Chapter V: Verbs (1)

49. A VERB has already been defined as a word stating something about the subject. Verbs are inflected or changed to indicate the time of the action as past, present, or future; as, _I talk, I talked, I shall talk_, etc. Verbs also vary to indicate completed or incompleted action; as, _I have talked, I shall have talked_, etc. To these variations, which indicate the time of the action, the name TENSE is given.

The full verbal statement may consist of several words; as, _He MAY HAVE GONE home_. Here the verb is _may have gone_. The last word of such a verb phrase is called the PRINCIPAL VERB, and the other words the AUXILIARIES. In the sentence above, _go (gone)_ is the principal verb, and _may_ and _have_ are the auxiliaries.

50. In constructing the full form of the verb or verb phrase there are three distinct parts from which all other forms are made. These are called the PRINCIPAL PARTS.

The First Principal Part, since it is the part by which the verb is referred to as a word, may be called the NAME-FORM. The following are name-forms: _do, see, come, walk, pass_.

The Second Principal Part is called the PAST TENSE. It is formed by adding _ed_ to the name-form; as, _walked, pushed, passed_. These verbs that add _ed_ are called Regular Verbs. The verb form is often entirely changed; as, _done (do), saw (see), came (come)_. These verbs are called Irregular Verbs.

The Third Principal Part is called the PAST PARTICIPLE. It is used mainly in expressing completed action or in the passive voice. In regular verbs the past participle is the same in form as the past tense. In irregular verbs it may differ entirely from both the name-form and the past tense, or it may resemble one or both of them. Examples: _done (do, did), seen (see, saw), come (come, came), set (set, set)_.

51. THE NAME-FORM, when unaccompanied by auxiliaries, is used with all subjects, except those in the third person singular, to assert action in the present time or present tense; as, _I go, We come, You see, Horses run_.

The name-form is also used with various auxiliaries (_may, might, can, must, will, should, shall_, etc.) to assert futurity, determination, possibility, possession, etc. Examples: _I may go, We shall come, You can see, Horses should run_.

By preceding it with the word _to_, the name-form is used to form what is called the PRESENT INFINITIVE; as, _I wish to go, I hope to see_.

What may be called the S-FORM of the verb, or the SINGULAR form, is usually constructed by adding _s_ or _es_ to the name-form. The s-form is used with singular subjects in the third person; as, _He goes, She comes, It runs, The dog trots_.

The s-form is found in the third personal singular of the present tense. In other tenses, if present at all, the s-form is in the auxiliary, where the present tense of the auxiliary is used to form some other tense of the principal verb. Examples: _He has_ (present tense), _He has gone_ (perfect tense), _He has been seen_.

Some verbs have no s-form; as, _will, shall, may_. The verb _be_ has two irregular s-forms: _Is_, in the present tense, and _was_ in the past tense. The s-form of _have_ is _has_.

52. The past tense always stands alone in the predicate; i. e., IT SHOULD NEVER BE USED WITH ANY AUXILIARIES. To use it so, however, is one of the most frequent errors in grammar. The following are past tense forms: _went, saw, wore, tore_. To say, therefore, _I have saw, I have went, It was tore, They were wore_, would be grossly incorrect.

53. The third principal part, the past participle, on the other hand, CAN NEVER BE USED AS A PREDICATE VERB WITHOUT AN AUXILIARY. The following are distinctly past participle forms: _done, seen, sung_, etc. One could not then properly say, _I seen, I done, I sung_, etc.

The distinction as to use with and without auxiliaries applies, of course, only to irregular verbs. In regular verbs, the past tense and past participle are always the same, and so no error could result from their confusion.

The past participle is used to form the _Perfect Infinitives_; as, _to have gone, to have seen, to have been seen_.

54. The following is a list of the principal parts of the most important irregular verbs. The list should be mastered thoroughly. The student should bear in mind always that, THE PAST TENSE FORM SHOULD NEVER BE USED WITH AN AUXILIARY, and that THE PAST PARTICIPLE FORM SHOULD NEVER BE USED AS A PREDICATE VERB WITHOUT AN AUXILIARY.

In some instances verbs have been included in the list below which are always regular in their forms, or which have both regular and irregular forms. These are verbs for whose principal parts incorrect forms are often used.

PRINCIPAL PARTS OF VERBS

_Name-form Past Tense Past Participle_ awake awoke or awaked awaked begin began begun beseech besought besought bid (to order or to greet) bade bidden or bid bid (at auction) bid bidden or bid blow blew blown break broke broken burst burst burst choose chose chosen chide chid chidden or chid come came come deal dealt dealt dive dived dived

_Name-form Past Tense Past Participle_ do did done draw drew drawn drink drank drunk or drank drive drove driven eat ate eaten fall fell fallen flee fled fled fly flew flown forsake forsook forsaken forget forgot forgot or forgotten freeze froze frozen get got got (gotten) give gave given go went gone hang (clothes) hung hung hang (a man) hanged hanged know knew known lay laid laid lie lay lain mean meant meant plead pleaded pleaded prove proved proved ride rode ridden raise raised raised rise rose risen run ran run see saw seen seek sought sought set set set shake shook shaken shed shed shed shoe shod shod sing sang sung sit sat sat slay slew slain sink sank sunk speak spoke spoken

_Name-form Past Tense Past Participle_ steal stole stolen swim swam swum take took taken teach taught taught tear tore torn throw threw thrown tread trod trod or trodden wake woke or waked woke or waked wear wore worn weave wove woven write wrote written

NOTES.--_Ought_ has no past participle. It may then never be used with an auxiliary. _I had ought to go_ is incorrect. The idea would be amply expressed by _I ought to go_.

