The principles of English grammar; comprising the substance of the most approved English grammars extant. With copius exercises in parsing and syntax, for the use of academies and common schools

Front matter

if

THE

PRINCIPLES

Preface

A knowledge of English Grammar is very properly considered an indispensable part of an English education ; and is now taught as such, in all our Academies and Common Schools. The great number of elementary works which have recently appeared on this subject, is a pleasing evidence of the attention which has been bestowed upon it. Among these, none has enjoyed greater favour than the Grammar of Lindlet Murray ; and the high rank which it still holds among the numerous works which have appeared since its publication, is a ecided testimony to the soundness of its principles and the excellence of the system* With all its excellence, however, it is far from being incapable of improvement; and the attempt to add to its value as a manual for schools, by correcting what is erroneous, retrenching what is superfluous or unimportant, compressing what is prolix, elucidating what is obscure, determining what was left doubtful, supplying what is defective, and bringing up the whole to that state of improvement to which the labours of eminent scientific and practical writers of the present day have so greatly contributed, can hardly fail, if well executed, to prove acceptable to the public. Such was my design ; and though there may be reason to regret that it has not been undertaken by some one more capable of doing justice to the subject, still it is hoped that the labour bestowed, in order to carry it into effect, will not be altogether in vain.

In endeavouring to avoid the minutiae and diffuseness of the larger Grammar, care has been taken to guard against the opposite extreme. The abridgments of Murray now in use, are little more than a synopsis of the larger work ; presenting a mere outline of the subject, altogether too meagre to be of much service to the learner. The same remark is applicable to a great number of smaller works which have been published with a similar view ; namely, to serve as an introduction to a more extended system. They are incapable themselves of imparting a satisfactory knowledge of the subject ; and yet it often happens, perhaps even in a majority of cases, that those who have

IV PREFACE.

commenced with the "introduction," have neither the time nor the means to get beyond it: and besides, unless the " introduction " be constructed on the same principle of arrangement and expression with the one which is intended to succeed, it will probably be found worse than useless ; for when a particular arrangement and phraseology have become familiar to the mind, there is great difficulty in studying another work on the same subject, in which the arrangement and expression are materially different. A Grammar, to be really valuable, ought to be simple in its style and arrangement, so as to be adapted to the capacity of youth, for whose use it is designed ; comprehensive, so as to be a sufficient guide in the most difficult, as well as in easy cases ; and its principles and rules should be rendered familiar to the learner by numerous examples and exercises.

To meet these views of what a Grammar for the use of Schools ought to be, the present compilation has been made, — with what success, a discerning public, to whose judgment it is respectfully submitted, will decide. Utility, not novelty, has been aimed at. In collect ing materials, I have freely availed myself of the labours of others who^^. have treated on the subject since the ilays of Murray, and particularism of those whose object has been similar to my own. Lennie's " Principles of English Grammar," deservedly esteemed, in Britain, the best compend for the use of schools which has yet appeared, I have adopted as the ground plan of my work. The works of Murray, Angus, Connel, Grant, Crombie, Hilet, Webster, and others in the extensive collection of my friend Dr. Beck, to which 1 have enjoyed free access, have been consulted ; and from all of them has been carefully selected, condensed, and arranged, whatever seemed to be suitable to my purpose. For several valuable suggestions, also, I am indebted to Dr. T. R. Beck, and several other literary friends, who kindly examined my MSS. before they were sent to press, and freely communicated their sentiments. On the whole, it is believed that there is nothing of much importance in Murray's larger Grammar, or in the works of subsequent writers, that will not be found condensed here.

On the subject of Etymology, much expansion has been deemed unnecessary: I have therefore generally contented myself with stating results, without embarrassing the work with the processes, often tedious and obscure, which have led to them. In the classification of words, almost all writers differ from each other ; and though on this subject there has been much discussion, nothing has yet been proposed which, on the whole, appears less objectionable in principle, or more conve-

PREFACE.

nient in practice, than that of Murray, which is therefore generally retained.

