XI. OBJECTS AND MODIFIERS OF VERBS

Object of the Verb

Some verbs do not make a complete assertion without a substantive to receive the action from the subject. Notice the italicized words in the following

sentences:

1. Fred drove the horse.

2. Mother called me.

3. I like her.

4. We passed the house.

In each of these sentences some action passes from the subject to a substantive called the object. In the first sentence the action passes from the subject Fred to the object horse. In the second sentence the action passes from the subject Mother to the object me. Tell what action passes in the third and fourth sen

Some pronouns when used as objects change their form. I is the form used as subject, but me is the correct form as object. We, she, he, and they are used as subjects; us, her, him, and them are used as objects.

STORIES TOLD BY MEANS OF CONVERSATION

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Read aloud the following sentences, selecting the correct form of the pronoun:

I. Fred invited Tom and (I, me).

2. Mary and (I, me) will go.

3. John saw (he, him) yesterday.

4. Did Mr. Brown invite (they, them)?

5. (He, him) and Harry are going.

6. Sister and (I, me) help mother.

7. Mother saw you and (she, her) on the street.
8. The policeman struck (he, him).

9. Shall (we, us) come, too?

10. Arthur left (we, us) on the corner.

Stories Told by Means of Conversation

Telling a story through conversation is usually effective and interesting, provided that the conversation really makes the story move. In other words, only those speeches that advance the story should be included in it.

Plan a story to be told mainly through conversation. You may choose an incident from what you have seen or heard, or you may base your story on one of the following situations:

1. A boy with a slingshot meets a sparrow.

2. One girl wants to play and another wants to study. 3. A cat has caught a mouse; the mouse begs for its life and gives the cat reasons for being spared.

4. Bob wants to go fishing; Alec wants to play ball. They debate the question till one persuades the other.

5. Robin Hood and Little John plan a trick on the Sheriff of Nottingham.

A verb is often modified by a word that tells how, when, or where an action occurs. Thus:

1. He reads well.

2. Mother is coming to-morrow.

3. The boys were playing here.

4. Everybody laughed heartily.

In the first sentence well tells how he reads. In the second sentence to-morrow tells when mother is coming. What does here tell? What does heartily tell?

A word that modifies a verb is called an adverb. Sometimes adverbs modify adjectives; as, "You have a very pretty hat." Very is an adverb that modifies the adjective pretty.

Adverbs may also modify other adverbs. In "Everybody laughed most heartily," most is an adverb that modifies the adverb heartily.

Adjectives and Adverbs

What do adjectives modify? What do adverbs modify?

Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to adjectives; as, sweetly, quickly, rapidly.

Select the adjectives and the adverbs in the following sentences, and tell what each modifies. Also give the subject substantive and the predicate verb of each

sentence:

1. The woman talked foolishly.

2. The man carried a heavy basket.

3.

The old man had a long white beard.

ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS

4. He was busily working in the garden.
5. The foolish fellow smiled vacantly.
6. The soldiers marched steadily.

7. He came here yesterday.
8. He has gone away.

9. The hungry child ate heartily.

10. He rose quickly from the hard bench.
II. The car suddenly turned a sharp corner.

STOP

LOOK

LISTEN'

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Correct Usage - Adjectives and Adverbs Do not use adjectives when you should use adverbs. Good and bad are never used as adverbs; the adverbial forms are well and badly.

Read aloud the following sentences,

selecting the right word in parenthesis:

1. I can skate (good, well) now.

2. She reads (rapid, rapidly).

3. He turned the corner too (sudden, suddenly). 4. The (industrious, industriously) boy earned much money.

5. He writes a (plain, plainly) hand.

6. You can read the license number (easy, easily).
7. That child behaves (bad, badly) at the table.
8. He waited (patient, patiently).

XII. VOICE AND POSTURE

Importance of the Voice

How characteristic is the voice! Often when we cannot see a person we say, "That is Mary. I know her voice." In telephone conversation especially, we depend to a very great extent upon the voice to tell us how the person at the other end feels. A pleasant voice makes us feel happier. If, then, the voice is so important, each should do his best to cultivate an agreeable one. High-pitched Voices

You have learned in music the difference between high pitch and low pitch. Many voices are habitually pitched too high. You should cultivate a voice that is low-pitched and clear, because a low-pitched voice is usually more pleasant than a high-pitched one. It is a mistake to think that by pitching your voice high you can be heard better. A low-pitched voice, if it is clear, can be heard with less effort and strain than a high-pitched one. Children in school often try to make themselves heard by speaking in a very high key that is most unpleasant to hear. Watch yourself, and try to keep your voice from rising too high.