(Rule 19, 4. Almost all the irregularities, in the construction of any language, have arisen from the ellipsis of some words, which were originally inserted in the sentence, and made it regular; and it is probable, that this has generally been the case with respect to the conjunctive form of words, now in use; which will appear from the following examples: "We shall overtake him though he run," that is, "though he should run;""Unless he act prudently, he will not accomplish his purpose;" that is, "unless he shall act prudently.” “If he succeed and obtain his end, he will not be the happier for it ;" that is, "If he should succeed and should obtain his end." These remarks and examples are designed to show the original of many of our present conjunctive forms of expression; and to enable the student to examine the propriety of using them, by tracing the words in question to their proper origin and ancient connexions. But it is necessary to be more particular on this subject, and therefore we shall add a few observations respecting it.

That part of the verb which grammarians call the present tense of the subjunctive mood, has a future signification. This is effected by varying the terminations of the second and third persons singular of the indicative; as will be evident from the following examples: "If thou prosper, thou shouldst be thankful;" "Unless he study more closely, he will never be learned." Some writers however would express these sentiments without those variations; "If thou prosperest," &c. "Unless he studies," &c.: and as there is great diversity of practice in this point, it is proper to offer the learners a few remarks, to assist them in distinguishing the right application of these different forms of expression. It may be considered as a rule, that the changes of termination are necessary, when these two circumstances concur: 1st, When the subject is of a dubious and contingent nature ; and 2d, When the verb has a reference to future time. In the following sentences, both these circumstances will be found to unite: "If thou injure another, thou wilt hurt thy

self;" "He has a hard heart; and if he continue inpenitent, he must suffer;" "He will maintain his principles, though he lose his estate;" "Whether he succeed or not, his intention is laudable;" "If he be not prosperous, he will not repine;"" If a man smite his servant, and he die,” &e. Exod. xxi. 20. In all these examples, the things signi-. fied by the verbs are uncertain, and refer to future time. But in the instances which follow, future time is not referred to; and therefore a different construction takes place; "If thou livest virtuously, thou art happy ;" "Unless he means what he says, he is doubly faithless;" "If he allows the excellence of virtue, he does not regard her precepts ;" "Though he seems to be simple and artless, he has deceived us;" "Whether virtue is better than rank or wealth, admits not of any dispute;" "If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayst," &c. Acts viii, 37.-There are many sentences, introduced by conjunctions, in which neither contingency nor futurity is denoted: as, Though he excels her in knowledge, she far exceeds him in virtue.” “I have no doubt of his principles: but if he believes the truths of religion, he does not act according to them."

That both the circumstances of contingency and futurity are necessary, as tests of the propriety of altering the terminations, will be evident, by inspecting the following examples; which show that there are instances in which neither of the circumstances alone implies the other. In the three examples following, contingency is denoted, but not futurity. "If he thinks as he speaks, he may safely be trusted.' "If he is now disposed to it, I will perform the operation." "He acts uprightly, unless he deceives me." In the following sentences, futurity is signified, but not contingency. "As soon as the sun sets, it will be cooler." "As the autumn advances, these birds will gradually emigrate."

It appears, from the tenor of the examples adduced, that the rules above mentioned may be extended to assert, that in cases wherein contingency and futurity do not concur, it.

is not proper to turn the verb from its signification of present time, nor to vary its form or termination. The verb would then be in the indicative mood, whatever conjunctions might attend it.—If these rules, which seem to form the true distinction between the subjunctive and the indicative moods in this tense, were adopted and established in practice, we should have, on this point, a principle of decision simple and precise, and readily applicable to every case that might occur. It will, doubtless, sometimes happen, that, on this occasion, as well as on many other occasions, a strict adherence to grammatical rules, would render the language stiff and formal: but when cases of this sort occur, it is better to give the expression a different turn, than to violate grammar for the sake of ease, or even of elegance. See Rule 14. Note 2.

