THE ADJECTIVE AND THE ADVERB
Asa rule, adverbs present more difficulty than do adjectives. Careless pupils frequently use an adjective when an adverb is necessary; as,
Wrong:He solved the problem veryquick.Right:He solved the problem veryquickly.Wrong:This isrealgood candy.Right:This isreally(orvery) good candy.
Until the habit of correct usage is formed, every sentence must be watched. When a word modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb, another adverb must be used, and an adjective may not correctly be substituted. As a rule, adverbs express the following ideas:
Time:We arrivedearly.Place:We have beenheresince January.Manner:He walkedsteadilyonward.Cause:Whydid you refuse the offer?Degree:I amvery muchsurprised.Number:I did itoncenottwice.Assertion:BracketI donotagree.Denial:
Adverb modifying a verb: See howslowlythe man walks!Adverb modifying an adjective: The weather has beenextremelywarm.Adverb modifying an adverb: He dictatesveryrapidly.
Adverb modifying a verb: See howslowlythe man walks!
Adverb modifying an adjective: The weather has beenextremelywarm.
Adverb modifying an adverb: He dictatesveryrapidly.
It must be remembered, however, that verbs of the senses—taste,feel,look,smell,sound, and the like—are sometimes almost equal in meaning to the verbbe. Inthat case, they are followed by adjectives and not by adverbs; as,
Adjective:He lookedangry.Adverb:He lookedangrilyat us.
Exercise 90
Name the adjectives in the following selection, explaining with what noun each belongs.
Name the adverbs, explaining what part of speech each modifies.
Since 1904 the number of live cattle exported from this country has been steadily growing smaller. Exports of dressed beef have also shrunk to such insignificant proportions that the United States is no longer an important factor in the foreign markets for beef. Often has it been said that the competition of cheap Argentine beef has deprived us of foreign markets. It would be more nearly true to say that foreigners buy the inferior article only because we cannot supply them with all they want of the best grade. Take, for instance, the Englishman's willingness to pay considerably more for American corn-fed beef than for Argentine.The raising of cattle is important, also, from the standpoint of the leather business. Obviously, with a 21 per cent increase in population in each decade, many more shoes are necessary. Automobile and other industries are making constantly increasing demands for leather. Shoes cannot become cheaper in the face of increased demand and diminished supply. Too much depends upon the cattle industry for us to allow it to wane.
Since 1904 the number of live cattle exported from this country has been steadily growing smaller. Exports of dressed beef have also shrunk to such insignificant proportions that the United States is no longer an important factor in the foreign markets for beef. Often has it been said that the competition of cheap Argentine beef has deprived us of foreign markets. It would be more nearly true to say that foreigners buy the inferior article only because we cannot supply them with all they want of the best grade. Take, for instance, the Englishman's willingness to pay considerably more for American corn-fed beef than for Argentine.
The raising of cattle is important, also, from the standpoint of the leather business. Obviously, with a 21 per cent increase in population in each decade, many more shoes are necessary. Automobile and other industries are making constantly increasing demands for leather. Shoes cannot become cheaper in the face of increased demand and diminished supply. Too much depends upon the cattle industry for us to allow it to wane.
Exercise 91
Which of the italicized words should you use in the following, and why?
1. Why do you walk soslow—slowly?2. Speaklouder—more loudly.3. I cannot explain why he spoke sogentle—gently.4. The automobile was going veryswift—swiftly.5. The well has been dug verydeep—deeply.6. He is notnear—nearlyso tall as you are.7. Are you cutting thateven—evenly?8. She does pen and ink sketchesbeautiful—beautifully.9. Why can't I growquicker—more quickly?10. I feelbad—badlythis morning.11. Can you do all I have asked?Easy—easily.12. She does her workgood—well.13. She does her workfine—finely.14. I amreal—very muchsurprised to see you.15. He becamereal—veryangry.16. I'm afraid it's notnear—nearlybig enough.17. She works twice asquick—quicklyas you do.18. Hesure—surelyis a good speaker. He seemssure—surelyof himself.19. Are you going?Sure—surely?20. He says he isnear—nearlystarved.21. He workedsteady—steadilyall morning. The others did not worknear—nearlyso hard.22. I am speaking asserious—seriouslyas I can.23. The orange tastesbitter—bitterly.24. Don't you think he has been actingqueer—queerly?25. The coat is finishednice—nicely.
