alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

ETYMOLOGY-VERBS-MOODS. 69
In paning such examples, it is generally better in tbe active voice, to
parse the words. separately-laugh, as lin intrunsiti ve verb, and at a' a
preposition, followed by its object; but in the pussive voice, tbey must be
parsed together as one word-a transitive verb, in the passive voice.
2. Intransitive verbs are transitive. when followed by a nonn of similar
signification as the object; as, intransitive, " I run;" transitive, active" I
run a race;" passive, " A race is run by me."
3. Intransitive verbs become transitive, when used in a callsfltive sense;
that is, when they denote the causing of that act or state which the verb
properly expresses; as, " Walk your horse round thc Yllrd."-" The pro·
prietors run a stage·eoach daily." Passively, "Your horse was walked
[made to walk] round the yard."-" A stage·coach i8 Tim [made to run]
daily by the proprietors." Intransitive verbs, used in this way, are called
CAUSATIVES.
4. Many verbs in the active voice, by an idiom peculiar to the English,
are used in a sense nearly allied to the passive, bnt for which the passive
will not IIlwllys be a proper substitute. Thus, we say, " This field plol/glts
well "-" These lilles read smootbly "-" This fruit tastes Litter "-" Linen
wears better than cotton." The idea here expressed is quite different from
tbat expressed by the passive form: "This field is well ploughed"­
.. These lines are smoothly read." Sometimes, howeyer, the same iclea is
expressed by both forms: tbus, "Wheat sells readily," or, .. is sold readily
at an advanced price." (ExpressioDs of this kind are usually maGe in
French by the reflected verb; thus, .. Ce champ se laboure bien,"-" Ces
Jignes se lilent aisement.") When used in tbis sense, they may properly
be ranked with intransitive verbs, as they are never followed by an objec.
tive case.
MOODS.
376. MOOD is the mode or manner of expressing the
signification of the verb.
377. In English Grammar, the moods are five j namely,
the Indicative, Potential, Subjunctil!e, Imperative, and
Infinitive.
378. The bDICATIVE mood declares the fact expressed
by the verb, simply and without limitation j as, " He is,"
-" He loves,"-" He is lOlled" (494, 507).
379. In other words, the indicative mood attributes to its subject the
(lct, being, or ,tale, expressed by the verb, simply and without limitation.