Imperative Mood
PRESENT TENSE, _Singular and Plural_, Be
[Sidenote: _Remarks on the verb_ be.]
239. This conjugation is pieced out with three different roots: (1)
_am_, _is_; (2) _was_, _were_; (3) _be_.
Instead of the plural _are_, Old English had _beoth_ and _sind_ or
_sindon_, same as the German _sind_. _Are_ is supposed to have come from the Norse language.
The old indicative third person plural _be_ is sometimes found in
literature, though it is usually a dialect form; for example,--
Where _be_ the sentries who used to salute as the Royal chariots
drove in and out?--THACKERAY
Where _be_ the gloomy shades, and desolate mountains?--WHITTIER
[Sidenote: _Uses of_ be.]
240. The forms of the verb _be_ have several uses:--
(1) _As principal verbs._
The light that never _was_ on sea and land.--WORDSWORTH.
(2) _As auxiliary verbs_, in four ways,--
(_a_) With verbal forms in _-ing_ (imperfect participle) to form the
definite tenses.
Broadswords _are maddening_ in the rear,--Each broadsword bright _was brandishing_ like beam of light.--SCOTT.
(_b_) With the past participle in _-ed_, _-en_, etc., to form the
passive voice.
By solemn vision and bright silver dream,
His infancy _was nurtured_.
--SHELLEY.
(_c_) With past participle of intransitive verbs, being equivalent to
the present perfect and past perfect tenses active; as,
When we _are gone_
From every object dear to mortal sight.
--WORDSWORTH
We drank tea, which _was_ now _become_ an occasional
banquet.--GOLDSMITH.
(_d_) With the infinitive, to express intention, obligation,
condition, etc.; thus,
It _was to have been called_ the Order of Minerva.--THACKERAY.
Ingenuity and cleverness _are to be rewarded_ by State
prizes.--_Id._
If I _were to explain_ the motion of a body falling to the
ground.--BURKE
0 comments:
Post a Comment