Chapter II: Preface: To the Third Edition

The following work, which has been for some time out of print, having been favoured with the gratifying approbation of the Rev. Professor Dale, and selected by that learned and worthy preceptor, as one of the text books for the class of English literature in the University of London, a new edition has become necessary. The author’s time and attention having been recently devoted to another publication, which was not completed until it became indispensable that this volume should be sent to press, the only additions here introduced are such as occurred to the author while the work was proceeding through the hands of the printer. They will be found, however, to be in number not inconsiderable; and it is hoped, that in quality they will be thought not unworthy of the student’s attention. They consist chiefly of examples of solecism and impropriety, accompanied with such critical remarks as these errors have suggested, and such illustrations as they seemed to require. This mode of enlargement the author has preferred, persuaded of the truth of Dr. Lowth’s observation, that one of the most successful methods of conveying instruction is, “to teach what is right, by showing what is wrong.”

York Terrace, Regent’s Park.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.
PAGE

Of Language in general, and the English Alphabet 1

PART I.

OF ETYMOLOGY 12

CHAPTER I.

Of the Noun 16

CHAPTER II.

Of the Article 38

CHAPTER III.

Of the Pronoun 50

CHAPTER IV.

Of the Adjective 64

CHAPTER V.

Of the Verb 77

CHAPTER VI.

Of the Participle 102

CHAPTER VII.

Of Adverbs 142

CHAPTER VIII.

Of Prepositions 145

CHAPTER IX.

Of Conjunctions 153

CHAPTER X.

Of Interjections 160

PART II.

OF SYNTAX 161

PART III.

CHAPTER I.

CANONS OF CRITICISM 224

CHAPTER II.

Critical Remarks and Illustrations.

SECT. I.--The Noun 236

SECT. II.--The Adjective 244

SECT. III.--The Pronoun 254

SECT. IV.--The Verb 264

SECT. V.--The Adverb 284

SECT. VI.--The Preposition 290

SECT. VII.--The Conjunction 293

ETYMOLOGY AND SYNTAX

OF

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.