In Syntax, greater fulness has been considered proper. In the arrangement of the Rules, scarcely two writers have followed the same order ; and that here adopted is somewhat different from any other. Without regarding much the usual division of Syntax into Concord and Government, those rules are placed first which appear to be most simple, and of most frequent occurrence. Care has been taken, however, to connect with a leading rule those of a subordinate character allied to it, and to add under every rule such notes and observations as appeared necessary to its illustration. Copious exercises in false syntax follow each rule, generally on the same page; and exercises adapted to the notes, &c. are subjoined, distinguished by the number of the note to which they belong. For the purpose of better exercising the judgment of the pupil, there have been introduced at intervals, exercises on the preceding rules promiscuously arranged ; and at the end, promiscuous exercises are furnished on all the rules and observations ; — the whole forming a body of exercises, containing perhaps not fewer examples than Murray's separate volume of Exercises on the Rules of Syntax. In this, economy as well as convenience has been consulted. The leading principles have been made so prominent by being printed on a large type, that they may be easily studied by the youngest classes without a separate compend. Every thing necessary for the fuller expansion and illustration of these principles, has been introduced in its place ; and the whole furnished with questions and appropriate exercises, in order to render every part familiar to the mind of the pupil as he advances, so that no larger treatise, and no separate book of exercises, will be necessary. The arrangement of the exercises on syntax on the same page with the rule which they are designed to illustrate, it is believed, will greatly diminish the labour, both of teacher and pupil, in going over this important part of the subject.

Another object, steadily kept in view in this compilation is to render it a profitable introduction to classical studies. While all languages differ from each other in their mode of inflexion, and in some forms of expression peculiar to themselves, usually denominated idioms, their general principles are, to a very great extent, the same. It would seem, therefore, to be proper, in constructing grammars for different languages, that the principles, so far as they are the same, should be arranged in the same order, and expressed as nearly as possible in the same words. Were this carefully done, the study of the grammar oi

1*

VI PREFACE.

one language would be a very important aid in the study of another ; and the opportunity thus afforded of seeing wherein they agree and wherein they differ, would of itself furnish a profitable exercise in comparative grammar. But when a Latin grammar is put into the hands of a boy, differing widely in its arrangement or phraseology from the English grammar which he had previously studied, and then in due time a Greek grammar different from both, not only is the benefit derived from the analogy of the different languages in a great measure lost, but the whole subject is made to appear intolerably intricate and mysterious. To remedy this evil, I resolved, some time ago, to publish a series of Grammars of the English, Latin, and Greek languages, arranged in the same order, and expressed as nearly in the same words as the genius of the languages would permit. In the prosecution of this purpose, the Greek Grammar, on the foundation of Moor's, was published in 1831 ; the English Grammar of Murray, in a condensed form, embracing every thing valuable from later works, is now offered to the public ; and if the plan is favourably received, the Latin Grammar of Alexander Adam, adapted to the system, with improvements j| will follow as soon as possible.

PREFACE

TO THE FIFTH EDITION.

This work has been again thoroughly revised, and every error discovered in the preceding editions has been carefully corrected. A section has been introduced in its proper place on Person, as a modification or accident of the noun. The terms Transitive and Intransitive, have been substituted for Active and Neuter, as a more appropriate and accurate designation of the two classes of verbs. By this means all ambiguity and controversy is avoided on this point — the term Active is confined to one appropriate use, — and the word Neuter is dispensed with so as to be applied solely to the gender of nouns. The designation of the tenses formerly used is still retained, while that recommended, p. 38, as more expressive and appropriate is at the request of some distinguished teachers, inserted in brackets after the other ; so that the

PREFACE. VI*

one or the other, or both, may be conveniently used as the teacher may direct. A page and a half has been added to the section on composition, and an Appendix of 28 pages has been added, containing a brief statement and examination of some points relative to grammar itself—the classification and designation of the parts of speech — an etymological vocabulary of grammatical terms, shewing their derivation and meaning — a list of Latin and French words and phrases, often to be met with in English books, — and a selection and explanation of the more common law terms, constantly occurring in the reports of legal proceedings, and the debates of our legislative assemblies in this country.

The author takes this opportunity of renewing his grateful acknowledgments to those gentlemen who have kindly examined the work, and favored him with their observations on it. To the hints derived from these, he is chiefly indebted for the improvements that appear in this edition. The favorable opinion expressed of the work by the most competent judges, encourages him to hope that the object he had in view, to furnish a simple, concise, and comprehensive manual of English Grammar, better adapted to the use of academies and common schools than any yet published, is now in a good degree attained.

