3. In the natural order, Etymological parsing should precede Analysis, because we can not analyze a sentence before we have learned the character of the words it contains; and Analysis should precede Syntactical parsing, because, till we know the parts and elements of a sentence, we can not understand their relations, nor intelligently combine them into one consistent whole. Still, these are all so intimately connected and blended together, that to do any one of them in the best manner, a knowledge of all is necessary. As Etymological parsing has to do only with the accidents of words, it matters not whether what is parsed consists of words unconnected, or in sentences. But in both Analysis and Syntactical parsing, not only must the words constitute a sentence, but that also must be both intelligible and understood: for no one can either analyze or parse Syntactically that which he does not understand. ETYMOLOGICAL PARSING. 576. Words are parsed etymologically in the manner directed under each part of speech, viz.: Nouns (182)— articles (194)-adjectives (225)—pronouns of different kinds, viz., personal (253), relative (278), interrogative (286), adjective (313)-verbs (491 and 496)-adverbs (537)-prepositions (553)—interjections (560)—conjunctions (572). 577. For a pupil to be expert and accurate in this exercise, is of much impor. tance, in order to pursue with pleasure and success the study of Syntax, and to a correct understanding of the forms and usages of speech in the English language. 578. A sentence to be parsed must be intelligible, and it is necessary for the pupil, in the first place, to understand it. When he understands a sentence, and also the definition of the different parts of speech given in the grammar, he will not find much difficulty in ascertaining to which of them each word belongs; that is, which of the words are "names of things," or nouns; which "qualify the names of things," or, "affirm anything concerning them," that is to say, which words are adjectives, and which are verbs. This method will exercise the discriminating powers of the pupil better, engage his attention much more, and, on trial, be found much more easy and certain, than that of consulting his dictionary on every occasion-a plan always laborious, often unsatisfactory, and which, instead of leading him to exercise his own powers, and depend on his own resources, will lead him to habits of slavish dependence on the authority of others. 579. The following general principles should be remembered, and steadily kept in view in parsing every sentence, viz.: 1. Every adjective qualifies or limits a noun or pronoun, expressed or understood. 2. The subject of a verb, that is, the person or thing spoken of, is always in the nominative (except when the verb is in the infinitive), and is said to be the nominative to the verb. 3. Every verb in the indicative, potential, subjunctive, or imperative mood, has a nominative or subject, expressed or understood. 4. Every verb in the active voice used transitively, and every preposition, is followed by a noun or pronoun in the objective case, or by an infinitive mood or clause of a sentence equivalent to it; and every objective case, except as in (828), is governed by an active transitive verb, or preposition. 5. The infinitive mood, for the most part, depends on, or is governed by, a verb or adjective. 580. MODEL OF ETYMOLOGICAL PARSING. "The minutest plant or animal, if [it is] attentively examined, affords a thousand wonders, and obliges us to admire and adore the Omnipotent Hand by which it was created."* Previous to parsing this sentence, the pupil may be led to understand it better, and perceive its parts more distinctly, by attending to such questions as the following: What is spoken of in this sentence? How are plant and animal qualified? What is said of them thus qualified? How is wonders limited? What else is said of them? Whom do they oblige? What do they oblige us to do? How is hand qualified? What hand? &c. 581. These words may be parsed fully, thus : : The DEFINITE ARTICLE, showing that plant and animal are defined. minutest. An ADJECTIVE, because it qualifies a noun, plant, &c. compared by er and est, or by prefixing more and most. superlative degree-expresses the greatest degree of minuteness compared with others. A NOUN-the name of an object. neuter-is without sex. nominative, because the subject of affords and obliges. * In parsing nouns, pronouns, and verbs, it is quite unnecessary to repeat the words gender, number, case, tense, mood, voice. Thus, "Father is a noun, masculine gender, in the nominative case, singular number."—It is enough, and is both neater and briefer, to say, "A noun masculine, in the nominative singular." So with the verb: instead of saying, "Loves is a verb," &c., "in the present tense, indicative mood, active voice, third person, singular number," it is sufficient and better to say, "In the present indicative, active, third person singular." The conjugating of regular verbs also, without any detriment, may be omitted, the form of the principal parts being sufficiently ascertained when they are said to be regular (491, note). All this saves much time, and is just as explicit as the full forin often used. For the same reason, and as formerly mentioned (180), the words proper and common, as applied to nouns, may be omitted; because, whether a noun is proper or common, makes no difference in the construction of a sentence: no use is made of it, nothing depends on it. In like manner, the designation of person, as applied to nouns, may be omitted, except when they are of the first or second, if it be understood that they are always of the third person when not otherwise men. tioned. This plan is here adopted and recommended. Still, it is expected that every teacher will adopt that method which he thinks best. In parsing, economy of time, without loss of advantage, is an object of much importance. or...... animal if it A DISJUNCTIVE CONJUNCTION-connects plant and animal as alter nates. A NOUN-the name of an object. neuter considered without sex (125). A CONJUNCTION-connects the sentence, "[it is] attentively exam- A PRONOUN-Stands instead of a noun, plant or animal. personal-its form indicates its person. third person-it is spoken of. singular-it denotes but one. is examined A VERB-expresses an act. transitive-expresses an act done to plant, &c., represented by it. regular-its past tense and past participle end in ed. present-expresses a present act. indicative-used subjunctively, and expresses a condition. passive-represents the subject as acted upon. third person-affirms of its subject spoken of. singular-affirms of but one. attentively. An ADVERB-modifies examined; formed from the adjective attentive by adding ly; compared by prefixing more and most. affords ..... A VERB-it expresses an act of its subject, plant or animal. transitive-expresses what the subject does to its object, wonders. regular-its past tense and past participle end in ed present-expresses a present act. indicative-declares simply. active-represents its subject as acting. third person-affirms of its subject spoken of. singular-affirms of but one. INDEFINITE ARTICLE-showing that "thousand wonders" is put indefinitely as one whole, that is, one thousand. thousand.. An ADJECTIVE-qualifies wonders numeral-denotes number. cardinal-denotes how many; not compared. neuter-without sex. objective-the object of affords. plural-denotes more than one. COPULATIVE CONJUNCTION-connects the succeeding sentence as an addition to the preceding. Same as affords. A PERSONAL PRONOUN-the substitute of the speaker and others, an consequently first person. masculine or feminine-may denote males or females. objective-the object of obliges. plural-denotes more than one. A VERB-expresses an act. transitive-has an object, hand. regular-its past tense and past participle end in ed. present-expresses an act present at the time referred to in the pre ceding verb, obliges. infinitive-without limitation of person or number. active-represents the subject referred to (395) as acting. It is the attribute of us, or has us for its subject. and ..... COPULATIVE CONJUNCTION-connects to adore as an addition to to adore that .... .... admire. Same as admire, without the sign (880). DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVE PRONOUN-used to point out definitely the word hand. Omnipotent An ADJECTIVE-qualifies hand; not compared, because it does not admit of increase. hand by. which. it ... A NOUN-Same as wonders, except singular-denotes one, and is the object of admire and adore. A PREPOSITION-shows the relation between was created and which. A PERSONAL PRONOUN-stands for plant or animal, same as before. was created A VERB-expresses an act done by hand, represented by which. transitive-expresses an act done by one person or thing to another, regular-its past tense and past participle end in ed. past-expresses an act now past. indicative-declares simply. passive-represents its subject as acted upon. ABBREVIATED MODEL. 582. The length of time necessary to parse even a few words in this way, renders it impracticable to do it often, though occasionally it may be profitable. The following brief method will answer every purpose: The. minutest plant or .. animal if it Definite article, belonging to plant and animal, and showing them to be limited. Adjective, superlative degree, qualifying plant, &c. A noun, neuter, in the nominative singular, subject of affords. A disjunctive conjunction, connecting plant and animal as alternates. Third personal pronoun, neuter, in the nominative singular, standing is cxamined A verb transitive, regular, in the present indicative, passive, expressing what is done to its subject, it, used for plant or animal. attentively. An adverb, modifying examined; compared by more and most. affords A verb transitive, regular, in the present indicative, active, third per son singular, and affirms of plant or animal. a Indefinite article showing thousand to be indefinite. thousand.. A numeral adjective, used to qualify wonders. wonders A noun, neuter, in the objective plural, object of affords. and ... . . . . . A copulative conjunction; connects the predicates affords, &c., and ... obliges. obliges A verb transitive, regular, in the present indicative, active, third person singular, and affirms of plant or animal. us.... First personal pronoun, masculine or feminine, in the objective plural, object of obliges, and subject of to admire, &c. to admire.. A verb transitive, regular, in the present infinitive, active, attribute of us, or object of obliges. and..... to adore... A copulative conjunction; connects to admire and to adore. A verb transitive, regular, in the present infinitive, active, attribute of us, or object of obliges. that. . . . . Demonstrative adjective pronoun, definitely pointing out hand. Omnipotent An adjective, qualifying hand; not compared. hand by which it .... ..... A noun, neuter, in the objective singular, object of adore. A preposition, which shows the relation between was created and which. A relative pronoun, related to hand as its antecedent, objective, and governed by by. Third personal pronoun, same as before; subject of was created. was created A verb transitive, regular, in the past indicative, passive, third person singular, and affirms of it. 583. EXERCISES IN PARSING. 1. Two or more adjectives in succession, either with or without a conjunction, qualify the same word; as, 1. A wise and faithful servant will always study his master's interest. 2. A dismal, dense, and portentous cloud overhangs the city. 3. A steady, sweet, and cheerful temper affords great delight to its possessor. 4. He has bought a fine new coat. 2. When an adjective precedes two nouns, it generally qualifies them both; as, 1. They waited for a fit time and place. 2. I am delighted with the sight of green woods and fields. 3. He displayed great prudence and moderation. 4. He was a man of great wisdom and moderation. 3. When an adjective comes after a verb intransitive, it generally qualifies the nominative of that verb; as, 1. John is wise. 2. They were temperate. 3. The sky is very clear. 4. These rivers are deep and rapid. 5. The apples will soon be ripe. 6. We have been attentive to our lessons. 7. These mountains are very high. |