1. Why do you walk soslow—slowly?
2. Speaklouder—more loudly.
3. I cannot explain why he spoke sogentle—gently.
4. The automobile was going veryswift—swiftly.
5. The well has been dug verydeep—deeply.
6. He is notnear—nearlyso tall as you are.
7. Are you cutting thateven—evenly?
8. She does pen and ink sketchesbeautiful—beautifully.
9. Why can't I growquicker—more quickly?
10. I feelbad—badlythis morning.
11. Can you do all I have asked?Easy—easily.
12. She does her workgood—well.
13. She does her workfine—finely.
14. I amreal—very muchsurprised to see you.
15. He becamereal—veryangry.
16. I'm afraid it's notnear—nearlybig enough.
17. She works twice asquick—quicklyas you do.
18. Hesure—surelyis a good speaker. He seemssure—surelyof himself.
19. Are you going?Sure—surely?
20. He says he isnear—nearlystarved.
21. He workedsteady—steadilyall morning. The others did not worknear—nearlyso hard.
22. I am speaking asserious—seriouslyas I can.
23. The orange tastesbitter—bitterly.
24. Don't you think he has been actingqueer—queerly?
25. The coat is finishednice—nicely.
Exercise 92
Explain the proper position of the italicized adverbs in the following sentences. Remember that an adverb must stand as closely as possible to the word that it modifies, but remember also that an infinitive, although made up of two parts, isoneword and should not be split by an adverb.
1. Imerelywant the Milwaukee list of customers.2. Youalmostwrite like her.3. Your writing is like hersalmost.4. I cannotfind one of the papers I had on the desk.5. He told me tocarefullyadd the figures in the column.6. I expect toquicklyfinish my dictation.7. I don'tevenunderstand the first problem in the lesson.8. Don't say you don'teverexpect to go to school again.9. All the statements arenoton my desk.10. He promised toquicklysettle the matter.11. I wish you toclearlyunderstand the situation.12. Ionlyhave two more items to enter.13. Ionlyexpect to take a short vacation this year.14. Heonlyspoke of two causes of the loss in trade.15. Ionlydecided to take the Western instead of the Eastern trip at the last moment.
1. Imerelywant the Milwaukee list of customers.
2. Youalmostwrite like her.
3. Your writing is like hersalmost.
4. I cannotfind one of the papers I had on the desk.
5. He told me tocarefullyadd the figures in the column.
6. I expect toquicklyfinish my dictation.
7. I don'tevenunderstand the first problem in the lesson.
8. Don't say you don'teverexpect to go to school again.
9. All the statements arenoton my desk.
10. He promised toquicklysettle the matter.
11. I wish you toclearlyunderstand the situation.
12. Ionlyhave two more items to enter.
13. Ionlyexpect to take a short vacation this year.
14. Heonlyspoke of two causes of the loss in trade.
15. Ionlydecided to take the Western instead of the Eastern trip at the last moment.
Exercise 93—Comparison
Adjectives are compared so as to express different degrees of quality. There are three degrees of comparison, thepositive, thecomparative, and thesuperlative. When the object modified or described by the adjective is not compared with another, the first orpositivedegree is used. When two objects are compared, the second orcomparativedegree is used to denote more or less of the quality expressed by the adjective. When several objects are compared, thesuperlativedegree of the adjective is used to express the highest or the lowest possible degree of the adjective.
The usual method of comparing an adjective is to adderto the positive to form the comparative, andestto form the superlative. Frequently, however, especially for an adjective of two or more syllables, the comparative is formed by prefixingmoreorlessto the positive, and the superlative by prefixingmostorleast. Besides the adjectives in these two classes there are some which do not follow any regular method and must, therefore, be watched a little more closely.
The following table illustrates the different methods of comparison:
PositiveComparativeSuperlativebrightbrighterbrightestdangerousmore dangerousmost dangerousbeautifulmore beautifulmost beautifulgoodbetterbestbadworseworstillworseworst
Be careful to avoid using a double sign for the comparative degree; as,
Wrong:This writing ismore neaterthan yours.
