English Grammar in Familiar Lectures Part 47

Thus, we say, "Philosophers _made_ great discoveries in the last century;" "He _was_ much afflicted last year;" but when we refer to the present century, year, week, day, &c. we ought to use the _perfect_ tense; as, "Philosophers _have made_ great discoveries in the present century;" "He _has been_ much afflicted this year;" "I _have read_ the president's message this week;" "We _have heard_ important news this morning;" because these events occurred in this century, this year, this week, and to-day, and still there remains a part of this century, year, week, and day, of which I speak.

In general, the perfect tense may be applied wherever the action is connected with the present time, by the actual existence either of the author of the work, though it may have been performed many centuries ago; but if neither the author nor the work now remains, the perfect tense ought not to be employed. Speaking of priests in general, we may say, "They _have_, in all ages, _claimed_ great powers;" because the general order of the priesthood still exists; but we cannot properly say, "The Druid priests _have claimed_ great powers;" because that order is now extinct. We ought, therefore, to say, "The Druid priests _claimed_ great powers."

The following examples may serve still farther to ill.u.s.trate the proper use and application of the tenses. "My brother has recently been to Philadelphia." It should be, "_was_ recently at Philadelphia;" because the adverb _recently_ refers to a time completely past, without any allusion to the present time. "Charles is grown considerably since I have seen him the last time." Corrected, "Charles _has_ grown, since I _saw_ him," &c. "Payment was at length made, but no reason a.s.signed for its being so long postponed." Corrected, "for its _having been_ so long postponed." "They were arrived an hour before we reached the city:"--"They _had_ arrived."

"The workmen will complete the building at the time I take possession of it." It should be, "will _have completed_ the building," &c. "This curious piece of workmans.h.i.+p was preserved, and shown to strangers for more than fifty years past:"--"_has been_ preserved, and _been_ shown to strangers," &c. "I had rather write than beg:"--"I _would_ rather write than beg."

"On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty whereof Paul was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands." It ought to be, "because he _would know_; or, _being willing to know,_" &c. "The blind man said, 'Lord, that I might receive my sight;'" "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." In both these examples, _may_ would be preferable to _might_. "I feared that I should have lost the parcel, before I arrived:"--"that I should _lose_." "It would have afforded me no satisfaction, if I could perform it." It ought to be, "if I could _have performed_ it;" or, "It _would afford_ me no satisfaction, if I _could perform_ it." "This dedication may serve for almost any book that has, is, or shall be published:"--"that _has been_, or _will be published_."

4. In order to employ the two tenses of the infinitive mood with propriety, particular attention should be paid to the meaning of what we express.

Verbs expressive of _hope_, _desire_, _intention_, or _command_, ought to be followed by the PRESENT tense of the _Infinitive mood_.

"Last week I intended to _have written_," is improper. The intention of writing was then _present_ with me; and, therefore, the construction should be, "I intended _to write_." The following examples are also inaccurate; "I found him better than I expected _to have found_ him;"

"My purpose was, after spending ten months more in commerce, _to have withdrawn_ my wealth to another country." They should be, "expected _to find_ him;" "_to withdraw_ my wealth."

"This is a book which proves itself to be written by the person whose name it bears." It ought to be "which proves itself _to have been written_," &c. "To see him would have afforded me pleasure all my life."

Corrected, "_To have seen_ him;" or, "_To see_ him _would afford_ me pleasure," &c. "The arguments were sufficient to have satisfied all who heard them:"--"were sufficient _to satisfy_." "History painters would have found it difficult to have invented such a species of beings:"--"_to invent_ such a species."

5. General and immutable truths ought to be expressed in the _present_ tense.

Instead of saying, "He did not know that eight and twenty _were_ equal to twenty and eight;" "The preacher said very audibly, that whatever _was_ useful, _was_ good;" "My opponent would not believe, that virtue _was_ always advantageous.;" The constructions should be, "_are_ equal to twenty;" "whatever _is_ useful, _is_ good;" "virtue _is_ always advantageous."

EXAMPLES IN FALSE SYNTAX PROMISCUOUSLY ARRANGED.

We adore the Divine Being, he who is from eternity to eternity.

On these causes depend all the happiness or misery which exist among men.

The enemies who we have most to fear, are those of our own hearts.

Is it me or him who you requested to go?

Though great has been his disobedience and his folly, yet if he sincerely acknowledges his misconduct, he shall be forgiven.

There were, in the metropolis, much to amuse them.

By exercising of our memories, they are improved.

The property of my friend, I mean his books and furniture, were wholly consumed.

Affluence might give us respect in the eyes of the vulgar, but will not recommend us to the wise and good.

The cares of this world, they often choke the growth of virtue.

They that honor me, I will honor; and them that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed.

I intended to have called last week, but could not.

The fields look freshly and gayly since the rain.

The book is printed very neat, and on fine wove paper.

I have recently been in Was.h.i.+ngton, where I have seen Gen. Andrew Jackson, he who is now president.

Take the two first, and, if you please, the three last.

The Chinese wall is thirty foot high.

It is an union supported by an hypothesis, merely.

I have saw him who you wrote to; and he would have came back with me, if he could.

Not one in fifty of those who call themselves deists, understand the nature of the religion which they reject.

If thou studiest diligently, thou will become learned.

Education is not attended to properly in Spain.

He know'd it was his duty; and he ought, therefore, to do it.

He has little more of the great man besides the t.i.tle.

Richard acted very independent on the occasion.

We have done no more than it was our duty to have done.

The time of my friend entering on business, soon arrived.

His speech is the most perfect specimen I ever saw.

Calumny and detraction are sparks which, if you do not blow, they will go out of themselves.

Those two authors have each of them their merit.

Reasons whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, Lies in three words, health, peace, and competence.

A great ma.s.s of rocks thrown together by the hand of nature with wildness and confusion, strike the mind with more grandeur, than if they were adjusted to one another with the accuratest symmetry.

A lampoon or a satire do not carry in them robbery or murder.

The side A, with the sides B and C, compose the triangle.

If some persons opportunities were never so favorable, they would be too indolent to improve.

It is reported that the governor will come here to-morrow.

Beauty and innocence should be never separated.