Page:The Comic English Grammar.djvu/77

Rh A sentence is an aggregate of words forming a complete sense.

Sentences are of two kinds, simple and compound.

A simple sentence has in it but one subject and one finite verb; that is, a verb to which number and person belong: as, "A joke is a joke."

A compound sentence consists of two or more simple sentences connected together: as, "A joke is a joke, but a ducking is no joke. Corpulence is the attribute of swine, mayors, and oxen."

Simple sentences may be divided (if we choose to take the trouble) into the Explicative or explaining; the Interrogative, or asking; the imperative, or commanding.

An explicative sentence is, in other words, a direct assertion: as, "Sir, you are impertinent."—Johnson.

An interrogative sentence "merely asks a question:" as, "Are you a policeman? How's your Inspector?"

An imperative sentence is expressive of command, exhortation, or entreaty; as, "Shoulder arms!" "Turn out your toes!" "Charge bayonets!"

A phrase is two or more words properly put together, making either a sentence or part of a sentence: as, "Good morning!" "Your most obedient!"

Some phrases consist of two or more words improperly put together: these are improper phrases: as, "Now then, old stupid!" "Stand out of the sunshine!"

Other phrases consist of words put together by ladies: as, "A duck of a man," "A love of a shawl," "so nice," "quite refreshing," "sweetly pretty." "Did you ever?" "No I never!"

Other phrases again consist of French and English words put together by people of quality, because their