Some adverbs are also compared; as,
PositiveComparativeSuperlativewellbetterbestquicklymore quicklymost quickly
Some adjectives and adverbs cannot be compared because the positive degree in itself expresses a complete orabsolutemeaning; as,
absolute,-lyeternalperfectsufficientcircularextremeperpendicularsupremecontinualfaultlessperpetualunanimousdeadfullrightuniquedecisiveimpossiblerounduniversalemptyincurablesquarewhite
Compare those of the following adjectives that may be compared. Explain why some do not admit of comparison.
greatspotlessexpensivewisetalldearparallelhighdesirableeastoldnewhonorableearlyexclusiveblank
Exercise 94
In the following exercise, select the correct one of the two italicized forms. Remember that the comparative degree is used in comparing two objects, the superlative in comparing three or more.
1. I had three pens. I have lost thebetter—bestone.2. I have two clerks. John is theolder—oldest.3. Of the two colors, I think the tan is themore—mostbecoming to you.4. You are thetaller—tallestof all the boys.5. Of two professions, choose themore—mosthonorable.6. He is thefaster—fastestworkman in the shop.7. Which of your hands is thecleaner—cleanest?8. Which do you likebetter—best, skating or sleighing?9. Which of your eyes has thebetter—bestvision?10. Of all the shops, she likes Leslie'sbetter—best.11. Which ismore—mostdurable, serge or broadcloth?12. Which tree liveslonger—longest, the poplar or the elm?13. Which is thebest—betterpolicy, honesty or dishonesty?14. He is thewittier—wittiestone in the class.15. He is thewittier—wittiestboy in the class. There is only one boy in the class besides him.16. Of our twenty salesmen, he is consideredbetter—bestbecause he isquicker—quickestwitted than any other.17. You should not mention the two men in one breath. Theformer—firstis famous and thelatter—lastinfamous.18. Which of you two do you think deservesmore—mostpraise?19. Which of you two deservesless—leastpraise?20. Which of you two can run thefaster—fastest?
1. I had three pens. I have lost thebetter—bestone.
2. I have two clerks. John is theolder—oldest.
3. Of the two colors, I think the tan is themore—mostbecoming to you.
4. You are thetaller—tallestof all the boys.
5. Of two professions, choose themore—mosthonorable.
6. He is thefaster—fastestworkman in the shop.
7. Which of your hands is thecleaner—cleanest?
8. Which do you likebetter—best, skating or sleighing?
9. Which of your eyes has thebetter—bestvision?
10. Of all the shops, she likes Leslie'sbetter—best.
11. Which ismore—mostdurable, serge or broadcloth?
12. Which tree liveslonger—longest, the poplar or the elm?
13. Which is thebest—betterpolicy, honesty or dishonesty?
14. He is thewittier—wittiestone in the class.
15. He is thewittier—wittiestboy in the class. There is only one boy in the class besides him.
16. Of our twenty salesmen, he is consideredbetter—bestbecause he isquicker—quickestwitted than any other.
17. You should not mention the two men in one breath. Theformer—firstis famous and thelatter—lastinfamous.
18. Which of you two do you think deservesmore—mostpraise?
19. Which of you two deservesless—leastpraise?
20. Which of you two can run thefaster—fastest?
Exercise 95
Remember that the double negative is wrong; as,
Wrong:I haven't no paper.Right:I have no paper.
Correct any of the following sentences that contain this mistake:
1. None of them didn't come.2. I couldn't do the problem neither.3. This paper isn't very good, I don't think.4. Couldn't you find no better pen?5. I didn't choose none of them.6. I don't see nothing to complain of.7. He couldn't hardly see across the street.8. We didn't find the paper nowhere.9. They can't scarcely believe the report.10. She couldn't stay with us only a few minutes.
