subjunctive modes show the distinction between the two modes very clearly. "If he was there, I did not see him," means that he was there. "If he were there, I should certainly see him," implies that he is not there.

The subjunctive mode is most commonly used in dependent clauses, as a condition or a supposition is usually expressed in a dependent clause. When it is used in principal clauses the subjunctive expresses a wish, as "May you never have cause to regret your action." In this case mistakes are not likely to be made.

State the meaning of each of the following sentences. Change each to the indicative mode, and explain the difference in meaning between the two forms.

If the culprit be found, he will be punished.
If it were true, they would have told you.

I should go if I were able.

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Though he were acquitted, I should still believe him guilty. They might go if they were here.

Unless he wear the crown in security, it were better not to wear it at all.

If you would have your songs remembered, sing them from the heart.

Sometimes a condition is expressed without the intro

ductory conjunction.

"Had I but served my God with half the zeal

I served my king, He would not, in mine age,
Have left me naked to mine enemies."

The Split Infinitive. The careless insertion of a word between the sign of the infinitive (to) and the verb, although it does not violate any law of language, is extremely awkward and should be avoided. Notice the effect of "splitting" the infinitive in "The soldiers were commanded to cautiously advance," "The boy was told to quickly go," "The thunder continued to angrily mutter."

Exercises

1. With the following as subjects write sentences, being careful that the verbs agree with their subjects in number:

A multitude

The assembly

Mexico and Peru

Neither grass nor flowers

Both

The secretary and treasurer
Each

The musician and the poet

2. Write sentences using the past tense of the following

3. Write sentences using the perfect participle of the fol

4. Write sentences to illustrate the use of shall and will,

(a) To denote future time.
(b) To express determination.
(c) To express compulsion.

5. Write sentences to illustrate the use of should and

would,

(a) Referring to future time.

(b) To express a wish.

(c) To indicate habitual action or custom.

6. Insert the correct form in each of the following blank

spaces:

But I Brutus, and Brutus, Antony, there Antony would ruffle up your spirits.

If there

an

any in this assembly, any dear friend of Cæsar's, to him I say that Brutus's love for Cæsar less than his.

Though the way

Unless he

attempt the task.
If it
live the truth.

no

beset with dangers, I shall not falter. better not to

not afraid to work, it

noble to speak the truth, it

more noble to

Adjectives and Adverbs. Some words that have the adjective use are similar in form to others that have the adverb use, and hence they are frequently confused, an adjective being used for an adverb, or an adverb for an adjective. If the use, rather than the form of words was kept in mind, these mistakes would not be made. Adjectives modify nouns, hence any word that does not modify a noun cannot be an adjective. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, and a word that does not modify one of these parts of speech cannot be an adverb. An adverb is most frequently used incorrectly for an adjective in those cases where an adjective follows a verb, as in "The velvet feels smooth." If we say, "The velvet feels smoothly," it means

that the velvet performs the act of feeling something in a smooth manner, which would be absurd. The meaning is that the velvet is smooth, therefore smooth describes or modifies velvet.

Good, Well. The adjective good is sometimes incorrectly used for the adverb well.

She does not always sing well. [Not: good.]

I am well. [Here well is an adjective.]

Some, Somewhat.

Some is an adjective, and should not

be used for the adverb somewhat.

The sick man is somewhat better. [Not: some better.] Some land is gladdened. [Adjective.]

The air is somewhat warmer today. [Not some warmer.]

Real, Really. Real is an adjective, and therefore should not be used for the adverbs really or very as it often is.

The story is really interesting. [Not: real.]

Our summer in the mountains was really pleasant.

It was a real pleasure to come home after our long journey. Select from the list and insert the proper word in each of the following blanks, giving your reason for its use.

It was

ill, and she looks

time to go to school.

thoughtful of you to send me the flowers.

John knew that he could

When rescued the sailor was

reach home before dark. dead from exposure.

Use of the Comparative and Superlative Degrees. The comparative degree should be used only when two persons or things are compared, and the superlative when more than

two are compared; therefore the use of the superlative in comparing two objects is incorrect.

Henry is the more studious of the two boys, but Charles is more thoughtful for others.

Gold is more precious than any other metal.

66 more

Iron is the most useful of all metals. [Do not say useful than any metal" or "most useful of any metal."]

The Articles "a," ("an,") "the."-The article should not be omitted before the names of distinct objects as, "The president and the secretary were both present." If, however, as sometimes happens, one person fills the two positions, only one article is required, as, "The secretary and treasurer read his report."

Superfluous Article. A superfluous a or an should not be used before a class name, as in the phrases "kind of (a) lazy boy," "sort of (an) interesting book."

Double Negative. As the use of a second negative in the same expression destroys the force of the first and thus produces the equivalent of an affirmative, the use of double negatives should be carefully avoided. The use of no with contractions formed with not produces a double negative often heard, as "I don't hear no one," "I didn't find no books." Other words that are often used in forming double negatives are never, nothing, neither, hardly, scarcely, only.

"I can't hardly see." "I can't do nothing with it," "I didn't see him neither," and similar expressions containing double negatives are heard every day. Unless you are careful some of them may creep into your common speech.

The night was so dark that I could hardly find my way. [Not: couldn't hardly.]

They will not come, I think. [Not: I don't think.]
I saw him only once. [Not: I didn't see.]