PLAN OF ANALYZING COMPOUND SENTENCES. "We disapprove of the execution of Charles, not because the constitution exempts the king from responsibility, nor because we feel any peculiar interest in his character, but because the measure was most injurious to the cause of freedom."* PLAN FIRST. We disapprove of the execution of Charles, Not because the constitution exempts the king from responsibility,. Nor because we feel any peculiar interest in his character, But because the measure was most injurious to the cause of freedom. EXAMPLE I. A. Principal sentence to B. B. Adverbial sentence negative to A (cause). C. Adverbial sentence negative with B. D. Adverbial sentence connective with A. PLAN SECOND. EXAMPLE I. Sentence. A. Sort of Sentence. Subject. Predicate. Object, or Completion. We disapprove of the execution | Principal sentence to B. of Charles, We disapprove of the execution of Charles PLAN FIRST. EXAMPLE 2. Object, or Extensions. A. No one supposes Principal sentence to B. B. That the government wished to throw a pall of sorrow over the land; Subordinate sentence connective with A. C. But this we had a right to expect, D. That they would discuss, with becoming gravity, a subject E. The appalling consequences of which may come home to individuals and the nation.*-John Bright. Principal sentence to D. Subordinate noun sentence connective with Subordinate adjective-sentence relative with to throw a pall of sorrow over the land over the land; tive with A. C. But this we had a right to Principal sentence we had a right to expect to D. D. they sentence connec tive with C. That they would discuss, Subordinate noun with becoming gravity, a subject Subordinate adjec- the appalling may come * The phrase," and the nation," might have been expanded into another sentence with the words, " May come home to," and their subject, understood. would discuss a subject with becoming gravity home to individuals and the nation* [compound object] "The curfew tolls the knell of parting day; EXERCISE. Analyze the following complex and compound sentences in like manner : (1.) Those who cast their eyes on the general revolutions of society, will find that, as almost all improvements of the human mind had reached nearly to the state of perfection about the age of Augustus, there was a sensible decline from that period; and men thenceforth gradually relapsed into ignorance and barbarism. (2.) The unlimited extent of the Roman Empire, and the consequent despotism of its monarchs, extinguished all emulation, debased the generous spirits of men, and depressed the noble flame by which all the refined arts were much cherished and enlivened. (3.) The military government which soon succeeded, rendered even the lives and property of men insecure and precarious, and proved destructive to those vulgar and more necessary arts of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce; and in the end, to the military art and genius itself, by which alone the immense fabric of the empire could be supported.* CARDINAL WOLSEY. (From "THE VANITY OF HUMAN WISHES.") IN full-blown dignity see Wolsey stand, His smile alone security bestows; Still to new heights his restless wishes tow'r, At length his sovereign frowns-the train of state The regal palace, the luxurious board, The liveried army, and the menial lord. With age, with cares, with maladies oppress'd, He seeks the refuge of monastic rest : Grief aids disease, remember'd folly stings, And his last sighs reproach the faith of kings.-Dr. Johnson. * Hume. PART III. SYNTAX. 1. Syntax is that part of Grammar which treats of sentences. 2. Syntax is generally divided into two parts-Concord and Government. 3. Concord is that part which treats of the agreement one word has with another in number, gender, person, or case. 4. Government is that part which treats of the power one word has in determining the case or mood of another word. 5. Syntactical relations are sometimes divided into four parts; namely, Agreement, Government, Qualification and Limitation. 6. Qualification is that relation which subsists (1) between an adjective of quality and the noun to which it is joined; as, a wise man. And (2) between an adverb of quality and the verb to which it is joined; as, he learns quickly. 7. Limitation is the relation which subsists between one word and another which restricts its application. (1) Adjectives of quantity and demonstrative adjectives limit their nouns; as, I have three shillings; give me that apple. (2) A noun in apposition limits the noun to which it is attached; as Jones, the mason, lives there. (3) Nouns and pronouns in the possessive case limit the nouns which follow them ; as, John's house is on the hill. Note. This is applicable to compound possessives as well; thus, The Queen of England's throne is secure; the Pope of Rome's authority is disputed. Such expressions as these, "The Queen of England s," the " Pope of Rome's" the "Protector Cromwell's," etc., may be regarded as compound nouns in the possessive case. It must be remembered that the sign ('s) is attached only to the latter noun. It is perhaps worthy of remark that the best writers generally prefer another construction; as, The throne of the Queen of England is secure, etc. (4) Adverbs of time, place, and degree, limit the words to which they are added; as, I live here; he is married now; she is very well. (5) The gerundial infinitive limits the noun or adjective with which it is used; as, a house to let; food to eat ; good to drink. |