Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

Book II

A GRAMMAR OF THE

ENGLISH LANGUAGE

WITH EXERCISES
IN COMPOSITION

BY

EDWARD A. ALLEN

PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

AND

WILLIAM J. HAWKINS

PRESIDENT OF STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, WARRENSBURG, MO.

REVISED EDITION

D. C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS

BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO

[blocks in formation]

PREFACE

THIS book is an attempt to present the essentials of English grammar in a form suitable for instruction in the schools as they are to-day. Much of the usual rubbish has been omitted, but no vital principle of grammar has been intentionally slighted. No attempt is made to tell everything; the class is supposed to have a teacher, and in the exercises will be found abundant material for elaboration. In the matter of definitions, it is hoped that much has been simplified, nothing overdone. The best pedagogy is coming more and more into accord with Matthew Arnold's doctrine, that, if you wish the pupils to know what an apple is, the best way is to show them an apple rather than try to give a definition of it after the manner of the books: "An apple has a stalk, peel, pulp, core, pips, and juice; it is odorous and opaque, and is used for making a pleasant drink called cider."

The illustrations of analysis are designed to be suggestive rather than to serve as models. The teacher will

doubtless prefer to begin with simpler examples, and will use the method that seems best adapted to the needs of the class. As an intellectual exercise, oral analysis, it is believed, will yield the best results; for written exercises

« FöregåendeFortsätt »