An English Grammar Part 54

278. (1) Participle. Tell (_a_) from what verb it is derived; (_b_) whether active or pa.s.sive, imperfect, perfect, etc.; (_c_) to what word it belongs. If a participial adjective, give points (_a_) and (_b_), then pa.r.s.e it as an adjective.

(2) Infinitive. Tell (_a_) from what verb it is derived; (_b_) whether indefinite, perfect, definite, etc.

(3) Gerund. (_a_) From what verb derived; (_b_) its use (Sec. 273).

Exercise.

Pa.r.s.e the verbs, verbals, and verb phrases in the following sentences:--

1. Byron builds a structure that repeats certain elements in nature or humanity.

2. The birds were singing as if there were no aching hearts, no sin nor sorrow, in the world.

3. Let it rise! let it rise, till it meet the sun in his coming; let the earliest light of the morning gild it, and parting day linger and play on its summit.

4. You are gathered to your fathers, and live only to your country in her grateful remembrance.

5. Read this Declaration at the head of the army.

6. Right graciously he smiled on us, as rolled from wing to wing, Down all the line, a deafening shout, "G.o.d save our Lord the King!"

7. When he arose in the morning, he thought only of her, and wondered if she were yet awake.

8. He had lost the quiet of his thoughts, and his agitated soul reflected only broken and distorted images of things.

9. So, lest I be inclined To render ill for ill, Henceforth in me instill, O G.o.d, a sweet good will.

10. The sun appears to beat in vain at the cas.e.m.e.nts.

11. Margaret had come into the workshop with her sewing, as usual.

12. Two things there are with memory will abide-- Whatever else befall--while life flows by.

13. To the child it was not permitted to look beyond into the hazy lines that bounded his oasis of flowers.

14. With them, morning is not a new issuing of light, a new bursting forth of the sun; a new waking up of all that has life, from a sort of temporary death.

15. Whatever ground you sow or plant, see that it is in good condition.

16. However that be, it is certain that he had grown to delight in nothing else than this conversation.

17. The soul having been often born, or, as the Hindoos say, "traveling the path of existence through thousands of births," there is nothing of which she has not gained knowledge.

18. The ancients called it ecstasy or absence,--a getting-out of their bodies to think.

19. Such a boy could not whistle or dance.

20. He had rather stand charged with the imbecility of skepticism than with untruth.

21. He can behold with serenity the yawning gulf between the ambition of man and his power of performance.

22. He pa.s.sed across the room to the washstand, leaving me upon the bed, where I afterward found he had replaced me on being awakened by hearing me leap frantically up and down on the floor.

23. In going for water, he seemed to be traveling over a desert plain to some far-off spring.

24. Hasheesh always brings an awakening of perception which magnifies the smallest sensation.

25. I have always talked to him as I would to a friend.

26. Over them mult.i.tudes of rosy children came leaping to throw garlands on my victorious road.

27. Oh, had we some bright little isle of our own!

28. Better it were, thou sayest, to consent; Feast while we may, and live ere life be spent.

29. And now wend we to yonder fountain, for the hour of rest is at hand.

ADVERBS.

[Sidenote: _Adverbs modify._]

279. The word _adverb_ means _joined to a verb_. The adverb is the only word that can join to a verb to modify it.

[Sidenote: _A verb._]

When action is expressed, an adverb is usually added to define the action in some way,--time, place, or manner: as, "He began _already_ to be proud of being a Rugby boy [time];" "One of the young heroes scrambled up _behind_ [place];" "He was absolute, but _wisely_ and _bravely_ ruling [manner]."

[Sidenote: _An adjective or an adverb._]

But this does not mean that adverbs modify verbs _only_: many of them express degree, and limit adjectives or adverbs; as, "William's private life was _severely_ pure;" "Principles of English law are put down _a little_ confusedly."

[Sidenote: _Sometimes a noun or p.r.o.noun._]

Sometimes an adverb may modify a noun or p.r.o.noun; for example,--

The young man reveres men of genius, because, to speak truly, they are _more_ himself than he is.--EMERSON.

Is it _only_ poets, and men of leisure and cultivation, who live with nature?--_Id._

To the _almost_ terror of the persons present, Macaulay began with the senior wrangler of 1801-2-3-4, and so on.--THACKERAY.

Nor was it _altogether_ nothing.--CARLYLE.

Sounds overflow the listener's brain So sweet that joy is _almost_ pain.--Sh.e.l.lEY.