside, nor did the clouds disperse." That member of a compound sentence on which the other members depend, is called the leading clause; its subject, the leading subject; and its verb, the leading verb. What is an independent clause ?-a dependent? |