1. None of them didn't come.
2. I couldn't do the problem neither.
3. This paper isn't very good, I don't think.
4. Couldn't you find no better pen?
5. I didn't choose none of them.
6. I don't see nothing to complain of.
7. He couldn't hardly see across the street.
8. We didn't find the paper nowhere.
9. They can't scarcely believe the report.
10. She couldn't stay with us only a few minutes.
Exercise 96—Fewer, Less
Fewerrefers to a smaller number by counting,lessrefers to a smaller quantity by measuring. Insert the correct word:
1. You are making —— mistakes each day.2. I am having —— difficulty in writing shorthand.3. There are —— houses on this street than I had thought.4. The farther inland we went the —— signs of habitation we saw.5. Each year there is —— opportunity for an uneducated man to rise.6. Each year there are —— opportunities for the uneducated man to rise.
1. You are making —— mistakes each day.
2. I am having —— difficulty in writing shorthand.
3. There are —— houses on this street than I had thought.
4. The farther inland we went the —— signs of habitation we saw.
5. Each year there is —— opportunity for an uneducated man to rise.
6. Each year there are —— opportunities for the uneducated man to rise.
Most, Almost
Mostrefers to quantity or number;almostmeansnot quite. Insert the correct word:
7. —— people enjoy their work.8. I have —— finished the course in stenography.9. —— European cities are beautiful.10. —— all European cities are beautiful.
7. —— people enjoy their work.
8. I have —— finished the course in stenography.
9. —— European cities are beautiful.
10. —— all European cities are beautiful.
Real, Very
Realis an adjective meaningactual;veryis an adverb of degree. Insert the correct word:
11. I'm —— glad to see you.12. Is your comb —— amber?13. The men of the Titanic were —— heroes.14. He is a —— good soloist.15. She is —— entertaining in conversation; it was a —— pleasure to meet her.
11. I'm —— glad to see you.
12. Is your comb —— amber?
13. The men of the Titanic were —— heroes.
14. He is a —— good soloist.
15. She is —— entertaining in conversation; it was a —— pleasure to meet her.
Exercise 97—Adjectives and Adverbs Incorrectly Used
WrongRight1. I don't likethosekind of pens.I don't likethatkind of pens.2. What sort ofacourse are you taking?What sort of course are you taking?3. His statements made memad.His statements made meangry.4. Yoursrespectively.Yoursrespectfully.(Consult a dictionary for the correct use ofrespectively)5. Do you wantin?Do you wantto come in?6. Gosome placewith me.Gosomewherewith me.7. My father issomebetter.My father issomewhatbetter.8. He comesevery once in a while.He comesoccasionally.9. Did you recognize the girl who drovepast?Did you recognize the girl who droveby?10. The two arebothalike.The two are alike.11. He isliableto come any minute.He islikelyto come at any minute.12. That ring has afunnydesign.That ring has anodddesign.13. I'dsoonerstay at home.I'dratherstay at home.14. Are youmostready?Are youalmostready?15. I'mkind ofsleepy.I'mrathersleepy.16. Whatsizehat do you wear?Whatsizedhat do you wear?17.This herebook is the one I wish.Thisbook is the one I wish.18. He spokeangry like.He spokeangrily.19. His ideas arenogood.His ideas areworthless(ornot good).20. Heseldom evermakes a mistake.Heseldom(hardly ever) makes a mistake.21. I didn't workanylast night.I didn't workat alllast night.22. I walkedthisfar yesterday.I walkedas far as thisyesterday.23. I want to see youbadly.I want to see youvery much.24. He sells insuranceon the side.In addition to his other businesshe sells insurance.25. Don't talkout loud.Don't talkaloud.26. She isverydisappointed.She isvery muchdisappointed.(Before a perfect participletooorverymay not be used without the addition of the adverbmuch)27. She is acute(orcunning) child.She is aprettychild.(Look up the wordscuteandcunningin a dictionary)28. He was lying facedownon the grass.He was lying facedownwardon the grass.
THE VERB
Verbsmay betransitiveorintransitive.
A verb is transitive when it needs an object to complete its meaning; that is, when the action passes over (Latin,transire, to pass over) from the subject or doer to the object or receiver; as,
Hehitthe ball.
A verb is intransitive when it needs no object to complete its meaning; as,
The crowdcheered.
Some intransitive verbs require a predicate noun or pronoun in the nominative case, or an adjective, to complete their meaning. They are the verbsbe,become,appear,seem,feel,taste,look,smell;as,
Adjective:The berries tastesour.Noun:John is mybrother.Pronoun:It isI.
