C. Write sentences in which you use the following words and phrases as modifiers of the predicate verbs: in the automobile under the desk D. Write sentences in which you use the following words and phrases to modify the subject substantives: of spice of the morning across the street half-grown by the river of new-cut grass by the window across the meadow Predicate Verbs That Do Not Express Action. - Notice that the verbs in the following sentences do not express action. Lloyd George is a statesman. She seemed disappointed. In these sentences the verbs is, looked, and seemed do not express action but simply link the subject substantive to a word that describes it. The verb is links Lloyd George with statesman, the verb looked links he with pleased, and the verb seemed links she with disappointed. These complete predicates tell about the subject by describing and not by expressing action. PREDICATE VERBS EXERCISES 333 A. In the following sentences pick out the predicate verbs and the subject substantives: 1. The war is over. 2. He was very quiet and composed. 3. His father was a village schoolmaster. 4. The family was homeless and hungry. 5. President Wilson is the voice of the free nations. 6. Lloyd George is the unconquerable will of democracy. 7. His reward is certain. 8. He looked tired. We feel that predicates that describe the subject, while they are sometimes useful, do not give us the sense of movement that active predicates give. The writers and speakers that interest us most are those who make most use of verbs of action. B. In the following sentences select the predicate verbs and tell whether they express action or merely link the subject substantive with a descriptive word: 1. The girls admired a large chromo of General Joffre. 2. His eyes are clever and kind. 3. A wounded man told me about the battle. 4. The soldiers amused themselves. 5. This time the scene is at the front. 6. The men talked of their lost comrades. 7. They returned to Paris. 8. The soldiers obey Joffre with a smile. 9. They trust him. 10. There is no motion on the river. II. The storm shall not wake thee. 12. It is dark in the forest. 13. I fear the forest. 14. The clinging vines will bind me. Colorless Verbs. In writing sentences always try to use verbs that will say just what you wish to express. Certain words, like came, stand, seem, is, was, are colorless. They do not give us any definite picture or feeling of movement. Try to use verbs that really express action. In the following paragraph from a speech of Theodore Roosevelt's notice the verbs that express action: I preach to you, then, my countrymen, that our country calls not for the life of ease, but for the life of strenuous endeavor. The twentieth century looms before us big with the fate of many nations. If we stand idly by, if we seek merely swollen, slothful ease, and ignoble peace, if we shrink from the hard contests where men must win at the hazard of their lives and at the risk of all they hold dear, then the bolder and stronger people will pass us by and will win for themselves the domination of the world. Answer the following questions: 1. What are the two necessary parts of a sentence? 2. Which of these two parts is the more important? Why? 3. In what kind of sentences is the subject omitted? 4. What is the complete subject? the subject substantive? 5. What is the complete predicate? the predicate verb? 6. Give an example of a predicate that expresses action; of a predicate that describes the subject. Which kind of predicate is stronger? 7. What is a phrase? 8. What is a modifier? EXERCISE 1. Write a sentence containing a phrase. Tell what the phrase modifies. 2. Write a sentence in which the subject is omitted. 3. Write a sentence containing a modifier of the subject. 4. Write a sentence containing a modifier of the predicate. 5. Write a sentence containing a verb of action. 6. Write a sentence in which the predicate describes the subject. 7. Give the complete subject of each sentence you have written. 8. Give the subject substantive of each sentence you have written. To is used with verbs of motion; as, "I went to school." At is used with verbs expressing presence in; as, "I shall stay at home." Never say "I was to home." EXERCISE Fill each blank in the following sentences with the correct form to or at. Then answer the questions with complete sentences in which you use to and at correctly. Give your answers aloud. VII. KINDS OF SENTENCES Declarative Sentences. The sentence "He is talking" merely expresses a fact, while the sentence "Stop talking" gives a command or a request. A sentence that makes a statement or gives a command is a declarative sentence. A period is usually placed at the end of a declarative sentence. Interrogative Sentences. The sentence "When are you going home?" asks a question. A sentence that asks a question is an interrogative sentence. A question mark is always placed at the end of an interrogative sentence. Exclamatory Sentences. When a sentence is expressed with strong feeling it is called an exclamatory sentence; as, "How glad I am to see you!" Declarative and interrogative sentences are exclamatory when they express surprise or strong feeling; as, "You do me an injustice!" "Is that possible!" An exclamatory sentence is followed by an exclamation point. EXERCISE Classify the following sentences and tell what mark of punctuation should follow each: 1. Julius is the youngest boy in school 2. Do you expect to go away this summer 3. Look at that lovely rose 4. How beautiful it is 5. Will you hold my books just a minute 6. Please give me a drink 7. They are very pretty girls 8. Is the little one younger than her sister 9. Oh how my heart does ache 10. Come here immediately |