The Latin Grammar formerly announced has been published, and also the revised edition of the Greek Grammar. These works now form a complete series of grammars — English, Latin, and Greek all on the same plan, arranged in the same order, and having the definitions, rules, and leading parts expressed as near as possible in the same language. By this method the confusion and unnecessary labor occasioned by studying grammars, in these languages, constructed on different principles is avoided, the study of one is rendered a profitable introduction to the study of another, and an opportunity is furnished to the enquiring student of comparing the languages in their grammatical structure, and seeing at once wherein they agree, and wherein they differ. The whole is now submitted to the examination and favorable consideration of a discerning public.

Albany Academy, Sept. 23, 1842.

CONTENTS OF APPENDIX.

I. Grammar, 189

II. Classification of words, 191

III. Remarks on Different Classes of Words, 192

IV. Grammatical Nomenclature, 202

V. Etymological Glossary of Grammatical terms,. . . 204

VI. Explanation of French Words and Phrases, 209

VII. Explanation of Latin Words and Phrases, 211

VIII. Explanation of Law terms, 213

DIRECTIONS FOR USING THIS GRAMMAR.

This Grammar being designed for the use of the more advanced scholar, as well as of the mere beginner, a few suggestions, the result of some experience, respecting the mode of using it, may not be improper. In commencing any study, the first care of the judicious teacher will be to excite a proper interest in it in the minds of his pupils, and to render their progress as easy and pleasant as possible. Without this, the easiest and most engaging studies may be rendered irksome and disgusting, and all relish for, as well as "progress in them effectually prevented. This evil will be avoided, and a proper interest in the study of En glish Grammar excited and maintained, if the following course of study be carefully observed : —

1. Very young pupils, or mere beginners at any age, should be required to study only the leading parts which are generally distinguished in the Grammar by a larger type. The subordinate parts in smaller type, together with the whole of § 2 ; §19 from No 5 to 9 ; and the Obs. in § 20,21,22, and 24 should be omitted till afterwards. And m order to vary the exercise, from ten to twenty or thirty words of § 32 may be given with each lesson from the beginning, so that the whole may be gone through without loss of time, and almost without an effort.

2. No larger portion should be assigned for each recitation than the class can easily master, and till this is done, a new portion should not be given out.

3. The portion assigned for every new lesson should be read over to the class, and explained, if necessary, by familiar remarks and illustrations ; and care should be taken that every pupil know, before he is sent to his seat, what he is expected to do at the next recitation, and how it is to be done. A little pains •* taken in this way will be amply rewarded by the spirit and pleasure with which the lesson will be studied, and the rapid progress that will be made.

4. All rules and definitions, together with the more important parts, should be accurately committed to memory, and the whole wrought into the understanding as well as the memory of the pupil, by questions and familiar illustrations adapted to his capacity till he has completely mastered it. To aid in this, copious Exercises have been introduced throughout, in which the class should be drilled till every thing is easy and familiar. In this way a class of ordinary capacity, even of very young pupils, may be carried through to $ 39 in the space of four or five weeks ; and of those more advanced, in two or three.

5. The acquisitions made in every new lesson should be rivetted and secured by repeated revisals. It takes up but a few minutes, and is attended with very great advantage to begin every new lesson, or every other one with a rapid review of the whole from the beginning, or from such part as the teacher may direct.

6. Having in this way advanced to § 39, the pupil is prepared to commence Etymological parsing, for which directions are given in that Section. It is necessary he should be expert in this exercise before he enter on Syntax. To aid in this, ample directions and exercises are furnished from p. 75 to p. 85.

7. In the study of Syntax, the same course in general should be pursued as in the preceding part. At first, the rule at the top of the page only should be committed to memory, and then rendered familiar by the exercises under it. The subordinate rules and observations, with the exercises belonging to them, will be studied with more ease and advantage on a subsequent revisal. When this has been done, he will be prepared for exercises in Syntactical Parsing and Promiscuous Exercises in Syntax, of which a great variety is furnished in § 85.

8. At the same tiir.e that the pupil is engaged in the exercises just mentioned, it will be a proper time to study the whole Grammar in course; and to take up in his progress the parts formerly omitted, which, from the acquirements now made, will be better appreciated and more easily mastered; and in doing this also, repeated revisals should not be neglected.

