Business English: A Practice Book
CHAPTER VIII
THE VERB
VERBS may be _transitive_ or _intransitive_.
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,
He _hit_ the ball.
A verb is intransitive when it needs no object to complete its meaning; as,
The crowd _cheered_.
Some intransitive verbs require a predicate noun or pronoun in the nominative case, or an adjective, to complete their meaning. They are the verbs _be_, _become_, _appear_, _seem_, _feel_, _taste_, _look_, _smell_; as,
_Adjective_: The berries taste _sour_. _Noun_: John is my _brother_. _Pronoun_: It is _I_.
Such verbs are sometimes called _copulatives_.
=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.
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 the _active voice_. If the subject is acted upon, the verb is in the _passive voice_. Every sentence containing a transitive verb must have the following parts:
_Agent_(doer) _Action_ _Receiver_ The runaway horse injured John.
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 the _active voice_.
However, without changing the meaning of the sentence, we may change the order of the ideas; thus,
_Receiver_ _Action_ _Agent_ John was injured by 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 phrase _by the runaway horse_. When the sentence is expressed in this order, the subject receiving or "suffering" the action, the verb is said to be in the _passive 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,
_Active_: The audience laughed _at_ the speaker. _Passive_: The speaker was laughed _at_ by 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 say We say You say You say He says They 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 crowd _is_ scattering.
2. A group of words which, like a collective noun, is plural in form but singular in meaning; as,
Thirty dollars _is_ what I paid for the ring.
3. A singular noun modified by _every_, _each_, _one_, _no_, _many a_; or the pronouns _each_, _everybody_, _either_, _neither_, and _none_ when it means _not one_; as,
Each of us _has_ his lesson. Many an opportunity _has_ been wasted. Everybody _is_ here now.
4. Singular[1] nouns or pronouns joined by _or_, _either--or_, _neither--nor_; as,
Either John or his father _is_ coming.
5. Two nouns joined by _and_, denoting one person or thing; as,
The bookkeeper and stenographer _is_ an expert.
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 class _are_ all studious.
2. A compound subject joined by _and_, when the objects joined are different; as,
The door and the window _are_ both open.
3. The pronoun _you_, though it may denote only one person; as,
_Right_: You _were_ right. _Wrong_: You _was_ right.
=Exercise 101=
In the following sentences, decide which of the italicized forms is correct. Give the reason for your choice.
1. Two dollars _is_--_are_ too much for you to pay.
2. Bread and butter _is_--_are_ what I prefer to eat.
3. Bread and butter _is_--_are_ both sold here.
4. His opinion and mine _is_--_are_ different.
5. The majority of the class _is_--_are_ present.
6. The class _is_--_are_ dismissed.
7. The congregation _is_--_are_ asked to remain a few minutes after the close of the service.
8. The community _is_--_are_ rapidly changing.
9. A few of the books _was_--_were_ given to me.
10. There _was_--_were_ forty people present.
11. The secretary and treasurer _was_--_were_ asked to read _his_--_their_ report.
12. One-third of the office _was_--_were_ late this morning because the cars were not running.
13. He _don't_--_doesn't_ understand what I mean.
14. If the quality and the price _is_--_are_ right, buy.
15. There _come_--_comes_ a crowd of people.
16. The library with its thousands of books _was_--_were_ destroyed by fire.
17. There _don't_--_doesn't_ seem to be much difference between the two.
18. The whole system of filing and indexing _is_--_are_ wrong.
19. Safety as well as success _is_--_are_ at stake.
20. The state of public affairs _calls_--_call_ for quick action.
21. Many a man _has_--_have_ neglected golden opportunities.
22. Many men _has_--_have_ neglected golden opportunities.
23. The committee _has_--_have_ given _its_--_their_ report.
24. Our team _was_--_were_ beaten.
25. One of us surely _is_--_are_ mistaken.
26. Every one _was_--_were_ happy when Tom was elected president.
27. Tom and James _is_--_are_ going skating.
28. Tom with his brother James _is_--_are_ going skating.
29. The only thing I have not prepared for dinner _is_--_are_ the potatoes.
30. Fifty feet of sidewalk _was_--_were_ laid to-day.
31. None of the boys _is_--_are_ studying stenography.
32. Neither Tom nor his brother _is_--_are_ studying stenography.
33. Both Tom and his brother _is_--_are_ stenographers.
34. Every one _is_--_are_ interested in the cost of living.
In the last sentence above substitute one of the following for _every 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 the _present_, the _past_, and the _future_. Each of these tenses has also a _perfect_ tense, which, represents the action as being perfect or complete in the present, the past, and the future.
The _present_ tense is the simplest form. It denotes that the action takes place now; as,
I write We write You write You write He writes They write
To be more exact, we may indicate that the action is continuing in the present time, and then we say,
I am writing We are writing You are writing You are writing He is writing They are writing
This is called the _present progressive_ tense.
It may be that you wish to be emphatic, and you say,
I do write We do write You do write You do write He does write They do write
This is called the _emphatic present_ tense.
