Grammar simplified; or, An ocular analysis of the English language

by Jeremiah Greenleaf

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1824 ...to his interest." " Who should I see the other day but my old friend." " Whosoecer the court favours." " Wlio do you see?" In all these instances it ought to be whom, the pronoun being governed in the objective case by the verbs esteem, choose, thought, see, Sic. " He who, under all proper circumstances, has the boldness to speak truth, choose for thy friend." It should be, Him who, &c. Note 2.--Some verbs were formerly used as transitive, which are no longer considered as such; as, "He repented him--flve thee away--he was survived--the sum was amounted;" Sic. which are held improper. Note 3.--Some'neuter verbs assume a transitive form; as, " To lice a life of virtue." " 7b die the death of the righteous." " To dream dreams." "To run a race." " To slvep the sleep of death." " To Walk the horse." " To dance the child." "And rivers run potable gold." "The crisped brooks ran nectar." "Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balms." " Grin a ghastly smile." " Her lips blush deeper swsets." In these examples, and many others of the like kind, the verbs may not improperly be denominated active, although the nouns which follow them are not in strictness their objects; but they are either the names of the result of the verb's action, or closely connected with it. Nearly allied to this idiom is that of using after transitive verbs, certain nouns which do not appear to be the objects of the verb, nor of precisely the same sense. Examples--"A guinea weighs five pennyweights, six grains." "A crown weighs nineteen pennyweights." " A piece of cloth measures ten yar...

62 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2012

About the author

1791-1864