ADJECTIVES. 22. The comparative degree is formed by adding er to the positive; but if the adjective end in e, the comparative is formed by adding r only. 23. The superlative degree is formed by adding est; but if the adjective end in e, the superlative is formed by adding st only. 24. Adjectives of more than one syllable are generally compared by more and most; but adjectives of two syllables, ending in y, or silent e, are generally compared by er and est; and the y is generally changed into i. 25. Some adjectives are compared very irregularly; as, good, better, best, &c. (See Part I., p. 10, No. 38. Correct the errors in the following expressions. Some of the sentences need no correction. More A more tall man. A worser reason. The silenter voice of nature. Correctest conduct. Beautifuller prospects. Favorabler terms. He is littler, but not the littlest. A more big hat. Greener vegetables. A magnificenter palace. The beautifullest flower. A more wise man. A gooder apple. The goodest reason. He has mucher than you. John is wiser than you. The most affecting simplicity. A negligenter girl. I have manyer books than you. A more long story. The most thick forest. Most fine weather. Famouser men. Favorablest views. dangerouser exposure. Cruellest manner. Most wisest philosophers. Most fair and most sweet bewilderment. Most early vegetables. Most polite courtiers. More noble aims. Righter reasons. Truer causes. Immortaller glory. Infiniter length: Most perfect polish. Most universal extent. Extremer end. The supremest regard. Primer quality. The more major part. Minorer considerations. Ulterior views. Most ultimate intentions. Virtuouser cottagers. A happyer man. Sillyer stories. The gloomyest corner. The livelyest manner. The veryest knave. Insufferablest vanity. Industriousest example. Negligenter appearance. Studiouser pupils. Perplexingest difficulties. Indifferenter reasons. 26. The comparative degree is to be used when only two things are compared; the superlative is to be used when more than two are compared. Correct the following errors. The weakest of the two. The wiser of all mankind. Of Pope and Dryden it may be said, that the former was the best man, the latter the best poet. Of James, John, and Joseph, we may say, that Joseph is the better boy, John the better writer, James the better reader. Caroline and Mary are both well attired; but in their appearance Caroline is the neatest, Mary the most showy. Sarah, Frances, and Lucretia, each read the piece; the reading of Frances was the loudest, of Sarah the more correct, and of Lucretia the more affecting. 27. Adjectives are sometimes improperly used for adverbs; as, poor." Correct the following errors. 66 She reads proper, writes neat, and composes accurate. He was extreme careful. He was terrible afraid. His property is near gone. Thomas practises conformable to his precepts. They reason very clear and strong. Mary was exceeding tall. He came agreeable to his promise, and conducted himself suitable to the occasion. He speaks fluent, reads excellent, and thinks coherent. That man behaved submissive and was exceeding humble. Grammar is easier learned than Geography. Tell that boy to read louder. Few could speak nobler upon it. He says express that he saw it. 28. Adverbs are also sometimes improperly used as adjectives; as, "for thy often infirmities:" it should be, "thy many infirmities." 1 Correct the following errors. He spoke in a manner agreeably to reason, and in a style suitably to the occasion. He is an often offender. We hope for a soon and prosperous issue. Henry is a seldom, but a welcome visiter. John was an oftener and a more earnest applicant. Their vehemence of gesture was con-formably to their vehemence of thought. Implant in the minds of youth such good principles as will take soonest and deepest root. 29. The adjective pronoun such is sometimes improperly used for so; as, "he was such an extravagant person:" it should be so extravagant." Correct the following errors. Such an amiable disposition will secure universal regard. Such distinguished virtues seldom occur. Such an eminent situation cannot easily be attained. Such a good scholar should make fewer errors. Such a mean action deserves reprobation. Such a disagreeable person can have but few friends. 30. Adjectives that have in themselves a superlative signification, must not be used in the comparative and superlative degrees; and those adjectives which are in the comparative or superlative degree, must not receive an additional form of comparison. Correct the following errors. Virtue confers the supremest dignity on man, and should be his chiefest desire. His assertion was more true than that of his opponent. The words of the latter were most untrue. The chiefest reason. The extremest caution. The most perfect regard for the privileges of others. Righter views should be taken of the subject in its most universal extent. According to the most straitest sect. A more serener temper. The pleasures of the understanding are more preferable than those of the imagination or of sense. The Most Highest has created us for his glory. The Supreme Being is the most wisest, most powerfullest, and the most best of beings. He gave the fullest and most sincere proof of the truest friendship. PRONOUNS. 