The _past_ tense indicates that the action took place in past time; as,
I wrote We wrote You wrote You wrote He wrote They wrote
or, the _past progressive_; as,
I was writing We were writing You were writing You were writing He was writing They were writing
or, the _past emphatic_; as,
I did write We did write You did write You did write He did write They did write
The emphatic form is used only in the present and the past tenses.
* * * * *
The _future_ tense denotes that the action will take place at some future time. It is formed by using _shall_ or _will_ with the simplest form of the verb; as,
I shall write We shall write You will write You will write He will write They will write
The progressive form is not common. It is
I shall be writing We shall be writing You will be writing You will be writing He will be writing They will be writing
The three perfect tenses are formed by using the verb _have_ with the perfect participle of the verb.
The _present perfect_ tense denotes that the action is complete at the present time. It is formed by the present tense of _have_ and the perfect participle of the verb; as,
I have written We have written You have written You have written He has written They have written
The progressive form is,
I have been writing We have been writing You have been writing You have been writing He has been writing They have been writing
The _past perfect_ denotes that the action was completed in past time. It is formed by using the past tense of _have_ and the perfect participle of the verb; as,
I had written We had written You had written You had written He had written They had written
The progressive form is,
I had been writing We had been writing You had been writing You had been writing He had been writing They had been writing
The _future perfect_ tense denotes that the action will be completed at some future time. It is formed by the future of _have_ and the perfect participle of the verb; as,
I shall have written We shall have written You will have written You will have written He will have written They will have written
The progressive form is rarely used. It is
I shall have been writing We shall have been writing You will have been writing You will have been writing He will have been writing They will have been writing
Giving all forms singular and plural, first, second, and third persons of each tense constitutes the _conjugation_ of a verb. Giving one person in each tense constitutes the _synopsis_ of the conjugation.
The following is a synopsis of all the tenses of the active voice in the first person singular number of the verb _write_:
ACTIVE VOICE
{ { {I write (simple form) { {_Present_ {I am writing (progressive form) { { {I do write (emphatic form) { { {_Primary_ { {I wrote (simple) { {_Past_ {I was writing (progressive) { { {I did write (emphatic) { { { { {I shall write (simple) { {_Future_ {I shall be writing (progressive) TENSE { { { {I have written (simple) { {_Present Perfect_{I have been writing (progressive) { { {_Perfect_ { {I had written (simple) {_or_ {_Past Perfect_ {I had been writing (progressive) {_Secondary_{ { { { { {I shall have written (simple) { {_Future Perfect_ {I shall have been writing { { { (progressive)
=Exercise 103=
Conjugate the following in the active voice:
1. Simple past tense of _walk_.
2. Present progressive tense of _walk_.
3. Present perfect of _drive_. (See Exercise 108 for the principal parts.)
4. Present perfect progressive of _drive_.
5. Future progressive of _ride_.
6. Past of _ride_.
7. Present progressive of _ride_.
8. Past emphatic of _ride_.
9. Past perfect of _ride_.
10. Present perfect progressive of _ride_.
Give a synopsis of the progressive tenses of _begin_, using _he_ as the subject.
=Exercise 104--Shall and Will=
The auxiliary verbs used to form the future tenses are _shall_ and _will_. The two must be carefully distinguished because they denote different ideas, according to the person with which they are used. The rule is, to express simple future time, use _shall_ in the first person, _will_ in the second and third persons.
The future tense of the verb _walk_ is conjugated as follows:
I shall walk We shall walk You will walk You will walk He will walk They will walk
This is the form to use when you expect the action to take place naturally.
On the other hand, instead of letting things take their natural course as they do in the simple future, you may force them to take place. You may, for example, be determined to walk, or determined to make some one else walk. In that case the use is reversed; as,
I will walk We will walk You shall walk You shall walk He shall walk They shall walk
This form is used whenever the speaker has authority to bring about the action indicated by the verb.
In questions of the first person always use _shall_. In questions of the second and third persons use the same form that you expect in the answer; as,
_Shall_ you be at home to-morrow? I _shall_.
In the following sentences insert _shall_ or _will_, giving the reason for your choice:
1. I ---- finish the work by three o'clock, I think.
2. To-morrow he ---- feel sorry for this; I vow it.
3. I am sorry, but I ---- not be able to finish the work before next week.
4. ---- you finish your business course in February or in June? I ---- finish in June, I think.
5. ---- he finish in February? No, he ---- finish in June.
6. The foreman declares he ---- not have another chance.
7. He ---- see his mistake when it is too late.
8. They ---- surely be at the station to meet me.
9. I'm afraid you ---- be kicked if you go near that horse.
10. If he doesn't take the examination, he ---- fail.
11. I am determined that I ---- win.
12. I ---- sail probably on the fifteenth.
13. He ---- be twenty-one to-morrow.
14. I ---- go in spite of him.
15. ---- you go by train, do you think?
16. I ---- be greatly obliged if you ---- send the book at once.
17. I promise you John ---- know his lesson to-morrow.
18. ---- you be at home this evening?
