CHAPTER VII INDEPENDENT ELEMENTS OF THE SENTENCE 133. Independent Sentence Elements.-An independent element in the sentence is a part that has no expressed relationship with any other portion of the sentence. It usually modifies the thought of the sentence as a whole. Many independent elements, however, are the equivalents of related sentence elements, and may very often be transformed into related parts with advantage to clearness. The common independent elements are, 1. Nouns or pronouns used to name the person or thing addressed. 2. Exclamations or interjections. 3. Conjunctive adverbs and phrases used to connect the thought of the sentence with that of the preceding. 4. Infinitives used parenthetically. 5. Participial phrases used parenthetically. 6. Clauses used parenthetically. 7. The case absolute. 134. Nouns and Pronouns of Address.-In speaking to people in ordinary conversation, or in addressing them more formally, we usually call them by some name or by a pronoun with modifiers. In the figure of speech known as apostrophe, we often address objects as if they were persons. All such expressions of address, whether consisting of a single word or of several, are grammatically independent of the rest of the sentence. Thus: 1. Manfred, call your father at once. 2. Mr. Speaker, I wish to answer this attack. 4. Pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth. EXERCISE 135. Point out the independent nouns and pronouns in the following sentences, and explain whether or not they are figures of apostrophe: 1. Stars, hide your fires. 2. Give me of your balm, O Fir-Tree. 3. Friend, whether thou be knight or knave, I ask not. 4. O morning star that smilest in the blue, O star, my morning dream hath proven true. To the King's best wish! O damsel, be you wise 7. Blessings on thee, little man, Barefoot boy with cheek of tan! 8. Where are you going, my pretty maid? 9. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. 10. Thou, too, sail on, O ship of State. II. Friends, Romans, countrymen! lend me your ears. 12. Turn, Fortune, turn thy wheel and lower the proud. 136. The Punctuation of Nominatives of Address.An examination of the sentences in the preceding exercise will show you that all expressions independent by address are separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Thus: Wave your tops, ye pines, in sign of worship. EXERCISE 137. Point out the expressions of address in the following sentences and punctuate them properly: 1. Roll on thou dark and deep blue ocean roll. 2. Come listen to me you gallants so free. 3. Ha! laugh'st thou Lochiel my vision to scorn. 4. To speak plainly sir your manner was somewhat rude. 5. My fairest child I have no song to give you. 6. Be good sweet maid and let who will be clever. 7. Give me of your bark O Birch-Tree! 8. Take my cloak O Hiawatha! 9. Sail on O Union strong and great! 10. My lady sweet arise. II. "Horatius" quoth the Consul, "As thou sayest let it be." 12. Thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee Child of the wandering sea. 13. Cromwell I charge thee, fling away ambition. 14. Then follow me and give me audience friends. 15. Cassius go you into the other street And part the numbers. 138. Interjections. An interjection is a word that expresses sudden feeling. It bears no relation to other parts of the sentence, but may have modifiers of its own. If great stress is laid on the interjection it is followed by an exclamation point. If the force of the exclamation is distributed over the whole sentence, the interjection is followed by a comma, and the sentence by the exclamation point. Thus: Hurrah! We have won. Alas, we are ruined! Alas for him who never sees The stars shine through his cypress trees. EXERCISE 139. Study carefully the use and punctuation of interjections in the first half of the exercise below. From the list at the end supply appropriate interjections in the blank spaces in the second half. 1. Fie upon him! He is a traitor. 2. Hark! Did ye not hear it? 3. Help! I can't hang on much longer. 4. Oh, I am not afraid! 5. Alas for the rarity Of human charity! 6. Hurrah for the old flag! 7. Hark! hark! the lark at Heaven's gate sings. 8. Cæsar, all hail! 9. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Anthony. 10. Oh! my Lord Arthur, whither shall I go? I am ashamed to say it. II. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Lo! See! Come! I knew he would win. Someone is injured. did I not tell you so. I do not believe one word of it. let us hear no more of the matter. how can you act so? the conquering hero comes. the poor Indian whose untutored mind Sees God in clouds and hears Him in the wind. Look! For shame O Dear! 140. Conjunctive Adverbs and Phrases.-One sentence often depends for its meaning upon a preceding one. When this is the case, it is often necessary to use an adverbial conjunction, or a conjunctive phrase to indicate the relation in thought. When used in this way adverbs and phrases bear no grammatical relation to any part of the sentence. They simply relate its meaning to another sentence. They are, therefore, independent in construction. Thus: 1. Washington, accordingly, threw his troops across the Delaware. 2. It is, for all that, necessary for us to do our best. EXERCISE 141. Point out the conjunctive adverbs and phrases used in the following sentences: 1. After that, we went to Chicago, where we stayed a week. 2. We are not able, however, to give you a definite answer to-day. 3. They will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. 4. Away, then! come, seek the conspirators. 5. We believe, furthermore, that the time for correcting such evils is now. 6. On the other hand, I would not have you be too credulous. 7. In short, I do not wish to have anything to do with the matter. 8. It is, likewise, impossible for them. 9. At the same time, I do not wish to dissuade you. 10. So far, we have been unable to find it. |