English grammar for beginners

Front matter

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Preface

The general plan of the ''English Grammar for Beginners " is outlined in the Table of Contents on page ixo The work is progressive, and from the very start the sentence is made the basis of all study and development. Words, their different forms, their relations to other words in the sentence, the analysis of the sentence^ and a critical discrimination in the use of words in sentences,— this, in brief, is the whole of grammar as it is presented in this book.

The author is in full sympathy with the best modern methods in the treatment of our English speech, and endeavors at every stage of his work to go straight to " the root of the matter " without useless forms and theories.

Attention is especially called to the following points : —

I. It is a real grammar for beginners.

II. It contains an unusually large number of illustrative sentences.

III. By arranging the illustrative sentences in parallel columns, and in the general development of each subject, the author has made an effective use of the inductive method.

V vi PREFACE

IV. In complex and compound sentences a helpful combination of analysis and short parsing is made by the use of a system of simple diagramming.

It is believed that there is a place, and a large place, in the schools for a book as simple and practical in its method and treatment as this '' English Grammar for Beginners."

TO THE TEACHER

The author requests that you read the whole book before you begin to teach it.

Allow a part of each recitation for preparation for the next recitation. Read over the explanatory parts of the text with the pupils, and help them to answer the questions. They will then know what to do when they come to prepare the lesson for the next day.

Contents

PAGE

The object of Part I is to teach the pupil to recognize the parts of speech.

PART II e . 21

Part I

The object of Part I is to teach the pupil to recognize the parts of speech.

I. THE SENTENCE 1. Read : —

The boat wa.s nowhere to be seen. The stafee which had held it had also disappeared. Far as the eye could reach nothing was visible but water. They looked anxiously over the watery waste, and then into each other's faces. — The Young Marooners .

Note that what you have read is divided into groups of words.

Each group of words begins with a capital letter and ends with a period.

First group of words : The boat was nowhere to be seen.

Second group of words : The stake which had held it had also disappeared.

Third group of words: Far as the eye could reach nothing was visible but water.

Fourth group of words : They looked anxiously over the watery waste, and then into each other's faces.

Note that each group of words expresses a complete thought.

A group of words that expresses a complete thought is called a sentenceo

ENGLISH GBAMMAE FOB BEGINNEBS

II. SUBJECT AND PREDICATE

Read : —

II

was built by Noah. were friends, crossed the Red Sea. did not know him.

I

The ark

David and Jonathan

The children of Israel

Joseph's brethren

Each sentence is so arranged that a part of it is in column I and a part in column II.

In which column do you find that part of the sentence which names the thing that something is said about?

In w^hich column do you find the part of the sentence that tells ivhat is said ?

Tlie part of the sentence which names the thing that something is said about is called the subject of the sentence.

The part of the sentence that tells what is said about the thing spoken of is called the predicate of the sentence.

3. Pick out the subject and the predicate of each of the following sentences : —

2. John's mother came to the door. ' 3. Esau and Jacob were twins.

4. The songs of the children were beautiful.

5. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

6. The lion and the unicorn were fighting for the crown.

7. A great deal of money was spent on the building.

8. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

9. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 10. The man in the moon came down too soon.

Find and write down ten sentences, and tell the subject and the predicate of eacho

NOUNS

III. NOUNS

4. Read : —

Ichabod was a suitable ^^wre for such a steed. He rode with short stirrups^ which brought his knees nearly up to the pommel of his saddle ; his sharp elbows stuck out like grasshoppers' ; he carried his ivhip perpendicularly in his hand like a scepter, and, as his horse jogged on, the motion of his arms was not unlike the flapping of 2^ pair of wings.

Look carefully at the words in italics. Each word in italics is the name of something.

In the following sentence pick out each word that is the name of something : —

A small hat rested upon his nose, and the skirts of his black coat fluttered out almost to the horse's tail.

In Grammar, words that are the names of things are called nouns.

5. In the following sentences pick out the nouns : —

The children of the village loved him. He made their playthings ; taught them to fly kites and. shoot marbles; and told them about ghosts, witches, and Indians. Whenever he went dodging about the village, he was surrounded by a troop of them, hanging on his skirts, clambering on his back, and playing a thousand tricks on him; and not a dog would bark at him throughout the neighborhood.

His fences were constantly falling to pieces; his cow would either go astray, or get among the cabbages ; weeds were sure to grow quicker in his field than anywhere else ; and the rain always set in just as he had some outdoor work to do.

