English grammar

277. We have learned that a dependent clause is often used as an adverb to modify a predicate. When so used, it is joined to the predicate it modifies by some connecting word.

Sometimes this connecting word is a conjunctive adverb, as was pointed out in Lesson LXVI, but more often it is some other word, as in the following sentences:—

Sheep are such senseless creatures that they are liable to be stampeded by the veriest trifle.

You cannot catch a muskrat unless you put tar on his nose.

I love hens because they are such good mothers.

What is the dependent clause in each of these sentences? What does it modify? What word joins it to that part of the sentence which it modifies?

These connecting words,—that, unless, and because,—are not adverbs, for they do not modify any word. They merely connect, hence they are conjunctions. Since they connect elements not alike, not equal in rank, they are called subordinate conjunctions.

278. There are many subordinate conjunctions. The most common are after, although, as, because, before, for, if, in order that, lest, provided, since, so that, than, that, though, till, and unless.

Note.—There is little distinction between the subordinate conjunction and the conjunctive adverb. Both connect a dependent to a principal clause; and some subordinate conjunctions, like conjunctive adverbs, express time, cause, or manner, etc. For this reason, as, after, before, since, till, etc. are included by some authors among conjunctive adverbs. Compare, “I came when you called me” with “I came before you called me.”

Summary.—A subordinate conjunction is one that introduces a dependent clause, and joins it to that part of the sentence which it modifies.

Exercise.—Parse the conjunctions in the following sentences. Tell their class and what they join.

1. The four cubs, running down hill on their bellies, melted into the thorn and underbrush as a mole melts into a lawn.

2. Boys will do any amount of work provided it is called play.

3. The great horned owl stood so erect and motionless that he seemed a portion of the pine trunk itself.

4. Since the maples were cut down, the elms have flourished.

5. Androclus had not lain long quiet in the cavern, before he heard a dreadful noise, which seemed to be the roar of some wild beast, and terrified him very much.

6. Harry laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks.

7. Unless you have sat on a stone fence and beaten russet apples soft on its hard top, you have missed one of the greatest delicacies that the orchard gives.

8. I liked the doctor very much, for he would let me drive around with him, and hold his horse while he made his professional calls.

9. Fast the ivy stealeth on, though he wears no wings.

10. Even after the invitations were sent out, it seemed to Dolly that the party day would never come.

11. The shawl doll was my favorite because it was more nearly the size of a real baby.

12. The two young Cratchits crammed spoons into their mouths lest they should shriek for goose before their turn came to be helped.

13. A man would laugh if you told him that he had never really seen a burdock.

Select all the verbs in the sentences above. Classify them as transitive or intransitive. Tell their voice, mode, and tense.

279. Some words may be used as conjunctions, as prepositions, or as adverbs.

After.

Conj.—I came after you called me the second time.

Adv.—We look before and after, and pine for what is not.

Prep.—Let us walk to the lake after school.

Before.

Conj.—The roosters woke me before the sun rose.

Adv.—They had never seen mountains before.

Prep.—In winter we get up before daylight.

But.

Conj.—I am weak, but Thou art mighty.

Prep.—He relishes no fruit but apples.

Adv.—We can but die.

Else.

Conj.—You must tell the truth, else you will not be trusted.

Adv.—How else can we get to Berlin?

Adv.—Where else shall I look for your glasses?

Note.—What part of speech is else in the sentences, “What else can I do for you?” “Who else was there?”

For.

Conj.—Work for the night is coming.

Prep.—The faithful slave died for his young master.

Hence.

Conj.—Smoke is coming out of the chimney, hence the house must be occupied.

Adv.—Let me go hence and be no more seen.

Only.

Conj.—I should be glad to go, only I have nothing to wear.

Adv.—I made the cake; mother only baked it.

Note.—What part of speech is only in the sentence, “Grace is an only child”?

Since.

Conj.—I have been happy since you became my friend.

Prep.—Prices have never gone down since the war.

Adv.—One day the dog disappeared, and he has never been heard of since.

So.

Conj.—The baby monopolized her time, so she withdrew from the club.

Adv.—Don’t speak so loud, Caroline.

Till or Until.

Conj.—Tarry thou till I come.

Prep.—We work hard until noon.

Yet.

Conj.—She speaks much, yet she says very little.

Adv.—Has the case been settled yet?

Explain the use of each italicized word in the sentences above.

280. When we parse a preposition, we tell (1) what phrase it introduces, and (2) what words it shows a relation between; thus, “In the sentence, ‘I bring you tidings of great joy,’ the preposition of introduces the adjective phrase of great joy, and shows a relation between its object great joy and the noun tidings.”

Exercise.—Parse all the conjunctions, adverbs, and prepositions in the following sentences:—

1. Roger Conant came over from England before 1630.

2. We had a cold spell in April, so the peach crop is small.

3. Our flag was still there.

4. The barn was strongly built, so it was made over into a good house.

5. Ours is a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.

6. Look before you leap.

7. Years have passed since anybody remembered my birthday.

8. The poet saw the daffodils beside the lake.

9. After the boy arrived in Richmond, he slept under a sidewalk.

10. Did anybody besides Rufus go with you to Janesville?

11. Mr. Micawber would pay his debts if something would only turn up.

12. Jill came tumbling after.

13. The turkey was steamed first, else it would not have been so tender.

14. The fern has grown fast since Easter.

15. I can’t paint well if you look over my shoulder.

16. There is nothing to breathe but air.

17. Wait till the clouds roll by.

18. Disappointments will surely come, yet they need not crush us.

19. I will go before the king.

20. Did you make your will before you went round the world?