CONSTRUCTION OF CONJUNCTIONS

944. RULE XIX.-Conjunctions connect WORDS or SENTENCES (561).

945. Words of the same class, having a similar relation to another to which they belong, are connected by a conjunction. Thus

1. Nouns or pronouns; as, "James and John and I are here."

2. Adjectives; as, "A prudent, brave, and honorable man."

3. Verbs; as, "Cæsar came and saw and conquered."

4. Adverbs, or adverbs and adjuncts; as, "He won the prize fairly and hono ably," or "fairly and with honor."

5. Prepositions; as, "To and from the city"—" Up and down the hill.”

946. Verbs connected have the same nominative; as, "James reads and writes." 947. Nouns or pronouns connected in the nominative case, either as subjects or attributes, are related as such to the same verb; as, " John and James are cousins'' -"He is a gentleman and a scholar."

948. Nouns or pronouns connected in the possessive case are governed by the same noun; as, "John's and James's books."

949. Nouns or pronouns, connected in the objective case, are governed by the same verb or preposition; as, "He studies grammar and logic"-" Give the books to him and me."

950. When nominatives belong to different verbs, or verbs to different nomina tives, the conjunction connects the sentences, not the words; as, "John reads and James writes."

951. Simple sentences or clauses are connected by conjunctions, so as to form one compound sentence; as, "I said that ye are gods; but ye shall die."

952. Similar sentences, whether dependent or independent, are connected by the conjunctions and, or, nor, but, yet, &c.

953. Dependent members or clauses are connected with their leading clauses by such conjunctions, or other connective words, as may properly indicate the relation intended (962 and 963).

954. Conjunctions are frequently understood between the words or sentences connected; as, Cæsar came, saw, and conquered."—" The men, women, and children, were present."—"It is the part of those that are great to give-of those that are poor to ask."-" Learning collects materials; wisdom applies them."

SPECIAL RULES.

"Do

955. RULE 1.-Conjunctions connect the same moods and tenses of verbs, and cases of nouns and pronouns; as, good, and seek peace."-" Honor thy father and mother." [This rule applies to the infinitive and participles.]

956. Verbs of the same mood and tense, under this rule, are generally also in the same form (474); as, "He reads and writes," (not, does write).

957. Verbs in different clauses, connected by a conjunction, but having a different construction, may be in different moods and tenses; as "I read that I may learn."

958. When two or more verbs in the compound tenses, or in the progressive or emphatic form, or in the passive voice, are connected, the auxiliary expressed with the first, may be understood to the rest; as, "He can neither read nor write."

Diligence should be commended and rewarded." Still, however, the repetition of the auxiliary is often more emphatic; as, "They shall come, and they shall declare his truth."

959. Verbs of the same mood, tense, or form, connected as a compound predi cate (627), have the nominative expressed with the first, and understood to the rest; as, Cæsar came, saw, and conquered." But-

960. When verbs connected are not of the same mood, tense, or form, and espe cially if contrast or opposition, expressed by but, though, yet, is intended, the nominative is frequently repeated; as, "He came, but he would not stay." But still961. This is to be regarded only as a general direction, in accordance with, perhaps, the majority of cases, but to which, as a rule, there are many exceptions. The object aimed at is to secure euphony and perspicuity; and when these are preserved without repeating the nominative, it may be omitted; as, "The two charges had been, and still are, united in one person."-North British Review.

962. After expressions implying doubt, fear, or denial, the conjunction that is properly used-not lest, but, but that; as, "I do not doubt that he is honest? -“I am afraid that he will die." Also, what should never be used for that. Thus, "He will not believe but what I am to blame," should be, "but that I am to blame."

963. RULE 2.-Certain words in the antecedent member of a sentence, require corresponding connectives in the subsequent one; thus

1. In clauses or words simply connected

Both

Either

Neither

Whether

Though

Not only

requires and (567); as, Both he and I came."

or (570); as, "Either he or I will come."

nor (570); as, "Neither he nor I came."

or; as, "Whether he or I came."

yet; as, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.

but also; as, "Not only he but also his brother goes."

2. In clauses connected so as to imply comparison

The comparative degree requires than; as, "He is taller than I am."
Other requires than; as, "It is no other than he."

Else

As

As

So

So

Such

than; as, "What else do you expect than this?"

as (expressing equality); as, " He is as tall as I am."
80 (expressing equality); as, “As thy day is, so shall thy
strength be."

as (with a negative, expressing inequality); as, “He is not

learned as his brother."

that (expressing consequence); as, "He is so weak that he can not walk."

as (expressing similarity); as, "He or such as he."

For as and so, in comparison, see 531. For as, sometimes regarded as a relative, see 271-as a connective of words in apposition, 674. For the infinitive after so as see 884.

964. And, or, nor, do not require the corresponding antecedent, and though does not always require yet. By poetic license (1048-6), or and nor are sometimes ased as antecedents, instead of either, neither (570).

66

965. In sentences implying comparison, there is commonly an ellipsis in the second member, after than and as; My punishment is greater than [that is which] I can bear."-" My punishment is as great as [that is which] I can bear." And sometimes in sentences not implying comparison, after though and if; as, "Though [it is] coarse, it is good.”—“ He is kind, if [he is] sincere” (978–7).

966. A relative after than is put in the objective case; as, "Satan, than whom none higher sat." This anomaly has not been satisfactorily explained. In this case, some regard than as a preposition. It is probably only a case of simple enallagé (1044-4).

