Page images
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]

Though he has many faults, I esteem him.
William is as tall as his cousin (is tall).

James is taller than his brother (is tall).

ABRIDGED, CONTRACTED, AND ELLIPTICAL
SENTENCES.

1. Instead of a complete sentence, we frequently have phrases, with the noun in the nominative absolute, which may be regarded as abridged sentences. Thus:

1. When the storm had ceased, we left our shelter. (Abridged) The storm having ceased, we left our shelter. 2. When Spring returns, birds will sing. (Abridged) Spring returning, birds will sing.

3. When his education was completed, he returned home.

(Abridged) His education being completed, he returned

home.

These phrases, each of which contains a simple or compound participle, and a noun in the nominative absolute, are generally termed absolute clauses.

2. When one single verb has two or more subjects, or two or more objects, or when two verbs have only one subject expressed, such sentences are said to be contracted.

Fx. 1. Herds and flocks drop the dry sprig (Two nominatives).

2. Animals eat, live, and die (Three verbs).

Ex. 3. Neither John nor James attends (Two nominatives).

4. Brought death into the world, and all our woe (Two objectives).

5. James has a shilling, and Mary [has] fourpence.

(The second sentence is contracted in the predicate.)

6. The steer and lion at one crib shall meet, And harmless serpents lick the pilgrims' feet.

(The predicate is contracted; lick= shall lick.)

3. A subordinate sentence is frequently abridged by ellipsis.

Ex. 1. He is as tall as his brother (is tall).

2. He is wiser than most men (are wise).

3. Though sorely tried (though he was sorely tried), he did not despair.

4. The lid, when pressed (when it is pressed),
discloses a spring.

5. The tree (which is) there is very old.
6. It refers to you more than to me=It refers
to you more than it does to me.

7. He knows his lesson better than you (know
it).

8. This is the book I lost; I suppose you This is the book which I lost; that you found it.

found it

I

suppose

ANALYSIS OF COMPOUND SENTENCES.

Example 1.

Come, gentle Spring, ethereal mildness, come;
And from the bosom of yon dropping cloud,
While music wakes around, veiled in a shower
Of shadowing roses, on our plains descend (lines 1-5).
1. Analysis into Simple Sentences.

Sentences

a. Come, gentle Spring,
b. ethereal mildness, come,
c. and from the bosom of yon
dropping cloud, veiled in a
shower of shadowing roses,
on our plains descend,

d. While music wakes around.

Kind of Sentence

Princ. Sentence

Princ. Sentence

Princ. Sent. Co-ord. to a and b.

Adv. Sent. to descend
in c.

2. Analysis showing Subject, Predicate, Completion or Object,

[blocks in formation]

N.B.--1. The words to be supplied are in italics.

2. The connectives and and while are placed in brackets.
3. Spring and mildness; each is in the nominative addressed.
4. Princ. Principal; Sent. Sentence; Co-ord. = Co-ordi-
nate; Adv. = Adverbial; Adj. Sent. = Adjective Sen-
tence; Advers Adversative.

=

Example 2.

As yet the trembling year is unconfirmed,
And Winter oft at eve resumes the breeze,
Chills the pale morn, and bids his driving sleets
Deform the day delightless (lines 18-21).

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

a. As yet the trembling year | is unconfirmed |

[blocks in formation]

b. (and) Winter | oft at eve | resumes | the breeze |

[blocks in formation]

d. (and) bids | his driving sleets | deform the day delightless.

Remarks.

1. The Subject is denoted by 1, the Predicate by 2, the Object or Completion by 3, and the Extension by 4.

2. The connectives are placed in brackets.

3. The subject of chills in c is Winter, understood.

4. The subject of bids in d is Winter, understood.

5. Deform the day delightless; these words form the secondary or indirect object of bids.

Example 3.

Meanwhile, incumbent o'er the shining share

The master leans, removes the obstructing clay, Winds the whole work, and sidelong lays the glebe (lines 41-43).

[blocks in formation]

1 b, c, and d are contracted in the subject; the words that must

he supplied are printed in italics,

« PreviousContinue »