An English Grammar Part 56

/

An English Grammar



An English Grammar Part 56


Hard blows and hard money, the feel of both of which you know _pretty_ well by now.--KINGSLEY.

The first of these generals is _pretty_ generally recognized as the greatest military genius that ever lived.--BAYNE.

A _pretty_ large experience.--THACKERAY.

_Pretty_ is also used by Prescott, Franklin, De Quincey, Defoe, d.i.c.kens, Kingsley, Burke, Emerson, Aldrich, Holmes, and other writers.

[Sidenote: Mighty.]

The adverb mighty is very common in colloquial English; for example,--

"_Mighty_ well, Deacon Gookin!" replied the solemn tones of the minister.--HAWTHORNE.

"Maybe you're wanting to get over?--anybody sick? Ye seem _mighty_ anxious!"--H.B. STOWE.

It is only occasionally used in literary English; for example,--

You are _mighty_ courteous.--BULWER.

Beau Fielding, a _mighty_ fine gentleman.--THACKERAY.

"Peace, Neville," said the king, "thou think'st thyself _mighty_ wise, and art but a fool."--SCOTT.

I perceived his sisters _mighty_ busy.--GOLDSMITH.

[Sidenote: _Notice meanings._]

284. Again, the meaning of words must be noticed rather than their form; for many words given above may be moved from one cla.s.s to another at will: as these examples,--"He walked too _far_ [place];"

"That were _far_ better [degree];" "He spoke _positively_ [manner];"

"That is _positively_ untrue [a.s.sertion];" "I have seen you _before_ [time];" "The house, and its lawn _before_ [place]."

ADVERBS CLa.s.sIFIED ACCORDING TO USE.

[Sidenote: _Simple._]

285. All adverbs which have no function in the sentence except to modify are called simple adverbs. Such are most of those given already in Sec. 282.

[Sidenote: _Interrogative._]

286. Some adverbs, besides modifying, have the additional function of asking a question.

[Sidenote: _Direct questions._]

These may introduce direct questions of--

(1) Time.

_When_ did this humane custom begin?--H. CLAY.

(2) Place.

_Where_ will you have the scene?--LONGFELLOW

(3) Manner.

And _how_ looks it now?--HAWTHORNE.

(4) Degree.

"_How_ long have you had this whip?" asked he.--BULWER.

(5) Reason.

_Why_ that wild stare and wilder cry?--WHITTIER

Now _wherefore_ stopp'st thou me?--COLERIDGE

[Sidenote: _Indirect questions._]

Or they may introduce indirect questions of--

(1) Time.

I do not remember _when_ I was taught to read.--D. WEBSTER.

(2) Place.

I will not ask _where_ thou liest low.--BYRON

(3) Manner.

Who set you to cast about what you should say to the select souls, or _how_ to say anything to such?--EMERSON.

(4) Degree.

Being too full of sleep to understand _How_ far the unknown transcends the what we know.

--LONGFELLOW

(5) Reason.

I hearkened, I know not _why_.--POE.

287. There is a cla.s.s of words usually cla.s.sed as conjunctive adverbs, as they are said to have the office of conjunctions in joining clauses, while having the office of adverbs in modifying; for example,--






Tips: You're reading An English Grammar Part 56, please read An English Grammar Part 56 online from left to right.You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only).

An English Grammar Part 56 - Read An English Grammar Part 56 Online

It's great if you read and follow any Novel on our website. We promise you that we'll bring you the latest, hottest Novel everyday and FREE.


Top