14. Our way lay through fields ready for harvest.

15. These things should not be considered so lightly.

EXERCISE B

35. Insert in the blank spaces below words that limit properly the subject.

I.

2.

boats are sailing on the bay.

building stands on the opposite corner.

3. In this park there are

4. Only

5.

acres.

people were present.

line in the clear whiteness of his face, was cruelly, craftily, and closely compressed.

6.

the people of the village were at the fountain.

II.

12. His

in his loom.

people seek only to amuse themselves.

movement after the shock had been to work

EXERCISE C

36. Select the words in parentheses that you think most thoroughly descriptive, to fill the following blanks:

1. A gent, sweet). 2. A

odor comes from locust blossoms (strong, pun

oak stood by the roadside as a signal of desolation (palsied, shattered, old).

3. Swift ran the tempest overhead (keen, loud, searching, roaring).

4. The

children hurried on past the old woman

(bright, gay, happy, laughing).

5. A friend is a possession more valuable than parks and palaces (amiable, clever, good, faithful).

6. The man finds something romantic in dangerous enterprises (courageous, adventurous, fearless, brave). 7. A cavalier was riding by (valiant, real, tall, towering, noble).

8. The

ocean lay like a wavy and glittering mirror

(great, broad, wide, sleeping).

9. The fir trees up to the sky (dark, gloomy, somber, black).

seemed to be stretching their tops far

10. There were three horses, all

spirited, handsome, graceful).

II. The river

smooth, lovely, pure). 12. The

and

(fast, fine,

and -flows on (swift, clear, rapid,

stranger gazed around him, and then raised the fallen weapon (fair, good-looking, handsome).

37. The Phrase Modifier.-There are three kinds of phrase modifiers: the prepositional phrase, the infinitive phrase, and the participial phrase. The participial phrase will be considered later. What is the value of the phrase over the adjective as modifier? Its function is the same as that of the simple adjective. The phrase is used to describe objects, to restrict terms, to limit ideas, and to present additional information. Because of their wide variety in meaning, prepositions in English express relationship much more definitely than the adjective, and give a directness, a variety, and an ease in expression of thought that can be secured by no other means.

EXAMPLES

1. He is a man of wide experience.

2. Robin Hood of Huntington went to live in the greenwood. 3. The hounds of spring are on winter's traces.

EXERCISE A

38. Point out each phrase modifier of the subject in the following sentences, and explain the particular function of each:

1. The door of the doctor's room opened.

2. The calmness of his manner was unaltered.

3. The bright glitter on the water made our eyes ache. 4. His desire for learning was greater than his ability.

5. Earth with her thousand voices praises God.

6. A book by an ancient author gave us our information on the subject.

7. The train for Richfield leaves in five minutes.

8. A great oak in front of the house proclaimed its own dignity.

9. His willingness to answer all questions was of great help. 10. The kindly rays of the sun shone directly down upon the old prisoner's head.

II. His familiarity with the customs, manners, actions, and writings of the ancients makes him a very keen observer of conditions in the present world.

12. This feeling of generosity seemed to extend to all.

13. Scott's humor in conversation, as in his works, was genial and free from sting.

14. Her ability to narrate and to describe graphically was wonderful.

15. The feeling of bashfulness soon gave way before good cheer and affability.

EXERCISE B

39. Substitute adjectives for the italicized phrases and phrases for the italicized adjectives in the following sentences:

Thus: National degeneracy is due to war.

The degeneracy of nations is due to war.

1. A man of wisdom is usually a man of a few words.

2. The mint at San Francisco turns out thousands of gold coins daily.

3. The terrified people ran madly in all directions.

4. The carol of the bird was loud and high.

5. The fountain in the village flowed unseen and unheard. 6. The New York train was late.

7. Not every knife with steel blades is so strong.

8. The taste of the English in the cultivation of land, and in landscape gardening is unrivaled.

9. St. Michael's church is enriched with the tombs of many people of renown.

10. A little man of great politeness and humility greeted them. II. The eyes gaze with wonder at the gigantic columns of Westminster Abbey.

12. These traditional tales and ballads of Scotland have lived for ages in new circulation.

13. His locks of gray silver venerably shaded his temples.

40. The Clause as Modifier.-A clause that modifies a subject is an adjective clause. It performs the same general function as the adjective and adjective phrase. The adjective clause, therefore, does two things: it restricts the meaning of the subject, or limits its application, to a particular thing; or gives some additional information about an already restricted subject. Clauses of this kind are, accordingly, called restrictive or additional according to what they do.

Adjective clauses are usually introduced by relative pronouns, relative adverbs, or temporal adverbs.

EXAMPLES

1. He who would live nobly must think nobly. 2. The place where we stopped was beautiful. 3. The hour when they will leave is uncertain.

EXERCISE A

41. Point out the clauses that modify the subjects in the sentences below, and explain whether the function is to restrict or to give additional information.

1. The miners, who were under a superstitious dread, steadfastly refused to descend.

2. The place where he stood brought back many pleasant memories.

3. The platform whereon they were standing fell with a crash, which could be heard blocks away.

4. His cottage, which is situated on the lake front, is one of the finest that the country affords.

5. Milton's literary work until he became interested in the Puritan Rebellion, was almost entirely poetical in nature.

6. The meeting to which they looked forward with greatest pleasure was with Bantam.

7. There are some authors who seem proof against the mutability of language, because they have rooted themselves in the unchanging principles of human nature.

8. The moon, that once was round and full, is now a silver boat in shape.

9. There was one person who watched with keen interest the prosperous growth of Eppie.

10. The reason why he failed to come was not explained. II. The time before the examination begins can well be spent in reviewing the work.

12. Harry, the new boy who had entered school, instantly became very popular.

13. The wanderers, who had been climbing all day, reached the summit of the mountain at sunset.

14. The hour when they should arrive was not given.

15. The village housewives, who look upon the stagecoachman as a man of great trust and dependence, hold frequent conferences with him.