Such verbs are sometimes calledcopulatives.
Exercise 98
Tell whether each verb in the following sentences is transitive or intransitive and whether it is followed by a noun or a pronoun in the nominative or the objective case or by a complementary adjective.
1. Primitive people have left traces of very early commercial relations.2. Explorers visited the Ohio valley and found articles of remote manufacture.3. Checks and drafts are great conveniences to the business man.4. The United States Supreme Court made a decision that labor unions are punishable under trust penalties.5. A labor union is different from a trust.6. This is the opinion of the labor leader.7. What is your opinion?8. The total value of merchandise sent to Latin-America from the United States exceeds that supplied by any other single country.
1. Primitive people have left traces of very early commercial relations.
2. Explorers visited the Ohio valley and found articles of remote manufacture.
3. Checks and drafts are great conveniences to the business man.
4. The United States Supreme Court made a decision that labor unions are punishable under trust penalties.
5. A labor union is different from a trust.
6. This is the opinion of the labor leader.
7. What is your opinion?
8. The total value of merchandise sent to Latin-America from the United States exceeds that supplied by any other single country.
Write three sentences illustrating transitive verbs.
Write three sentences illustrating intransitive verbs.
Write three sentences illustrating copulative verbs.
Exercise 99—Voice
Voice is that property of the verb that shows whether the subject acts or is acted upon. If the subject acts, the verb is in theactive voice. If the subject is acted upon, the verb is in thepassive voice. Every sentence containing a transitive verb must have the following parts:
Agent(doer)ActionReceiverThe runaway horseinjuredJohn.
When the sentence is in the order shown above, the subject is the agent, and the verb expresses the action of the agent. When the sentence is written in this order, the verb is said to be in theactive voice.
However, without changing the meaning of the sentence, we may change the order of the ideas; thus,
ReceiverActionAgentJohnwas injuredby the runaway horse.
The receiver of the action has become the subject, and the agent has become part of the predicate, being expressed in the phraseby the runaway horse. When the sentence isexpressed in this order, the subject receiving or "suffering" the action, the verb is said to be in thepassive voice. Only transitive verbs, therefore, may be changed to the passive voice.
Note.—There are certain intransitive verbs that sometimes have a preposition so closely connected with them that the two are treated almost like a transitive verb, and may be made passive; as,
Note.—There are certain intransitive verbs that sometimes have a preposition so closely connected with them that the two are treated almost like a transitive verb, and may be made passive; as,
Active:The audience laughedatthe speaker.Passive:The speaker was laughedatby the audience.
Write five sentences in the active voice.
Change them to the passive voice.
In the sentences that you have written, is the active form of the verb or the passive form better? Which is more direct in its wording? Which, then, is the better form to use regularly?
Exercise 100—Number and Person
The number of the verb is decided by the number of the subject. If the subject is a singular noun, or a pronoun that stands for a singular noun, it requires a singular verb; if the subject is plural, it requires a plural verb. As a rule, there is no difference between the singular and the plural forms of the verb except in the form for the third person singular; as,
I sayWe sayYou sayYou sayHe saysThey say
But as the third person of the verb is the one most often used, it must be carefully noted.
The following subjects of verbs are singular and require a singular verb to accompany them:
1. A collective noun that denotes a group of objects acting as one thing; as,
The crowdisscattering.
2. A group of words which, like a collective noun, is plural in form but singular in meaning; as,
Thirty dollarsiswhat I paid for the ring.
3. A singular noun modified byevery,each,one,no,many a;or the pronounseach,everybody,either,neither, andnonewhen it meansnot one;as,
Each of ushashis lesson.Many an opportunityhasbeen wasted.Everybodyishere now.
4. Singular[1]nouns or pronouns joined byor,either—or,neither—nor;as,
Either John or his fatheriscoming.
5. Two nouns joined byand, denoting one person or thing; as,
The bookkeeper and stenographerisan expert.
Note.—If two persons are meant, the article should be repeated before the second noun.
Note.—If two persons are meant, the article should be repeated before the second noun.
