An English Grammar by J. W. (James Witt) Sewell;W. M. (William Malone) Baskervill
page 11 of 559 (01%)
page 11 of 559 (01%)
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thoughts of the best minds will create a thirst for the "well of
English undefiled." [Sidenote: _What grammar is_.] Coming back, then, from the question, _What ground should grammar cover?_ we come to answer the question, _What should grammar teach?_ and we give as an answer the definition,-- _English grammar is the science which treats of the nature of words, their forms, and their uses and relations in the sentence_. [Sidenote: _The work it will cover._] This will take in the usual divisions, "The Parts of Speech" (with their inflections), "Analysis," and "Syntax." It will also require a discussion of any points that will clear up difficulties, assist the classification of kindred expressions, or draw the attention of the student to everyday idioms and phrases, and thus incite his observation. [Sidenote: _Authority as a basis_.] A few words here as to the _authority_ upon which grammar rests. [Sidenote: _Literary English_.] The statements given will be substantiated by quotations from the leading or "standard" literature of modern times; that is, from the eighteenth century on. This _literary English_ is considered the |
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