William Franklin Webster

The Elements of Grammar and Composition William Franklin Webster

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1906. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... 14. There was not a sound audible but that of the sheep-bells in some meadows by the river, and the creaking of a cart down the long road that descends the hill. 15. What a noble gift to man are the forests! What a debt of gratitude and admiration we owe to their utility and their beauty! How pleasantly the shadows of the wood fall upon our heads when we turn from the glitter and turmoil of the world of man! The winds of heaven seem to linger amid their balmy branches, and the sunshine falls like a blessing upon the green leaves; the wild breath of the forest, fragrant with bark and berry, fans the brow with grateful freshness; and the beautiful woodlight, neither garish nor gloomy, full of calm and peaceful influences, sheds repose over the spirit SECTION 187. COMPOSITION. (For the lesson in Composition, see page 234, Section 40.) SECTION 188. VERBS. A VERB IS A WORD THAT ASSERTS. (See Section 26.) A COPULATIVE VERB IS ONE WHOSE PRINCIPAL USE IS THAT OF A OOPULA. AN ATTRIBUTIVE VERB IS ONE THAT CONTAINS IN ITSELF A PREDICATE ATTRIBUTE. A TRANSITIVE VERB IS ONE THAT ASSERTS AN ACTION RECEIVED BY SOME OBJECT. (See Section 37.) AN INTRANSITIVE VERB IS ONE THAT DOES NOT ASSERT AN ACTION RECEIVED BY AN OBJECT. (a) The sun cheers the whole world. (b) The whole world is cheered by the sun. (c) A small force held Fort Sumter. (d) Fort Sumter was held by a small force. (e) Birds build wonderful nests. (f) Wonderful nests are built by birds. In each pair of sentences the same thought is expressed. In which does the subject name the doer of the action? In which does the subject name the receiver of the action? When the subject names the receiver of the action, how is the doer of the action expressed? VOICE IS THAT MODIFICATION OF A VERB WHICH INDICATES WHETHER THE SUBJECT...