Practical Exercises in English · Part 6

VII.

WHO, WHOM, WHOEVER, WHOMEVER. 1. ---- are you going to give that to? 2. ---- do men say that I am? 3. ---- do men think me to be? 4. ---- am I supposed to be? 5. ---- do you think will be elected? 6. ---- do you think they will select? 7. I do not know ---- to compare him to. 8. Tell me in sadness ---- is she you love? 9. ---- are you going to call on next? 10. How can we tell ---- to trust? 11. ---- is that for? 12. Elect ---- you like. 13. ---- did you see at the village? 14. ---- did you say went with you? 15. Do you know ---- you can get to take my trunk? 16. ---- were you talking to just now? 17. I do not know ---- you mean. 18. Do you remember ---- he married? 19. We will refer the question to ---- you may select as arbitrator. 20. ---- can this letter be from? 21. He is a man ---- I know is honest.[51] 22. He is a man ---- I know to be honest.[51] 23. ---- do you take me to be? 24. ---- did you expect to see? 25. Can't you remember ---- you gave it to? 26. I saw a man ---- I have no hesitation in saying was Julian H. 27. We like to be with those ---- we love and ---- we know love us, let them be ---- they may. 28. ---- do you think it was that called? 29. He confided his plan to those ---- he thought were his friends. 30. He confided his plan to those ---- he thought he could trust. 31. We recommend only those ---- we think can pass the examinations, and ---- we know will do their best. 32. ---- do you think she looks like? 33. One letter was from an applicant ---- I afterwards learned had been out of a position for two years. 34. ---- did you suppose it was? 35. Opposite him was a handsome man--John knew must be Kathleen's uncle. 36. A witness ---- the counsel for the defence expected would be present was kept away by illness. 37. A witness ---- the counsel expected to be present was kept away. 38. Give it to ---- seems to need it most. 39. ---- does he think it could have been? 40. They have found the child ---- they thought was stolen. 41. Mr. Morton, ----, it is announced, the President has appointed minister to France, has a house at Saratoga. 42. Miss C. married an old gentleman ---- they say is very wealthy. 43. The king offered to give his daughter in marriage to ---- would kill the terrible monster. 44. ---- do you think I saw in Paris? 45. ---- are you going to vote for? 46. They left me ignorant as to ---- it was. 47. We were betrayed by those ---- we thought would die for us. 48. I don't know ---- to ask for. 49. I know ---- it is I serve. 50. The President has appointed Mr. L., ---- he thinks will show himself well fitted for the position. 51. One member of the committee was absent ----, it was asserted by the minority, would have voted in the negative. 52. The officer addressed the woman, ---- he plainly saw to be very much out of place there. 53. ---- did he refer to, he (him) or I (me)? 54. Ariel was a spirit ---- a certain witch had shut up in a tree. 55. If she did not take after Anne, ---- did she take after?

PRONOUNS BEFORE VERBAL NOUNS.[52]--Grammarians distinguish three kinds of words formed from verbs by the adding of "-ing."

1. "We found Katharine singing a merry song." In this sentence "singing"--equivalent to "who was singing"--describes Katharine, and is therefore used as an adjective; but it also partakes of the nature of a verb, for it has a direct object, "song." Such words, partaking of the nature of both adjective and verb, are called PARTICIPLES. 2. "Blithely singing pretty songs keeps one's spirits up."

Here "singing" is a noun, the subject of the sentence; yet it has a direct object, "songs," and is modified by the adverb "blithely." Such words, partaking of the nature of both noun and verb, are called GERUNDS.

A noun or a pronoun used before a gerund to denote the subject of the action should be put in the possessive case. The reason for this becomes evident if, in the sentence "Do you remember Katharine (Katharine's) singing?" we substitute for the noun "singing" another noun, "song;" thus, "Do you remember Katharine (Katharine's) song?" The direct object of "remember" is "singing," which is described by the possessive "Katharine's."

3. "Katharine's blithe singing of merry songs helps to make home happy." Here, too, "singing" is a noun; but now its verbal character has disappeared, for it is modified by an adjective "blithe," and instead of a direct object we have the prepositional phrase "of merry songs." Such words derived from verbs are ABSTRACT VERBAL NOUNS.

When a word in "-ing" is modified by "the" or some other adjective, it is an abstract verbal noun, and cannot have an object. Conversely, if it, is followed by "of" and a noun instead of by a direct object, it should be modified by "the" or some other adjective.

[51] In the first of these sentences the pronoun to be supplied is the subject of "is honest," and "I know" is parenthetical. In the second sentence, the pronoun to be supplied is the subject of "to be honest," which is the complement of "I know." [52] "Foundations," pp. 62-64.

EXERCISE XXVIII.