5. On the form of the auxiliaries in the compound tenses of the subjunctive mood, it seems proper to make a few observations. Some writers express themselves in the perfect tense as follows: "If thou have determined, we must submit:" "Unless he have consented, the writing will be void":" but we believe that few authors of critical sagacity write in this manner. The proper form seems to be, "If thou hast determined; unless he has consented," &c. conformably to what we generally meet with in the Bible: "I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me." Isaiah xlv. 4, 5." What is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained," &c. Job xxvi. 8. See also Acts xxviii. 4.

6. In the pluperfect and future tenses, we sometimes meet with such expressions as these; "If thou had applied thyself diligently, thou wouldst have reaped the advantage ;" "Unless thou shall speak the whole truth, we cannot determine;""If thou will undertake the business, there is little doubt of success." This mode of expressing the auxiliaries does not appear to be warranted by the general practice of correct writers. They should be hadst, shall, and wilt: and we find them used in this form, in the sacred Scriptures

"If thou hadst known," &c. Luke xix. 47. If thou hadst been here," &c. John xi. 21. "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean," Matt. viii. 2. See also, 2 Sam.ii. 27. Matt. xvii. 4.

7. The second person singular of the imperfect tense in the subjunctive mood, is also very frequently varied in its termination: as, "If thou loved him truly, thou wouldst obey him ;" "Though thou did conform, thou hast gained nothing by it." This variation, however, appears to be improper. Our present version of the Scriptures, which we again refer to, as a good grammatical authority in points of this nature, decides against it. "If thou knewest the gift," &c. John iv. 10. "If thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory ?" &c. 1 Cor. iv. 7. See also Dan. v. 22. But it is proper to remark, that the form of the verb to be, when used subjunctively in the imperfect tense, is indeed very considerably and properly varied from that which it has in the imperfect of the indicative mood: as the learner will perceive by turning to the conjugation of that verb.

8. It may not be superfluous, also to observe, that the auxiliaries of the potential mood, when applied to the subjunctive, do not change the termination of the second person singular. We properly say, "If thou mayst or canst go;" "Though thou mightst live;" "Unless thou couldst read;" "If thou wouldst learn; and not " If thou may or can go," &c. It is sufficient, on this point, to adduce the authorities of Johnson and Lowth; "If thou shouldst go ;” Johnson. "If thou mayst, mightst, or couldst love ;" Lowth. Some authors think, that when that expresses the motive or end, the termination of these auxiliaries should be varied: as, "I advise thee, that thou may beware;” "He checked thee, that thou should not presume:" but there does not appear to be any ground for this exception. If the expression of "condition, doubt, contingency," &c. does not warrant a change in the form of these auxiliaries, why should they have it, when a motive or end is expressed? The translators of the Scriptures do not appear to have made

the distinction contended for. "Thou buildest the wall, that thou mayst be their king,' Neh. ví. 6. "There is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayst be feared.' Psa. cxxx. 4.

From the preceding observations under this rule, it ap pears, that with respect to what is termed the present tense of any verb, when the circumstances of contingency and futurity concur, it is proper to vary the terminations of the second and third persons singular; that without the concurrence of those circumstances, the terminations should not be altered; and that the verb and the auxiliaries of the three past tenses, and the auxiliaries of the first future, andergo no alterations whatever: except the imperfect of the verb to be, which, in cases denoting contingency, is varied in all the persons of the singular number. See p. 90. The Note.

After perusing what has been advanced on this subject, it will be natural for the student to inquire, what is the extent of the subjunctive mood? Some grammarians think it extends only to what is called the present tense of verbs gene rally, under the circumstances of contingency and futurity, and to the imperfect tense of the verb to be, when it denotes contingency, &c: because in these tenses only, the form of the verb admits of variation; and they suppose that it is variation merely which constitutes the distinction of moods. It is the opinion of other grammarians, (in which opinion we concur,) that, besides the two cases just mentioned, all verbs in the three past, and the two future tenses, are in the subjunctive mood, when they denote contingency or uncertainty, though they have not any change of termination; and that, when contingency is not signified, the verb, through all these five tenses, belongs to the indicative mood,-whatever conjunction may attend it. They think, that the definition and nature of the subjunctive mood, have no reference to change of termination, but that they refer merely to the manner of the being, action, or passion, signified by the verb; and that the subjunctive mood may as properly exist