An analysis of the English language; or, The elements of sentences, in their forms, combinations, and relations

Front matter

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UNITED STATES OE AMERICA

Preface

To form a complete judgment of the merits of a sentence, something more than a knowledge of its outward form is necessary. A sentence is thought (sententia) as well as expression, or, rather, thought and expression in the most intimate union. This union is not mechanical, but vital — a union in which thought is life, and outward form a definite organism for its manifestation. As an external form, a sentence consists of words, phrases, and clauses variously classified and combined. As a thought, it is some judgment, opinion, command, inquiry, request, intimation, or sentiment of the speaker. No method of analysis is complete which does not recognize the sentence in both these aspects.

The external elements are the most conspicuous — in fact, the only ones that appeal to the senses. For this reason, and not because they are first in reality or first in importance, are they to be considered first. Yet even in the analysis of these we must not overlook the fact that language is a direct outgrowth of thought, and that its elements are directly responsive to the elements of thought — the substantive to the thought of substance, the attributive to that of attribute, and the relative to that of relation. No less true is it that the external combinations respond to the inward combinations of thought. In the predicative and attributive combinations, the substantive predominates and forms the leading term, in the objective and adverbial, the attributive. Yet in determining the grand divisions and the minor parts of the sentence, the grammarian, like the geologist, is guided not so much by the instant impulse of thought as by the lines and traces which it leaves behind.

Not so when thought assumes its rightful sway. Language becomes, at once, its servant, the organ and instrument for its manifestation to the senses. When language is thus subordinated and placed in its normal relation to thought, like the eye in seeing or the ear in hear-

PREFACE.

ing, it ceases to be obtrusive ; all verbal distinctions disappear. The mind at once grasps and wields those conventional forms which most readily reveal the results of its activities. Yet not satisfied with the ordinary forms, it soon seeks for those which are impressive, attractive, and even startling, and hence the distinction between adequate and effective expression.

Analysis now becomes something more than a discrimination of verbal forms. It springs from insight — from a full recognition of the presence and agency of thought in summoning to its aid the most suitable forms of expression. It recognizes an aim in the use of language, and judges alike of the fitness of that which a writer has already employed, or of that which offers itself for immediate use from one's own linguistic resources.

The sixth chapter is devoted to the higher analysis. It is intended for those who have made some progress in the study of language, and can be omitted without marring the unity of the course. It is hoped that the teacher may derive from it valuable hints in conducting exercises in language, even if he cannot take his classes formally through it.

The author takes pleasure in acknowledging his obligations to many teachers for various suggestions and improvements which have been in one form or another incorporated into the parts of this new edition.

'In the development of the sixth chapter he has also received many important hints from Rev. Dr. Dodge, President of Madison University, and while the work was passing through the press, from Professor T. W. Bancroft, of Brown University, and from Rev. Daniel Leach, Superintendent of Public Schools, Providence, Bhode Island. He is especially indebted to Professor H. B. Buckham, of the Buffalo State Normal School, for the preparation of the selections and for important suggestions in regard to the symbols by which the sentence is represented.

S. S. GREENE.

Providence, R. I., December, 1873.

A . . peculiar use of. 236, a

Abridged clauses 688-690

construction 693-704

Absolute nominative 699

Abstract nouns 69, 5

thought 826

words 825

Active voice 174, 1

Adjective element defined. 10, 1, 227

the word, defined 95

limiting 97, 99

qualifying 98, 247-250 participial 249

comparison of. 152-158

position of 32, a the phrase 462

the clause 580

Adverbial element defined.. 10, 3, 317

the word, defined 318, 319

denoting place 321, 322 cause 326

manner 327

modal 328

conjunctive 329

interrogative 330

comparison of. 331, 332

position of 32, a the phrase, defined 488

denoting place 491-494 the clause, defined 615, 616

denoting place 619, 620

Adversative clauses 731

conjunctions 376, 2

Agreement of pronouns 585

Agreement of verbs 168

of verb and pronoun with

co-ordinate nouns 385

Aim in discourse 783

All, peculiar use of 283, 1, c

Allegory defined 852

Alternative clauses 731

conjunctions 376, 3

Analysis, complete 811

successive steps in 40-47

Antecedent 582

Antithesis 856

Apostrophe, figure of 860

mark of 223

Apposition, rule for 258

Arrangements of elements. 32, 875 a

Article defined 99, 1

Attention fixed on thought 781

Attribute, classes of 81-84

in abridged) 692 1 9 ^

propositions. J 05 "' ij z ' 6

of a proposition 54, obs.

Attributive, a word 13, 2

combinations 23, 25

as principal 25, 28

as predicate 54 same as verbs, participles, and adjectives 36, 2, a

Auxiliaries defined 203

uses of. 204, a, b

table of 205

formative or | .. n „,- „ » „ -., relationwonls.f 4l0 ' 4l2 ' a >^ 417 simple or combined.. 431, 1, 2, 432

Balanced sentence 891

Basis 17, 2

Be, a copula 54, obs.

as auxiliary 203, 204, 205

Both, peculiar use of. 283, 1, c

as correlative 726, a