19. ---- the train be on time?
20. ---- the store be open this evening?
Conjugate the future and future perfect tenses of the following verbs:
drive see go run sweep ride choose sing eat sell
=Exercise 105--Should and Would=
_Should_ and _would_ are the past tenses of _shall_ and _will_ and, in general, express the same ideas as do _shall_ and _will_, except that _should_ sometimes means _ought_; as,
You _should_ not speak in that way.
_Would_, also, sometimes indicates an action that occurs frequently; as,
She _would_ often sit at the window all the morning.
The use of _should_ and _would_ in indirect statements and questions is sometimes puzzling. First of all, decide whether _shall_ or _will_ would be used in the direct form of the sentence. If the direct form uses _shall_, use _should_ in the indirect; if the direct uses _will_, use _would_ in the indirect; as,
_Direct_: The market _will_ improve.
_Indirect_: He said that the market _would_ improve.
In conditional clauses (_if_), use _should_ for all persons.
Insert _should_ or _would_.
1. If I knew his address, I ---- send him a telegram.
2. He promised that he ---- not make the mistake again. (The direct form would read, I will not ---- )
3. I promised that I ---- not make the mistake again.
4. You promised that you ---- not make the mistake again.
5. Do you think that I ---- go?
6. I ---- if I were you.
7. I ---- think he ---- know better than to apply for that position.
8. John said that, no matter what we thought, he ---- not go.
9. If you ---- decide to accept the offer, let me know at once.
10. I am sorry he did that. He ---- not, of course.
11. If I ---- see him, I'd let him know.
12. If he ---- come during my absence, ask him to wait.
13. I ---- think you would be more careful.
14. Let me know if you ---- not be able to come.
=Exercise 106=
Change the italicized verbs to past tense, future, present perfect, past perfect, future perfect. Wherever necessary, add sufficient to make the meaning of the tense clear; as,
_Present_: The manager _is now_ in his office.
_Past_: The manager _was_ in his office _a few minutes ago_.
_Future_: The manager _will be_ in his office _to-morrow at ten o'clock_.
_Present Perfect_: The manager _has been_ in his office _all the morning_. (It is still morning.)
_Past Perfect_: The manager _had been_ in his office _only a few moments when the president arrived_.
_Future Perfect_: _In about five minutes_ the manager _will have been_ in the president's office _exactly three hours_.
1. The cashier _opens_ the safe in the morning.
2. The mechanic _earns_ good wages.
3. The buyer _leaves_ to-night.
4. The bookkeeper _makes_ out the statements.
5. The correspondent _writes_ the booklets.
6. The advertising manager _approves_ the copy.
7. The adding machine _is broken_.
8. The chief clerk _attends_ to the incoming mail.
9. The superintendent _visits_ the factory every day.
10. The salesman _is selling_ five thousand dollars' worth of goods a week.
=Exercise 107=
The present tense is used to indicate general truths--things true in past time and still true. Omit the incorrect form in the following sentences:
1. What did you say _is_--_was_ the meaning of the term _bona fide_?
2. What _was_--_is_ the name of that book that you enjoyed so much?
3. Didn't you know that the lion _is_--_was_ called the king of beasts?
4. They told me that the legal rate of interest at present _is_-_was_ six per cent.
5. Have you ever heard him try to prove that black _is_--_was_ white?
6. What _is_--_was_ the name of the banker who lectured to us yesterday?
7. I never could remember what the important products of my county _are_--_were_.
8. The advocate of Equal Suffrage argued that mothers _need_--_needed_ the ballot to protect their children.
9. She said that a democracy _is_--_was_ a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, and that women _are_-_were_ people as well as men.
