Higher Lessons in English Part 29

9. Whoever does a good deed is instantly enn.o.bled.

+Explanation+.--The adjective clause modifies the omitted subject (_man_ or _he_) of the independent clause.

10. I told him to bring whichever was the lightest.

11. Whatever crushes individuality is despotism.

12. A depot is a place where stores are deposited.

depot | is place =======|============== A | a ` where stores | ` are deposited -------|--------------------- |

+Explanation+.--The line representing _where_ is made up of two parts. The upper part represents _where_ as a conjunction connecting the adjective clause to _place_, and the lower part represents it as an adverb modifying _are deposited_. As _where_ performs these two offices, it may be called a _conjunctive adverb_. By changing _where_ to the equivalent phrase _in which_, and using a diagram similar to (8), Lesson 59, the double nature of the conjunctive adverb will be seen.

13. He raised the maid from where she knelt. (Supply _the place_ before _where_.) 14. Youth is the time when the seeds of character are sown.

15. Shylock would give the duke no reason why he followed a losing suit against Antonio.

16. Mark the majestic simplicity of those laws whereby the operations of the universe are conducted.

LESSON 61.

COMPOSITION--ADJECTIVE CLAUSE.

+COMMA--RULE.--The _Adjective Clause_, when not restrictive, is set off by the comma.+

+Explanation+.--I picked the apple _that was ripe_. I picked the apple, _which was ripe_. In the first sentence the adjective clause restricts or limits _apple_, telling which one was picked; in the second the adjective clause is added merely to describe the apple picked, the sentence being nearly equivalent to, I picked the apple, _and it_ was ripe. This difference in meaning is shown by the punctuation.[Footnote: There are other constructions in which the relative is more nearly equivalent to _and he_ or _and it_; as, I gave the letter to my friend, _who will return it to you_.

Those who prefer to let their cla.s.sification be governed by the logical relation rather than by the grammatical construction call such a sentence compound, making the relative clause independent, or co-ordinate with its antecedent clause.

Such cla.s.sification will often require very careful discrimination; as, for instance, between the preceding sentence and the following: I gave the letter to my friend, _who can be trusted_.

But we know of no author who, in every case, governs his cla.s.sification of phrases and clauses strictly by their logical relations. Let us examine the following sentences:--

John, _who did not know the law_, is innocent. John is innocent; _he did not know the law_. John is innocent _because he did not know the law_.

No grammarian, we think, would cla.s.s each of these three italicized clauses as an adverb clause of cause. Do they differ in logical force? The student should carefully note all those constructions in which the grammatical form and the logical force differ. (See pages 119, 121, 138, 139, 142, 143.)]

+Caution+.--The adjective clause should be placed as near as possible to the word it modifies.

+Direction+.--_Correct the following errors of position, and insert the comma when needed_:--

1. The Knights of the Round Table flourished in the reign of King Arthur who vied with their chief in chivalrous exploits.

2. Solomon was the son of David who built the Temple.

3. My brother caught the fish on a small hook baited with a worm which we had for breakfast.

4. I have no right to decide who am interested.

+Direction+.--_Construct five complex sentences, each containing an adjective clause equivalent to one of the following adjectives_:-- Ambitious, respectful, quick-witted, talkative, lovable.

+Direction+.--_Change the following simple sentences to complex sentences by expanding the participle phrases into adjective clauses_:--

1. Those fighting custom with grammar are foolish.

2. The Const.i.tution framed by our fathers is the sheet-anchor of our liberties.

3. I am thy father's spirit, doomed for a certain term to walk the night.

4. Some people, having lived abroad, undervalue the advantages of their native land.

5. A wife and children, threatened with widowhood and orphanage, have knelt at your feet on the very threshold of the Senate Chamber.

+Direction+.--_Change these simple sentences to complex sentences by expanding the infinitive phrases into adjective clauses_:--

1. I have many things to tell you.

2. There were none to deliver.

3. He had an ax to grind.

4. It was a sight to gladden the heart.

5. It was a din to fright a monster's ear.

+Direction+.--_Form complex sentences in which these p.r.o.nouns and conjunctive adverbs shall be used to connect adjective clauses_:--

Who, which, that, what, whoever, and whatever.

When, where, and why.

+Direction+.--_Change "that which", in the following sentences to "what", and "what" to "that which"; "whoever" to "he who", and "whatever" to "anything" or "everything which"; "where" and "when" to "at", "on", or "in which"; "wherein" to "in which"; and "whereby" to "by which"_:--

1. _That which_ is seen is temporal.

2. _What_ G.o.d hath joined together let not man put asunder.

3. _Whoever_ lives a pious life blesses his race.

4. _Whatever_ we do has an influence.

5. Scholars have grown old and blind, striving to put their hands on the very spot _where_ brave men died.

6. The year _when_ Chaucer was born is uncertain.

7. The play's the thing _wherein_ I'll catch the conscience of the king.

8. You take my life in taking the means _whereby_ I live.

+Direction+.--_Expand these possessive and explanatory modifiers into adjective clauses_:--

1. A man's heart deviseth _his_ way.

2. _Reason's_ whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, Lie in three words--_health, peace_, and _competence_.

LESSON 62.

+Direction+.--_a.n.a.lyze the first nine sentences in the preceding Lesson, and write ill.u.s.trative sentences as here directed_:--

Give an example of an adjective clause modifying a subject; one modifying a complement; one modifying the princ.i.p.al word of a phrase; one modifying some word omitted; one whose connective is a subject; one whose connective is a complement; one whose connective is the princ.i.p.al word of a phrase; one whose connective is a possessive modifier; one whose connective is omitted; one whose connective is an adverb.

LESSON 63.

COMPLEX SENTENCE--ADVERB CLAUSE.

+Introductory Hints+.--_He arrived late_. You have learned that you can expand the adverb _late_ into a phrase, and say, He arrived _at midnight_.