REMARK.-Some nouns that were formerly regarded as always singular, are now used in the plural. They were regarded as singular, because they were not observed as having any variations; but when it was ascertained that they had variations, they took the plural form.

wine,

EXAMPLES.

brandy,

2. Some nouns are used only in the plural,

sugar.

3. Some nouns have the same form in both numbers.

REMARK 1. When two or more persons of the same name are spoken of, it is customary to make the complimentary title plural.

EXAMPLES.

The Misses Davidson,

Misses Hopper.

REMARK 2.-Numeral characters, and alphabetic letters, are usually pluralized by placing s, preceded by an apostrophe, after them.

EXAMPLES.

B's, 5's, 3's, d's, p's, g's, t's, r's, e's, f's,v's, m's.

$25. PARSING.

DEFINITION.-Parsing is mentioning in order all the peculiar variations of a word, and then the relation it sustains to other words.

EXERCISES.

1. Parse each noun in the following examples, so far as to mention its kind, person, and number, thus: Waves is a common noun, third person, plural.

2. Analyze each sentence.

3. Write and analyze as many more.

EXAMPLES.

The waves of the sea dashed furiously against the shore.
The churches of that village are built in the public square.
The box of clothes was sent for the benefit of the orphans.
Hopes are leaves of autumn.

The missionaries have given half of their property for objects of charity.

The money can be had without delay.

The body should undergo a thorough ablution every morning.
Light shone out-of darkness.

That child loves her mother.

The foot should not complain of the head.

Man should not be moved by the impulse of a moment.

A noxious miasma arises in all the low portions of the country. The index points the wrong way.

The momenta of all bodies can be easily computed.

The emphasis should be placed on the right words.

We have no data for such a conclusion.

The formula was given in these words.

His clothes were made of the most costly materials.
A man prepares his victuals.

The dogs kill sheep.

The goods are of an excellent quality.

He will drink the dregs of his own cup.

Politics engross the entire thoughts.

Pride goes before a fall.

Wisdom is ever distinguished for modesty.

The annals of time will not present such a phenomenon again.

$26. PERSON AND NUMBER OF THE VERB.

SPECIFICATION.-Verbs, with respect to person and number, are divided into two forms: personal and impersonal.

DEFINITION 1.-A personal form of the verb is a form that may be varied to agree in person and number with its subject.

I study my lesson.

EXAMPLES.

Thou studiest thy lesson.

He studies his lesson.

We study our lessons.
You study your lessons.
They study their lessons.

Observe how the pronoun, in the singular number, varies the ending of the verb.

The verb is of the first, second, or third person, according as the substantive, which is its immediate subject, is of the first, second, or third person. It may also be observed, that the first person singular, and the first person plural, are of the same ending; but the second person singular, and the second person plural, have different endings, as also the third person singular, and the third person plural. Hence the person and number of the subject of the verb may vary its termination.

ORAL.-1. Parse each of the verbs in the above examples.

That is, state the kind of verb, and the person and number. Thus, in the first sentence, laughs is an intransitive verb, in the active voice, and agrees with he in the third person singular. 2. Parse each substautive. 3. Analyze each sentence.

DEFINITION 2.-An impersonal form of the verb is a form that can not be varied in person and number to agree with its subject.

REMARK 1.-The impersonal form of the verb can never express a primary affirmation, but is always dependent in its construction.

REMARK 2-These two forms will, for the sake of brevity merely, be called the personal and impersonal verb.

EXAMPLES.

I wish to get my books.
I wish you to get my books.
I wish him to get my books.

In each of these examples the personal verb wish is the principal word in expressing the affirmation, and the verb get is dependent; yet it has every essential property of a verb, since the person and number is a mere accidental circumstance, and not essential to the character of a verb. We can, however, frequently express the thought intended by this phrase containing the impersonal verb, by a personal verb preceded by that. Thus the sentences above be

come

I wish that I could get my books.

I wish that you could get my books.
I wish that he could get my books.

It is not pretended that this last manner of expression can, in every instance, be considered precisely synonymous with the first. Numerous instances will occur, where you can not change from one to the other, without doing violence to the sense.

REMARK 3.-The impersonal verb as really has a subject as the personal, only the impersonal verb is not varied in its person and number by its subject. The subject of the impersonal verb may be the agent or the recipient.

In the example, I wish to get my books, the agent is to accomplish the act contemplated in the affirmation get; but in the example, I wish you to get my books, the recipient is to accomplish the affirmation expressed by get.

EXAMPLES.

We ought to retire.

He finds it difficult to understand you.

Permit us to withdraw.

He determined to accompany us.

You can prepare to go.

Study to improve all your time.

We are urged to be diligent.

Labor to accomplish the purpose of life.

You must learn to obey the laws.

They were directed to return immediately.

The army was ordered to march against Trenton.

Time must be given me to collect my thoughts.

REMARK 4.-We have particularly mentioned is and are as used in the formation of the passive voice. These belong to the third person singular and plural.