He would sit on a wet rock and fish all day without a murmur, even though he should not be encouraged by a single nibble. He would carry a gun on his shoulder for hours together, trudging through woods and swamps, and up hill and down dale, to shoot a few squirrels and wild pigeons.

6. Compare the sentences in column I with those in

column II.

I II

Samson's hair was long.

The Jiakes of snow were large.

Solomon's wisdom astonished the Queen of Sheba.

Samson's strength was great.

The whiteness of the snow was dazzling.

Your sorroiv shall be turned into gladness.

Walking is good exercise.

The horse was frightened by the ringing of the bells.

What part of speech are the words in italics in column I ?

The words in italics in column II are nouns. These nouns, however, are the names of things very different from the things named in column I. Try to tell the difference. In which column are the nouns the names of things that can be seen or touched ?

7. Pick out the nouns in the following sentences: —

1. Reading was the only amusement I allowed myself.

2. Treasure Valley was one mass of ruin and desolation.

3. Gluck was very much puzzled by the behavior of his guest ; it was a strange mixture of coolness and humility.

4. Waste makes want.

A little learning is a dangerous thing.

I like to study mathematics.

' Won't you give me a ride on your back ? "

Said the duck to the kangaroo ; " I'll sit very still and say nothing but quack The whole of the long day through."

Find and write down five sentences. Draw a line under each noun.

ADJECTIVES 5

IV. ADJECTIVES

8. Read : —

Little Polly Flinders

Sat among the cinders Warming her pretty little toes ; ^

Her mother came and oaught her

And spanked her little daughter For spoiling her nice, new clothes.

Pick out the nouns in this selection.

Look now at the words in italics.

For what purpose are they used ?

Words like little^ pretty^ nice., and new.^ that describe or limit nouns, are said to modify^ nouns.

Words that modify nouns are called adjectives.

9. Pick out the adjectives in the following sentences and tell what noun each adjective modifies: —

1. Little drops of water, Little grains of sand, Make the mighty ocean And the pleasant land.

2. A wise son maketh a glad father.

3. The old soldier has a wooden leg.

4. The woodcutter has a sharp ax and a strong arm.

5. Cinderella dropped one of her glass slippers.

6. A little learning is a dangerous thing.

7. There's a merry brown thrush sitting up in a tree.

8. Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard

To get her poor dog a bone.

9. Two legs sat upon three legs.

10. Have you any wool?

11. Several men rushed into the small room.

1 Let the teacher explain fully what is meant by modify.

10. Can you think of adjectives that would modify the nouns in the following sentences?

My father has hair and eyes.

A cannon makes a noise.

The garden is filled with roses.

In winter we have nights.

We live in a house.

School children like vacations.

The bell has a tone.

The hand has fingers.

The man we saw yesterday had a

This lamp gives a light.

. Compa

re: —

beard.

I

Solomon was a wise king.

Daniel was a brave man.

Goliath despised the young David.

II

Solomon was wise.

Daniel, hrave and feared not the king.

David w^as young.

heroic,

In column I what noun does each adjective modify ? Note that these adjectives are placed just before the words they modify.

In column II what noun does the adjective wise modify? What noun do Irave and heroic modify ? What noun does young modify ?

It is not necessary for the adjective to be placed immediately before the noun it modifies.

12. Pick out all the adjectives in the following sentences and tell what noun each adjective modifies: —

1. Lend me tw^o dollars.

2. The rose is red, the violet blue.

PRONOUNS 1

3. The way was long, the wind was cold, The minstrel was infirm and old.

4. The way of the transgressor is hard.

5. The path became steep.

6. There dwelt a miller, hale and bold,

Beside the river Dee.

7. It was the most extraordinary little gentleman he had ever seen in his life. He had a very large nose, slightly brass-colored ; his cheeks were very romid and very red.

8. The schoolhouse stood in a rather lonely but pleasant situation, just at the foot of a woody hill.

9. His head was small and flat at top, with huge ears, large green, glassy eyes, and a long snipe nose.

V. PRONOUNS

13. Read:

Moses was told to put Moses's shoes from off Moses's feet, for the ground on which Moses trod was holy.

And Ruth said, " Entreat Ruth not to leave Naomi, or to return from following after Naomi ; for whither Naomi goes Ruth will go, and where Naomi lodges Ruth will lodge."

The people of Israel were very angry when the people of Israel heard that the people of Israel's wanderings were to last so long.

II

Moses was told to put his shoes from off his feet, for the ground on which he trod Was holy.

And Ruth said, '' Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you; for whither you go / will go, and where you lodge / will lodge."

