The interrogative which is selective, implying that a definite group of objects is in mind. Who and what refer to objects indefinitely. 4. A demonstrative pronoun is a pronoun that points out one or more objects definitely. The demonstratives are this and that with their plurals. 5. An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that points out one or more objects indefinitely; as, several, many, other, some, one, each. Indefinite and demonstrative pronouns are sometimes called adjective pronouns, because the words belonging to these two classes of pronouns are also used freely as adjectives. The indefinite pronouns either, neither, and each other are used when only two objects are in mind; any, none, and one another, when more than two are in mind. Inflection of Nouns and Pronouns. 1. Inflection is a change in the form of a word to denote a change in its meaning or use. The English language, which was once highly inflected, has now but few inflections. 2. Nouns and pronouns are inflected for number and case. Number is a change in the form of a noun or a pronoun to show whether it refers to one object or more than one. Case is a change in the form of a noun or a pronoun to show its relation to other words. 3. The English language has two numbers, the singular and the plural. It has three cases, the nominative, possessive, and objective; but only eight words in the language have a distinct form for the objective. These are I, we, thou, he, she, they, who, and whoever. 4. The systematic arrangement of the grammatical forms of nouns and pronouns is called declension. *When an additional s sound would be unpleasant to the ear, the s of the possessive singular is omitted both in pronunciation and in spelling; as, Cassius' sword; for conscience' sake; Xerxes' army. DECLENSION OF PRONOUNS. The simple personal pronouns are thus declined: First Person. Third Person. The relative pronouns who and whoever are declined for case only. Singular and Plural Singular and Plural Nom. Poss. Obj. who whoever or whosoever whosever or whosesoever whomever or whomsoever The other relative pronouns are indeclinable; but whose is sometimes used as the possessive of which; as, a mountain whose top was covered with snow. The interrogative who is declined like the relative who; the other interrogative pronouns are not declined. The demonstrative pronouns change their form for number only: this these; that-those. The indefinite pronouns one, other, and another are declined like nouns. The other indefinite pronouns undergo no change of form. Good Use in Nouns and Pronouns. CASE. 1. The following constructions require the nominative case: native. (c) Principal term of an absolute phrase. (d) Noun or pronoun used independently. (e) Noun or pronoun in apposition to a word in the nomi 2. The following constructions require the objective case: (c) Objective predicate. (d) Principal term of a prepositional phrase. (e) (f) Subject of an infinitive. (g) Noun or pronoun used after the infinitive of a link verb and referring to the objective subject of the infinitive. (h) Noun or pronoun in apposition to a word in the objective. 3. The constructions of the possessive are the same as those of the adjective. (See Part I, Section VII.) (a) When a possessive has an appositive modifier, only the John and Henry's books. (Joint possession.) John's and Henry's books. (Separate possession.) (c) In speaking of inanimate objects, it is generally best to express possession by of instead of by the possessive case; as, the leaves of a plant; not, a plant's leaves. (d) The possessive, and not the objective, should be used before a gerund; as, I hope you will excuse my whispering. Who would have thought of his being chosen? I. Supply the right case forms of pronouns, and give the reason for the form used in each instance. Supply as many different pronouns in each sentence as will make good sense; as, Henry and 1 went; Henry and he went. 1. Henry and broke the window. 3. Are you as tall as ? 4. No, but I am older than 5. We (us) girls enjoyed the ride. 6. They invited we (us) girls to go with them. 7. It was no other than 8. The teacher spoke to boys. 9. -boys were too you 16. I thought noisy. 10. did you speak to? 11. do think it is? 12. do you take me for? 13. did you say it was? 14. did you think it to be? 15. I thought it was it to be 17. being young and inexperienced, they easily deceived him. 18. Would you have thought of doing that? 19. Such boys as you and are expected to act honorably. 20. Boys like you and are expected to act honorably. 