The study of English Grammar, prorecutedin this way, will prove both pleasing and profitable. "The pupil, knowing what he is doing, and elated with success, will proceed with activity and cheerfulness ; and in a comparatively short tinu* will find himself a good grammarian.

Index

AND

Table Of Contents

PARTI. ORTHOGRAPHY.

Page.

Of Letters, • . 2

OfSyllables, 2

Rules for spelling words, .2

PART II. ETYMOLOGY. Words, and their division into Parts of Speech, ... 6, 7

I. Article, of, . . 8

Syntax of, 127

II. Nouns, different kinds of, person ofj • • • • 9

Observations on, 11

Number, rules for plural, 12

Nouns irregular in the plural, • • 13

Observations on, 14

Nominative, construction of, . . 87, 88

Possessive, how formed ; observations on, 17

Objective, governed by active verbs, . 90

by neuter verbs, . . 90

by prepositions, . 92

Declension of, . . 16

Used for adjectives, and adjectives for nouns, . 20

Construction of, in apposition, .... 102

III. Adjectives, definition and comparison of, Obs. on, . 18, 19

Compared irregularly, ..... 20 of comparative & superlative, 114, 115

X CONTENTS.

Page.

IV. Pronouns, definition and division of, . . . 21

Personal, declension of, and observations on, • 22 Construction of, .... 99

Relative, how declined and applied, . . .23 Construction of, .... 100

Interrogative, how applied, . . •'.'.'■• .25

Adjective, division of, 25

Possessive, 26

Distributive, 26

Demonstrative, 26

Construction of, . 97, 98 Indefinite, ...... 27

V. Verbs, definition and division of, 29

Concord of, with its nominative, . . .88, 89 with two nouns, . . . 93, 94

with nominatives of different persons, 95 with a collective noun, . . .96

Transitive, definition of, 29

Used in a sense allied to the passive, . 32

Inflexion of, 43

Government of, 90

Passive, definition of, 33

Inflexion of, 52

When followed by the objective, • . 91

Intransitive, definition and characteristic of, . . 29

Have no passive ; how made transitive, . 31

When used actively, . . . .90

Auxiliary, what ; observations on, • . .33 To be, inflexion of, .... 48 Construction of, . . . 89, 103 Irregular, definition of; list of, ... 60

Defective, definition of ; list of, . • . .65 Impersonal, of, ...... 65

Moods, definition of, 35

Uses of ; observations on, . . . 35, 36

Indicative and subjunctive, construction of, 111

Infinitive, character of, . . . . 37

Tenses, definition, division, and uses of, . . 38

CONTENTS. XI

Verbs continued. Page.

Tenses, Observations on ; different forms of, . 39

Number and person, 42

Exercises on active, 47 ; to be, 51 j passive, . 56

Participles, definition and uses of, • 57

Observations on, .... 57

VI. Adverbs, definition and use of, ..... 66

Classes of: observations on, .... 67 Position and construction of, . . 116, 117, 118

VII. Prepositions, definition and use of, list of, . . • 69

Observations and exercises on, . • .70 Construction of, . . . 92, 119, 120

VIII. Conjunctions, uses of, list of, . . . . .70

Observations on, ..... 70 Construction of, 112

IX. Interjections, use of, list of, obs. on, .... 71

Parsing, etymological, definition of, 71

Specimens of, 73

Rules for, and exercises in, ... 75

Syntactical method of, 131

Specimen of, . . . • .133

PART III. SYNTAX. Syntax, general principles of, parts of, . • • . 86, 87

Rules of, from 88 to 130

Miscellaneous obs. on certain phrases, . . .145

Improper expressions, a list of, ... 149

Punctuation, rules for, &c 151

Abbreviations, 157

Paragraphs and capitals, • . .158

Rhetorical divisions of a discourse, . • • • • .159 Different kinds of composition, . . • • • • .160

PART IV. PROSODY. Prosody, division of, 163

Elocution, 163

Versification, • .168

Figures of speech, . 175

Poetic license, • .176

Hints for correct and elegant writing, . • • . . 180 Composition, 183. Appendix, ...... 189 xu

Contents

ORDER OP THE RULES OP SYNTAX.

