An English Grammar Part 70

328. If the student has now learned fully that words must be studied in grammar according to their function or use, and not according to form, he will be able to handle some words that are used as several parts of speech. A few are discussed below,--a summary of their treatment in various places as studied heretofore.

THAT.

329. That may be used as follows:

(1) _As a demonstrative adjective._

_That_ night was a memorable one.--STOCKTON.

(2) _As an adjective p.r.o.noun._

_That_ was a dreadful mistake.--WEBSTER.

(3) _As a relative p.r.o.noun._

And now it is like an angel's song, _That_ makes the heavens be mute.--COLERIDGE.

(4) _As an adverb of degree._

_That_ far I hold that the Scriptures teach.--BEECHER.

(5) _As a conjunction_: (_a_) Of purpose.

Has bounteously lengthened out your lives, _that_ you might behold this joyous day.--WEBSTER.

(_b_) Of result.

Gates of iron so ma.s.sy _that_ no man could without the help of engines open or shut them.--JOHNSON.

(_c_) Substantive conjunction.

We wish _that_ labor may look up here, and be proud in the midst of its toil.--WEBSTER.

WHAT.

330. (1) _Relative p.r.o.noun._

That is _what_ I understand by scientific education.--HUXLEY.

(_a_) Indefinite relative.

Those shadowy recollections, Which be they _what_ they may, Are yet the fountain light of all our day.--WORDSWORTH.

(2) _Interrogative p.r.o.noun_: (_a_) Direct question.

_What_ would be an English merchant's character after a few such transactions?--THACKERAY.

(_b_) Indirect question.

I have not allowed myself to look beyond the Union, to see _what_ might be hidden.--WEBSTER.

(3) _Indefinite p.r.o.noun:_ The saying, "I'll tell you _what_."

(4) _Relative adjective._

But woe to _what_ thing or person stood in the way.--EMERSON.

(_a_) Indefinite relative adjective.

To say _what_ good of fas.h.i.+on we can, it rests on reality.--_Id._

(5) _Interrogative adjective_: (_a_) Direct question.

_What_ right have you to infer that this condition was caused by the action of heat?--AGa.s.sIZ.

(_b_) Indirect question.

At _what_ rate these materials would be distributed,...it is impossible to determine.--_Id._

(6) _Exclamatory adjective._

Saint Mary! _what_ a scene is here!--SCOTT.

(7) _Adverb of degree._

If he has [been in America], he knows _what_ good people are to be found there.--THACKERAY.

(8) _Conjunction_, nearly equivalent to _partly_... _partly_, or _not only...but_.

_What_ with the Maltese goats, who go tinkling by to their pasturage; _what_ with the vocal seller of bread in the early morning;...these sounds are only to be heard...in Pera.--S.S.

c.o.x.

(9) _As an exclamation._

_What_, silent still, and silent all!--BYRON.

_What_, Adam Woodc.o.c.k at court!--SCOTT.

BUT.

331. (1) _Coordinate conjunction_: (_a_) Adversative.

His very attack was never the inspiration of courage, _but_ the result of calculation.--EMERSON.