MODEL CONJUGATIONS of the verbs _to be_ and _to see_ in all forms are given under §77 at the end of this chapter.

EXERCISE 29

_In the following sentences change the italicized verb so as to use the past tense, and then so as to use the past participle:_

Example: (Original sentence), _The guests begin to go home._
(Changed to past tense), _The guests began to go home._
(Changed to past participle), _The guests have begun to go home._

1. Our books _lie_ on the mantel. 2. John _comes_ in and _lays_ his books on the desk. 3. I _see_ the parade. 4. He _runs_ up the road. 5. They _set_ their chairs in a row. 6. The noise _wakes_ me. 7. Cæsar _bids_ him enter. 8. If they _prove_ their innocence, they should be discharged. 9. His friends _plead_ strongly for him. 10. Do you know what they _mean_ by that? 11. I _awake_ early every morning. 12. He _begins_ to think of strange things. 13. The children _beseech_ me to go with them. 14. My mother _bids_ me to say that she will be here at six. 15. Smith _bids_ fifty dollars for the chair. 16. My servants _break_ many dishes. 17. They _choose_ their associates. 18. The box _bursts_ open. 19. His mother _chides_ him for his misbehavior. 20. He _comes_ here every day. 21. I _deal_ there this week. 22. The boys _dive_ beautifully. 23. You _do_ so much more than is necessary. 24. They _draw_ lots for the watch. 25. Jones _drinks_ this wine very seldom. 26. They _drive_ over to Milton once a week. 27. They _drive_ a sorrel horse. 28. The cows _eat_ grass. 29. The Gauls _flee_ before Cæsar. 30. The swallows all _fly_ into the chimney at evening. 31. They _forsake_ the cause without any reason. 32. Cæsar _gives_ them no answer. 33. They _get_ no money for their services. 34. You _forget_ that we have no right to do that. 35. Water _freezes_ at thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. 36. The ball _goes_ to the opposing team. 37. You _hang_ the rope on the tree. 38. The sheriff _hangs_ the murderer at noon. 39. I _know_ of nothing more worrying. 40. She _lays_ the knife on the table. 41. They _lie_ in bed until eleven. 42. Why they _rise_ so late, I do not know. 43. They _raise_ no objection. 44. John _runs_ very rapidly. 45. You _sit_ very quietly. 46. Cæsar _seeks_ to learn the intention of the enemy. 47. The politician vigorously _shakes_ all hands. 48. The roof _sheds_ water in all storms. 49. The blacksmith _shoes_ horses. 50. The choir _sings_ for each service. 51. You _speak_ too rapidly to be easily understood. 52. Few men _steal_ because they want to. 53. I _swim_ one hundred yards very readily. 54. They _teach_ all the elementary branches there. 55. You _take_ all subscriptions for the concert. 56. Those clothes _tear_ readily. 57. They _tread_ the grapes in making wine. 58. Who _throws_ paper on the floor? 59. I always _wear_ old clothes in which to work. 60. She _writes_ to her mother daily. 61. They _weave_ the best rugs in Philadelphia.

EXERCISE 30

_Write original sentences containing the following verbs, correctly used:_

Begun, blew, bidden, bad, chose, broke, come, dealt, dived, drew, driven, flew, forsook, froze, given, give, gave, went, hanged, knew, rode, pleaded, ran, seen, saw, shook, shod, sung, slew, spoke, swum, taken, torn, wore, threw, woven, wrote, written.

EXERCISE 31

_Insert the proper form of the verb in the following sentences. The verb to be used is in black-faced type at the beginning of each group:_

