III. THE USE OF INTRODUCTORY WORDS.

Almost any change in the declarative order of a sentence emphasizes some element of the sentence. There are, however, two changes in the declarative order so common that they usually give variety rather than emphasis. These changes consist in the use of the introductory words there and it.

When a sentence begins with there used as an introductory word the verb precedes its subject; as: —

There arose a shrill cry.

There was no report made of the matter.

The order of almost any declarative sentence may be changed by placing there at the beginning.

The pronoun it may also be used to introduce a sen

tence; as:

It is the love of money that is the root of all evil.

The real subject then follows the verb, and is considered to be in apposition with it.

Exercise.

Change the order of the following sentences by prefixing the word there or it :

1. No clouds were to be seen. 2. A flash of lightning came. 3. To be misjudged is often the fate of genius. 4. No vacant chairs were in the room. 5. To have good laws is useless if we have not good men to execute them. 6. Evils are of two kinds, - those which cannot be cured

and those which can. 7. Not to store the mind with knowledge, but to give activity and vigor to its powers, is the great object of education. 8. Upon the other side of the wide Atlantic a beautiful island lies. 9. That we are never too old to learn is a true saying.

IV. THE NATURAL POSITION OF MODIFIERS.

A modifier should be placed as near as possible to the word which it modifies.

A modifier should not be placed between two words, phrases, or clauses in such a way as to make it doubtful which of them it modifies.

Tell him, if he is there, we shall not come.

This sentence may mean that if he is there you may tell him we shall not come; or, that you may tell him we shall not come in case he is there.

Exercises.

I. Combine properly into sentences the following:

1. A man was killed, with a long beard, by a rifle ball. 2. Mary found a dime, assorting rags.

3.

4.

5.

I saw a man, digging a ditch, with a Roman nose.

A lady called, from Australia, to pay her compliments.

A pearl was found, by a sailor, in a shell.

6. The Moor smothered the unhappy Desdemona, seizing

a bolster, upon this, full of rage and jealousy.

7. To be sold, a grand piano, about to travel, the property of a lady, in a walnut case, with carved legs.

II. Tell what is the fault in each of the following sentences, and write the sentences correctly:

1. A pearl was found by a fisherman in an oyster-shell. 2. Some clothes were given to the ragged boy of woolen stuff.

3. Esther found a gold ring crossing the street near the curbstone.

4. All is not gold that glitters.

5. Wanted, a boy to work on a farm with no bad habits.

V. THE NATURAL POSITION OF ADJECTIVE MODIFIERS.

I. Moses's writings are revered by the Jews.

2. The writings of Moses are found in the Old Testa

ment.

3. Moses, the lawgiver, led the Jews from Egypt.

4. Integrity of life is fame's best friend.

5.

The nightingale, their only vesper bell,
Sang sweetly to the rose the day's farewell.

Judging from the sentences above, where is a noun in the possessive case placed? A phrase modifying a

noun? An explanatory noun ?

Which expression is better, a fine gold pen or a gold fine pen? A marble elegant mantel or an elegant marble mantel? Where should an adjective denoting the material out of which something is made, be placed when it is used with other adjectives to modify a noun ? Which of the following expressions do you prefer? An old colored man or a colored old man?

A nice silk new hat, a new silk nice hat, or a nice new silk hat?

Adjectives that represent the most important qualities are placed nearest the noun. When the signification does not determine the place of the adjectives, put the shortest first and the longest nearest the noun.

Exercises.

I. Use three or four adjectives with each of the following nouns, arranging the adjectives in their proper

II. Arrange the following:

1. A, mellow, juicy, luscious, ripe, large, pear.
2. Two, ragged, half-starved, orphan, poor, children.
3. The, old, Liberty, dear, sacred, bell.

4. A, dreary, November, chilly, damp, gray, day.

5. Black, a, large, intelligent, pet, handsome, Newfoundland dog.

6. Fido, spaniel, pretty, little, with ears, long, graceful. 7. Animal, this, a, plow-horse, gaunt, broken-down, shaggy.

8. Mabel, a, blossom, little, fresh, rosy, modest.

VI. THE NATURAL POSITION OF ADVERBIAL MODIFIERS.

Adverbs and adverbial phrases should be placed as near as possible to the words which they modify.

Adverbs may occupy a greater variety of positions in a sentence than any other element. Much of the

clearness of sentences depends upon the position of the adverbial elements.

An adverb should generally be placed before the adjective, adverb, or phrase which it modifies. It may come before or after the verb which it modifies, or after the auxiliary if the verb is compound.

The use of the word only deserves particular attention. Explain the use of only in each of the following sentences, and tell the exact meaning of each sentence:

1. The man has lost his only friend.
2. The man has lost only his friend.
3. The man has only lost his friend.
4. Only the man has lost his friend.

Exercise.

Place in as many suitable positions as you can the word or phrase which you are directed to insert in each of the sentences below, and tell the differences in the meanings of the sentences you have thus formed.

of these modifiers are adjective and some adverbial.

Some

1. One kind of bread of coarse quality was allowed to be baked. Insert only.

2. This blunder is said to have been made. İnsert actually.

3. I have done six problems. Insert only.

Insert very

4. He left the room, repeating his lesson. slowly. [What difficulty comes from putting very slowly after room? Ambiguity of this kind may sometimes be avoided by the proper use of a comma.]

5. I bought the horse, and not the buggy. Insert only.