10. The speaker asserted that this country _needs_--_needed_ a tariff to protect home industries.
=Exercise 108--Principal Parts=
No one can be certain of using the correct form of a verb unless he knows the principal parts. Some verbs are regular; that is, they form their past tense and their perfect participle by adding _ed_ to the present tense; as,
_Present_ _Past_ _Perfect Participle_ walk walked walked
Some verbs, however, are very irregular, having a different form for each of the principal parts. A list of such verbs follows:
_Present_ _Past_ _Perfect Participle_ arise arose arisen awake awoke or awaked awaked be was been bear (carry) bore borne beat beat beaten become became become begin began begun bid bade bidden bite bit bitten blow blew blown break broke broken choose chose chosen come came come do did done draw drew drawn drink drank drunk drive drove driven eat ate eaten fall fell fallen fly flew flown forbid forbade forbidden forsake forsook forsaken freeze froze frozen give gave given go went gone grow grew grown hide hid hidden know knew known lie (to rest) lay lain ride rode ridden ring rang rung rise rose risen run ran run see saw seen shake shook shaken show showed shown shrink shrank shrunk sing sang sung slay slew slain slide slid slidden sow sowed sown speak spoke spoken spring sprang sprung steal stole stolen strive strove striven swear swore sworn swell swelled swelled, swollen swim swam swum take took taken tear tore torn throw threw thrown wear wore worn weave wove woven write wrote written
=Exercise 109=
Some verbs, though irregularly formed, have the past tense and perfect participle alike. A list of such verbs follows:
_Present_ _Past_ _Perfect Participle_ bend bent bent behold beheld beheld beseech besought besought bind bound bound bleed bled bled bless blessed, blest blessed, blest bring brought brought build built built burn burned, burnt burned, burnt buy bought bought catch caught caught cling clung clung clothe clothed, clad clothed, clad creep crept crept deal dealt dealt dig dug dug dream dreamed, dreamt dreamed, dreamt dwell dwelt dwelt flee fled fled grind ground ground hang hung, hanged hung, hanged have had had hear heard heard hold held held kneel knelt knelt lay laid laid lead led led leap leapt leapt lend lent lent pay paid paid say said said shine shone shone sit sat sat sleep slept slept sling slung slung speed sped sped spin spun spun stand stood stood sting stung stung strike struck struck string strung strung sweep swept swept swing swung swung teach taught taught think thought thought weep wept wept win won won wind wound wound wring wrung wrung
=Exercise 110=
Some verbs have all three forms alike. A list of such follows:
_Present_ _Past_ _Perfect Participle_ bet bet bet burst burst burst cast cast cast cost cost cost cut cut cut hit hit hit hurt hurt hurt knit knit knit let let let put put put rid rid rid set set set shed shed shed spread spread spread sweat sweat sweat wet wet wet
FOOTNOTE:
[1] If one of the words so joined is plural, the verb should be plural.
=Exercise 111=
Choose the correct form of the italicized words below, and give the reason for your choice.
1. If it _don't_--_doesn't_ fit you, we shall alter it.
2. I _knew_--_knowed_ I was right.
3. _Aren't_--_ain't_ you glad we came?
4. _Ain't_--_isn't_ he well?
5. We _done_--_did_ the right thing.
6. _Let_--_leave_ the book on the table.
7. _Let_--_leave_ me do as I planned.
8. Mary has _broke_--_broken_ her arm.
9. My mother has _gone_--_went_ to Boston.
10. Where _was_--_were_ you yesterday?
11. When the dinner bell _rang_--_rung_, we all _come_--_came_ running in.
12. He _don't_--_doesn't_ know what you said.
13. To what hospital have they _taken_--_took_ him?
14. I _saw_--_seen_ him a few minutes ago.
15. I _saw_--_seen_ him yesterday.
16. I should _have_--_of_ brought my book.
17. My winter coat is _wore_--_worn_ out.
18. Have you ever _rode_--_ridden_ in an aeroplane?
19. I have _shown_--_showed_ you all the styles I have.
20. _Don't_--_doesn't_ it seem odd that he _don't_--_doesn't_ come?
21. She _don't_--_doesn't_ remember you.
22. We _began_--_begun_ the work yesterday.
23. I'm afraid my foot is _froze_--_frozen_.
24. We _ran_--_run_ all the way.
25. I've _shook_--_shaken_ him three times, but he _don't_--_doesn't_ awake.
26. The bell _rang_--_rung_ just before you entered.
27. She _sang_--_sung_ very well.
28. He _swam_--_swum_ all yesterday morning.
29. Why _don't_--_doesn't_ some one tell John that his coat is _tore_--_torn_?
30. _Don't_--_doesn't_ mother know that the vase is _broke_--_broken_?
=Exercise 112--Troublesome Verbs=
=Lie, Lay=
_Lie_ is intransitive; _lay_ is transitive. _Lie_ signifies _to rest_; _lay_, _to place_. Insert the correct form in the following:
1. He told me to ---- the book on the table. It ---- there now.
2. I ---- all day waiting for help to arrive.
3. Where did you ---- the purse?
4. I ---- it on your desk.
5. I have ---- the letters on your desk.
6. They told me to ---- down. I ---- down for about two hours.
7. As I wished to bleach the clothes, I ---- them on the grass.
8. ---- the bundle down and listen to me.
9. You will probably find your cap ----ing where it has ----since you dropped it.
10. They let the field ---- fallow.
11. How long has it ---- fallow?
12. Yesterday he ---- on the grass almost all day.
13. The hunter ---- still and watched.
14. He ---- his gun beside him and waited.
15. It will ---- undisturbed till morning.
16. ---- down awhile before dinner.
17. I don't know how long he has ---- here.
18. He let his tools ---- in the rain.
=Exercise 113--Troublesome Verbs=
=Sit, Set=
_Sit_ is intransitive and signifies _to rest_. _Set_ is transitive and means _to place_. Insert the correct form:
1. I have ---- the ferns in the rain.
2. ---- down for a few minutes.
3. She drew up a chair and ---- down, while we were ----ting down the probable expenses of the new house.
4. Why don't you ---- us a good example?
5. ----ting the table is not strenuous enough for one who has been ----ting all day.
6. The hen is ----ting on her eggs.
7. The man is ----ting out trees.
8. ---- still; I'll go.
