5. A phrase introduced by a participle may be used as an adjective. (A participle is a word derived from a verb, but used as an adjective; see page 156.)

Men engaged by the day do not hurry.

6. A relative clause serves the purpose of an adjective.

Do

Exercise 1. - In these sentences name the words, phrases, or clauses that are used as adjectives:

1. The town council received the mayor's message.
2. They had no wood to burn and no food to cook.

3. The hour for dinner had arrived.

4. The American soldier has no fear of defeat.

5. What is worse than a fire sweeping across the prairie?

6. Love of country and defense of home are men's reasons for war.

7. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

8. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

9. A love for animals is the sign of a good heart.

10. The Christian religion is the greatest instrument of civilization. 11. The horses, maddened with fright, rushed wildly along.

12. The boy who obeys his mother will not go wrong.

13. A watch of American manufacture is as good as a watch of Swiss manufacture.

14. Man's love is of man's life a thing apart.

15. Silver spoons in velvet cases were put in the glass windows. 16. Overcome by mortification, he sought the refuge of suicide.

LESSON 65. PARSING ADJECTIVES

In order to parse an adjective we must tell:

1. Its kind whether descriptive or limiting.

2. Its degrees - whether positive, comparative, or superlative (if it can be compared).

3. The word in the sentence to which it belongs.

Let us parse the adjectives in this sentence:

The red rose is the most beautiful flower.

The is a limiting adjective, the first one belonging to the noun rose, and the second one to the noun flower.

Red is a descriptive adjective, positive degree, belonging to the

noun rose.

Beautiful is a descriptive adjective, superlative degree, belonging to the noun flower.

Exercise.Parse the adjectives in the following sen

tences:

1. Deep waters run with little noise.

2. Great minds run in the same channel.

3. Webster was the greatest orator of the day.

4. On every side were giant trees, gnarled and twisted.

5. The diamond is the hardest of all substances.

6. Evil communications corrupt good manners.

7. The finest gems are hidden in the deepest caves.

8. Greater love hath no man than this.

9. Many trees there are, all alike yet all different.

LESSON 66.- EXERCISES ON THE USE OF ADJECTIVES

Exercise 1. Enlarge these sentences by adding adjective modifiers to the nouns :

1. Flowers bloom in the garden.

2. Beasts roam in the forest.
3. Waves dash on the shore.
4. Apples ripen on the trees.
5. Birds sing in the woods.
6. Snow was falling fast.
7. Leaves lie everywhere.

8. Berries are ripe.

9. Trees are bare.

Exercise 2. Enlarge these sentences by adding possessive modifiers to the subject:

by inserting modifying words:

1. A death generally awaits animals.

2. A ship is not for a voyage.

3. Boys do not like hair, nor girls hair.

4. No man has fingers, nor toes, nor teeth.

5. If a horse had feet he would be a curiosity.

6. A book is not for boys to read.

7. Food is not fit to eat.

8. A clock cannot keep time.

Exercise 4.—Enlarge these sentences by adding a phrase modifier to the subject of each. (See page 42.)

6. The beasts and the birds can take care of themselves.

7. The negroes have their own songs.

8. The people should eat fruit and vegetables.

Exercise 5.

Enlarge these sentences by adding a clause modifier to the subject of each. (See page 44.)

1. The wind howled all night.

2. The mocking bird is a sweet songster.

3. The sailors were safely brought to shore.

4. The man will succeed.

5. General Sherman was an officer in the Northern army.

6. The Bible is the greatest of books.

7. The house was destroyed by fire.
8. The volcano burst forth in fury.

Exercise 6.

Using these simple sentences as bases, expand each subject by adding modifiers of any sort you choose. Make each sentence as long as you can.

1. A sound was heard in the next room.

2. A light suddenly flared in the distance.
3. A howl made the horses start and tremble.

4. Lions roam over the deserts of Africa.

5. A cry attracted the attention of the whole company.
6. A fight made the crowd scatter in every direction.
7. A story added increased interest to the occasion.

8. An accident made all the town horror-stricken.

9. This act excited universal applause.
10. The sermon was unusually dull.
11. The voyage was finally ended.

LESSON 67.-EXERCISES ON THE USE OF ADJECTIVES

Exercise 1.

Skill in the selection of adjectives should be acquired by care and study. Their proper use often determines the strength and beauty of a sentence.

What is the best

Name as many adjectives as you can that will accurately apply to each of the following nouns. single adjective for each one?

Exercise 2.-Copy these sentences and fill the blanks with the most appropriate adjectives: