Table of Contents

LESSON I.

THE SENTENCE.

Is there a complete thought expressed in each of the following groups of words?—

1.	The maple leaf is an emblem of Canada.
2.	Honor thy father and thy mother.
3.	Who gathered these beautiful flowers?
4.	How sweetly the birds sing in spring!

A group of words that expresses a complete thought is called a sentence.

Which of the foregoing sentences declares something, which expresses a command, which asks a question, and which expresses a sudden feeling?

A sentence that asserts or declares something is called a declarative sentence.

A sentence that expresses a command or request is called an imperative sentence.

A sentence that asks a question is called an interrogative sentence.

A sentence that expresses a sudden or strong feeling is called an exclamatory sentence.

EXERCISE I.

State the use or office of each of the following sentences, and tell the kind of sentence:—

1.	The sun rises in the East.
2.	Every door opens to a smile.
3.	Keep thy heart with all diligence.
4.	Who is the author of that book?
5.	How tenderly a mother cares for her child!
6.	Every morn is the world made new.
7.	Sharpen this pencil for me.
8.	What bright uniforms the soldiers wear!
9.	The plowman homeward plods his weary way.
10.	How many lines have you written?

EXERCISE II.

1.	Write four declarative sentences.
2.	Write four imperative sentences.
3.	Write three interrogative sentences.
4.	Write two exclamatory sentences.

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LESSON II.

THE SUBJECT AND THE PREDICATE.

Name the thing which is spoken of in each of the following sentences, and what is said about it:—

1.	Gold is a precious metal.
2.	Flowers grow in the fields.
3.	The sailor’s home is on the sea.
4.	The flag of England floats above the citadel.

The part of a sentence that expresses the thing spoken of is called the subject.

The part of a sentence that expresses what is said about the subject is called the predicate.

The subject of a declarative sentence is generally placed before the predicate, but it is sometimes placed after the predicate; as,

EXERCISE I.

Name the subject and the predicate of each of the following sentences:—

1.	The city of Ottawa is the capital of Canada.
2.	Three wives sat up in the lighthouse tower.
3.	All the children were gathering flowers.
4.	Our friends have arrived in the city.
5.	Home they brought her warrior dead.
6.	John Cabot discovered Canada in 1497.
7.	All along the banks were the skeletons of canoes.
8.	Through this forest ran a beautiful river.
9.	Colder and louder blew the wind.
10.	Down sunk the bell with a gurgling sound.

The subject of an imperative sentence is thou, ye or you. It is seldom expressed; as,

	Listen to the singing of the birds.
	Carry these books for me.
	Praise ye the Lord.

EXERCISE II.

Name the subject and the predicate and state the kind of sentence of each of the following:—

1.	Who hath not lost a friend?
2.	Gather up the fragments.
3.	Here comes the train!
4.	Why did you take away my book?
5.	The shades of night were falling fast.
6.	How lightly she trips along!
7.	In one corner of the room stood my grandfather’s clock.
8.	Send this note to the post.
9.	How strange our old home looks!
10.	At the dawn of day he ascended the hill.

EXERCISE III.

1. Write four examples of an assertive sentence and name the subject and the predicate of each sentence.

2. Write four examples of an imperative sentence and name the subject and the predicate of each sentence.

3. Write four examples of an interrogative sentence and name the subject and the predicate of each sentence.

4. Write four examples of an exclamatory sentence and name the subject and the predicate of each sentence.

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LESSON III.

NOUNS.

State the words that are used as names in the following sentences:—

1.	The shoes worn by the soldiers were made in England.
2.	Near this tree is the grave of a pioneer.
3.	Chaucer is the father of English poetry.
4.	Love had he found in huts where poor men lie.

A word used as a name is called a noun.

EXERCISE I.

Name the nouns in the following sentences:—

1.	There are seven provinces in Canada.
2.	Then the fly lit his lamp of fire.
3.	The bloom of that fair face is wasted.
4.	The boy stood on the burning deck.
5.	And then my heart with pleasure fills,
	And dances with the daffodils.
6.	He goes on Sunday to the church
	And sits among his boys.
7.	I hear in the chamber above me
	The patter of little feet,
	The sound of a door that is opened,
	And voices soft and sweet.
8.	A violet by a mossy stone,
	Half hidden from the eye!
	Fair as a star, when only one
	Is shining in the sky.

EXERCISE II.

Write sentences containing—

1.	The name of a place.
2.	The name of a person.
3.	The name of a tree.
4.	The name of a metal.
5.	The name of an article of food.
6.	The name of an animal.
7.	The name of a quality.
8.	The name of an action.

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LESSON IV.

PRONOUNS.

Name the nouns for which the words printed in italics are used in the following sentences:—

1.	The teacher went home when he finished the lesson.
2.	The mother kissed her boy when she received him.
3.	A baby was sleeping,
	Its mother was weeping
	For her husband was far on the wild raging sea.

A word used for a noun is called a pronoun.

By the use of the pronoun, a person or thing is referred to without naming it, and the too frequent repetition of the same noun is avoided.

EXERCISE I.

Select the pronouns in the following sentences, and state the noun for which each is used:—

1.	Men find plants where they least expect them.
2.	The parents returned home when they found their child.
3.	The king took the hand of his friend and pressed it to his heart.
4.	A boy who is always grumbling will lose the friends that he has, and will not make many new ones.
5.	The ball lies where you left it.
6.	The boy’s father was anxious to send him to college, and therefore he studied the Latin grammar till he could bear it no longer.
7.	Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot
	O’er the grave where our hero we buried.
8.	As John and Charles were walking by the river, they both fell into it.
9.	Tell me what brings you, gentle youth, to Rome;
	To make myself a scholar, sir, I come.
10.	Then the maiden clasped her hands and prayed
	That savèd she might be;
	And she thought of Him who stilled the wave
	On the Lake of Galilee.

EXERCISE II.

1. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the speaker.

2. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the names of the speaker and others.

3. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the name of a person spoken to.

4. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the name of a person spoken of.

5. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the names of two or more persons spoken of.

6. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the name of a thing that has been previously spoken of.

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LESSON V.

ADJECTIVES.

Select the words in the following sentences that are used to describe or point out the things named by the nouns:—

1.	A tall man gave me this book.
2.	That little boy has a kind sister.
3.	I bought two sweet oranges.
4.	These grassy fields are owned by a rich man.

The word tall describes this particular man. The word this points out the particular book that is meant. Such words modify the nouns with which they are used.

A word used to modify a noun or pronoun is called an adjective.

EXERCISE I.

Name the adjectives in the following sentences, and state the use of each:—

1.	I found a rusty knife with a silver handle.
2.	Wise ministers and brave warriors flourished during Elizabeth’s reign.
3.	The sick girl was watched by a skilful nurse.
4.	Otters are much prized for their soft, glossy black fur.
5.	I lingered near the hallowed seat with listening ear.
6.	His withered cheek and tresses gray,
	Seemed to have known a better day.
7.	Her aged hand on his strong young arm
	She placed; and so, without hurt or harm
	He guided the trembling feet along,
	Proud that his own were firm and strong.
8.	His hair is crisp, and black, and long,
	His face is like the tan;
	His brow is wet with honest sweat,
	He earns whate’er he can,
	And looks the whole world in the face,
	For he owes not any man.

Model.—The adjectives in the first sentence are a, rusty, a and silver. A points out or indicates the species of the thing knife. Rusty describes the thing knife.

EXERCISE II.

Write sentences containing adjectives used to show:—

1.	What quality of thing is spoken of.
2.	How many things are spoken of.
3.	Which thing is referred to.

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LESSON VI.

VERBS.

Select the words in the following sentences that tell or assert something of the thing spoken of:—

1.	Boys play.
2.	The sun shines.
3.	The snow melts.
4.	Mountains are high.

A word that is used to make an assertion is called a verb.

EXERCISE I.

Name the verbs in the following sentences, and state what each tells or asserts:—

1.	The girls gathered some water-lilies.
2.	That house was built last century.
3.	He slept for three hours.
4.	The gardener fell from a high tree.
5.	The coachman struck the horse, and it kicked him.
6.	King Edward I. nearly conquered Scotland.
7.	She must weep or she will die.
8.	And still they rowed amidst the roar
	Of waters fast prevailing:
	Lord Ullin reached that fatal shore,
	His wrath was changed to wailing.

EXERCISE II.

