Any part of speech used as a noun, may be a subject; as, Up 1s a relative term. The ins and the outs are ever at war.

The subject of a sentence may always be ascertained by putting who or what before the verb; thus, in regard to the sentences above given, Who make good associates? The answer gives the subject, namely, the wise. What is human? Answer, to err. This phrase is the subject of the sentence.

EXERCISES.

1. Supply pronominal subjects in the following sen

tences:

appear to you in a new character. have a particular notion about it.

are to understand that I go on much in our old way.

2. Supply subjects that are adjectives: those which express quality, and those which only restrict, without expressing quality; as, each, every, five, ten, &c.

The are less numerous than the ignorant. The

[roof; the

—, praise.

is half of ten.

of us is deficient.

deserve re

one feels his loss.

3. Supply, as subjects, the infinitive mood:

is better than to walk.
is sinful.

the question.

trays great weakness.

is a trial of our patience.
is the mark of a wise man.

4. Supply participles as subjects:

one day in seven as sacred, is the duty of all.

that's

be

such disturb

5. Supply, as subjects, some syllable, or letter; some word used merely as a word; or any part of speech (not an adjective, participle, or pronoun) used as a noun:

is the third letter of the alphabet.
is an adverb.

in remember.

is the accented syllable

LESSON XXXIX.

THE COMPLEX OR MODIFIED SUBJECT.

The simple subject may be rendered more full or defi nite

1. By apposition; that is, by another noun in the same case, connected to it, for the sake of explaining or describing it; as, Paul, the Apostle, wrote several Epistles. Napoleon, the emperor, has gained great notoriety.

2. By a prepositional phrase; i. e., a phrase beginning with a preposition. The Emperor of France attracts universal attention. 3. By a noun or pronoun in the possessive case; as, The President's house is worth visiting. My house is for sale.

4. By an adjective; as, Good men are few.

5. By a participle; as, John, having died, was succeeded in office by his brother.

6. By a relative clause; that is, by a clause beginning with a relative pronoun; as, All that believe in Christ shall be saved. Men, who are penitent, may expect mercy. The belief that time is short urges us to repentance.

7. By an infinitive verb, alone, or with its modifying and dependent words adjoined: The desire to improve will prompt to effort. The desire to improve in learning will prompt to

effort.

8. By any words, however many, that modify the noun; as, Alfred, being unable to read, though twelve years of age, and loving Saxon poetry, to which he listened with undivided attention, when others read or recited it, applied himself with great zeal and success to the reading of the language.

9. The subject may consist of a quotation, or any phrase; as, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," is the noble sentiment of Paul. "Death or victory," is the watchword.

EXERCISES.

1. Modify the subjects by Nouns in Apposition. Nero, was detested. I, write this exercise. You, tate my example. We, ought not to live unto ourselves. 2. Modify the subjects by Prepositional Phrases.

Joan -, was a heroine. The King desire

is universal.

The love

imi

and Lord, is God. The is the root of all evil.

3. Modify the subjects by Nouns or Pronouns in the possessive case.

book is missing. The legate was despised. The sage has arrived. The · confidence failed. The tated.

4. Modify the subjects by Adjectives.

The

mes

arm was ampu

works of God deserve our study. The

miracles of Christ opportunities of gaining mental disci

prove his divine mission. The

pline should be improved.

5. Modify the subjects by Participles.

The

The

nation deserves our pity. The house met our view. soldiers fled in haste. I returned home.

6. Modify the subjects by a Relative Clause.

The art of English composition, -, may be acquired by diligent effort. The boy, will return in a few days. He, will be punish

ed. The child, will grow up to an infamous manhood.

8. Modify the subjects by a Phrase or Quotation.

were the last words of Marmion. is the first sentence of the Bible. our Lord's Sermon on the Mount.

were the words of Balaam. is the golden rule given in

LESSON XL.

THE PREDICATE OF A SENTENCE.

1. The Predicate (that which is said of a subject), like the subject, may be either simple or complex-grammatical or logical. It is simple, when it consists of a common verb; as, The horse stands; or when a single noun, or adjective, or pronoun is used with the substantive verb to constitute the predicate; as, He is worthy. Cicero was an orator. It is I.

Other words added to the Simple or Grammatical Predicate, constitute with it a Complex or Logical Predicate; as, The horse runs fast. He is worthy of the highest praise. Cicero was an orator of the highest order of talent. It is I myself whom you see.

2. The Predicate says or affirms something concerning its subject, and consists of what is called the copula (some part of the verb to be), and that which is asserted by adding a noun, an adjective, a pronoun, or a participle, or some other part of speech. Thus, Gold is a metal. Iron is useful. He is learned. She is winning. It is I.

=

3. Sometimes both parts of the Predicate are expressed by a verb; as, The ship sails, is sailing. "The man is," that is, exists. There is the man. There, in such sentences, precedes the verb to be, and the subject follows it.

(1.) The Predicate asserts existence; as, I am; they are. (2.) It asserts identity, or what a thing is; as, It is I; to live is to exist; oxygen is a gas.

(3.) It asserts an act; as, The earth revolves; the boys write. (4.) It asserts a quality; as, The stove is hot; the tea is green. 4. The Predicate, then, is expressed:

Either by a verb alone: by a verb and a noun, either in the

nominative or objective case: by a verb and what is equivalent to a noun; as, to perambulate is to run: by a transitive verb and its object; as, He hus read the book: by a verb and an adjective; as, The air is refreshing: by a verb and an adverb, or adverbial phrase, expressive of time, place, rest, or motion in a place, the cause, effect, manner, instrument, degree, circumstance, &c., of an action; as, "We once again are met in council:" by a quotation ; as, Bacon remarked, "to choose time is to save time:" by a verb and a preposition; as, all is over: by a verb and a dependent clause; as, "He tries to do good," "He desires that you would not go:" by a verb together with a preposition and its object; as, He came over the river.

5. Let the predicate, consisting of a verb and an adverb, be supplied.

6. Supply a predicate consisting of a verb and a preposition, used, of course, as an adverb.

The precipice
My journey

The horse

The faith

Your exertions

His health