967. RULE 3.—When a subsequent clause or part of a sentence is common to two different but connected antecedent clauses, it must be equally applicable to both; as, "That work always has been, and always will be, admired."—"He is as tall, though not so handsome, as his brother."

968. When this rule is violated, the correction is made, either

1. By altering one of the antecedent clauses, so that the subsequent may be applicable to both. Thus, "The story has and will be believed," is not correct, because, though we can say, will be believed, we can not say, has be believed. It should be, "The story has been, and will be, believed," or—

2. If this can not be done, we may complete the construction of the first part by annexing its appropriate subsequent, and leave the subsequent of the second under stood. Thus, "He was more beloved but not so much admired as Cynthio," is not correct, because we can not say, "He was more beloved as Cynthio." It should be, "He was more beloved than Cynthio, but not so much admired."

969. The principle of this rule applies to the appropriate selection of words as well as to their construction; thus, "This doctrine is founded and consistent with the truth," should be, “founded upon, and consistent with," &c.

EXERCISES TO BE CORRECTED.

In the following sentences point out the conjunctions, the words or sentences connected by them-see whether they correspond, according to the rules, and if not, correct and give a reason for the change.

(955) He reads and wrote well. Anger glances into the breast of a wise man, but will rest only in the bosom of fools. If he understand the subject and attends to it, he can scarcely fail of success. Enjoying health and to live in peace are great blessings. Be more anxious to acquire knowledge than about showing it. Be more anxious about acquiring knowledge than to show it.

You and me are great friends. This is a small matter between

you and I. My father and him are very intimate. He is taller than me; but I am older than him.

(956) He reads and writeth well. He reads and does write well. He reads and is writing well. Does he not read and writes well! Did he not tell thee his fault, and entreated thee to forgive him? Earth hath her solitudes, and so has life.

(958) He can neither read nor can write. I will come and will see you, and will tell you the whole story. He should have written, or should have sent, or should have come himself.

(960) Can these persons consent to such a proposal, and will consent to it? How distinguished for talents he is, and how useful might be. He might have been happy and now is convinced of it. He could command his temper, though would not.

(962) I do not deny but he has merit. They were afraid lest you would be offended. We were apprehensive lest some accident had happened to him. We can not deny but what he was ill-treated. We can not doubt but what he is well. I can not see but what he is well.

(963-1) It is neither cold or hot. It is so clear as I need not explain it. The relations are so uncertain, as that they require much examination. The one is equally deserving as the other. I must be so candid to own that I have been mistaken. He would not do it nimself nor let me do it. He was as angry as he could not speak. So as thy days so shall thy strength be. Though he slay me so will I trust in him. He must go himself or send his servant. There is no condition so secure as can not admit of change. He is not as eminent and as much esteemed as he thinks himself to be.

(963-2) He has little more of the scholar besides the name. Be ready to succor such persons who need thy assistance. They had ro sooner risen but they applied themselves to their studies. These savage people seemed to have no other element but war. Such men that act treacherously ought to be avoided. He gained nothing further by his speech, but only to be commended for his eloquence. This is none other but the gate of Paradise.

(967) I always have and I always shall be of this opinion. He is bolder but not so wise as his companion. Sincerity is as valuable and even more so than knowledge. Their intentions might and probably were good. The reward has already or will hereafter be given to him. Will it be urged that these books are as old or even older than tradition. This book is preferable and cheaper than the other. He takes no care nor interest in the matter

INTERJECTIONS.

970. RULE XX.-Interjections have no grammatical connexion with the other words in a sentence (556).

971. After interjections, pronouns of the first person are commonly in the objective case; those of the second, in the nominative; as, "Ah me!"—"O thou!"

972. In neither of these, however, does the case depend on the interjection. The ɔbjective is commonly thought to be governed by a word understood; thus, "Ah [pity] me!"—" Ah [what will become of] me!" The nominative is commonly the nominative of the person addressed (773).

GENERAL RULE.

973. In every sentence, the words employed, and the order in which they are arranged, should be such, as clearly and properly to express the idea intended; and at the same time, all the parts of the sentence should correspond, and a regular and dependent construction be preserved throughout.

974. This may be regarded as a general rule, applicable to every case, and there fore comprehending all the preceding. Though these are so full and minúte as to embrace almost everything belonging to the proper construction of sentences, yet there will sometimes occur instances of impropriety in the use, and arrangement, and connexion of words, for the avoiding or correcting of which no very specific rules can be given.

975. Among the evils to be guarded against under this general rule, are the fol. lowing:

1. The use of words which do not correctly or properly convey the idea intended, or which convey another with equal propriety.

2. The arrangement of words and clauses in such a way, that their relation to other words and clauses is doubtful, or difficult to be perceived.

3. The separating of adjuncts (541) from their principals, and placing them so that they may be joined to words to which they do not belong (832). 4. The separating of relative clauses improperly from their antecedents (755 and 759).

5. Using injudiciously, or too frequently, the third personal or possessive pronoun, especially in indirect discourse (1130).

EXERCISES.

The following sentences are not grammatically incorrect, but from some of the causes mentioned above, are obscure, inelegant, ambiguous, or unintelligible. Let the pupil point out the error and correct it, and give a reason for the correction.

The son said to his father that he had sinned against Heaven. A farmer went to a lawyer, and told him that his bull had gored his ox.