An English Grammar by J. W. (James Witt) Sewell;W. M. (William Malone) Baskervill
page 29 of 559 (05%)
page 29 of 559 (05%)
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In this definition, is the word "_just_," or "_legal_," finally to stand?--RUSKIN. There was also a book of Defoe's called an "_Essay on Projects_," and another of Dr. Mather's called "_Essays to do Good_."--B. FRANKLIN. [Sidenote: _Caution._] 20. It is to be remembered, however, that the above cases are shiftings of the _use_, of words rather than of their _meaning_. We seldom find instances of complete conversion of one part of speech into another. When, in a sentence above, the terms _the great_, _the wealthy_, are used, they are not names only: we have in mind the idea of persons and the quality of being _great_ or _wealthy_. The words are used in the sentence where nouns are used, but have an adjectival meaning. In the other sentences, _why_ and _wherefore_, _When_, _Now_, and _Then_, are spoken of as if pure nouns; but still the reader considers this not a natural application of them as name words, but as a figure of speech. NOTE.--These remarks do not apply, of course, to such words as become pure nouns by use. There are many of these. The adjective _good_ has no claim on the noun _goods_; so, too, in speaking of the _principal_ of a school, or a state _secret_, or a faithful _domestic_, or a |
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