1. BEGIN. He ---- to act at once. The reports ---- to disturb
him a little. He has ---- to feel hurt over them.
2. BID. The proprietor ---- us a pleasant good day. No matter
how much he ---- the auctioneer will not hear him. We were
---- to enter.
3. BLOW. The cornetist ---- with all his might. The ship was
---- about all day. The wind does ---- terrifically sometimes.
It may ---- to-night. The wind ---- all last night.
4. BREAK. He fell and ---- his leg. It is well that his neck
was not ----.
5. BURST. During the battle the shells frequently ---- right
over us. Oaken casks have often ----.
6. CHIDE. He ---- us frequently about our actions. He was
never ---- himself.
7. CHOOSE. They ---- him president. They have ---- wisely.
8. COME. He ---- at nine to-day. He has always ---- earlier
heretofore. Let him ---- when he wishes.
9. DEAL. Before explaining the game, he ---- out the cards.
10. DIVE. Twice last summer he ---- off the bridge.
11. DO. Thou canst not say I ---- it. He often ---- it.
12. DRAW. The picture was ---- by a famous artist. He formerly
---- very well, but I think that now he ---- very poorly.
13. DRIVE. The horse was ---- twenty miles. He almost ----
it to death.
14. EAT. He ---- everything which the others had not ----.
How can he ---- that?
15. FLEE. Since the cashier has ----, they think that a warrant
would be useless.
16. FLY. The air-ship ---- three hundred miles on its first trip.
That it has ---- so far is sufficient proof of its success.
17. FORSAKE. He ---- his new friends just as he had ---- all the
others.
18. FREEZE. The man was ---- stiff. He evidently ---- to death
so easily because he had been so long without food.
19. GIVE. She was not ---- as much as her sisters. Her father
---- her less because of her extravagance. But, he now ----
her enough to make it up.
20. GO. She ---- to school to-day. She ---- yesterday. She has
---- every day this month.
21. KNOW. He ---- that he cannot live. As long as I have
---- him, this is the first time I ever ---- he was married.
22. MEAN. He ---- to do right, and has always ---- to do so.
23. RIDE. They ---- as if they had ---- a long distance. They
say that they ---- from Larimer this morning.
24. PLEAD. The mother ---- an hour for her son's life.
25. PROVE. They ---- him a thief in the eyes of the people, even
if he was not ---- so to the satisfaction of the jury.
26. RUN. John ---- the race as though he had ---- races all
his life. The race was ---- very rapidly. Soon after that race,
he ---- in another race.
27. SEE. Smith, who has just arrived, says he ---- two men
skulking along the road. He was not ---- by them. That play
is the best I ever ----.
28. SEEK. The detectives ---- all through the slums for him.
Now they ---- him in the better parts of the city. No criminal
was ever more eagerly ----.
29. SHAKE. During the day his hand was ---- five hundred times. He
---- hands with all who came.
30. SHOE. The entire army was ---- with Blank's shoes.
31. SING. The choir ---- the anthem as they had never ---- it before.
They always ---- it well.
32. SINK. The stone ---- as soon as it is in the water. The
ship was ---- in forty fathoms of water. They ---- the ship in
1861.
33. SPEAK. Though they claimed that they always ---- to her, she was
really never ---- to by any member of the family.
34. STEAL. The money was ----; whether or not he ---- it I
do not know. Everyone believes that he has frequently ---- goods
from the store.
35. TAKE. I was ---- for him several times that day. No one ever
---- me for him before.
36. TEACH. John ---- school every day. He has ---- for ten years.
He first ---- when he was eighteen years old.
37. TEAR. The dog ---- at the paper until it was ---- entirely
to pieces. He ---- up everything he finds.
38. THROW. He was ---- by a horse which never before ---- anyone.
39. WEAR. The trousers were ---- entirely out in a month, but I ----
the coat and vest for six months.
40. WEAVE. This carpet was ---- at Philadelphia. The manufacturers
say they never ---- a better one, and they ---- the best in the
country.
41. WRITE. Although he has ---- several times, he has never ----
anything about that. He ---- to me just last week. He ---- at
least once a month.

EXERCISE 32

_Correct the errors in the use of verbs in the following sentences:_

1. He plead all day to be released. 2. The horse was rode to death. 3. The letter was wrote before he knowed the truth. 4. He was immediately threw out of the room. 5. She run around all day and then was sick the next day. 6. I never seen anything like it. 7. He was very much shook by the news. 8. The matter was took up by the committee. 9. The horse has been stole from the owner. 10. Goliath was slew by David. 11. The words have been spoke in anger. 12. I have went to church every day. 13. Was the river froze enough for skating? 14. He begun to take notice immediately. 15. The umbrella was blew to pieces. 16. I have broke my ruler. 17. Jones was chose as leader of the class. 18. He said he come as soon as he could. 19. I done it. 20. I have never did anything so foolish. 21. I have ate all that was in the lunch-box. 22. The horse was drove ten miles.

EXERCISE 33

_Write sentences in which the following verb forms are properly used:_

begun, blew, broke, chose, come, came, done, did, drew, drunk, drove, ate, flew, forsook, froze, forgot, gave, give, went, hang, hung, knew, rode, run, shook, sung, slew, spoke, stole, took, tore, threw, wore, wrote.

55. TRANSITIVE AND INTRANSITIVE VERBS. A TRANSITIVE VERB is one in which the action of the verb goes over to a receiver; as, _He KILLED the horse, I KEEP my word_. In both these sentences, the verb serves to transfer the action from the subject to the object or receiver of the action. The verbs in these sentences, and all similar verbs, are transitive verbs. All others, in which the action does not go to a receiver, are called INTRANSITIVE VERBS.

56. ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE. The ACTIVE VOICE represents the subject as the doer of the action; as, _I tell, I see, He makes chairs_. The PASSIVE VOICE represents the subject as the receiver of the action; as, _I am told, I am seen, I have been seen, Chairs are made by me_. Since only transitive verbs can have a receiver of the action, only transitive verbs can have both active and passive voice.

57. There are a few special verbs in which the failure to distinguish between the transitive and the intransitive verbs leads to frequent error. The most important of these verbs are the following: _sit, set, awake, wake, lie, lay, rise, arise, raise, fell_, and _fall_. Note again the principal parts of these verbs:

wake (to rouse another) woke, waked woke, waked awake (to cease to sleep) awoke, awaked awaked

fell (to strike down) felled felled fall (to topple over) fell fallen

lay (to place) laid laid lie (to recline) lay lain

raise (to cause to ascend) raised raised (a)rise (to ascend) (a)rose (a)risen

set (to place) set set sit (to rest) sat sat

The first of each pair of the above verbs is transitive, and the second is intransitive. Only the first, then, of each pair can have an object or can be used in the passive voice.