The people of Israel were very angry when they heard that their wanderings were to last so long.

Which sound better, the sentences in column I, or the sentences in column II ? Can you tell why ?

For what purpose are the words in italics in column II ' used ?

A word that is used for a noun is called a pronoun.

14. Pick out the pronouns in the following sentences and tell what noun each pronoun ^ stands for: —

A fox once invited a stork to dine with him. He set before her a shallow dish of food. The fox ate of it greedily, for the dish suited his short nose. But the poor bird, dipping in her long beak, could scarcely take up any of it. " You do not take your soup," said the fox ; " I fear you do not like it." He bade the servants bring some puddings. But when the puddings were brought, they also were in shallow dishes, so that the poor stork could not enjoy them. The spiteful fox enjoyed his cruel joke, but the hungry stork went home angry. She determined, however, to revenge herself on her cunning enemy. She waited till the fox had forgotten his trick, and then she sent him an invitation to dinner. When they sat down there were six dishes on the table, but they were so .narrow at their tops that the fox could not get his head into them. He tried each dish, but in vain. Meantime the stork dipped in her long beak and dined very pleasantly; but the fox was silent and sullen. Presently he burst out, "I do not like your dishes, Mrs. Stork." "iSTor do I like your dishes, Mr. Fox." 2

Pick out the nouns in the above^ selection. Pick out the adjectives in the above selection.

VI. VERBS

The fox ate of it greedily.

The hungry stork fcejit home angry.

The puddings were in shallow dishes.

She seiit the fox an invitation to dinner. The stork dined very pleasantly.

1 Only personal pronouns are referred to here.

2 This selection is taken from Rankin : Everyday English.

Look at the words in italics. For what purpose are they used ?

Words that are used to tell something are called verbs.

16. Pick out the verbs in the following sentences: —

2. The children of Israel crossed the Red Sea.

3. Moses was a good leader.

4. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

5. A little boy went into a barn,

And lay down on some hay; An owl came and flew about, And the little boy ran away.

David killed Goliath.

David was loved by Jonathan.

The tree has been planted.

The vegetables will he gathered soon.

The house might have been saved.

These sentences show that the verb may consist of one, two, three, or four words.

I

The boy has returned.

My father will come again.

Those apples were gathered to-day.

My brother has traveled over the world.

II

The boy has just returned.

My father will certainly come again.

Were those apples gathered to-day ?

Has your brother traveled over the world ?

Pick out the verbs in column I.

Pick out the verbs in column II.

Note that the words making up the verb are sometimes separated from each other by other words.

VIL EXERCISE

19. Pick out the verbs in the following sentences: —

1. Jack Sprat could eat no fat,

His wife could eat no lean ; Betwixt them both they cleared the plate, And licked the platter clean.

2. Dawn came at last, and the two brothers looked out of Gluck's little window in the morning. The Treasure Valley was one mass of ruin and desolation. The two brothers crept into the kitchen. The water had gutted the whole first floor; almost everything movable had been swept away ; there was left only a small white card on the kitchen table.

3. Poor little Gluck waited very anxiously for Hans's return. Finding that he did not come back, he was terribly frightened, and went and told Schwartz in the prison all that had happened. Then Schwartz was very much pleased, and said that Hans must certainly have been turned into a black stone, and he should have all the gold to himself.

4. Wolf, too, had disappeared, but he might have strayed away after a squirrel or partridge. He whistled after him and shouted his name, but all in vain ; the echoes repeated his whistle and shout, but no dog was to be seen.

I

Waste makes want.

Waste makes vmnt.

The teacher gave us a good talk.

II

Pupils often ivaste their time.

The children ivant to go home.

The children talk too mucho

In column I are the words in italics nouns or verbs ? In column II are tlie words in italics nouns or verbs? The same word is sometimes used both as noun and verb,

ADVERBS 11

21. Examine the words in italics in the following sentences, and tell whether they are nouns or verbs : —

1. Won't you give me a ride on your back ?

2. Kings ride in fine coaches.

3. " Won't you walk into my parlor? " \

Said the spider to the Jiy.

4. Birds j^?/; csjts ivalL

5. The tired boys sleep well.

6. O sleep, it is a blessed thing.

7. Let us take a little rest now.

8. Let us rest beside this stream.

9. Please hand me a drink of water.

10. When you water the horses, let them drink as much as they can.

Find and write down ten sentences. Draw a line under each verb.

VIII. ADVERBS

I

Solomon ruled.

Jonathan fought.

The messenger ran.

II

Solomon ruled ivisely.

Jonathan fought bravely.