31. The adjective pronouns this, that, each, every, either, and one, may be joined to nouns in the singular number only, unless the plural noun convey a collective idea. The adjective pronouns these and those, and the numeral adjectives two, three, &c., may be joined to nouns of the plural number only. Correct the following errors. You have These kind of indulgences injure every men. been playing this two hours. He saw one or more persons. Each man, women, and children, must obey this rule. Those sort of books did real injury. That wall is two foot thick, three foot high, and twenty foot long. The water is three hundred fathom in depth. Each horses can travel forty mile a day. Let each esteem others better than themselves. Each of them in their turn receives the benefit to which they are entitled. Take up that ashes. Every one must take care of themselves. Either of them may leave their seats. My uncle visits the city every six months.* 32. The word means may be considered as singular or plural. When one thing is mentioned, we say, "this means, or "that means; " but when more than one thing is implied, we say, "these means," or "those means. Correct the following errors. Charles was extravagant, and by these means became poor. Henry was frugal, careful, and industrious, and by this means became rich. John embraced every opportunity to display his talents, and to exercise his ingenuity, and by that means he became distinguished. Joseph was correct in his recitations, exemplary in his deportment, and obedient to the rules, and by that means secured the tutor's approbation. 33. The pronoun either is sometimes improperly used for each. Correct the following errors. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer. There was a tree on either side of the river. In either house there were inhabitants. Either pupil, who neglects his lessons, shall be reprimanded. Either bird and either beast is blessed in degree. John, James, and Joseph, will either of them recite the lesson. The house, garden, and green-house, were either of them the property of my uncle, but they either belong now to my father. * Such expressions as "every six months," "every two years," &c., are elliptical, and obviously mean, "every period of six months," &c. 34. Pronouns must be of the same person, number, and gender, as the nouns for which they stand. 35. As the adjective pronouns my, thy, his, her, our, your, and their, represent the possessive case of the personal pronouns, like them they must be used with reference to the person, number, and gender, of the words for which they stand. Thus, it would be improper to say, "Mary is reading his own book," because his implies the masculine gender: it should be, "Mary is reading her own book." So, also, it would be improper to say, "John and Mary are studying her lesson," because Mary and John are two persons, and the word her implies but one: it should be, “ Mary and John are studying their lessons." Again, in the sentence “ Every one must attend to their own business," the word their implies more than one: it should be, "Every one must attend to his own business." 36. When nouns and pronouns of different persons are connected by the conjunction AND, the verbs* and pronouns agreeing with them must be of the first person, if there be a first person in the sentence; and of the second person, if the first be not expressed. Thus, it is improper to say, “John, and I, and thou, are employed in their respective occupations; " because the pronoun I is of the first person, their refers to the third it should be," in our respective occupations." and [N. B. In the application of the above principle, the pupil will recollect, that, in accordance with what is stated in No. 35, the adjective pronouns my, thy, his, her, our, your, and their, represent the person, number, and gender, of the words for which they stand. Thus, My refers to the first person singular, either gender. 37. Whenever a pronoun, of any kind, is used in a sentence, care must be taken that the right one is employed. The pronoun must be of the same person, number, and gender, as the noun for which it stands. * The pupil is not expected to correct the verbs in this exercise, because it is necessary that the proper use of the pronouns should be clearly understood before any exercise on the verb is presented. |