NOTES.--The following exceptions in the use of _sit_ and _set_ are, by reason of usage, regarded as correct: _The sun sets, The moon sets, They sat themselves down to rest_, and _He set out for Chicago_.

_Lie_, meaning to deceive, has for its principal parts, _lie, lied, lied. Lie_, however, with this meaning is seldom confused with _lie_ meaning to recline. The present participle of _lie_ is _lying_.

Compare the following sentences, and note the reasons why the second form in each case is the correct form.

WRONG RIGHT Awake me early to-morrow. Wake me early to-morrow. He was awoke by the noise. He was woke (waked) by the noise. He has fallen a tree. He has felled a tree. I have laid down. I have lain down. I lay the book down (past tense). I laid the book down. The river has raised. The river has risen. He raised in bed. He rose in bed. I set there. I sat there. I sat the chair there. I set the chair there.

EXERCISE 34

_Form an original sentence showing the proper use of each of the following words:_

Lie, lay (to place), sit, set, sat, sitting, setting, lie (to recline), lie (to deceive), lying, laying, rise, arose, raised, raise, fell (to topple over), fallen, felled, awake, wake, awaked, woke, falling, felling, rising, raising, waking, awaking, lain, laid, lied.

EXERCISE 35

_Correct such of the following sentences as are wrong:_

1. Let sleeping dogs lay. 2. The sun has sat in the golden west. 3. He has laid in bed all morning. 4. He will sit out on his journey this morning. 5. Let him sit there as long as he wishes. 6. He sat the chair by the table. 7. He awoke everybody at daylight. 8. He laid down to sleep. 9. Let him lie there until he wakes. 10. The shower has lain the dust. 11. The curtain raised because it was raised by his orders. 12. The river has risen four feet. 13. Falling trees is his amusement. 14. To have been awaked then would have been sad. 15. To have waked then would have been sad. 16. Waking at dawn, they renewed the journey. 17. He has set there all day. 18. He lay the papers before the judge. 19. The judge laid the papers aside. 20. Lieing in the shade is his most strenuous occupation.

EXERCISE 36

_In the following sentences fill the blanks with the proper forms of the verbs indicated:_

SIT AND SET

1. I ---- in that seat all the evening. 2. Please ---- here until I return. 3. He was still ----ting there on my return. 4. The sun ---- in the west. 5. He ---- out for home yesterday. 6. ---- down and rest awhile. 7. James ---- down and talked to me. 8. He was engaged in ----ting out flowers. 9. I ---- the bucket on the rock above the bridge. 10. Last evening we ---- at the table for more than an hour. 11. ---- here until I call my mother. 12. ---- the lamp on the table. 13. He has ---- there all day. 14. The chair was ---- by the desk. 15. I usually ---- up until twelve. 16. She ---- the hen on some eggs and she remained ---- there. 17. She told me to ---- there, and I ---- down. 18. By whom has the lamp been ---- there? 19. I ---- my chair by the window and ---- there all the afternoon. 20. How can she ---- still for so long? 21. The moon ---- at twelve.

LAY AND LIE

1. I ---- down this afternoon to rest. 2. I ---- in bed until late every morning. 3. I have frequently ---- in bed until eleven. 4. He always ---- his books on the desk. 5. He just now ---- his books on the desk. 6. He has ---- them there every morning. 7. His books have sometimes ---- there all day. 8. His books have sometimes been ----ing there before I arrive. 9. After he ---- down he remembered that he had left a letter on his desk. 10. Will it not be well for you to ---- down for a while? 11. I ---- on the grass yesterday for an hour or more. 12. I have ---- down and feel much better. 13. Now I ---- me down to sleep. 14. The scene of the play is ---- in rural Pennsylvania. 15. The tramps ---- behind the barn waiting for dawn. 16. I had ---- down to rest before (set or sit) ting out on my journey. 17. The floor was ---- by an expert carpenter. 18. She told me to ---- the matter before the teacher. 19. ---- down, Fido. 20. When we are weary, we ---- down. 21. Who ---- that on the table? 22. He has repeatedly ---- about the matter. 23. He ---- without the slightest hesitation. 24. ----ing down is a good way to rest. 25. ----ing is a sin. 26. He ---- to his father, and his father knew it.

RAISE AND RISE (ARISE)

1. I will ---- and go unto my father.
2. He has ---- early to-day.
3. I do not know why he ---- so early.
4. ---- your hand if you know.
5. Everyone ---- his hand.
6. They have all ---- their hands.
7. All their hands were ---- at once.
8. The price of meat has ----.
9. The bread would not ----.
10. I ---- in order that I might see better.
11. The flag was very carefully ----.
12. He tried to ---- himself from the condition into which he had
fallen.
13. The curtain is to ---- at eight. I myself shall see to ----ing
it then.
14. The boy ---- and answers.
15. He is ---- rapidly to prominence.
16. Will you please ---- the window?
17. The safe was ---- by means of a rope.
18. It is like trying to ---- one's self by one's boot-straps.
19. ---- and march to the front of the room.
20. The river ---- rapidly.

