This will serve as a review of an introductory book, if such has been studied; or as an introduction to the scientific study of the subject, if such study is commenced with this volume. Grammar is divided into Orthography, Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody. Each of these departinents is treated separately; and the compliment is paid to the teacher of supposing that he or she knows, without explicit directions, how to use a text-book. No apology is needed for restoring to its proper place as a department of grammar, word-formation, or derivation; and equally in accord with the demands of the best teachers is the addition of a full chapter on the history of the English language (chapter viii. of the book). The chapter on Economy of Attention contains many things which can not be conveniently classified under any one of the four great divisions of grammar, but which every student of English should know As the title indicates, the leading idea is borrowed from Herbert Spencer's invaluable Essay on Style. The illustrative sentences and the exercises have, for the most part, been selected or prepared specially for this work. A few, however, have been taken from standard English and German works on grammar. In this respect, as well as for many valuable suggestions, the author gratefully acknowledges his indebtedness to the grammars of Dr. Morris, Dr. Abbott, Dr. Bain, Professor Rushton, Mr. Salmon, Mr. Mason, Professor Meiklejohn, Professor Whitney, Dr. Smith, Mr. Daniel, Dr. Latham, Dr. Adams, Dr. Lowth, Dr. Morell, and to the monumental work of Maetzner; to the philological works of Professor Max Müller, Professor Whitney, Professor Earle, Professor Lounsbury, and Dr. Peile; to Dr. Currie's "English Composition"; to Dr. Hodgson's Errors in the Use of English"; and to the etymological dictionaries of Mr. Wedgwood, Professor Skeat, and Superintendent Kennedy. The author tenders his him the honor to read the the progress of the work. thanks to the friends who have done proof and to make criticisms during He will regard it as a special favor if those who use this book will send him suggestions leading to its improvement. W. H. M. CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER IV.-CLASSIFICATION OF SENTENCES Sentences Classified as Simple, Complex, and Compound. Analysis (3) Words Classified as Prime and Composite. Component Elements of Words. English, Latin, and Greek Prefixes, English, Latin, Elements of the Sentence. Classification of Sentences. Concord, Variety of Expression. Long and Short Sentences. Pleonasm. ADVANCED LESSONS IN ENGLISH GRAMMAR. PART I. CHAPTER I. THE SENTENCE. 1. Language is the name given to any means of expressing thoughts or feelings. The most important varieties of language are spoken language and written language. 2. Spoken language and written language are made up of words, and words are united in groups called sentences. Sentences are used for three purposes: 1. To state or tell something. I am monarch of all I survey. Homer was blind. 2. To ask about something. Have you ever crossed the ocean? Can you visit us to morrow? 3. To express a command or an entreaty. Distrust the man that flatters you. Give us this day our daily bread. (5) 3. DEFINITION.-A sentence is a group of words used as a statement, a question, a command, or an entreaty. 4. A declarative sentence is a sentence that states or declares something. Magellan sailed around the world. 5. An interrogative sentence is a sentence used to ask a question. Can gold gain friendship? 6. An imperative sentence is a sentence that expresses a command or an entreaty. Send for a physician. Pity the sorrows of a poor old man. 7. A declarative sentence may express strong feeling, such as anger, sorrow, grief, etc. The same is true of interrogative and imperative sentences. Sentences that do this are by some authors called exclamatory sentences. When the feeling expressed is very strong, the sentence should end with an exclamation point, but this kind of punctuation should be used as little as possible. |