A thorough treatise examines English word-formation and sentence structure, combining etymological analysis with practical syntax. The first part analyzes parts of speech—nouns, articles, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, participles, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections—tracing their forms and functions. The second part addresses syntactical arrangements and principles of construction. A final section sets out canons of criticism and supplies numerous critical examples and illustrations of solecisms and improprieties. Written with classical scholarship in view, the work uses examples and comparisons to clarify idioms and to assist readers in attaining a more critical command of English.