The following subjects of verbs are plural and require plural verbs:
1. A collective noun denoting plurality; that is, referring to the individuals that compose the group; as,
The classareall studious.
2. A compound subject joined byand, when the objects joined are different; as,
The door and the windowareboth open.
3. The pronounyou, though it may denote only one person; as,
Right:Youwereright.Wrong:Youwasright.
Exercise 101
In the following sentences, decide which of the italicized forms is correct. Give the reason for your choice.
1. Two dollarsis—aretoo much for you to pay.2. Bread and butteris—arewhat I prefer to eat.3. Bread and butteris—areboth sold here.4. His opinion and mineis—aredifferent.5. The majority of the classis—arepresent.6. The classis—aredismissed.7. The congregationis—areasked to remain a few minutes after the close of the service.8. The communityis—arerapidly changing.9. A few of the bookswas—weregiven to me.10. Therewas—wereforty people present.11. The secretary and treasurerwas—wereasked to readhis—theirreport.12. One-third of the officewas—werelate this morning because the cars were not running.13. Hedon't—doesn'tunderstand what I mean.14. If the quality and the priceis—areright, buy.15. Therecome—comesa crowd of people.16. The library with its thousands of bookswas—weredestroyed by fire.17. Theredon't—doesn'tseem to be much difference between the two.18. The whole system of filing and indexingis—arewrong.19. Safety as well as successis—areat stake.20. The state of public affairscalls—callfor quick action.21. Many a manhas—haveneglected golden opportunities.22. Many menhas—haveneglected golden opportunities.23. The committeehas—havegivenits—theirreport.24. Our teamwas—werebeaten.25. One of us surelyis—aremistaken.26. Every onewas—werehappy when Tom was elected president.27. Tom and Jamesis—aregoing skating.28. Tom with his brother Jamesis—aregoing skating.29. The only thing I have not prepared for dinneris—arethe potatoes.30. Fifty feet of sidewalkwas—werelaid to-day.31. None of the boysis—arestudying stenography.32. Neither Tom nor his brotheris—arestudying stenography.33. Both Tom and his brotheris—arestenographers.34. Every oneis—areinterested in the cost of living.
1. Two dollarsis—aretoo much for you to pay.
2. Bread and butteris—arewhat I prefer to eat.
3. Bread and butteris—areboth sold here.
4. His opinion and mineis—aredifferent.
5. The majority of the classis—arepresent.
6. The classis—aredismissed.
7. The congregationis—areasked to remain a few minutes after the close of the service.
8. The communityis—arerapidly changing.
9. A few of the bookswas—weregiven to me.
10. Therewas—wereforty people present.
11. The secretary and treasurerwas—wereasked to readhis—theirreport.
12. One-third of the officewas—werelate this morning because the cars were not running.
13. Hedon't—doesn'tunderstand what I mean.
14. If the quality and the priceis—areright, buy.
15. Therecome—comesa crowd of people.
16. The library with its thousands of bookswas—weredestroyed by fire.
17. Theredon't—doesn'tseem to be much difference between the two.
18. The whole system of filing and indexingis—arewrong.
19. Safety as well as successis—areat stake.
20. The state of public affairscalls—callfor quick action.
21. Many a manhas—haveneglected golden opportunities.
22. Many menhas—haveneglected golden opportunities.
23. The committeehas—havegivenits—theirreport.
24. Our teamwas—werebeaten.
25. One of us surelyis—aremistaken.
26. Every onewas—werehappy when Tom was elected president.
27. Tom and Jamesis—aregoing skating.
28. Tom with his brother Jamesis—aregoing skating.
29. The only thing I have not prepared for dinneris—arethe potatoes.
30. Fifty feet of sidewalkwas—werelaid to-day.
31. None of the boysis—arestudying stenography.
32. Neither Tom nor his brotheris—arestudying stenography.
33. Both Tom and his brotheris—arestenographers.
34. Every oneis—areinterested in the cost of living.
In the last sentence above substitute one of the following forevery one, using the correct form of the verb with each:
each of us; everybody; all of us; several people; both of the men; neither of the men; neither Mary nor John; Mary and John; our club; our class; the nation; not only Europe but America; Europe as well as America; the nation as well as several of the larger cities
Exercise 102—Tense
The tense of the verb indicates the time of the action. There are three primary tenses, indicating action in thepresent, thepast, and thefuture. Each of these tenses has also aperfecttense, which, represents the action as being perfect or complete in the present, the past, and the future.