The messenger ran swiftly.

In column II for what purpose is the word widely used? bravely? swiftly?

A word that is joined to a verb to limit or modify its meaning is called an adverb.

Adverbs modify verbs.

23. Pick out the adverbs in the following sentences and tell what verb each modifies : —

1. The teacher reads rapidly.

2. The snow melts slowly.

3. My sister studies hard.

4. My brother reads well.

5. But the stork listened gladly to the song^ and was not at all angry. More than once she turned her head slowly, and out of her deep, round eyes looked kindly upon the singers.

6. At last, having safely crossed the great river, they started again in search of gold.

7. Slowly and sadly we laid him down.

8. The shades of night were falling fast.

9. We meet him often on our way to school.

10. My brother has acted strangely in this matter,

11. Said the duck: " As I sat on the rocks, I have thought over that completely ;

And I bought four pair of worsted socks.

Which fit my web-feet neatly."

Solomon ruled loisely,

Jonathan fought hraveh/o The messenger ran siuiftly.

II

Solomon ruled exceedingly wisely.

Jonathan fought very bravely.

The messenger ran too swiftly.

In column I what part of speech are the words in italics ?

In column II what does the Avord exceedingly modify ? What does the word very modify ? What does the word too modify ?

Words that are used like exceedingly^ very^ and too are called adverbs.

In addition to modifying verbs, adverbs also modify adverbs.

25. Pick out the adverbs in the following sentences and tell what each modifies : —

1. I know him very slightly.

2. It rained unusually hard.

3. You must not talk so loud.

4. You should write more carefully.

EXERCISE 13

5. This horse runs tolerably fast.

6. My horse can run faster than yours.

I

These apples are sweet.

His story was true.

Your statement is correct.

II

These apples are' very sweet.

His story was too true.

Your statement is quite correct.

What part of speech are the words in italics in column I?

In column II what does the word very modify? too? quite ?

Words that are used like very^ too^ and quite are called adverbs.

Adverbs may also modify adjectives.

IX. EXERCISE

27. Pick out the adverbs in the following sentences and tell what each modifies : — '

1. These apples are nearly ripe.

2. John has been dangerously ill.

3. This bridge is entirely safe.

4. The travelers found the road extremely rough.

5. The man in the moon Came down too soon.

6. And its crops were so heavy, and its hay so high, and its apples so red, and its grapes so blue, and its wine so rich, and its honey so sweet, that it was a marvel to every one who beheld it, and was commonly called Treasure Valley.

7. Oar man of letters was peculiarly happy in the smiles of all the country damsels.

8. The worthy pedagogue got on tolerably well, and was thought, by all who understood nothing of headwork, to have a wonderfully easy time of it.

9. Since the melting away of his gold it had been very generally conceded that there was no such striking resemblance, after all, betwixt the ignoble features of the ruined merchant and that majestic face upon the mountains.

10. More years sped swiftly and tranquilly away. Ernest still dwelt in his native valley, and was now a man of middle age. He never stepped aside from his own path, yet would always reach a blessing to his neighbor.

28. Find or write two sentences in which adverbs modify verbs ; two in which adverbs modify adverbs ; two in which adverbs modify adjectives.

X. PREPOSITIONS

29. To the teacher : Put a book on the table, a chair % the table, and a basket tinder the table.

To the pupil : What is the relation between the book and the table? between the chair and the table? between the basket and the table?

Read : —

The book on the table is Mary's.

The chair by the table is our teacher's.

The basket under the table holds paper.

What word shows the relation between table and book? between table and chair F between table and basket? The words on, bt/, and under are called prepositions.

A preposition is placed before a noun to show the relation between the noun and some other word.

30. Pick out the prepositions in the following sentences and tell what words the prepositions show relation between: —

^ 1. The hat on the rack is my father's. 2. The boy at the door is my brother.

PREPOSITIONS 15

3. The bird in the cage is my sister's.,

4. The tree by the well is an oak.

5. The dog under the steps is mine.

Note that in the above sentences the prepositions show relation between nou7i and noun. ^

The cow jumped over the moon.

The hen sits on the nest.

The hoop rolled down the Mil.

Pick out the prepositions. Between what words do they show relation? Note that the prepositions show relation between noun and verb.

1. The mother is good to her child.

2. My brother is kind to animals.

3. This climate is Jine for invalids.

1. to shows relation between child and good.

2. to shows relation between animals and kind.

3. for shows relation between invalids aiid^ne.

Note that in these sentences the prepositions show relation between noun and adjective.