Which of the following forms is preferable? Give the reason:--

1. I heard of him (his) coming home. 2. What do you think of Marguerite (Marguerite's) studying Latin? 3. Have you any doubt of Kathleen (Kathleen's) being happy? 4. We saw the lady (lady's) crossing the street. 5. Do you remember my (me) speaking to you about your penmanship? 6. We saw the old miser (miser's) sitting alone in front of his hut. 7. What is the good of your (you) going now? 8. There was no doubt of him (his) being promoted. 9. Trust to me (my) being on time. 10. Are you surprised at it (its) being him (he)? 11. No doubt his example will be followed by others, with the consequence of the country (country's) being overrun by tramps. 12. Look at him (his) reading a book. 13. The delay was caused by us (our) missing the train. 14. I found him (his) reading Idyls of the King. 15. This may lead to Harry (Harry's) getting a position. 16. We did not see the house (house's) burning. 17. You (your) writing the letter so neatly secured for you the position. 18. The man's (man) breaking jail is evidence of his guilt. 19. What do you think about this cloth (cloth's) wearing well? 20. We must insist upon every man (man's) doing his duty. 21. Mr. R.'s (Mr. R.) having come to town will soon be known. 22. There is prospect of the Senate (Senate's) passing the tariff bill. 23. What use is there in a man (man's) swearing? 24. His parents are opposed to him (his) playing football. 25. No one ever saw fat men (men's) heading a riot. 26. A fierce struggle ensued, ending in the intruder (intruder's) being worsted. 27. Professor C. relies on us (our) passing our examinations. 28. I felt my heart (heart's) beating faster. 29. There is no use in me (my) trying to learn Hebrew. 30. I enjoy nothing more than the sight of a yacht (yacht's) sailing in a stiff breeze. 31. Brown (Brown's) being a manufacturer prevented his election.

EXERCISE XXIX.

Distinguish in meaning between the following sentences:--

1. The man (man's) asking to be allowed to vote started a quarrel. 2. Did you see him (his) riding? 3. I had to laugh at John (John's) riding a bicycle. 4. Think of me (my) eating frogs' legs. 5. Much depends on the teacher (teacher's) correcting the papers. 6. Did you watch him (his) entering the room? 7. Did you hear Ruth (Ruth's) singing? 8. No one ever heard of that man (man's) running for office.

EXERCISE XXX.

Explain the faults in the following sentences and correct them in several ways:--

1. He read the parable about the sowing the seed. 2. Good writing depends on reading of good books. 3. Youth is the time for the forming the character. 4. "In building of chaises, I tell you what, There is always somewhere a weakest spot." 5. He would not aid me so much as by the lifting a hand. 6. Groaning of prisoners and clanking of chains were heard. 7. By the obtaining wisdom you will command esteem. 8. By reading of good books his style was improved. 9. The taking things by force is apt to make trouble. 10. A more careful guarding the prisoners would have prevented this accident.

CHOICE OF RELATIVE PRONOUNS.[53]--Who is now used only of persons; which, of things; that, of either persons or things. As a rule, euphony decides between who or which and that.

"Who is used chiefly of persons (though also often of the higher animals), which almost only of animals and things (in old English also of persons), and that indifferently of either, except after a preposition, where only who [whom] or which can stand. Some recent authorities teach that only that should be used when the relative clause is limiting or defining: as, the man that runs fastest wins the race; but who or which when it is descriptive or co-ordinating: as, this man, who ran fastest, won the race; but, though present usage is perhaps tending in the direction of such a distinction, it neither has been nor is a rule of English speech, nor is it likely to become one, especially on account of the impossibility of setting that after a preposition; for to turn all relative clauses into the form 'the house that Jack lived in' (instead of 'the house in which Jack lived') would be intolerable. In good punctuation the defining relative is distinguished (as in the examples above) by never taking a comma before it, whether it be who or which or that. Wherever that could be properly used, but only there, the relative may be, and very often is, omitted altogether; thus, the house Jack built or lived in; the man he built it for."[54]

When the antecedent includes both persons and things, that is preferable to who or which.

"When the antecedent is a neuter noun not personified, a writer should prefer of which to whose, unless euphony requires the latter."[55]

What, as a relative pronoun, is equivalent to "that which." It is never used with an antecedent, since the antecedent is included in the meaning of the word.

The word as is a relative pronoun only after "such" or "same." After "such" the proper relative is "as"; after "same" it is "as" or "that." "Same as usually expresses identity of kind, same that absolute identity, except in contracted sentences where same as is alone found: cf. 'he uses the same books as you do,' 'he uses the same books that you do,' he uses the same books as you.'"[56]

[53] "Foundations," pp. 60, 65, 67-69. [54] The Century Dictionary. [55] "Foundations," p. 68. [56] Murray's Dictionary.

EXERCISE XXXI.

