100. Past Tense.

The Past Tense expresses what took place in time wholly past; as, "I wrote," "I was sailing."

Rem. The past indicative denotes what was habitual or customary; as, "We lived high in those days." In the progressive form, it denotes an act in past time, but not completed; as, "He was driving furiously when I saw him."

The past subjunctive generally expresses a supposition contrary to the fact, and represents present time; as, "If I were going [now], I would ride."

The past potential denotes (1) a duty or obligation, without reference to time; as, "Judges should be merciful:" (2) a habit or custom; as, "He would be absent a week at a time:" (3) ability possessed in past time; as, "He could walk yesterday:" (4) present possibility or power; as, "I could write [now] if I would:" (5) a future possibility; as, "If I should write to you [hereafter], you must answer immediately."

101. Past Perfect Tense.

The Past Perfect Tense represents an act as ended or completed in time fully past; as, "The cars had started before we reached the depot."

Rem. 1.—The past is frequently used instead of the past perfect, to denote the completion of an act at or before a certain past time mentioned; as, "The boat left before midnight.”

Rem. 2. The past perfect subjunctive and past perfect potential denote past time simply, and deny the action or event; as, “If I had started sooner, I should have overtaken you."

102. Future Tense.

The Future Tense expresses what will take place in future time; as, "I shall return soon;" "The lion shall eat straw like the ox."

Rem. 1.—Shall and will are the signs of the future tense. Shall expresses the action or event (1) as a duty commanded or

authorized; as, "He shall pay you;" "Thou shalt not steal:" (2) as something unavoidable, unless a certain condition be complied with; as, "I shall suffer, if I do not take my overcoat:" (3) as future; as, "I shall leave at noon;" "You shall often find the richest men the meanest."

Will expresses the action or event (1) as something determined upon, or proceeding from the nature of things; as, "I will go: no power on earth can prevent me;" "The cause will raise up armies:" (2) as future; as, "You will feel better to-morrow."

Rem. 2.—Shall, in the first person, and will, in the second and third, are usually employed to denote futurity; as, "We shall arrive there by noon;" "You will be glad to see us;" "He will be with us."

Will is used, in the first person, to denote determination; and shall, in the second and third, to denote necessity; as, "I will write to you;" Neither he nor you shall go without me."

103. Future Perfect Tense.

The Future Perfect Tense represents an action as finished or ended at or before a certain future time; as, "I shall have finished my task at three o'clock;" "We shall have dined before you arrive."

104. Tenses in all the Modes.

1. The Indicative Mode has the six tenses.

2. The Subjunctive Mode has three tenses: the present, past, and past perfect.

3. The Potential Mode has four tenses: the present, present perfect, past, and past perfect.

4. The Imperative Mode has one tense: the present.

5. The Infinitive Mode has two tenses: the present and present perfect.

Rem.—Tense does not properly belong to the infinitive mode. Its tenses are mere forms, without regard to time. The present

tense denotes progressive or completed action or state, with reference to past, present, or future time; the present perfect, a completed action or state in an unlimited manner.

105. Signs of the Tenses: Active Voice.

Present Perfect,

Past Perfect,
Future Perfect,

Indicative Mode.

Simple form of the verb.

When regular, add ed to the simple form.
Prefix shall or will to the simple form.

66 have, hast, or has to the perfect participle.
had or hadst to the perfect participle.

shall have or will have to the perfect participle.

Subjunctive Mode.

If, though, except, unless, &c., placed before tense forms given in the Conjugation, are signs of the subjunctive mode.

Potential Mode.

Prefix may, can, or must to the simple form.

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might, could, would, or should to the simple form. may, can, or must have to the perfect participle. might, could, would, or should have to the perfect participle.

Imperative Mode.

Let, or a command.

Present,
Perfect,

to have to the perfect participle.

Participles.

Add ing to the simple form.

When regular, add ed or d to the simple form

Compound, . . Prefix having to the perfect participle.

106. Forms of the Verb.

1. Verbs have five forms, which may be considered subdivisions of the tenses: the Common, the Emphatic, the Progressive, the Passive, and the Ancient, or Solemn Style.

2. The Common Form represents an act as a custom, or as completed without reference to its progress; as, "I write;" "I shall write."

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3. The Emphatic Form represents an act with emphasis; as, "I do write;" "He did go."

Rem. This form is used in the present and past indicative and subjunctive, and in the present imperative. It is formed by prefixing the present and past tenses of to do to the simple form of the verb.

4. The Progressive Form is used to denote action or state in progress; as, "I am writing," "He had been singing."

Rem. The progressive form may be used in all the modes and tenses, and is formed by prefixing the various modes and tenses of the neuter verb to be to the present participle of the principal verb.

5. The Passive Form denotes the reception of an act by its subject; as, "I am struck," "John was punished;" "I shall be loved."

Rem. The passive form is used in all the modes and tenses, and is formed by prefixing the various modes and tenses of the neuter verb to be to the perfect participle of the principal verb.

6. The Ancient Form, or Solemn Style, is used in the Bible, in religious worship, and sometimes in poetry and burlesque; as, "Thou art the man;" "So shalt thou rest," "Thou art a pretty fellow."

107. Person and Number.

1. The Person and Number of verbs are the changes which they undergo to mark their agreement with their subjects.

2. A subject in the second person singular, generally requires the verb, or its auxiliary, to end in t, st, or est;

as, "Thou shalt not steal;" "Thou canst read;" "Thou runnest;"

3. A subject in the third person singular, generally requires the verb, or its auxiliary, to end in s, es, or eth; as, "Julia reads;" "The horse goes;" "God loveth us."

4. The personal terminations in the plural are the same as the first person singular, except in the verb to be.

5. A verb must agree with its subject in person and number.

Rem. 1.—When two or more nominatives, differing in person, are taken collectively, the verb prefers the first to the second, and the second to the third. When they are connected by or or nor, or are taken separately, it prefers the person of the nominative next to it. Courtesy requires the first place to be given to the second person, and last place to the first.

Ex.—“You, he, and I have to remain ;" "You and he have to learn that long lesson;" "You or I am mistaken;" "Thou and thy friends are to make reparation.”

Rem. 2.—A verb must be in the singular number (1) when its nominative is in the singular; (2) when its nominative is a group of objects viewed as one thing; (3) when its nominative is an object conceived as a unit, though denoted by a plural nominative; (4) when its nominative is two or more objects taken singly, and denoted by different or by several nominatives.

Ex.-"Rain falls," "The army is marching," "Dombey & Son was written by Dickens;" "The ten dollars was duly paid;" "Descent and fall to us is adverse;" "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory."

Rem. 3.—A verb must be in the plural number (1) when its nominative is a single object, or a group of objects conceived as to its individual parts; (2) when its nominative is plural; (3) when plural nominatives are used in connection with singular nominatives, taken separately, or connected by or or nor; (4) when it has two or more objects taken collectively.

Ex.-"The rains descend," "The multitude pursue pleasure;" "Either the magistrate or the laws are at fault;" "You, he, and I are here."