Rule I. A verb must agree with its nominative, .

Special rules under Rule i.

XXVI. XXVil

Page.

. 88 89

. 90 91

. 92 93

. 94 95 96 97

A verb with nominatives of different persons,

A verb with a collective noun,

Adjectives of number, the pron. this and that,

When two persons or things are contrasted, &,c. 98 Pronouns agree with the nouns, &c. . . 99 The relative agrees with its antecedent, . . 100 Special rules and observations under Rule xi. 101

Substantives signifying the same thing, &c. . 102 A verb may have the same case after it as before, 103

The possessive case, 104

When the present participle is used as a noun, 107 The present participle with an article before it, 108 The perfect participle is used after have and be, 109 One verb governs another in the infinitive, 110

The subjunctive mood, m

Conjunctions couple the same moods and

Some conjunctions have corresponding conjunct. 113

Comparative degree and the pronoun other, 114 Double comparatives and superlatives, . 115

Adverbs modify verbs, &c. . H6

Adverbs are for the most part placed, &c. 117

Two negatives in the same sentence, . . 118 Prepositions before names of places, . . 119 XXVII f. Certain words and phrases must be followed, &c. 120

XXIX. In the use of verbs, &c. ; the order of time, &c. 123

XXX. When a member of a sentence refers to two

different clauses, it should be, &c. . .125

XXXI. Case absolute, 126

XXXII. The article A, &c 127

XXXIII. An ellipsis is admissible when, &c. . . 129

XXXIV. An ellipsis is not allowable when, &c. . . 130 Miscellaneous observations, . . , 145

GRAMMAR.

Grammar is both a Science and an Art.

As a Science, it investigates the principles of language in general. When thus used, it is denominated General or Universal Grammar ; and sometimes Comparative Grammar.

As an Art, it teaches the right method of applying these principles to a particular language, so as thereby to express our thoughts in a correct and proper manner, according to established usage.

ENGLISH GRAMMAR.

English Grammar is the art of speaking and writing the English Language with propriety.

It is divided into four parts ; namely. Orthography, Etymology ', Syntax, and Prosody.

Part First. § 1. Orthography

Orthography teaches the nature and powers of Letters, and the correct method of spelling words.

A Letter is a character representing a particular sound of the human voice.

2 A

There are Twmty~si» Letters in English.

Letters are either Vowels or Consonants.

A Vowel is a letter which represents a simple sound. The Vowels are, a, e, i,o, u; and w and y, when they do not begin a syllable.

A Consonant is a letter that cannot be sounded without the help of a vowel. The Consonants are, b, c, a\f,g, h,j, k, I, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, x, z ; and w and y, when they begin a syllable.

A Diphthong is the union of two vowels in one sound ; as, owin out.

A proper Diphthong is one in which both the vowels are sounded ; as, oy in boy, on in round, or oi in oil.

An improper Diphthong is one in which only one of the vowels is sounded ; as, oa in boat.

A Triphthong is the union of three vowels in one sound ; as, eauin beauty.

A Syllable is a distinct sound forming the whole of a word, as, far ; or so much of it as can be sounded at once, as, far in farmer.

A Monosyllable is a word of one syllable ; as, fox, dog.

A Dissyllable is a word of two syllables ; as, farmer.

A Trissyllable is a word of three syllables ; as, butterfly.

A Polysyllable is a word of many syllables.

RULES FOR THE DIVISION OF WORDS INTO SYLLABLES.

1. Words have as many syllables as they contain distinct sounds, and must be divided as the sounds are heard in correct pronunciation ; as, re-pub-li-can, de-light, ex-am-ine, abstain.

2. Grammatical and other particular terminations are generally separated ; as, teach- est, teach-ing, teach- er.

§ 2. SPELLING.

Spelling is the art of expressing a word by its proper letters, and rightly dividing it into syllables

RULES FOR SPELLING WORDS.

RULE I.

Monosyllables ending with /, /, or 5, preceded by a

§ 2. ORTHOGRAPHY. S

single vowel, double the final consonant ; as, staff, mill, pass.

Exceptions. Of, if, as, is, has, was, his, gas, yes, this, us, thus, pus.

RULE II.

Words ending with any consonant except /, Z, or s, do not double the final letter.

RULE III.