Insert the proper relative pronoun in the blanks in the following sentences, giving the reason for your choice:--

1. Man is the only animal ---- can talk. 2. There are many persons ----, though they be starving, will not beg. 3. This is the malt ---- lay in the house ---- Jack built. 4. I will have no such son-in-law ---- thinks himself better than I (me).[57] 5. Tennyson, ---- was the foremost poet of England, died in 1892. 6. Time ---- is lost is never found again. 7. There are many ---- saw him fall. 8. The soldiers and cannon ---- you saw belong to the French army. 9. Who ---- hears Professor C. read the court scene from "Pick wick" does not go away delighted? 10. She is the same girl since her marriage ---- she was before it. 11. The dog dropped the bone, ---- then fell into the water. 12. He ---- does all ---- he can does all ---- can be expected. 13. Her hair, ---- was dark brown, was gathered in a Grecian knot. 14. Tears, such ---- angels weep, burst forth. 15. I have a water spaniel, ---- follows me everywhere. 16. The horse ---- ran away with Harry belonged to Mr. H. 17. Such ---- I have I give you. 18. This is the same man ---- I spoke of. 19. The diamond, ---- is so highly prized, is pure carbon, ---- in the form of charcoal is familiar to all. 20. All the men and horses ---- were on the transports were drowned when the vessels sank. 21. The murdered innocents at Bethlehem were martyrs ---- died for a king ---- they had never seen. 22. What pleased me most, and ---- has been most frequently mentioned by visitors to the fair, was the beauty of the buildings. 23. I trusted to my dog, ---- knew the way better than I did. 24. Dr. A.'s report shows the same record of efficiency ---- has always characterized his conduct. 25. Shakespeare was the greatest poet ---- the English race has produced. 26. He spends all ---- he earns. 27. The review of the National Guard of Pennsylvania by Sheridan was the largest military display ---- I have seen. 28. Was it you or the wind ---- made those noises? 29. We have invited the same girls ---- were here yesterday. 30. It was the cat, not I or the wind, ---- frightened you. 31. The dog ---- my brother gave me ran away. 32. Do you know that man ---- is just entering the car? 33. Such eloquence ---- was heard in the Senate in those days! 34. He held the same political opinions ---- his illustrious friend. 35. "Nature ever faithful is To such ---- trust her faithfulness." 36. Is this a dagger ---- I see before me? 37. We saw the men and arms ---- were captured.

EITHER or ANY ONE, NEITHER or NO ONE.[58]--Either means "one of the two"; neither, "no one of the two." When more than two persons or things are spoken of, "any one" is preferable to "either," and "no one" to "neither."

[57] See note, p. 45. [58] "Foundations," pp. 69-70.

EXERCISE XXXII.

Insert the proper word or words ("either," "neither," "any one," "no one") in each blank in the following sentences:--

1. Only three persons saw the fight, and ---- of them would testify. 2. Has ---- of you two gentlemen a fountain-pen? 3. I defy any candid and clear thinker to deny in the name of inductive science ---- of these six propositions. 4. When two persons disagree, it is not likely that ---- is altogether wrong. 5. Has ---- of you who have just come from the ball-field seen Julian? 6. I have several histories of France, ---- of which will give you the information. 7. Here come Harry and Arthur; ---- will go to get it for you. 8. Give it to the six successful students or to ---- of them.

EACH or ALL.[59]--Each denotes every one of any number taken one by one; all denotes the entire number taken together.

[59] "Foundations," p. 70.

EXERCISE XXXIII.

Insert the proper word ("each," "all") in each blank:--

1. ---- gave me his (their) hand(s). 2. ---- of the workmen received two dollars a day. 3. ---- of the children has (have) his (their) peculiar traits. 4. ---- of the members is (are) entitled to a vote. 5. He gave an apple to ---- of us. 6. Did your father bring the boat to Harry? No, he brought it to ---- of us. 7. ---- of them did his (their) duty.

CHANGE OF PRONOUN.[60]--In referring to the same person or thing a writer should not change from one pronoun to another.

The possessive of "one" is "one's" (not "his"), except in such expressions as "every one," "no one," "many a one." The reflexive is "one's self."

It is a common but serious fault to begin to write in the third person, and then to change to the first or second.

[60] Ibid., pp. 72-74.

EXERCISE XXXIV.

Fill the blanks with the proper pronouns:--

1. The Second Regiment of the National Guard, ---- was sent to Pittsburg during the strike, and ---- is now in camp at Gettysburg, has six hundred members. 2. John started to school last Monday; we wish ---- success. 3. Proud damsel, ---- shalt be proudly met. I withdraw my pretensions to ---- hand until I return from the war. 4. As ---- hast said, ---- lands are not endangered. But hear me before I leave ----. 5. The cat was crouching on the piazza and we were watching ----. Suddenly ---- tail twitched nervously and ---- prepared to spring. 6. "Ere you remark another's sin, Bid ---- conscience look within." 7. At first one is likely to wonder where the boats are, since on entering the grove ---- is (are) able to see only a small cabin. 8. Dost ---- talk of revenge? ---- conscience, it seems, has grown dull. 9. As a Christian ---- art obliged to forgive ---- enemy. 10. Did you never bear false witness against ---- neighbor? 11. The shepherd ran after a sheep and caught ---- just as ---- was jumping over a hedge. 12. The hen gathered ---- brood under ---- wing. 13. This is a book which I have never read, but one ---- is recommended by Mrs. M.