33. Pick out the prepositions in the following sentences and t6ll, in each case, what two words the preposition shows the relation between : —

1. The boy was struck on the head.

2. The man in the moon came down.

3. The boy at the foot of the class does not study.

4. He jumped into the river and swam to the opposite shore.

5. The boy coughed so hard that he became red in the face.

I

The book was brought to my desk.

The dog ran to his master.

James bowed to the teacliei\

II

The book was brought to mec

The dog ran to me.

James bowed to tjou.

What have you learned to call words like desk., master.^ teacher.^ as found in column I?

What have you learned to call words like me^ you.^ as found in column II ?

A preposition is used before a noun or a pronoun to show the relation between the noun or pronoun and some other word.

35. Pick out the prepositions in the following sentences, and tell, in each case, what words the preposition shows the relation between : —

1. Two legs sat upon three legs.

2. I am sorry for him.

3. I went to Taffy's house,

Taffy was in bed ; I took the marrow bone And beat about his head.

4. If you will come w^ith me, I will show you the house that belongs to us.

5. iSing a song of sixpence,

A pocket full of rye ; Four and twenty blackbirds, Baked in a pie.

36. Find five sentences that contain prepositions Draw a line under each preposition.

CONJUNCTIONS 17

XI. CONJUNCTIONS

I David and Jonathan were friends.

David was young hut brave.

We must fight or surrender.

II

David loved Jonathan, and Jonathan loved David.

David was young, hut he was brave.

We must fight, or we must surrender.

For what Durpose are the words in italics in both columns used ?

In column I what words are joined by and? by hut? hj or?

In column II what groups of words are joined by and? by lutf by or?

A word used to join words, or groups of words, is called a conjunction.

38. Pick out the conjunctions in the following sentences and tell what words or groups of words are joined

- by each : —

1. We must wait until our father comes.

2. John came into the house because it began to rain.

3. I will trust him though he slay me.

4. The child was hungry and sleepy.

5. You will get the prize if you deserve it.

6. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,

7. The bells ring at sunrise and at sunset.

8. He is lazy, therefore he will not succeed.

9. The dog ran through the yard and under the house.. 10. The house is small but comfortable.

39. Find five sentences that contain conjunctions. Draw a line under each conjunctiouc

XII. INTERJECTIONS

Hurrah ! the game is ours.

Alas! what will become of us?

Oil, that my father were here.

Ah ! here comes my brother.

For what purpose are the words in italics used ? A word that expresses sudden or strong feeling is called an interjection.

41. Pick out the interjections in the following sen* tences : —

1. Hush! the baby is asleep.

2. Baa, baa, black sheep,

Have you any wool ?

3. Tut, tut, that is nonsense.

4. He said, " Alas, my daughter, thou hast brought me very low."

5. And the dove came to him in the evening; and lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf.

Other parts of speech may be used as interjections : —

Goodness ! how he run s.

Nonsense I I do not believe a word of it.

XIII. REVIEW

42. We have learned now the grammatical name of every kind of word that is used in English speech : —

1. Noun. 5. Adverb.

2. Adjective. 6. Preposition.

3. Pronoun. 7. Conjunction.

4. Verb. 8. Interjection.

REVIEW 19

These nouns^ adjectives^ pronouns^ etc., are called parts of speech,

A noun is the name of something.

An adjective is a word that modifies a noun or pronoun.

A pronoun is a word that stands for a nouni

A verb is a word tliat tells something about a person or thing.

An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, or an adjective, or an adverb.

A preposition is a word that shows the relation between a noun or a pronoun and some other word.

A conjunction is a word that joins words or groups of words.

An interjection is a word that expresses sudden or strong feeling.

43. Name the parts of speech that modify other parts of speecli.

What part of speech is each word in the following sentence ? -

He worked diligently, but, alas, with poor results.

What part of speech is each word in italics in the following sentences ?

1. John has a good head.

2. He is the head boy in the class.

3. Mary lights the lamps every night.

4. Put out the lights.

5. You must stay till I come.

6. Farmers till the ground.

7. This soil is not good for potatoes.

8. Don't soil your clothes.

9. John fell over trying to catch the ball that went over his head.

10. The merchant ships his goods to distant ports.

11. The goods are carried in large ships.

Write a sentence containing an adverb modifying an adverh.

Write a sentence containing a preposition that shows the relation between a noun and a verh.

Write a sentence containing a preposition that shows the relation between ?i pronoun and a verh.

Use each of the following words first as noun and then as verh : —

bear fight sleep

bite fly swing

cut run stand