Harvey's Elementary Grammar and Composition · Lesson 121 · Part 2: Part II: The parts of speech in full
88. The rules of syntax
Goal: Your child knows what syntax is and can explain the main rules for case, agreement and modifiers in their own words.
You'll need
- The book, open to this lesson
- Paper and a pencil (or a slate)
What's in the book
Lesson 121 defines syntax and a rule of syntax, then sets out the book's rules for nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, infinitives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections, with remarks and examples.
The lesson, step by step
Review
Ask for one rule you remember from parsing (for example, the subject is in the nominative case).
What syntax is
Read:
Syntax is that part of grammar which treats of the construction of sentences.
A Rule of Syntax is a statement of the manner in which words should be used in sentences.
The book adds that all the sentence-making exercises so far were exercises in syntax.
Rules for case
Read the rules for nouns and pronouns together. For example:
A noun or pronoun used as the predicate of a proposition, is in the nominative case.
A noun or pronoun used independently is in the nominative absolute case.
For each rule, your child makes up an example sentence.
Rules for agreement
Read:
A verb, with two or more subjects in the singular connected by and, must be plural.
A verb, with two or more subjects in the singular connected by or or nor, must be singular.
Try: John and Mary (is/are) here. John or Mary (is/are) here.
The rest
Skim the remaining rules on adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections. Your child explains each one in plain words.
Use it today
Pick a sentence from today's reading and find which rule explains the case of its subject.
Afterwards
Spread the rules over several days, a few at a time, with an example for each.
Answers to the book's problems
John and Mary are here. John or Mary is here. Example sentences for the other rules will vary.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.