2. It is formed by prefixing being, the third root of be, to the third root. EXAMPLE. Being reading. 3. By prefixing being to the fourth root. EXAMPLE. Being loved. The past tense is the fourth root of the verb. EXAMPLE. Loved. The present perfect tense is formed 1. By prefixing having, the third root of have, to the fourth root of the verb. EXAMPLE. Having loved. 2. By prefixing been, preceded by having, to the thirợ root. EXAMPLE. Having been reading. 3. By prefixing been, preceded by having, to the fourth root. EXAMPLE. Having been loved. EXERCISES. 1. Express each of the verbs, in the list used for exercises, in the different tenses of the participial mode, according to the several modes of formation. 2. Turn to the examples given in the different exercises under the participial mode, and mention the tense of all the participles. $65. PROGRESSIVE FORM OF THE PASSIVE VOICE. REMARK 1.-The passive voice of some verbs has, in the indicative mode, present and past tenses, a progressive forin. It is formed by prefixing the first or second root of he to the passive participle, present tense. REMARK 2.-The correctness of this form of the passive voice has been denied by many eminent grammarians. We are not disposed to enter into controversy with any on this subject, content to know, that this is a very common, beautiful, expressive, and necessary form of the verb. We hazard nothing in affirming, that it is as legitimate, and as well established, as any construction of the language whatever. If it be asked, why it is not extended to other tenses, and to only a limited number of verbs in these two tenses, the auswer is, it is extended just as far as the idiom requires it, and no farther. § 66. GENERAL REMARKS ON THE TENSES. The tenses, as they have been enumerated, do not mark the time of the performance of an action with accuracy. By the use of adverbs, phrases used as adverbs, and by the connection of different propositions, time may be marked with various degrees of precision, or with perfect accuracy, as shall suit the purpose of the speaker or writer. Great variety, beauty, vivacity, and copiousness, are given to language, by using the same form of the verb to express different varieties of time. The following remarks and illustrations will make this statement clear. I. Tenses of the indicative mode. 1. The present may indicate (1.) What is now taking place. This is its usual office. (2.) It may indicate an act that is now determined on, but which is to take place at some future time. EXAMPLES. He goes next week. He returns by the first stage. He finishes his job next season. (3) It indicates future time, when, in a dependent proposition, it is connected with the future tense. EXAMPLES. He will do your business when he returns. I shall commence my course of lectures as soon as my health sufficiently recovers. (4.) A customary event is, usually, expressed by the present tense. EXAMPLES. He is a diligent student. He drinks very hard. They attend church very punctually. He is an industrious-man. 2. The past tense always refers to past time, either remote or recent. But the form of the verb called the past tense indicative, leaves the time entirely indefinite It may be rendered more or less definite, as stated in the first remark. Whenever we wish to speak of future events in the past tense, we throw ourselves forward, in imagination, to a period subsequent to that which we are mentioning; then the event is past with respect to that period. 3. The future tense always refers to future time, and bears the same relation to future time, that the past tense does to past time, and may be rendered definite in the same manner. By means of adverbs, it may indicate what is to be done the next moment, but it is a moment future to the present, EXAMPLES. They will do it now. I shall go immediately to Philadelphia. 4. The present perfect tense indicates the completion of an action, but the completion is mentioned as having taken place within a measured period of time, longer or shorter, but not yet ended. Hence the use of the term present as applying to a period of time now progressing, and the term perfect as applying to an action completed in that part of the time already past. 5. The past perfect tense is always connected with some proposition, expressed or implied, that limits the event with respect to a period, at or before which the event took place. Hence this tense can never construct an independent proposition. This form of the verb leaves the time as completely indefinite as the past tense; but it, at the same time, always requires a limiting proposition, without which this form can not be used. EXAMPLES. I had thought this principle correct till now. 6. The future perfect tense, like the past perfect, is always connected with some proposition, expressed or implied, that limits the event to some future period of time, at or before which the event is to take place. Hence this tense can never construct an independent proposition. This form of the verb leaves the time as completely indefinite as the simple future; but, at the same time, it requires a limiting proposition, without which this form of the verb can not be used. EXAMPLES. I shall have obtained a reply before you can reach home. They will have used up all their means before they can collect the funds necessary to continue the work. REMARK.-The explanation of the parts making up the verb is thus: Shall is an auxiliary, denoting future time, and expressing an opinion; have is an auxiliary, denoting present time, but by being connected with the future, is thrown forward into future time; obtained is the fourth root of the verb, indicating the completion of an act. II. The tenses of the potential mode. 1. The present tense is used to express what may take. place immediately, or it may be used to express what may take place at any future period. The reason for calling this form of the verb present, seems to be, that it expresses a present intention, either positively or doubt-fully. This mode only indicates the possibility of an act's taking place, but if it does take place, it must be in future time. 2. The auxiliaries of the imperfect tense may be used to express past, present, and future time. Hence it has by some writers been called indefinite; but we might about as well call all the tenses indefinite. Though this tense depends more for its time on other parts of discourse, than some others, yet, when it is connected with others, it becomes as definite as any other. If the question be asked, whether the student shall carefully distinguish in parsing these variations of time, expressed by the same form of the verb, the answer, undoubtedly, should be, yes. EXAMPLES. PRESENT. I would aid you if I could. Might I not help you out of that difficulty? |