=Fly, Flow, Flee=
Remember that birds _fly_; rivers _flow_; hunted creatures _flee_.
9. Still the river ---- on its accustomed course.
10. Every autumn the birds ---- south.
11. The birds have not yet ---- away.
12. The deer ---- before the dogs.
=Rise, Raise=
_Rise_ is intransitive; _raise_ is transitive.
13. I have been trying all morning to ---- this window.
14. I set the bread to ----.
15. He will surely ---- in his profession.
=Teach, Learn=
16. Will you ---- me how to play tennis?
17. I thought you had ---- how to play tennis.
18. I ---- (past tense) her the new system of filing.
=May, Can=
_May_ signifies permission; _can_ denotes possibility.
19. ---- I use your book?
20. ---- you write shorthand?
21. ---- I go with you?
22. My mother says that I ---- go with you.
=Might, Could=
_Might_ is the past tense of _may_, and _could_ is the past tense of _can_.
23. He said that I ---- go.
24. He ---- do the work if he wished.
25. Did you say I ---- use your typewriter?
=Exercise 114--Accept, Except=
_Accept_ means _to receive_. _Except_ as a verb means _to exclude_; as a preposition it means _with the exception of_. Insert the correct form in the following:
1. Did you ---- the position? Yes, no one applied for it ---- me.
2. I have no other reason for not ----ing your invitation ---- that I shall not be in the city.
3. ---- Mary all ----ed the invitation.
4. He would not ---- the money ---- on one condition.
5. Why do you ---- him from the general offer that you are making?
6. I agree with you ---- on one point.
7. He ----ed the rebuke in silence.
8. We were forced to ---- their conditions.
9. He said he would not ---- the money ---- that he knew he could return it.
10. You have answered everything ---- what I asked you.
=Exercise 115--Affect, Effect=
_Affect_ means _to influence_. It is always a verb. _Effect_ as a verb means _to bring to pass_; as a noun it means _result_. Insert the correct form in the following sentences:
1. His opinion does not ---- the case.
2. How does war ---- trade?
3. His walking has had a good ---- upon his health.
4. The ruling did not ---- the wholesale dealers, but it had a big ---- upon us.
5. What ---- did the loss have upon him?
6. The failure of the bank ----ed the small depositors but had no ---- upon the big business men.
7. The ---- of the law has been startling because of the number of people ----ed by it.
8. They ----ed the consolidation, but thereby produced a bad ---- upon the price of their stock.
9. The accident seriously ----ed his nervous system. In fact, the ---- of the fall is only gradually disappearing.
10. Did the celebrated physician really ---- a cure?
=Exercise 116--Lose, Loose=
_Lose_ is a verb, while _loose_ is usually an adjective. The two should be carefully distinguished. Insert the correct form:
1. I have a note book with ---- leaves.
2. Aren't you afraid you will ---- some of the ---- leaves of that book?
3. Be careful that you don't ---- that ---- bolt.
4. Do you remember that you had warned me that I'd ---- the ---- button on my coat? I did ---- it not five minutes afterward.
5. One of the hinges of the door has become ----.
6. Do not ---- the ---- change in that pocket.
7. He will ---- the parcel as the cord is ----.
8. Did you ---- the ---- leaf journal?
9. She may ---- the money, as the clasp of her purse is ----.
10. I keep my ---- journal paper together by a rubber band so that there will be no chance of ----ing it.
=Exercise 117--Had ought=
_Wrong_: We had ought to go. _Right_: We ought to go. _Wrong_: We had ought to have gone. _Right_: We ought to have gone.
Correct the following sentences:
