This book is intended for students who are already familiar with the basics of the English grammar. Still, every textbook must begin at the beginning. Part one, therefore, offers a succinct treatment of the parts of speech in the sentence and of their substitutes, the phrase and the clause, concluding with a summary of definitions. It clears the way for what follows, and may be utilized as a review if the student only needs to refresh his memory.
Part two deals specifically with inflections and syntax. It also includes a chapter on the use of subordinate clauses as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, as well as a chapter in which these clauses are logically classified in accordance with their particular uses in the expression of thought.
Part three develops the subject of analysis in its natural order, first explaining how sentences are put together, and then illustrating the process by which they may be resolved into their constituent parts. Modifiers and complements are classified, and the so-called Independent elements are discussed. There is also a special chapter on combinations of clauses, in which the grammatical and logical relations of co-ordination and subordination are set forth, and their functions in the effective use of language are considered. This portion of the book will be especially useful to students of English composition.
The appendix furnishes lists of verbs, conjugation tables, rules for capitals and punctuation marks, a summary of important rules of syntax, and a brief history of the English language.
The exercises are at the end of the text, in order to maintain continuity.
