LESSON XX

I. The Correct Use of the Parts of Speech in the Expression of Ideas. Adjectives and Adverbs.

1. The use of the article. When two or more connected adjectives describe different objects, use the article with each adjective; when the adjectives describe the same object, use the article with the first adjective only.

1. She had a blue and white gown. (One gown.)

2. She had a white and a blue gown. (Two gowns.)

2. The use of the comparative and the superlative degree. When two objects are compared, use the comparative degree; when more than two objects are compared, use the superlative degree.

1. Mary is the prettier of the two sisters, but Margaret dresses the more stylishly.

2. Mary is the eldest of the three girls but Katharine is the tallest. 3. John is the most studious boy in the school.

3. Hardly, scarcely, and but should be used without the negative.

1. I hardly see how I can go.

2. He could scarcely see his way.

3. I have but one book.

4. Predicate adjective or adverb? An adverb should not be substituted for a predicate adjective. An adverb

is used to describe the action expressed by the verb; a predicate adjective is used to describe the subject of the verb.

1. John went to the store as quickly as he could. (Quickly is an adverb modifying went.)

2. John was as quick as possible about his work. (Quick is an adjective modifying John.)

NOTE. Good and bad are never adverbs. A few words, like ill, well, better, best, may be either adjectives or adverbs according to their use.

5. This and that should modify singular nouns; these and those, plural nouns.

1. I like this kind of an apple.

2. That sort of people should be avoided.

NOTE. This and these are used with things that are near; that and those with things that are remote.

Exercise 1. Give the reason for the use of the italicized words in the following sentences:

1. Of the two children, Paul is much the happier in disposition. 2. We decided to have a full and a profile picture of the children. 3. It is strange that the younger of the two children should be

the taller.

4. I gave my teacher two roses, a red and a white one.

5. You present two arguments, but the latter seems the stronger

of the two.

6. The last of your reasons is the strongest.

7. This class of people need to be watched.

8. As I watched the trees I found that the growth of the peach tree was the most rapid; but the plum tree was the earliest to bear

fruit.

9. I do not like that kind of people.

10. This species of animal is found at the North Pole,

Exercise 2. Copy the following sentences, selecting the proper word from the parentheses:

1. We should dress (good, well) but not (gaudy, gaudily).

2. The little girl looked so (sweet, sweetly) and smiled so (shy, shyly) at me that I became her friend at once.

3. Whenever you behave (well, good) I am happy.

4. An old shoe goes on (easy, easily).

5. An old shoe feels (easy, easily).

6. The blind boy feels his way along (easy, easily).

7. I can do that (easy, easily).

8. The baby sleeps (quiet, quietly) in his cradle. 9. Go as (quiet, quietly) as possible.

10. That coat fits you (good, well).

11. If you wish to appear (good, well) in society, you must study

good manners.

12. The rose smells (sweet, sweetly).

13. The sun shines (gay, gaily).

14. Let me see how (quick, quickly) you can run.

15. Sweep the room as (careful, carefully) as you can.

II. Expression of Ideas in Composition.

Read the following compositions:

1.

"Narcissus is said to have been extremely beautiful and comely, but intolerably proud and disdainful; so that, pleased with himself, and scorning the world, he led a solitary life in the woods; hunting only with a few followers, who were his professed admirers, amongst whom the nymph Echo was his constant attendant. In this method of life it was once his fate to approach a clear fountain, where he laid himself down to rest, in the noonday heat; when, beholding his image in the water, he fell into such rapture and admiration of himself, that he could by no means be got away, but remained continually fixed and gazing, till at length he was turned into a flower, of his own name, which appears early in the spring, and is conse