FELL AND FALL

1. Gladstone, when living, ---- a tree each morning for exercise.
2. To ---- an ox with one blow of the fist is a feat of wonderful
strength.
3. He was ---- to the earth by a blow from a club.
4. To ---- often is to be expected in learning to skate.
5. ----ing down is a small matter to the young.
6. He has often ---- from the roof of the porch.
7. After he ---- once, he seemed to try to do so again.
8. I did not see him----.
9. Not a shot is fired but a bird ----.
10. Let the tree be ---- across the road.
11. It is hard to avoid ----ing on the ice.

AWAKE AND WAKE

1. Have them ---- me very early.
2. He went upstairs and ---- his brother.
3. His brother did not wish to be ---- so early.
4. This morning I ---- at dawn.
5. It is unpleasant to ---- so early.
6. You say that you have never ---- after nine?
7. Who ---- so early, this morning?
8. He would not say who ---- him.
9. ----ing in the dead of night is unpleasant.
10. ----ing everybody up by their noise is an every night
occurrence.
11. The sun ---- me early.
12. The whole country-side seemed to ---- at once.
13. He had himself ---- at six o'clock.

58. MODE. Mode is that form of the verb which indicates the manner in which the action or state is to be regarded. There are several modes in English, but only between the indicative and subjunctive modes is the distinction important. Generally speaking, the INDICATIVE MODE is used when the statement is regarded as a fact or as truth, and the SUBJUNCTIVE MODE is used when the statement expresses uncertainty or implies some degree of doubt.

59. FORMS OF THE SUBJUNCTIVE. The places in which the subjunctive differs from the indicative are in the present and past tenses of the verb _be_, and in the present tense of active verbs. The following outline will show the difference between the indicative and the subjunctive of _be_:

INDICATIVE PRESENT OF BE INDICATIVE PAST OF BE I am we are I was we were thou art you are thou wert or wast you were he (she, it) is they are he (she, it) was they were

SUBJUNCTIVE PRESENT OF BE SUBJUNCTIVE PAST OF BE If I be If we be If I were If we were If thou be If you be If thou were If you were If he (she, it) be If they be If he (she, it) were If they were

_If_ is used only as an example of the conjunctions on which the subjunctive depends. Other conjunctions may be used, or the verb may precede the subject.

NOTE.--It will be noticed that _thou art_ and _thou wast_, etc., have been used in the second person singular. Strictly speaking, these are the proper forms to be used here, even though _you are_ and _you were_, etc., are customarily used in addressing a single person.

In the subjunctive of _be_, it will be noted that the form _be_ is used throughout the present tense; and the form _were_ throughout the past tense.

In other verbs the subjunctive, instead of having the s-form in the third person singular of the present tense, has the name-form, or the same form as all the other forms of the present tense; as, indicative, _he runs, she sees, it seems, he has;_ subjunctive, _if he run, though she see, lest it seem, if he have_.

NOTE.--An examination of the model conjugations under §77 will give a further understanding of the forms of the subjunctive.

60. USE OF INDICATIVE AND SUBJUNCTIVE. The indicative mode would be properly used in the following sentence, when the statement is regarded as true: _If that evidence is true, then he is a criminal_. Similarly: _If he is rich, he ought to be charitable_. Most directly declarative statements are put in the indicative mode.

But when the sense of the statement shows uncertainty in the speaker's mind, or shows that the condition stated is regarded as contrary to fact or as untrue, the subjunctive is used. Note the two sentences following, in which the conditions are properly in the subjunctive: _If those statements be true, then all statements are true, Were I rich, I might be charitable_.

The subjunctive is usually preceded by the conjunctions, _if, though, lest, although_, or the verb precedes the subject. But it must be borne in mind that these do not always indicate the subjunctive mode. THE USE OF THE SUBJUNCTIVE DEPENDS ON WHETHER THE CONDITION IS REGARDED AS A FACT OR AS CONTRARY TO FACT, CERTAIN OR UNCERTAIN.

It should be added that the subjunctive is perhaps going out of use; some of the best writers no longer use its forms. This passing of the subjunctive is to be regretted and to be discouraged, since its forms give opportunity for many fine shades of meaning.

EXERCISE 37

_Write five sentences which illustrate the correct use of BE in the third person singular without an auxiliary, and five which illustrate the correct use of WERE in the third person singular._

EXERCISE 38

_Choose the preferable form in the following sentences, and be able to give a definite reason for your choice. In some of the sentences either form may be used correctly:_

1. He acts as if it _were was_ possible always to escape death. 2. If it _was were_ near enough, I should walk. 3. If I _was were_ only wealthy! 4. If I _were was_ in his place, I should study medicine. 5. If you _are be_ right, then the book is wrong. 6. If he _was were_ I, he would come. 7. Though he _was were_ very economical, he remained poor. 8. Though she _was were_ an angel, I should dislike her. 9. If he _be is_ there, ask him to pay the bill. 10. If he _be is_ there, he makes no sign of his presence. 11. If this _be is_ wrong, then all love of country is wrong. 12. If it _rains rain_, I stay at school. 13. Take care lest you _are be_ deceived by appearances. 14. Would that I _was were_ a bird. 15. If it _snow snows_, I can't come. 16. If your father _comes come_, bring him to dinner. 17. If your father _was were_ here, you would act differently. 18. Though he _were was_ king over all the earth I should despise him. 19. If he _come comes_, he will find me at home. 20. _Was were_ it necessary, I should jump. 21. If to-morrow _be is_ pleasant, we shall go driving. 22. If my mother _was were_ here, she would say I might go. 23. If she _was were_ at home, I did not hear of it. 24. If that _is be_ his motive, he is unworthy. 25. Though this _seem seems_ improbable, it is true. 26. If a speech _is be_ praised by none but literary men, it is bad. 27. If the father _pays pay_ the debt, he will be released. 28. Though Mary _be is_ young, she is a writer of note. 29. Unless he _takes take_ better care of his health, he will die. 30. If he _be is_ honest, he has not shown it. 31. If he _be is_ honest, he will insist on paying me. 32. If he ever _tell tells_ the truth, he conceals the fact.