Write sentences containing each of the following words used as subjects, and underline the verbs:—

Plants, rivers, paper, gold, pen, fish, birds, stars, flowers, money.

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LESSON VII.

ADVERBS.

Name the words in the following sentences that modify the verbs, that show how, when or where actions were performed:—

1.	The girls recited well.
2.	The teacher often read a story.
3.	I left my pencil there.

A word that is used to modify the meaning of a verb is called an adverb.

An adverb may also modify the meaning of an adjective, as, He is very quiet.

An adverb may also modify the meaning of another adverb; as, She writes more rapidly than you.

An adverb is a word that is used to modify the meaning of a verb, an adjective or another adverb.

EXERCISE I.

State the adverbs in the following sentences, and name the word which each modifies:—

1.	Here let us sit and talk of former times.
2.	I never saw so clear a sky.
3.	How proudly they strode along!
4.	Now let me die in peace.
5.	The grass is too damp yet.
6.	The face of the country suddenly changed.
7.	The next night it came again.
8.	The storm came on before its time;
	She wandered up and down,
	And many a hill did Lucy climb,
	But never reached the town.

EXERCISE II.

1. Write four sentences each containing an adverb modifying a verb.

2. Write two sentences each containing an adverb modifying an adjective.

3. Write two sentences each containing an adverb modifying an adverb.

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LESSON VIII.

PREPOSITIONS.

Name the words in the following sentences that express the relation of a noun or pronoun to some other word:—

1.	We withdrew from the room.
2.	The boys ran through the hall.
3.	This box is made of paper.
4.	I went to school with him.

A word that is used to express the relation of a noun or pronoun to some other word in the sentence is called a preposition.

The noun or pronoun which the preposition connects in sense with some other word in the sentence, is called its object; as, The men are in the field.

EXERCISE I.

Select the prepositions, and state the words between which each shows a relation:—

1.	He threw the ball over the fence.
2.	An old man fell into a pond.
3.	A stranger came within our gates.
4.	From many lands comes the cry for help.
5.	The boat went under the water.
6.	This letter was written by my sister.
7.	At noon I went home.
8.	I chatter over stony ways,
	In little sharps and trebles.
	I bubble into eddying bays,
	I babble on the pebbles.

EXERCISE II.

1. Write three sentences each containing a preposition expressing a relation between a noun and a verb. Underline the object.

2. Write three sentences each containing a preposition expressing a relation between two nouns. Underline the object of the preposition.

3. Write three sentences each containing a preposition expressing a relation between a noun and an adjective.

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LESSON IX.

CONJUNCTIONS.

Name the words that connect sentences, or words or phrases, used in the same way in the following sentences:—

1.	The sun shone out brightly and the mist cleared away.
2.	You may go, but I must remain here.
3.	Cold and damp was the maiden’s grave.
4.	The grass grows in the valley and on the mountain side.

A word that connects sentences, or words, or phrases, used in the same way in a sentence, is called a conjunction.

EXERCISE I.

Select the conjunctions in the following sentences, and tell what each connects:—

1.	I went to school, but my brother did not.
2.	My books are in my bag, or I have lost them.
3.	The boys ran away because they were afraid.
4.	Though I fail, I shall attempt to do it.
5.	He was a king, yet he was not happy.
6.	The rich and the poor meet together.
7.	Iron is more useful than gold.
8.	They had full warning, so that they are without excuse.
9.	I am sure that he did it.
10.	The morning came, the chaise was brought,
	But yet was not allowed
	To drive up to the door lest all
	Should say that she was proud.

EXERCISE II.

1. Write a sentence containing a conjunction connecting two sentences.

2. Write a sentence containing a conjunction connecting two phrases.

3. Write a sentence containing a conjunction connecting two adverbs.

4. Write a sentence containing a conjunction connecting two nouns.

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LESSON X.

INTERJECTIONS.

Name the words in the following sentences that express sudden or strong feeling:—

1.	Hurrah! the work is done.
2.	Alas! we were too late.
3.	Hush! she is sleeping now.
4.	Bravo! he has reached the boat.

A word used to express some sudden or strong feeling is called an interjection.

An interjection is not related to any word in the sentence.

Interjections express a variety of feelings, such as joy, sorrow, surprise, pain, contempt and strong desire.

EXERCISE I.

