EXERCISE 30 Point out the substantive phrases and tell the use of (A substantive phrase is put on a support to show that it has the use of a single part of speech.) 1. He asked to see you. 2. To foretell the result is impossible. 3. His desire was to meet us here. 4. I had expected to see you there. 5. He formed a plan to unite the colonies. 6. To be great is to be misunderstood. 7. It is easy to see the mistakes of others. 8. "To Paris" is the watchword. 9. He wants to do right. 10. It takes two to tell a lie. 11. To live for one's country is noble. 12. He had the power to forgive sins. 13. Young Longfellow's ambition was to be a writer. 14. To be a gentleman is to be upright. 15. You may have your choice, to stay here or to go with me. 16. We have decided to stay here during the summer. 48. Of Adjectival Phrases. Note the grammatical use of each italicized phrase: They were men with hoary hair. Do you know the man sitting there? Henry is a player to be counted on. With hoary hair describes men; sitting there describes man; to be counted on describes player. Hence, each of these adjectival phrases is a direct modifier of the substantive. The piano is out of tune. The boys came running in. Julia seems to be happy. Out of tune (tuneless) completes the predicate verb is and describes the subject piano; running in completes the predicate verb came and describes the subject boys; to be happy completes the predicate verb seems and describes the subject Julia. Hence, each of these adjectival phrases is used as a subjective complement. This put me out of sorts. He kept us waiting a full hour. Out of sorts completes the predicate verb put and describes the direct object me; waiting a full hour completes the predicate verb kept and describes the direct object us. Hence, each of these adjectival phrases is used as an objective complement. Accordingly, adjectival phrases may be used as: (1) direct modifier, (2) subjective complement, (3) objective complement. Sometimes adjectives and adjectival phrases are interchangeable; thus, I am an English subject. I am a subject of England. He is a man to be trusted. EXERCISE 31 (1) Substitute a phrase for the italicized word and tell how the phrase is used: 1. He is a wise man. 2. I am an American citizen. 3. Some Oriental customs seem strange to us. 4. He is a science teacher. 5. This is a homeless child. 6. William is a reliable assistant. (2) Compose sentences to illustrate the adjectival use of the following phrases: 1. Of great weight. 2. To be admired. 3. Of dark complexion. (3) Point out the adjectival phrases and tell how each is used: Models for written exercise: (1) She is a girl of much promise. 49. Of Adverbial Phrases. Note the grammatical use of each italicized phrase: He was born in July. In July tells when he was born; hence, it denotes time. In Richmond tells where they live; hence, it denotes place. In haste tells how the man came; hence, it denotes manner. For liberty tells for what, or why, they fought; hence, it denotes cause. Accordingly, adverbial phrases may express time, place, cause, manner, or other adverbial relations. Sometimes adverbs and adverbial phrases are interchangeable; thus, They came hastily. They came in haste. Do your work carefully. Do your work with care. EXERCISE 32 (1) Substitute a phrase for the italicized word and tell how the phrase is used: 1. They acted wisely. 2. He entered cautiously. 3. I did it purposely. 4. Speak reverently. 5. The bird flew swiftly. 6. He addressed me thus. (2) Compose sentences to illustrate the adverbial use of the following phrases: 1. From the country. 2. Out of the house. 3. With honor. 4. To visit us. 5. On account of fear. 6. At six o'clock. (3) Point out the adverbial phrases and tell what each phrase modifies: Models for written exercise: (1) He was lying on the brow of a hill. |