61. AGREEMENT OF VERB WITH ITS SUBJECT. THE VERB SHOULD AGREE WITH ITS SUBJECT IN PERSON AND NUMBER. The most frequent error is the failure of the verb to agree in number with its subject. Singular subjects are used with plural verbs, and plural subjects with singular verbs. These errors arise chiefly from a misapprehension of the true number of the subject.

The s-form of the verb is the only distinct singular form, and occurs only in the third person, singular, present indicative; as, _He runs, she goes, it moves_. _Is, was_, and _has_ are the singular forms of the auxiliaries. _Am_ is used only with a subject in the first person, and is not a source of confusion. The other auxiliaries have no singular forms.

Failure of the verb and its subject to agree in person seldom occurs, and so can cause little confusion.

Examine the following correct forms of agreement of verb and subject:

A barrel of clothes WAS shipped (not _were shipped_).

A man and a woman HAVE been here (not _has been here_).

Boxes ARE scarce (not _is scarce_).

When WERE the brothers here (not _when was_)?

62. AGREEMENT OF SUBJECT AND VERB IN NUMBER. The general rule to be borne in mind in regard to number, is that IT IS THE MEANING AND NOT THE FORM OF THE SUBJECT THAT DETERMINES WHETHER TO USE THE SINGULAR OR THE PLURAL FORM OF THE VERB. This rule also applies to the use of singular or plural pronouns.

Many nouns plural in form are singular in meaning; as, _politics, measles, news_, etc.

Many, also, are treated as plurals, though in meaning they are singular; as, _forceps, tongs, trousers_.

Some nouns, singular in form, are, according to the sense in which, they are used, either singular or plural in meaning; as, _committee, family, pair, jury, assembly, means_. The following sentences are all correct: _The assembly has closed its meeting, The assembly are all total abstainers, The whole family is a famous one, The whole family are sick_.

In the use of the adjective pronouns, _some, each_, etc., the noun is often omitted. When this is done, error is often made by using the wrong number of the verb. _Each, either, neither, this, that_, and _one_, when used alone as subjects, require singular verbs. _All, those, these, few, many_, always require plural verbs. _Any, none_, and _some_ may take either singular or plural verbs. In most of these cases, as is true throughout the subject of agreement in number, reason will determine the form to be used.

Some nouns in a plural form express quantity rather than number. When quantity is plainly intended the singular verb should be used. Examine the following sentences; each is correct: _Three drops of medicine is a dose, Ten thousand tons of coal was purchased by the firm, Two hundred dollars was the amount of the collection, Two hundred silver dollars were in the collection_.

EXERCISE 39

_In each of the following sentences, by giving a reason, justify the correctness of the agreement in number of the verb and the noun:_

1. The jury have agreed. 2. The jury has been sent out to reconsider its verdict. 3. The committee has presented its report, but they have differed in regard to one matter. 4. The whole tribe was destroyed. 5. The tribe were scattered through the different states. 6. The regiment were almost all sick. 7. A variety of persons was there. 8. The society meets each month. 9. The society is divided in its opinion. 10. A number were unable to be present. 11. A great number was present. 12. The number present was great. 13. What means were used to gain his vote? 14. That means of gaining votes is corrupt. 15. Seventeen pounds was the cat's weight. 16. Twenty years of his life was spent in prison. 17. Two hundred pounds was his weight. 18. The family are all at home. 19. The family is large. 20. A pair of gloves has been lost. 21. A pair of twins were sitting in the doorway. 22. The army was defeated.

EXERCISE 40

_Construct sentences in which each of the words named below is used correctly as the subject of some one of the verbs, IS, WAS, HAS, HAVE, ARE, WAS, HAVE, GO, GOES, RUN, RUNS, COME, COMES:_

One, none, nobody, everybody, this, that, these, those, former, latter, few, some, many, other, any, all, such, news, pains, measles, gallows, ashes, dregs, goods, pincers, thanks, victuals, vitals, mumps, flock, crowd, fleet, group, choir, class, army, mob, tribe, herd, committee, tons, dollars, bushels, carloads, gallons, days, months.