1. I had ought to have studied harder.
2. You ought to do it, hadn't you?
3. Hadn't you ought to have gone?
4. Yes, I had ought to have gone yesterday.
5. Do you think I had ought to have accepted?
6. He had ought to come to-morrow.
7. The tickets had ought to have come from the printer's yesterday.
8. We had not ought to stay out so late.
9. You had ought to wear your coat.
10. He had ought to have become naturalized.
11. You had ought to have washed the dishes before you went out.
12. You had ought to take an umbrella.
13. You had ought to have heard what she said.
14. We hadn't ought to disagree.
15. You ought to have invested, hadn't you?
=Exercise 118=
Conjugation of the verb _be_ in the
INDICATIVE MODE
_Present Tense_
_Singular_ _Plural_
I am We are You are You are He is They are
_Past Tense_
I was We were You were You were He was They were
_Future Tense_
I shall be We shall be You will be You will be He will be They will be
_Present Perfect Tense_
I have been We have been You have been You have been He has been They have been
_Past Perfect Tense_
I had been We had been You had been You had been He had been They had been
_Future Perfect Tense_
I shall have been We shall have been You will have been You will have been He will have been They will have been
The verb _be_ is used to form the progressive tenses of the active voice (See Exercise 102) and the simple tenses of the passive voice; as,
PASSIVE VOICE
_Present Tense_
_Singular_ _Plural_
I am followed We are followed You are followed You are followed He is followed They are followed
_Past Tense_
I was followed We were followed You were followed You were followed He was followed They were followed
_Future Tense_
I shall be followed We shall be followed You will be followed You will be followed He will be followed They will be followed
_Present Perfect Tense_
I have been followed We have been followed You have been followed You have been followed He has been followed They have been followed
_Past Perfect Tense_
I had been followed We had been followed You had been followed You had been followed He had been followed They had been followed
_Future Perfect Tense_
I shall have been followed We shall have been followed You will have been followed You will have been followed He will have been followed They will have been followed
If we add the progressive form wherever it may be used, we have the following synopsis of the indicative mood:
PASSIVE VOICE
{ { _Present_ I am followed (simple) { { I am being followed (progressive) { { { _Primary_ { _Past_ I was followed (simple) { { I was being followed (progressive) Tenses { { { { _Future_ I shall be followed { { { _Present Perfect_ I have been followed { _Perfect_ { _Past Perfect_ I had been followed { { _Future Perfect_ I shall have been followed
=Exercise 119=
Conjugate the following in the passive voice:
1. Simple present of _pay_.
2. Progressive past of _pay_.
3. Present perfect of _throw_.
4. Future of _praise_.
5. Past perfect of _forget_.
6. Progressive present of _choose_.
7. Past progressive of _choose_.
8. Future of _choose_.
9. Future perfect of _choose._
10. Past perfect of _choose_.
=Exercise 120=
Supply the verb forms indicated. Use the active unless the passive is definitely called for.
1. The vegetables (present perfect of _lie_) in water all the morning.
2. Rumors (past progressive passive of _spread_) far and wide that Germany would fight England.
3. I thought the gingham (past perfect passive of _shrink_) before the dress (past passive of _made_).
4. I am afraid my ear (present progressive of _freeze_).
5. Is it true that your ring (present perfect passive of _steal_)?
6. A sudden storm (past of _arise_) yesterday afternoon, and a little boy (past passive of _drown_) in the river where he and several of his companions (past perfect progressive of _swim_) since noon.
7. I (present perfect of _speak_) of the matter to no one.
8. I suppose that it (present perfect passive of _break_).
9. I must (present perfect of _show_) him twenty different styles, but he (past of _choose_) none of them, for as soon as I (past of _show_) him one, he (past of _shake_) his head.
10. She (past progressive of _wring_) out the clothes when the door bell (past of _ring_).
11. I am afraid my purse (present passive of _lose_).
12. The knight (past of _say_) that he (past perfect of _decide_) (infinitive of _follow_) the quest.
13. I thought I (past perfect of _bring_) you the morning paper.
14. He (past of _swim_) the river twice yesterday.
15. There he stood (present participle of _ring_) the dinner bell.
16. His coat (present perfect passive of _wet_) through more than once.
17. The trip (past of _cost_) him a hundred dollars.
18. I (past of _see_) the superintendent yesterday, but he said that there (present of _be_) no vacancies at present.
19. They (past of _lay_) the clippings on the desk, and then they (past of _sit_) down.
20. As he (past of _speak_), he (past progressive of _shake_) from head to foot.
21. The clouds (past of _lie_) low on the horizon.
22. The building in which I work (present perfect passive of _burn_).
23. Your employer (present perfect _deal_) fairly with you.
24. I (present perfect of _have_) the same position for three years.
25. I (future of _lend_) him no money.
26. The floor (past passive of _lay_) by an expert workman.
27. The beads (past passive of _string_) on a waxed thread.
28. He (present perfect of _throw_) the whole office into confusion.
29. Before he came forward, he (past of _set_) the child down.
30. After the storm, leaves and twigs (past progressive of _lie_) thick upon the roads.
31. He (past of _drive_) to town yesterday. He (future of _go_) again to-morrow.
32. The dictionary (present progressive of _lie_) on the table where you (past of _lay_) it.
33. The dog (past of _lay_) the bone down, and then he (past of _lie_) down.
34. He (past of _set_) the chair by the window and then (past of _sit_) down.
35. I think we (future of _see_) him as we pass, for he usually (present of _lie_) on a couch by the window.
36. The snow (past perfect progressive of _fall_) for several hours and now (past of _lie_) deep on every path.
37. Everything (present perfect passive of _lay_) in readiness.
38. (Present participle of _lie_) in the hammock, he soon fell asleep.
39. I saw the man (present participle of _lie_) on the ground.
40. After he (past perfect of _lie_) there a few minutes, he suddenly (past of _sit_) up.
41. The biplane, which (past perfect progressive of _lie_) in the hangar since it (past perfect passive of _raise_) from the water in which it (past perfect of _lie_) for two weeks, (past of _rise_) up over the city.
42. Large crowds (past progressive of _sit_) on the fields, (present participle of _wait_) for the aeroplane (infinitive of rise).
43. Many people (past perfect of _set_) tents on the field during the night and now (past progressive of _get_) a good view of the flight.