21. I am you are looking for. 22. You may take desires to go. 23. 25. to go yachting. 26. Who the class selects will be appointed valedictorian. 24. There should be only kind feeling between you and Mr. B has invited you and (whom) do you mean? 27. It isn't for such as to complain. 28. does the teacher want?-I (me). 29. Who is there?-I (me). 30. Margaret as well as was invited. 31. All the girls but were invited. 32. The child fell and hurt (supply compound personal pronoun). 33. The children fell and hurt (supply as in 32). 34. The tree has lost — leaves. 35. It was given to my sister and 36. This is the man who (whom) they thought was dead. 37. This is the man who (whom) they thought to be dead. 38. The twelfth of February is the birthday of Lincoln, the nation delights to honor. 39. May James and go? 40. Will you let James and -go? 41. Who (whom) did you say came into the room? 42. Who (whom) did you say the president appointed? 43. shall I give this to? 44. I don't know to invite. 45. Tell me to invite. II. Use a possessive in place of each italicized phrase in the following: 1. The poems of Burns. 2. The home of Mr. Jones. 3. The home of Mr. Jones the baker. 4. The reign of William and Mary. 5. The administrations of Adams and Jefferson. 6. The novels of Thackeray and Dickens. 7. The home of my sister-in-law. 8. The head of an ox. 9. The heads of oxen. 10. The conquests of Alexander the Great. 11. The office of Brown and Johnson. 12. The residence of the Misses Cary. 13. The residence of the Joneses. 14. The bridles of the horses. 15. The army of Xerxes. 16. The reign of James the First. 17. The opinion of everyone else. In how many of the above expressions is the phrase preferable to the possessive on the ground of euphony? Use in sentences both the first and the second possessive form of the personal pronouns, and draw a conclusion as to the difference. in their use. Are the possessive pronouns written with an apos trophe? AGREEMENT. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and person. The pronouns he, she, and it agree with their antecedents in gender also. Special points to be noted are: 1. Antecedents modified by each, every, either, neither, many a, or no designate objects separately, and hence require a singular pro noun. 2. Two or more singular antecedents connected by or, nor, or as well as, require a singular pronoun. 3. A singular antecedent that denotes persons without reference to sex, as person, one, anybody, requires the masculine pronoun. If it is desired, however, to show that both sexes are included, both the masculine and feminine pronouns may be used; as, Everybody did his best. Everybody did his or her best. 4. A collective noun requires a singular pronoun when the collection is thought of as a whole, and a plural pronoun when the individuals composing the group are thought of. EXERCISE 24. Supply the proper pronouns. 1. Everybody should do paper was (were) in own task to perform. Neither of the boys did Harry will let you use best. 2. Every book and place (places). 3. Each of us had 4. No one can live for 9. No life alone. 5. work carefully. 6. Either Dick or gun. 7. Nobody would tell what had seen. 8. Every man and boy were (was) at post. man or bay was (were) at post. 10. Many a man lost on that battlefield. 11. Anybody can accomplish something in the world if will only try. 12. Everyone forgot troubles in trying to comfort others. 13. If anybody asks for me, tell I will return soon. 14. Every one of them did or Own best to make the affair successful. 15. Every one of you must do best to make the affair successful. 16. Every one of us did best to make the affair successful. 17. Which one of you will lend pencil? 18. A person must respect if me want was (wants) others to respect. 19. The army was (were) on march. 20. A committee was (were) appointed, and (were) soon ready to hand in report. 21. Congress passed the bill before adjourned. 22. The audience shouted and clapped hands. 23. The family has (have) left home. 24. At the signal, the class rose to feet. 25. The class has (have) elected president. 26. Men should be charitable in their judgments of each other (one another). 27. The two houses stood on the same street, facing one another (each other). Classes of Verbs. III. 1. The classification of verbs according to their use and meaning has already been given; it may be tabulated thus: (1) Attributive verbs (2) Link verbs (a) the pure verb (1) Transitive verbs (a) active form (2) Intransitive verbs. Review Part I, Sections IV and V, and frame a good definition of each of these classes of verbs. |