NOTE. Strictly speaking, in an interrogative sentence the subject names that about which something is asked (not stated), and the predicate asks something about that which is named by the subject. So in an imperative sentence the predicate commands or requests, instead of stating, telling, asserting, or the like. For convenience, however, the word assert may be applied to all three kinds of sentences. The subject and predicate are the two essential, or necessary, parts of every sentence. Note how these parts are illustrated in the following sentences: 1. Plants breathe. 2. Sponges are animals. 3. Penn founded Pennsylvania. 4. The busy have no time for tears. 5. Push and pluck || will work wonders. 6. To do right is our duty. The separation of a sentence into its parts, or elements, according to their use is called Analysis. Illustrating the analysis of a sentence by means of some plan, or drawing, is called Diagramming. ORAL ANALYSIS. Sentence. Why? Kind of sentence. Why? Subject. Why? Predicate. Why? MODEL. A blade of grass || is a mystery. This is a sentence, because it is the complete expression of a thought. It is a declarative sentence because it declares, or tells, something. A blade of grass is the subject, because it names that about which something is asserted; is a mystery is the predicate, because it tells what is asserted of the subject. TO THE TEACHER. When the pupil has learned to recognize the sentence, and is able to distinguish readily its parts, a formal analysis in which every child follows the same order, should not be insisted on. Such work is apt to become mechanical. Be satisfied at all times if a pupil shows that he understands clearly, and expresses his understanding intelligently. Exercise. Analyze the following declarative sentences, and then diagram each according to the illustrations given: 9. To choose time is to save time. 10. The truest self-respect is not to think of self. 11. Our good deeds live after us. 12. The path of industry is the path to success. 13. Seconds are the gold dust of time. 14. The first step towards greatness is honesty. 15. The evil that men do lives after them. 16. Every difficulty yields to the enterprising. 17. The mold of a man's fortune is in his own hands. 4. SUBJECT AND PREDICATE OF INTERROGATIVE An interrogative sentence is a modified form of the declarative sentence, and, to determine its subject and predi cate, it is usually necessary to change the form to that of the declarative; as, Exercise. Change the following interrogative sentences, as nearly as possible, to the declarative form; tell the subject and the predicate of each; and place each in a diagram as in the preceding exercise: 5. SUBJECT AND PREDICATE OF IMPERATIVE AND Every sentence has a subject and a predicate; but in an imperative sentence the subject is usually omitted because it represents the person or persons spoken to, and it is unnecessary to name a subject of this kind; as, 1. (You) Behold, 2. Don't (you) do that. Exercise. In the following numbered sentences supply the subjects that are omitted, and then diagram to show the subject and the predicate, as in the preceding lessons. 1 Some interrogative sentences have the arrangement of declarative sentences. This is true when an interrogative word (who, which, how, etc.) is used as the subject or as a modifier of the subject. NOTE. That any part of a sentence has been supplied may be indicated in the diagram by inclosing in parentheses () the word or words supplied; as, (you)Don't do that 1. Hear me for my cause. 2. Do not weary of well doing. 3. Give us this day our daily bread. 4. Look before you leap. 5. Please excuse me. 7. Don't you accept it. 8. Ask yourself often, “Is my action right?” 9. Do the duty that lies nearest thee. The directions for determining the subject and predicate of declarative, interrogative, and imperative sentences apply to the exclamatory sentence according to the form in which the exclamation is expressed. A single word that is neither the subject nor the predicate word, may convey a thought without giving it complete expression. In answer to the question "Are you happy?” the single word Yes conveys the same thought that is expressed by the sentence "I am happy." Given as a com mand, the word Attention is equivalent to a sentence, "You give attention." The word Alas is equivalent to some such statement as "It is sad" or "I am sorry." Such words, when used in exclamation to express feeling or emotion, are called Interjections. Why may we not call them sentences? What are the necessary parts of every sentence? In what kind of sentence may one of these parts be omitted? Why is the subject of an imperative sentence usually omitted? In some places Quack-quack! and Bow-wow! may be used very satisfactorily to express thoughts; but these words are not sentences. They are merely interjections which express thoughts imperfectly or incompletely. Max Müller is doubtful as to whether they even deserve the name of language. Farrar, in his essay on "The Origin of Language," tells of an Englishman in China who, seeing a dish placed before him about which he felt suspicious, and wishing to know whether it was duck, said, with an interrogative accent, "Quack-quack?" He received the clear and straightforward answer "Bow-wow!" A word is often used as a term of address, as in the sentence "Bertha, study your lesson." Bertha indicates who is addressed-"I am speaking to Bertha; (you) study your lesson." When a term of address is attached to a sentence it is set off by a comma or by an exclamation point, and is considered as independent. RULE OF PUNCTUATION. Every independent element should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma or commas, unless exclamatory; in that case, by an exclamation point. (Comp. 47, 70, PP. 275, 305.) |