EXERCISE 41

_Go over each of the above sentences and determine whether IT or THEY should be used in referring to the subject._

63. THE FOLLOWING RULES GOVERN THE AGREEMENT OF THE VERB WITH A COMPOUND SUBJECT:

1. When a singular noun is modified by two adjectives so as to mean two distinct things, the verb should be in the plural; as, _French and German literature ARE studied._

2. When the verb applies to the different parts of the compound subject, the plural form of the verb should be used; as, _John and Harry ARE still to come._

3. When the verb applies to one subject and not to the others, it should agree with that subject to which it applies; as, _The employee, and not the employers, WAS to blame, The employers, and not the employee, WERE to blame, The boy, as well as his sisters, DESERVES praise._

4. When the verb applies separately to several subjects, each in the singular, the verb should be singular; as, _Each book and each paper WAS in its place, No help and no hope IS found for him, Either one or the other IS he, Neither one nor the other IS he._

5. When the verb applies separately to several subjects, some of which are singular and some plural, it should agree with the subject nearest to it; as, _Neither the boy, nor his sisters DESERVE praise, Neither the sisters nor the boy DESERVES praise._

6. When a verb separates its subjects, it should agree with the first; as, _The leader WAS slain and all his men, The men WERE slain, and also the leader._

EXERCISE 42

_Choose the proper form of the verb in the following sentences:_

1. Hard and soft coal _is are_ used. 2. The boy and the girl _have has_ come. 3. Neither James nor I _are is_ to go. 4. Neither James nor they _are is_ to go. 5. Henry, and not his sister, _is are_ sure to be invited. 6. The children and their father _was were_ on the train. 7. Each man and each woman _was were_ present. 8. Either Tennyson or Wordsworth _was were_ the author of that poem. 9. Either the man or his children _was were_ lost. 10. Either the children or their father _was were_ lost. 11. Bread and milk _are is_ frugal but wholesome fare. 12. The teacher _was were_ cut off by the fire, and also her pupils. 13. The pupils _was were_ cut off by the fire, and also the teacher. 14. Dogs and cats _is are_ useless animals. 15. Neither the daughters nor their mother _is are_ at home. 16. Either the soldier or his officers _is are_ mistaken. 17. The cat and all her kittens _was were_ at the door. 18. Tennyson, not Wordsworth, _were was_ the author. 19. Each of the trustees _has have_ a vote. 20. Our success or our failure _is are_ due solely to ourselves. 21. Neither sincerity nor cordiality _characterize characterizes_ him. 22. Everyone of these chairs _is are_ mine. 23. Each day and each hour _bring brings_ new questions. 24. The car and all its passengers _was were_ blown up. 25. The ambition and activity of the man _has have_ been the _cause causes_ of his success. 26. Old and new hay _is are_ equally good for horses. 27. Matthew or Paul _are is_ responsible for that belief. 28. A man, a woman, and a child _is are_ comprised in the group. 29. The pupils and also the teacher _were was_ embarrassed. 30. The teacher and also the pupils _were was_ embarrassed. 31. Neither he nor I _are is am_ going. 32. Book after book _was were_ taken from the shelves. 33. Either Aunt Mary or her daughters _is are_ coming. 34. Either the daughters or Aunt Mary _is are_ coming. 35. Aunt Mary, but not her daughters, _is are_ coming. 36. The daughters, but not Aunt Mary, _is are_ coming. 37. Both Aunt Mary and her daughter _is are_ coming. 38. Mary, and not her mother, _is are_ coming. 39. No preacher and no woman _is are_ allowed to enter. 40. Every adult man and woman _has have_ a vote. 41. Money, if not culture, _gains gain_ a way. 42. Brain power, as well as money, _talk talks_. 43. Each boy and girl _bring brings_ books.

64. SOME MISCELLANEOUS CAUTIONS IN REGARD TO AGREEMENT IN NUMBER:

1. Do not use a plural verb after a singular subject modified by an adjective phrase; as, _The thief, with all his booty, was captured_.

2. Do not use a singular form of the verb after _you_ and _they_. Say: _You were, they are, they were_, etc., not, _you was, they was,_ etc.

3. Do not mistake a noun modifier for the noun subject. In the sentence, _The SALE of boxes was increased, sale_, not _boxes_, is the subject of the verb.

4. When the subject is a relative pronoun, the number and the person of the antecedent determine the number and the person of the verb. Both of the following sentences are correct: _He is the only one of the men THAT IS to be trusted, He is one of those men THAT ARE to be trusted._ It is to be remembered that the singulars and the plurals of the relative pronouns are alike in form; _that, who_, etc., may refer to one or more than one.

5. Do not use incorrect contractions of the verb with _not_. _Don't_ cannot be used with _he_ or _she_ or _it_, or with any other singular subject in the third person. One should say, _He doesn't_, not _he don't; it doesn't_, not _it don't; man doesn't_, not _man don't_. The proper form of the verb that is being contracted in these instances is _does_, not _do_. _Ain't_ and _hain't_ are always wrong; no such contractions are recognized. Such colloquial contractions as _don't, can't_, etc., should not be used at all in formal composition.

EXERCISE 43

_Correct such of the following sentences as are wrong:_

1. The ship, with all her crew, were lost. 2. You was there, John, was you not? 3. They was never known to do that before. 4. A barrel of apples were sold. 5. How many were there who was there? 6. This is one of the books that is always read. 7. He don't know his own relatives. 8. I ain't coming to-night. 9. The art gallery, with all its pictures, was destroyed. 10. John, when was you in the city? 11. The book, with all its errors, is valuable. 12. Who they was, I couldn't tell. 13. This is one of the mountains which are called "The Triplets." 14. This is one of the eleven pictures that has gained prizes. 15. The hands of the clock is wrong. 16. The gallery of pictures are splendid. 17. This is one of those four metals that is valuable. 18. This is the one of those four metals that are valuable. 19. That answer, as you will see, hain't right. 20. The whole box of books were shipped.

