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In Grammar, we must take the grammatical arrangement as the basis, but with a modification of the terms: we call the nominative of the subject the subject-nominative, and the verb of the predicate the predicate-verb. We discard the copula, and make no distinction whatever between the verb be, and› any other intransitive verb. We analyse these sentences in the following manner, taking the second as the model:

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By the term Predicate-verb we understand the 'verb of the predicate,' or 'the verb in the predicate.' According to this method we are able to point out the chief word in the logical subject, namely the subject-nominative; and the chief word or words in the logical predicate, whether it be a predicate-verb, or a predicate-nominative accompanying a predicate-verb.

It follows that we make no distinction between such sentences as these:

We analyse: I. Thomas is wise.

II. Thomas

seems

wise.

1. Thomas is wise.

2. Thomas seems wise.

Subject-nominative
Predicate-verb

Predicate-nominative.

Subject-nominative
Predicate-verb

Predicate-nominative.

It may be objected, that after all this circumlocution, we have come back very nearly to the old-fashioned doctrine of 'the nominative and the verb.' So we have; but with this difference, that we have explained what is meant by the nominative,' and 'the verb.'

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Under the old system, it is common to say that a verb must agree with its nominative case; whereas, more strictly, the verb agrees with a 'substantive in the nominative case;' and further, the nominative is often used as synonymous with the subject of the sentence.

But although, no doubt, there is inaccuracy under the old system, there may be some danger of confusion under the new systems which are propounded. If, on the one hand, the term ' nominative' is loosely employed to denote the 'subject,' it is no less true, on the other hand, that many pupils of the new school bandy about the terms' subject' and 'predicate' without any definite notion of the meaning implied in those terms. Sometimes, in examination, when a boy has written down ' enlargement of the subject,' or 'extension of the predicate,' he fancies that he has said a good thing, no matter whether the phrase be appropriate or not. We must try to avoid error on both sides. Where the old school talked of the nominative,' we speak of the subject-nominative;' and where the new school employs an ambiguous term 'subject,' we use the more precise subject-nominative.'

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ANALYSIS OF SENTENCES.

CHAPTER I.

SIMPLE SENTENCES, INDICATIVE.

1. A Sentence is a collection of words expressing a complete thought as 'The bird sings;''Summer is charming.'

A collection of words, not expressing a complete thought, is sometimes termed a Phrase: as The poems of Homer; 'Quietly waiting;' 'Now and then.'

Sentences have been divided into Simple and Compound. Simple sentences, again, have been subdivided into Indicative, Interrogative, Imperative, and Optative. We shall, in the first instance, confine our attention to Simple Indicative (i. e. declaratory) Sentences, which may be either Affirmative or Negative: as,

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SIMPLE INDICATIVE SENTENCES.

2. A Simple Sentence contains one subject-nominative, and one predicate-verb: as 'Time flies.' Or it may contain one subject-nominative, one predicate-verb, and one predicatenominative as 'Mirth is good.'

We shall, first of all, consider the subject-nominative and the predicate-nominative, and then proceed to the use of verbs. A remark, however, is necessary in reference to terms which will repeatedly occur, namely, qualification and substantive.

By a qualification we understand any word or phrase which explains, modifies, or limits any other word or phrase. Thus, as an adjective qualifies a noun, so an adverb qualifies a verb. A substantive is a word which, by itself and single-handed,

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can form either a subject or a predicate.* The term comprehends nouns, certain of the pronouns, and the infinitive mood of a verb used substantively.† In employing the word noun we shall always understand a noun-substantive.

THE SUBJECT-NOMINATIVE.

3. The subject-nominative answers to the question who? or what? and must be a substantive, as,

1. A noun

2. A pronoun

Alfred is king.

He speaks well.

3. An adjective used substantively; more commonly in the plural, but sometimes in the singular: as, 'The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous is as bold as a lion.'

Obs.-The adjective used substantively is most commonly found in connection with the definite article. I do not hold, however, that the adjective and the article are together equal to a substantive; but that the adjective being used substantively is capable of receiving the article.

4. The infinitive mood of a verb, used substantively: as, To err is human.

Seeing is believing.

Obs. The infinitive in -ing is termed by some grammarians the gerund. The form in -ing will demand special consideration. See §§ 31-35.

With impersonal verbs, as they are termed, the subject is indefinite, and the pronoun it takes the place of a subjectnominative as 'It rains,' 'It freezes.'

There is another use of the pronoun it, which must be carefully observed. In English we often place the subject last, and the predicate first. In such cases we may use the pronoun it as the representative or forerunner of the subject, to show that the subject is coming. Thus, instead of saying 'To ride is pleasant,' we may say 'It is pleasant to ride;' but in both instances to ride is the logical subject, and pleasant is the predicate. See Whately, Logic, II. 1, 3.

as,

The adverb there is used in a manner somewhat similar: 'There came a philosopher from India.'

Latham, Logic in its Application to Language, p. 254. † Mason, English Grammar, § 352 and § 131.

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