44. All eyes (past progressive of _turn_) toward the aeroplane, which (past progressive of _rise_) steadily.
45. The biplane (past of _rise_) until it (past perfect of _rise_) about five hundred feet above the tallest building; then it (past passive of _raise_) about fifty feet more to get it out of an air current that (past progressive of _raise_) one end of it.
=Exercise 121--Infinitives and Participles=
_Infinitives_ are verb forms that are used as nouns, as adjectives, or as adverbs. _Participles_ are verb forms that are used as adjectives. Thus at the same time each acts as two parts of speech. As verbs both have the meaning of the verbs from which they are made; both have tense and voice; both may be modified by adverbial expressions; and, if they are made from transitive verbs, both may take objects.
The Participle
The tenses and voices of the participle are as follows:
ACTIVE VOICE
_Present_
_Simple_ _Progressive_
selling ----
_Perfect_
having sold having been selling
PASSIVE VOICE
_Present_
being sold ----
_Perfect_
having been sold ----
The participle frequently introduces a phrase. Usually the phrase is used like an adjective; occasionally it is used like a noun (sometimes called the _gerund_ phrase).
_Adjective_: _Seeing your perplexity_, I'll offer a suggestion. (Notice the punctuation.)
_Noun_(Gerund): _Playing tennis_ is good exercise.
The Infinitive
The infinitive is distinguished by the word _to_, either expressed or understood. The tenses and voices of the infinitive are as follows:
ACTIVE VOICE
_Present_
_Simple_ _Progressive_
to sell to be selling
_Perfect_
to have sold to have been selling
PASSIVE VOICE
_Present_
to be sold ----
_Perfect_
to have been sold ----
The infinitive is often used to introduce a phrase; as,
_Noun_: _To get to the top of the hill_ was a difficult matter. _Adverb_: I went _to buy the sugar_. _Adjective_: It's a drawing _to be proud of_.
Grouping all the facts that we have thus far learned about phrases, and expressing them in diagram form, we have the following:
Phrases may be classified:
_According to Form_ _According to Use_
Prepositional Adverbial Participial (Gerund) Adjective Infinitive Noun
The prepositional and infinitive phrases may have all three uses; the participial phrase has two--adjective and noun (gerund).
Variety of Expression[2]
Phrases are important because, like clauses, they help us to vary the form of our sentences. They help us, above all, to avoid the childish _so_ habit. Thus, instead of _They wished to make the ice smooth so they flooded the pond_, we may use, for example:
_Subordinate clause_: Because (as, since) they wished to make the ice smooth, they flooded the pond.
_Participial phrase_: Wishing to make the ice smooth, they flooded the pond.
_Infinitive phrase_: To make the ice smooth, they flooded the pond.
_Gerund phrase_: Flooding the pond made the ice smooth.
_Prepositional phrase modifying noun subject_: The flooding of the pond made the ice smooth.
Recast each of the following sentences in at least two of the ways shown above:
1. They wished to finish the work so they stayed till six o'clock.
2. John hoped to arrive before the others so he started early.
3. He saw that the cars were not running so he walked so he would be on time.
4. They needed some gasoline so they had to stop at a garage.
5. He wished to make a tool chest so he bought some lumber.
6. They saw that he liked to read so they gave him several books.
7. She wished to make a good appearance at the party so she bought a new dress.
8. He was in a hurry so he walked fast.
9. We were afraid that we'd be late so we ran.
10. The campers thought they'd like a fire so they gathered a quantity of dry leaves and wood.
11. I was very tired when I reached home so I couldn't go to the lecture.
12. The work was difficult so it took three hours to finish it.
13. The clock needed repairing so he took it to a jeweler's.
14. The coat did not fit so she sent it back.
15. She didn't know where to take the train so she asked a policeman.
=Exercise 122--Mode=
Mode is the form of the verb that indicates the manner of expressing the thought. The _modes_, or _moods_, that every one should be able to distinguish are the _indicative_ and the _subjunctive_. If the verb indicates a fact, we say it is in the indicative mode; if it expresses a supposition, a doubt, a statement contrary to fact, or a wish, we say it is in the subjunctive mode.
You _are_ good. (A fact--indicative.)
I wish I _were_ good. (Contrary to fact, a wish--subjunctive.)
In form the indicative and the subjunctive differ in the present and the past tenses of the verb _to be_, as follows:
=Indicative of _be_=
_Present_ _Past_ I am We are I was We were You are You are You were You were He is They are He was They were
=Subjunctive of _be_=
_Present_ _Past_ If I be If we be If I were If we were If you be If you be If you were If you were If he be If they be If he were If they were
Other verbs in the subjunctive mode do not end in _s_ in the third person singular number, but use the same form as the other persons in the singular number; as, _if he go_, _if she walk_.
_If_, _though_, _although_, or _lest_ usually introduce the subjunctive form.
In modern English, the use of the subjunctive is becoming rare except in the past and past perfect tenses in statements contrary to fact, and in wishes, which are really statements contrary to fact; as,
1. If I were a king (but I'm not), I'd see that my laws were obeyed.
2. I wish I were a king! (but I'm not).
3. If I had been careful, my work would be good. (I was not careful.)
4. I wish I had been careful! (I was not.)
Notice that the verb is in the past or in the past perfect tense.
