alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

SYNTAX-ADJECTIVES. 151
grccn."-" John grows tall."-" Milk turns sour."-" Clay bums whitc."­
" Down feels soft."
686. Adjectives thus used are sometimes, though improperly, called
adverbial adjectives. As the adverb is sometimes used improperly instead
of the adjective in such expressions, the distinction should be e"refully
marked. Thus-
The adverb exprcsses the manner of the ael.
The adjective expresses the condition, or state of the subject.
Hence, when the meaning intended can be expressed by the corresponding
adjunct (5,11), the adverb should be used; as, "The' stn'am flows mpidly"
(in a rapid manner). Here the adverb rapidly modifies the verb fioll's.
But when the meaning call be expressed nearly by suhstituting the \'erb
to be or to become as a copula, the adjectil'e should be usc,l; as, "The
stream grows [becomes] rapid." This is furthcr illustrated by the follow·
ing examples, viz. ;-
ADJECTIV ES.
John grows [becomes] old.
She looks [is] cold.
He feels [is] warm.
The eagle flies lis J Itiglt.
The apple tastes l is] sweet.
ADVEaD.:;.
JOhll grows j'apidly [in a rapid manncr.l
She looks coldly [in a cold mannc,'] on him.
He feels warmly [in a warm manlll'!'] the insult.
The eagle flies swiftly [in a swift mauncr.]
JlIary 8iugs "wcetly [in a swect manner.]
687. Adjectivcs should not be used liS adverbs; thus, "mi.,erable poor,"
should be, "miserably poor "-" sings elegant," should be, .. Binga elegantly."
So also, adverbs should not be used as a'ljcctivcs «()25); thus, " He arrived
safely," should be, .. He arrived safe."
688. This here, that there, tit em books, are vulgarisms, fur this, that,
those hooks.
689. An adjective sometimes qualifies an adjective and noun togcther
as one compound term; liS, " A venerable old man "-" The best black tea."
690. Sometimes lin a,ljcctive modifies the~eaning of another adjec,
tive; as, .. red·hot iron "_u a bright·red color."
691. Severlll adjectives frequently qualify the same substauti\'c; liP,
" A large, strong, black horse."
This, that-these, those.
692. Whcn two or morc objects are contrasted, this refcl'3 to the bot
mentioned, that to the first; as, Virtue and vice are opposite qualities;
thai ennobles the mind, this debases it."
693. FJrl/ler amI latter are used in the same way (304). So also, the
one, the otlter, referring to words in the singular or plural (307).
694. When no contrast is expressed, this refel's to a thing near, or just
menti.ned, and that to a thing more rcmote or formerly mentioned.
CONSTRUCTION OF COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES.
695. When one object is compared with one other of the same class, or
with more than one of a different class, individually, Of in the aggregate,