Select the interjections in the following sentences, and state the feeling expressed by each:—

1.	Oh! my tooth is aching again.
2.	Alas! he heeded not my warning.
3.	Hark! what means that distant cry?
4.	Pshaw! it is nothing but the wind.
5.	Hurrah! for England’s Queen.
6.	Ho! breakers on the weather bow.
7.	But O! eternity’s too short
	To utter all Thy praise.
8.	Hold! if ’twas wrong, the wrong is mine.

EXERCISE II.

Write six sentences, each containing an interjection.

Underline the interjections.

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We have now learned all the different classes of words in our language and the name of each class.

Since each class performs a certain office or part in the sentence, the different classes are called parts of speech.

EXERCISE.

State the office of each word in the following sentences, and tell what part of speech it is:—

1.	A rolling stone gathers no moss.
2.	I live for those who love me.
3.	The man walked across the bridge.
4.	The cherries on this tree are ripe.
5.	I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers.
6.	This boy lost his kite in a tree.
7.	The village master taught his little school.
8.	Slowly and sadly we laid him down.
9.	Crash! a terrific cry broke from three hundred hearts.
10.	I never was on the dull, tame shore,
	But I loved the great sea more and more.

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LESSON XII.

The part of speech or grammatical value of words is always determined by their use or function in the sentence.

EXERCISE I.

State the use or function of the italicized words in the following sentences, and tell the part of speech of each word:—

1.	We have a quire of paper.
2.	Our friends paper their walls every year.
3.	He put his hat in a paper box.
4.	It is a fine day.
5.	Magistrates fine those who break the laws.
6.	The penalty is a fine of twenty dollars.
7.	I know that story.
8.	He has the book that I require.
9.	We know that he is just.
10.	The word that is sometimes used to connect sentences.
11.	Give him the iron pail.
12.	The girls iron the clothes in the morning.
13.	He has a piece of iron.

EXERCISE II.

Show that the following words may have different grammatical values:—

	in,	water,	ring,	pin,	cover.
	round,	this,	lock,	cork,	silver.

Model:—	Come in. An adverb.
	My hat is in the room. A preposition.
	The word in was omitted. A noun.

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LESSON XIII.

CLASSES OF NOUNS.

Select in the following sentences the nouns that are names of particular persons or things, and the nouns that are names of all the members of a class of persons or things:—

1.	These little girls live with their parents in Toronto.
2.	Mary and Harold are going to visit their friends.
3.	On a little mound, Napoleon
	Stood on our storming day.—Browning.

A name of a particular or individual person or thing is called a proper noun; as, Mary, Saturday, Lake Ontario.

Proper nouns begin with capital letters.

A name that applies to all the members of a class of persons or things is called a common noun; as, girl, desk, river.

EXERCISE.

1. Write five sentences, each containing a proper noun, and underline the example in each sentence.

2. Write five sentences, each containing a common noun, and underline the example in each sentence.

II. CONCRETE AND ABSTRACT.

Select in the following sentences the nouns that are names of objects which have a real and separate existence outside of the mind, and those which are names of things that have no real existence and are only thought of in the mind:—

1.	Contentment is better than gold.
2.	Virtue is its own reward.
3.	Truth crushed to earth, shall rise again,—
	The eternal years of God are hers.—Bryant.

A noun that is the name of an object which has a real and separate existence outside of the mind, is called a concrete noun; as, gold, water.

A noun that is the name of something which has not a real and separate existence outside of the mind, is called an abstract noun; as, truth, justice.

EXERCISE.

1. Write five sentences each containing a concrete noun, and underline the example in each sentence.

2. Write five sentences each containing an abstract noun, and underline the example in each sentence.

Note.—All nouns may be classified into (1) proper and common, (2) concrete and abstract, hence the two preceding classifications are perfect. The classifications which follow are imperfect, since they do not include all nouns.

III. COLLECTIVE NOUNS.

Name the nouns in the following sentences that denote a collection of objects:—

1.	His family live in England.
2.	The army advanced during the night.
3.	The verdict is given by a jury.
4.	A committee of six was appointed by the members.

A noun of the singular form that stands for a collection or number of things is called a collective noun; as, He owns a herd of cattle.

EXERCISE.

Write five sentences each containing a collective noun, and underline the example in each sentence.

IV. VERBAL NOUNS.

Select the nouns ending in ing