Words ending in y preceded by a consonant, change y into i before an additional letter or syllable ; as, spy. spies ; happy, happier, happiest ; carry, carrier, carried ; fancy, fanciful.

Exception. But y is not changed before ing ; as deny, denying.

Words ending in y preceded by a vowel, retain the y unchanged ; as, boy, boys, boyish, boyhood.

Exceptions. Lay, pay, say, make, laid, paid, said.

RULE IV.

Monosyllables and words accented on the last syllable, ending with a single consonant preceded by a vowel, double that consonant before an additional syllable beginning with a vowel ; as, rob, robber ; admit, admittance, admitted. Except x and k, which are never doubled.

But when a diphthong precedes, or the accent is not on the last syllable, the consonant is not doubled ; as, boil, boiling, boiler ; I visit, I visited. Except travel, traveller, and a few others which usage has sanctioned.

RULE V.

Words ending with II generally drop one I before the terminations ness, Uss, ly and fid ; as, fulness, skiHess, fully, skilful.

But words ending in any other double letter, preserve the letter double before these terminations ; as, harmlessness, stiffly, &c.

RULE VI.

Silent e is preserved before the terminations, merit, less, ly, and Jul ; as, paleness, peaceful, abatement, &c.

Exceptions. Duly, truly, awful, judgment, abridgment, acknowledgment, lodgment, argument, are excepted.

RULE VII.

Silent e is omitted before terminations beginning with a vowel ; as slave, slavish ; cure, curable ; sense, sensible ; lodge, lodging.

Exceptions. Blame, move, reprove, sale, and their compounds before able, retain e ; as, blameable, moveable,

Words ending in ge and ce retain e before able in order to preserve the soft sound of g and c ; as changeable, peaceable. For the same reason we have singeing and

swingeing.

Note. The letters ie at the end of a word, are changed into y be fore ing ; as, die, dying.

RULE VIII.

Simple words ending in II, generally drop one I when joined to other words ; as, full, handful ; all, also ; tell, foretel. But other compounded words are generally spelled in the same manner as the simple words of which they are formed ; as, glasshouse, thereby.

EXERCISES ON THE PRECEDING RULES.

RULE I.

rule u.

§ 2. ORTHOGRAPHY. 5

RULE III.

Add es to the following nouns : — fly, cry, beauty, glory, bounty, frailty, duty, copy.

Add es, eth or est, to the following verbs : — deny, decry, defy, tarry, spy, try, fly, glory, imply, supply.

Add ing to the same.

Compare the folloxoing adjectives by adding er and est : — ugly, hasty, portly, happy, comely, lazy, holy.

Write the plural of the following words by adding s : — day, play, ray, valley, toy, joy, bay.

RULE IV.

Add ing or ed to the following verbs : — scan, blot, drag, brag, flog, fan, slip, split, drum ; admit, compel, concur, distil, extol, permit, annul, commit ; suffer, counsel, cover, parcel, cudgel, libel, travel ; toil, boil, soil, coin.

rule v.

Add ness, less, or ly, to the following words : — stiff, careless, thoughtless, dull, skill, full, harmless.

Add ful to the following words :— distress, success, will, skill

RULE VI.

RULE VII.

RULE VIII.

PROMISCUOUS EXERCISES ON THE PRECEDING RULES.

Part Second

Etymology treats of the different sorts of words, their various modifications, and their de

rivations.

Words are certain articulate sounds used by common consent as signs of our ideas.

1. Words, in respect of their Formation, are either Primitive or Derivative, Simple or Compound.

A Primitive word is one that is not derived from any other word in the language ; as, boy, just, father.

A Derivative word is one that is derived from some other word ; as, bovish, justice, fatherly.

A Simple word is one that is not combined w.th any other word ;

as. man, house, city. .

A Compound word is one that is made up of two or more smrple words ; as, manhood, horseman.

2. Words, in respect of Form, are either Declinable or Indeclinable.

A Declinable word is one whieh undergoes certain changes of form or termination, to express the different relations of gender, number, case, person, &c usually termed in Grammar Accents ; as, man, men ; love, loves, loved.

An Indeclinable word is one whieh undergoes no change of form ;

as, good, some, perhaps.

3. In respect of Signification and Use, words are divided into different classes, called k 3. ETYMOLOGY. *