alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

RULES OF SYNTAX. 145
RULE I1I.-I. The article a or an is put before common
nouns in the singular number, when used indefinitely
j as,
A man; a house; II tree; an acorn; an hour; II history; an historical
fact; a youth; a unit. 186-187 and '107.
2. The article the is put before common nouns either
singular or plural, when used definitely j as,
"The SUD shines."-"The moon rises."-uThe city of New York."­
"The age of improvement."-" The seven stars."-"The twelve Cresars."­
"The most virtuous (men) are the most happy" (707, 2).
RULE IV.-Pronouns agree with the nouns for which
they stand in gender, number, and person; as,
"All that a man hath will he give for his life."-" A tree is known by
its fruit."-" Jane is fond of her books; though she has long lessoDs, she
learns them well."-" The court has finished its busin!'ss."-" The people
elect their rulers" (729, &c.)
RULE V.-:-The relative agrees with its antecedent in
number and person; as,
"The man who speaks."-" The book which was lost."-" The frieuds
whom we love."-" Ye who love mercy."-'·I that speak to yon."-"The
same man that we saw."-"The best tbing you can do" (742, &c.)
RULE VJ.-The subject of a finite verb is put in the
nominative; as,
"I am."-"Thou speakest."-" He l'eads."-" We talk."-" Time flies.'
-" Who did that ?"-" I know who did it."-" Do you know who is to
blame "'_u He is taller than I (am)-than she (is)" ('160, &c.)
RULE. VII.-A substantive whose case depends on no
other word is put in the nominative absolute; as,
"The ship having arrived, all is safe."-" He being alooe, there was no
one to disturb him."-uYour fatbers, wbere are tbe) 1"-"01' I only and
Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working '''-'' 0 Absalom 1 my
son, my son I "_u Plato, thou reasonest well" (768, &0.)
RULE VIII.-A verb agrees with its nominative in
number and person; as,
"I write."-"Thou writest."-" He reads."-" We sell"-" They buy."
-"John and James are brothers."-"Jane or Mary is at home.,,-uThe
army is on its march."-" The people are kind."-u The man 'Who met us!'
_u He that is soon aDgry dealeth foolishly."_u Come (ye) and 8ee."-" Go
thou and do likewise."-" Who art thou i" ('176, &0.)
RULE IX.-The predicate substantive after a verb is
put in the same case as the subject before it; as,
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