Thepresenttense is the simplest form. It denotes that the action takes place now; as,
I writeWe writeYou writeYou writeHe writesThey write
To be more exact, we may indicate that the action is continuing in the present time, and then we say,
I am writingWe are writingYou are writingYou are writingHe is writingThey are writing
This is called thepresent progressivetense.
It may be that you wish to be emphatic, and you say,
I do writeWe do writeYou do writeYou do writeHe does writeThey do write
This is called theemphatic presenttense.
Thepasttense indicates that the action took place in past time; as,
I wroteWe wroteYou wroteYou wroteHe wroteThey wrote
or, thepast progressive;as,
I was writingWe were writingYou were writingYou were writingHe was writingThey were writing
or, thepast emphatic;as,
I did writeWe did writeYou did writeYou did writeHe did writeThey did write
The emphatic form is used only in the present and the past tenses.
Thefuturetense denotes that the action will take place at some future time. It is formed by usingshallorwillwith the simplest form of the verb; as,
I shall writeWe shall writeYou will writeYou will writeHe will writeThey will write
The progressive form is not common. It is
I shall be writingWe shall be writingYou will be writingYou will be writingHe will be writingThey will be writing
The three perfect tenses are formed by using the verbhavewith the perfect participle of the verb.
Thepresent perfecttense denotes that the action is complete at the present time. It is formed by the present tense ofhaveand the perfect participle of the verb; as,
I have writtenWe have writtenYou have writtenYou have writtenHe has writtenThey have written
The progressive form is,
I have been writingWe have been writingYou have been writingYou have been writingHe has been writingThey have been writing
Thepast perfectdenotes that the action was completed in past time. It is formed by using the past tense ofhaveand the perfect participle of the verb; as,
I had writtenWe had writtenYou had writtenYou had writtenHe had writtenThey had written
The progressive form is,
I had been writingWe had been writingYou had been writingYou had been writingHe had been writingThey had been writing
Thefuture perfecttense denotes that the action will be completed at some future time. It is formed by the future ofhaveand the perfect participle of the verb; as,
I shall have writtenWe shall have writtenYou will have writtenYou will have writtenHe will have writtenThey will have written
The progressive form is rarely used. It is
I shall have been writingWe shall have been writingYou will have been writingYou will have been writingHe will have been writingThey will have been writing
Giving all forms singular and plural, first, second, and third persons of each tense constitutes theconjugationof a verb. Giving one person in each tense constitutes thesynopsisof the conjugation.
The following is a synopsis of all the tenses of the active voice in the first person singular number of the verbwrite:
Active Voice
TenseBracketPrimaryBracketPresentBracketI write (simple form)I am writing (progressive form)I do write (emphatic form)PastBracketI wrote (simple)I was writing (progressive)I did write (emphatic)FutureBracketI shall write (simple)I shall be writing (progressive)PerfectorSecondaryBracketPresent PerfectBracketI have written (simple)I have been writing (progressive)Past PerfectBracketI had written (simple)I had been writing (progressive)Future PerfectBracketI shall have written (simple)I shall have been writing (progressive)
Exercise 103
Conjugate the following in the active voice:
1. Simple past tense ofwalk.2. Present progressive tense ofwalk.3. Present perfect ofdrive. (SeeExercise 108for the principal parts.)4. Present perfect progressive ofdrive.5. Future progressive ofride.6. Past ofride.7. Present progressive ofride.8. Past emphatic ofride.9. Past perfect ofride.10. Present perfect progressive ofride.
1. Simple past tense ofwalk.
2. Present progressive tense ofwalk.
3. Present perfect ofdrive. (SeeExercise 108for the principal parts.)
4. Present perfect progressive ofdrive.
5. Future progressive ofride.
6. Past ofride.
7. Present progressive ofride.
8. Past emphatic ofride.
9. Past perfect ofride.
10. Present perfect progressive ofride.
Give a synopsis of the progressive tenses ofbegin, usingheas the subject.