EXERCISE 44

_In the following sentences correct such as are wrong:_

1. "Cows" are a common noun. 2. Such crises seldom occurs. 3. Fifty dollars were given him as a present. 4. There were four men, each of which were sent by a different bank. 5. At that time the morals of men were very low. 6. Mathematics are my most interesting study. 7. There was once two boys who was imprisoned in the Tower. 8. The jury is delivering its verdict. 9. The "Virginians" is a famous book. 10. Ten minutes were given him in which to answer. 11. Everyone of these farms are mine. 12. Lee, with his whole army, surrender. 13. Farm after farm were passed by the train. 14. He is one of the greatest men that has ever been president. 15. Three hundred miles of wires were cut down. 16. Three fourths of his time are wasted. 17. Three quarts of oats is all that is needed. 18. A variety of sounds charms the ear. 19. A variety of recitations were given. 20. The committee have adjourned. 21. Washington was one of the greatest generals that has ever lived. 22. Take one of the books that is lying on the table. 23. The house is one of those that overlooks the bay. 24. Question after question were propounded to him. 25. He was one of the best orators that has been produced by the school. 26. He is one of those persons who are quick to learn. 27. A black and white horse were in the ring. 28. A black and a white horse was in the ring. 29. The committee disagree on some points. 30. Mary, where was you yesterday? 31. The end and aim of his life are to get money. 32. All the crop were lost. 33. One of them are gone. 34. There comes the children. 35. Were either of these men elected? 36. The alumni of this school is not very loyal. 37. There seem to be few here. 38. There seems to be a few here. 39. Neither of the letters were received. 40. In all those songs there are a sprightliness and charm. 41. The Association of Engineers are still flourishing. 42. Neither John nor Henry have come. 43. Either this book or that are wrong. 44. This book and that is wrong. 45. This book, not that, is wrong. 46. Either this book or those students is wrong. 47. Either those students, or this book is wrong. 48. This chemical with its compounds were the agents used in tanning.

65. USE OF SHALL AND WILL. The use of the auxiliaries, _shall_ and _will_, with their past tenses, is a source of very many errors. The following outline will show the correct use of _shall_ and _will_, except in dependent clauses and questions:

To indicate simple futurity or probability:

Use _shall_ with _I_ and _we_; use _will_ with
all other subjects.

To indicate promise, determination, threat, or command on the part of the speaker; i. e., action which the speaker means to control;

Use _will_ with _I_ and _we_; use _shall_ with
all other subjects.

Examine the following examples of the correct use of _shall_ and _will_:

Statements as to probable future events:

_We shall_ probably be there.
I think _you will_ want to be there.
_It will_ rain before night.

Statements of determination on the part of the speaker:

_I will_ come in spite of his command.
_You shall_ go home.
_It shall_ not happen again, I promise you.

66. SHALL AND WILL IN QUESTIONS. In interrogative sentences _shall_ should always be used with the first person. In the second and third persons that auxiliary should be used which is logically expected in the answer.

Examine the agreement in the use of _shall_ and _will_ in the following questions and answers:

QUESTIONS. ANSWERS. _Shall_ I miss the car? You _will_ miss it. _Shall_ you be there? I think I _shall_ (probability). _Will_ he do it? I think he _will_ (assertion). _Shall_ your son obey the teacher? He _shall_ (determination). _Will_ you promise to come? We _will_ come (promise).

67. SHALL AND WILL IN DEPENDENT CLAUSES. In dependent clauses which are introduced by _that_, expressed or understood, the auxiliary should be used which would be proper if the dependent clause were a principal clause. The sentence, _They assure us that they SHALL come_, is wrong. The direct assurance would be, _We WILL come_. The auxiliary, then, in a principal clause would be _will_. _Will_ should, therefore, be the auxiliary in the dependent construction, and the sentence should read, _They assure us that they WILL come_. Further examples:

I suppose _we shall_ have to pay.
He thinks that _you will_ be able to do it.
He has decided that _John shall_ replace the book.

In all dependent clauses expressing a condition or contingency use _shall_ with all subjects. Examples;

_If he shall_ go to Europe, it will be his tenth trip abroad.
_If you shall_ go away, who will run the farm?
_If I shall_ die, I shall die as an honest man.

EXERCISE 45

_Justify the correct use of SHALL and WILL in the following sentences:_

1. I will go if you wish. 2. I shall probably go if you wish. 3. I will have it in spite of all you can do. 4. We shall return by way of Dover. 5. We will fight it out on this line if it takes all summer. 6. I feel that I shall not live long. 7. We think we shall come to-morrow. 8. I promise you, the money shall be raised. 9. You will then go to Philadelphia. 10. You shall never hear from me again. 11. He will surely come to-morrow. 12. How shall you answer him? 13. I think I shall ride. 14. He is sure they will come. 15. He is sure that I will come. 16. Shall you be there? 17. Will he who fails be allowed to have a reexamination? 18. Will you be there? 19. Will all be there? 20. He says he shall be there. 21. He has promised that he will be there. 22. I fear that he will fail to pass. 23. We think she will soon be well. 24. We are determined that they shall pay. 25. We expect that they will bring their books. 26. I doubt that he will pay. 27. We have promised that we will do it. 28. If he shall ask, shall I refer him to you?

EXERCISE 46

_Fill the blanks in the following sentences with SHALL or WILL:_