There are some careful writers who still use the present subjunctive to show a _possibility_; as,
Lest he start too late, remind him again that he must meet the 4:15 train.
In the following sentences, which form is better? May any of the sentences use either form?
1. I wish I _was_--_were_ rich.
2. If I _was_--_were_ you, I should go at once.
3. If his work _was_--_were_ exact, he would have no trouble in holding a position.
4. If it _was_--_were_ true, why didn't you say so?
5. If he _was_--_were_ a millionaire, he could not have been more lavish.
6. If such a thing _was_--_were_ possible, our government would be no government.
7. If the election _was_--_were_ postponed, we should have been informed.
=Exercise 123=
Insert _was_ or _were_ in each of the following sentences, in each case giving a reason for your choice. Remember that the indicative _was_ is used to denote a statement of fact in the past time, and the subjunctive _were_ (singular and plural) is used to denote a possibility, something that is supposed to be true, or a statement entirely contrary to fact, as in a wish.
1. I wish I ---- going with you.
2. As he ---- not well, he could not go.
3. If he ---- well, he could go.
4. If he ---- attentive in class, he would not fail.
5. They treated me as if I ---- one of the family.
6. When I ---- in the South I visited New Orleans.
7. Suppose she ---- your guest, how would you entertain her?
8. He would appear very tall ---- it not for the breadth of his shoulders.
9. We decided that if it ---- still raining by seven o'clock, we should not go.
10. If our strawberries ---- ripe, I'd give you some.
11. If the package ---- left yesterday, as you say, it must have been while I ---- not at home.
12. If he ---- late yesterday, he must start earlier to-day.
13. If every man ---- honest, business life would be very pleasant.
14. I saw that he ---- not interested.
15. If he ---- not interested, he surely looked as if he ----.
16. ---- I certain that the bonds ---- safe, I should invest in them.
17. As the tablecloth ---- stained, we laid it on the grass to bleach it.
18. If that stained tablecloth ---- mine, I'd try bleaching it.
19. If I ---- as interested in farming as you are, I'd buy a farm.
20. If her work ---- best, why didn't she get the higher salary?
=Exercise 124--Verbs Incorrectly Used=
_Wrong_ _Right_ 1. _Let_ the book on the table. _Leave_ the book on the table.
2. _Leave_ me go with you. _Let_ me go with you.
3. Don't _blame it on_ me. Don't _accuse_ me.
4. Do you _carry_ stationery? Do you _sell_ stationery?
5. The child _aggravates_ me. The child _irritates_ me.
6. Please _except_ my invitation. Please _accept_ my invitation.
7. Where have you _located_? Where have you _settled_? (_Locate_ is a transitive verb.)
8. I _expect_ you are very busy. I _suppose_ you are very busy.
9. I _disremember_ seeing him. I _don't remember_ seeing him.
10. Do you _mind_ where you saw it? Do you _remember_ where you saw it?
11. Where are you _stopping_? Where are you _staying_?
12. Did you _extend an invitation_ Did you _invite_ him? to him?
13. This clock needs _fixing_. This clock needs _repairing_.
14. I should _admire_ to go. I should _like_ to go.
15. I'd _love_ to go. I'd _like_ to go.
16. He didn't _show up_ on time. He didn't _appear_ on time.
17. I _had_ a strange thing _happen_ A strange thing _happened_ to me to me yesterday. yesterday.
18. I didn't _get to go_. I _was unable to go_.
19. _Loan_ me your pencil. _Lend_ me your pencil. (_May I borrow your pencil?_ is correct. _Loan_ is a noun.)[3]
20. I _can't seem_ to understand I _seem unable_ to understand that problem. that problem.
21. I don't _take any stock_ in I _have no confidence_ in such such schemes. schemes.
22. How do you _size up_ the What _do you think_ of the situation? situation?
23. I _beg to state_. . . . Omit. (This expression has been so overdone in business letters that it should be avoided)
24. He _dove_ off the pier. He _dived_ off the pier.
25. He _claims_ that he was He _asserts_ (maintains) that he deceived. was deceived.
26. _Can_ I take your pencil? _May_ I take your pencil?
27. We expect to _get up_ a club. We expect to _organize_ a club.
28. Did you notice how that show Did you notice how that show window was _got up_? window was _decorated_?
29. It is _going on_ ten o'clock. It is _almost_ ten o'clock.
30. He said _to go_ at once. He said _that we should go_ at once.
NOTE.--The secretary's daily report will be found an excellent means of securing variety of expression in pupils' writing. A different pupil is elected each Monday to act as the secretary of the class for the ensuing week, his duty being to report each day the doings of the class on the preceding day. The conditions are that not more than one _and_ be used in each report and not more than one sentence begin with the subject.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] See note on page 115.
[3] _Loan_ for _lend_, though common in the United States, is not in approved use except sometimes in financial language.--_Webster's New International Dictionary._