Exercise 3.

In each of these sentences place an appropriate adjective of the comparative or the superlative degree as the sentence demands:

13. The black horse is the one of the pair.

14. The

train was too slow for him.

15. You will win because you are the

16. The

men are the

player.

Exercise 4.- Write sentences containing each of these adjectives in the comparative or in the superlative de

Exercise 5. What adjectives are made from these proper nouns? (Observe that adjectives made from proper nouns must be written with capital letters.)

1

Exercise 6. In these sentences name the adjectives that are used as nouns :

1. None but the brave deserves the fair.

2. Few die, and none resign.

3. Forgive, if ye have aught against any.
4. The sick and wounded were in the hospital.
5. The fittest only survive.

6. Few, few shall part where many meet.

7. One was chosen, the other was left.

8. Some are born great, some achieve greatness.

9. Men who see the invisible, hear the inaudible, and think the unthinkable, are those that do the impossible.

Exercise 7.

Remember that the nouns kind and sort are singular in their meaning and should be preceded by this and that instead of by these and those. We should say this sort of books, that sort of hats. Complete the following sentences:

Exercise 8. Avoid the use of them, this here, and that there as adjectives. Instead use this, that, those, these. Complete these sentences:

Among the limiting adjectives are a, an, the, which are sometimes called articles.

A is used before words beginning with consonants or consonant sounds.

a boy, a girl, a ewe lamb.

An is used before words beginning with vowels or with vowel sounds.

"A" and "an ""

an orange, an honest man.

are called indefinite articles because they do not refer to any particular thing.

"The" is called the definite article because it does refer to some particular thing.

Exercise 1. Place the proper indefinite article before each of the following words and phrases:

What is an adjective? What is a descriptive adjective? What is a limiting adjective? What is meant by the comparison of adjectives? Name the degrees of comparison. What is the positive degree? What is the comparative degree? What is the superlative degree? How is the comparative degree formed? How is the superlative degree formed? What kind of adjectives are compared irregularly? Compare good, bad, little, much, far. When we compare two objects only, what degree of comparison should we use? When we compare three or more objects, what degree should we use? Mention some classes of words, or combination of words, that may be used as adjectives. Name the articles. What are the indefinite articles? Why are they so called? What is the definite article? Why is it so called? When do we use a? When do we use an? EVANS'S ELE. ENG. GRAM.- -9

LESSON 70.-STUDIES IN DESCRIPTION

In writing descriptions we should use words as an artist uses paint, to make a picture or an image in the mind of the reader. We should use words that accurately and vividly describe the person or thing we try to portray. The following selections are good examples of descriptive writing. Let us study each sentence and its especial value in making the picture in our minds. Name the adjectives especially, and observe how clearly they define the idea and help us form the picture.

1. "Ichabod was a suitable figure for such a steed. He rode with short stirrups, which brought his knees nearly up to the pommel of his saddle; his sharp elbows stuck out like a grasshopper's; he carried his whip perpendicularly in his hand like a scepter; and, as his horse jogged on, the motion of his arms was not unlike the flapping of a pair of wings."

2. "It was a comfortable old room, although the carpet was faded and the furniture was plain; for a good picture or two hung on the wall, books filled the recesses, chrysanthemums and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows, and a pleasant atmosphere of home-peace pervaded it."

3. “When Washington was elected general of the army he was fortythree years of age. In stature he a little exceeded six feet; his limbs were sinewy and well proportioned; his chest broad, his figure stately, blending dignity of presence with ease of manner. His robust constitution had been tried and invigorated by his early life in the wilderness, his habit of occupation out of doors, and his rigid temperance; so that few equaled him in strength of arm or power of endurance. His complexion was florid, his hair dark brown, his head in its shape perfectly round. His broad nostrils seemed formed to give expression and escape to scornful anger. His dark blue eyes, which were deeply set, had an expression of resignation and an earnestness that was almost sad."