244. RULE 1. B.-Singular Nominatives of the third person, separated by or, or nor, require the Verb and Pronoun to be in the Singular; as, Either John or his brother has your book.

EXPL.-Here only one of them has the book, and one is Singular, therefore (241) we must have has, the Singular form of the Verb. So, too, it must be, Neither John nor his brother has the book; the construction not being affected by the negative.

EXERCISE LXX.

Supply any appropriate Verb or Pronoun; underline the Nominatives:

My friend or his cousin (

He or Jane (

) you every morning.

) in the house.

the name of a science. Neither cotton, silk, nor To feel elated ou

tea ( ) produced in this country. account of our own acquirements, or to despise others who know less, ( ) a contented mind, or a depraved heart, To scorn or to hate him ( ) equally foolish.

245. RULE 1. C.-When Nominatives of different Numbers are separated by or, or nor, the Verb and Pronoun must be in the Plural; as, Neither the general nor the soldiers have arrived; they were expected earlier.

OBS.-Generally, the Plural Nominative should be placed next the Verb.

EXERCISE LXXI.

Supply the proper Verbs and Pronouns ; underline

the Nominatives :

He or his friends ( courtiers (

) to blame. The prince or his ) arrived. Neither he nor they ( ) been idle. Where ( ) the hopes or the vigour of youth? Neither the book nor the letters ( ) arrived. Neither riches nor fame (

) so valuable as health.

246. RULE 1. D.-When COLLECTIVE NOUNS imply plurality, the Verb and Pronoun are Plural; as, The people give their opinion.

But when unity, or oneness, is implied, the Verb and Pronoun must be Singular; as, The mob was dispersed, it was very riotous.

EXPL.-In the first sentence, the Collective Noun people, conveying the notion of plurality, the Verb (are), and the Pronoun (they), are Plural. In the second, the Noun, mob, having the notion of unity, the Verb (was), and the Pronoun (it), are Singular.

EXERCISE LXXII.

Supply the appropriate Verbs and Pronouns, and underline the Nominatives to the respective Verbs supplied :

The parliament (

) prorogued; (

in February. The army (

(

) meets again ) disbanded: peace renders The clergy ( Congress deliberated

) services no longer necessary. not unanimous on the subject. since October. The cattle dow; John drove

journed; ( pr.) ) well manned.

(

The committee (
The crew (

) been driven into the mea ). The convocation ( ) adv.) its sittings in a month. The navy The public () respectfully informed. ) issued the following recommendation. ) nearly complete. The rest ( ) much divided, or (

aboard. The party ( assume the government.

) now

) might

247. OBS.-Those Collective Nouns, which have but one form, are used in the Plural only; as, mankind, clergy, people (=persons). Those, which have two forms, generally take the Verb and Pronoun in the Singular, when the Singular form is used; as, The party has little influence because it is so much divided. The Collective Noun, party, has two forms; party, Singular, and parties, Plural: and the Singular being used, the Verb has, and the Pronoun it, are used in the Singular. If we use the Plural form, the Verb and Pronoun must be Plural. Thus, Parties are now nearly balanced, and their movements are therefore made with greater caution.

248. RULE 1. E.-Nouns used figuratively in the Singular form with a Plural signification, require the Verb to be Plural; as, There are seventy head of cattle in the meadow.

EXPL. Here the word head is used figuratively in the Singular form, but with a Plural signification, and therefore requires the Verb, are, to be in the Plural.

EXERCISE LXXIII.

Supply the appropriate Verbs and Pronouns :

Ten sail of the line ( ) to join the channel fleet. Five

hundred horse (
thousand foot (
not known. There (

)

Three

) for the army in a week. returned; ( ) future destination is ) seventy head of oxen in the market,

249. RULE 1. F.-Most of those Nouns which have only a Plural termination are used with Verbs in the Plural; as, Riches take to themselves wings and fly away,

250. OBS -Some, however, are used in the Singular only; as What news is abroad? Some, in both Numbers; as This means is the most suitable; or, These means are the most suitable.

The names of sciences and some other Nouns are found in both Numbers, but the Plural is more common; as, The classics are acquired only by hard labour. Physics include all the sciences relating to the mechanical properties of matter.

EXERCISE LXXIV.

Supply appropriate Verbs and Pronouns :

Such an amends as he can make ( asking. The pure mathematics (

) not worth the ) arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. The alms ) been injudiciously bestowed.. Politics ( ) not always improve a man's fortune or ) been thrown away. Great pains The thanks of his country ( His wages ( ) been raised.

temper. The ashes (

) been taken by him. been presented to him.

251. RULE 1. G.-When a Noun or Pronoun, followed by the Complete or Incomplete Participle, neither governs any word nor is governed by any, it is in the Nominative Absolute; as, He being penitent, we pardoned him.

EXPL.-Here he is followed by the Incomplete Participle being, and not governing, or being governed by, any word in the sentence, is in the Nominative Absolute.

EXERCISE LXXV.

Underline the Nominatives Absolute :

The town being relieved, the enemy raised the siege. We are in great suspense, no further news having been heard. I tell you, that, your son having thus wasted his time, we have no further hopes of him. This done, he marched towards the city. That being the case, I can make no objection. The war being finished, the general withdrew his troops.

POSITION OF THE NOMINATIVÉ.

252. OBS.-The usual place of the Nominative is before the Verb; as, A messenger was sent. But in certain cases this order is inverted.

(1.) When a sentence begins with some Adverbs or a phrase, as here, there, hence, thence, then, thus, &c.; as, There was a messenger sent; In the beginning was the word.

(2.) When the sentence begins with neither or nor; as, He will not go himself, nor will he let any one else go.

(3.) With the Verbs to say, to answer, to continue, used parenthetically; as, Come, said he, with all expedition; Soon, answered the captain, all will be right.

(4.) In interrogative sentences; as, Where is he?

(5.) In imperative sentences; as, Go ye into all the world. (6.) With the Past Subjunctive used without a Conjunction; as, Were he able, he would come. (360.)

(7.) When, for the sake of emphasis, some other important word is put first in the sentence; as, Never will I consent to such a dishonourable proceeding. In came his father, just as he was writing to him. Down fell the house with a great crash.

L

THE OBJECTIVE CASE.

RULE 2.

253. The Objective Case follows Active Verbs and Prepositions.

254. RULE 2. A.-Active Verbs govern the Objective Case; as, He held me.

EXPL.-Here held is an Active Verb, and the object of it is me, which is therefore in the Objective Case. So, Those whom he thought to be true to his party, not who he thought; whom being the object of the Active Verb, thought. (292.)

EXERCISE LXXVI.

(a) Underline the Objectives, and doubly underline the Verbs governing them :

He threw a stone, Hold my hand. England governs the most widely extended empire. Brutus stabbed Cæsar. Take away that bauble. I would not have a slave to till my ground. (b) Supply the Objectives. Underline the governing Verbs:She told (1st person sing.) that you struck (3rd sing. fem.) He dislikes (1st person plur.) I will have (2nd sing.) men have been insolent; I will dismiss ( ). Hear (1st sing.) Romans! She is your friend; do not disregard ( ). I requested my brother you know to write to me soon. The book ( ) you admire is lent. I have sold that horse ( ) the groom injured. He ( ) thou lovest, is sick.

The

255. OBS.-A phrase or sentence often stands as an Objective; as, I know how you have served me. Here the object of the Active Verb know is the sentence how-you-have-served-me. These may be termed Objective sentences.

I feel how hard it will be. I understand when he will arrive. The preacher proclaims, All is vanity. He cannot tell when he may be wanted. I wish to know what you think.