An English Grammar Part 44

236. Conjugation is the regular arrangement of the forms of the verb in the various voices, moods, tenses, persons, and numbers.

In cla.s.sical languages, conjugation means _joining together_ the numerous endings to the stem of the verb; but in English, inflections are so few that conjugation means merely the exhibition of the forms and the different verb phrases that express the relations of voice, mood, tense, etc.

[Sidenote: _Few forms._]

237. Verbs in modern English have only four or five forms; for example, _walk_ has _walk_, _walks_, _walked_, _walking_, sometimes adding the old forms _walkest_, _walkedst_, _walketh_. Such verbs as _choose_ have five,--_choose_, _chooses_, _chose_, _choosing_, _chosen_ (old, _choosest_, _chooseth_, _chosest_).

The verb _be_ has more forms, since it is composed of several different roots,--_am_, _are_, _is_, _were_, _been_, etc.

238. INFLECTIONS OF THE VERB _BE_.

Indicative Mood.

PRESENT TENSE. | PAST TENSE.

| _Singular_ _Plural_ | _Singular_ _Plural_ | 1. I am We are | 1. I was We were 2. You are You are | 2. You were You were (thou art) | (thou wast, wert) 3. [He] is [They] are | 3. [He] was [They were]

Subjunctive Mood.

PRESENT TENSE. | PAST TENSE.

| _Singular_ _Plural_ | _Singular_ _Plural_ | 1. I be We be | 1. I were We were 2. You (thou) be You be | 2. You were You were | (thou wert) 3. [He] be [They] be | 3. [He] were [They] were

Imperative Mood.

PRESENT TENSE, _Singular and Plural_, Be.

[Sidenote: _Remarks on the verb_ be.]

239. This conjugation is pieced out with three different roots: (1) _am_, _is_; (2) _was_, _were_; (3) _be_.

Instead of the plural _are_, Old English had _beoth_ and _sind_ or _sindon_, same as the German _sind_. _Are_ is supposed to have come from the Norse language.

The old indicative third person plural _be_ is sometimes found in literature, though it is usually a dialect form; for example,--

Where _be_ the sentries who used to salute as the Royal chariots drove in and out?--THACKERAY

Where _be_ the gloomy shades, and desolate mountains?--WHITTIER

[Sidenote: _Uses of_ be.]

240. The forms of the verb _be_ have several uses:--

(1) _As princ.i.p.al verbs._

The light that never _was_ on sea and land.--WORDSWORTH.

(2) _As auxiliary verbs_, in four ways,--

(_a_) With verbal forms in _-ing_ (imperfect participle) to form the definite tenses.

Broadswords _are maddening_ in the rear,--Each broadsword bright _was brandis.h.i.+ng_ like beam of light.--SCOTT.

(_b_) With the past participle in _-ed_, _-en_, etc., to form the pa.s.sive voice.

By solemn vision and bright silver dream, His infancy _was nurtured_.

--Sh.e.l.lEY.

(_c_) With past participle of intransitive verbs, being equivalent to the present perfect and past perfect tenses active; as,

When we _are gone_ From every object dear to mortal sight.

--WORDSWORTH

We drank tea, which _was_ now _become_ an occasional banquet.--GOLDSMITH.

(_d_) With the infinitive, to express intention, obligation, condition, etc.; thus,

It _was to have been called_ the Order of Minerva.--THACKERAY.

Ingenuity and cleverness _are to be rewarded_ by State prizes.--_Id._

If I _were to explain_ the motion of a body falling to the ground.--BURKE

241. INFLECTIONS OF THE VERB _CHOOSE_.

Indicative Mood.

PRESENT TENSE.

_Singular._ _Plural._

1. I choose We choose 2. You choose You choose 3. [He] chooses [They] choose

PAST TENSE.

_Singular._ _Plural._

1. I chose We chose 2. You chose You chose 3. [He] chose [They] chose

Subjunctive Mood.

PRESENT TENSE.

_Singular._ _Plural._

1. I choose We choose 2. You choose You choose 3. [He] choose [They] choose