Plain English

Alas! poor Yorick! I knew him well.

3. Words and phrases used parenthetically, as for example:

By the way, I met a friend of yours today.

We cannot, however, join you at once.

He called, it seems, while we were gone.

In these sentences such words as, however, and such phrases as, by the way, and, it seems, are used independently,—in parenthesis, as it were; that is, they are just thrown into the sentences in such a way that they do not modify or depend upon any other word in the sentence. When we analyze our sentences, these independent words are not considered as elements of the sentences in which they are used. It is sufficient to say that they are independent words.

4. Conjunctions used as introductory words. We have noted the use of conjunctions like the co-ordinates and, but, etc., and the subordinates because, in order that, so, for, wherefore, how, whether, etc., which are used to introduce sentences and connect them in thought with sentences and paragraphs which have gone before.

INTRODUCTORY WORDS

394.We have a number of words which we use to introduce our sentences. They are such words as, so, well and why. These are ordinarily adverbs, but when they are used merely to introduce a sentence they retain little of their adverbial force. For example:

So, that is your only excuse.

Well, I cannot understand why you should accept it.

Why, that is no reason at all.

In these sentences, so, well and why do not modify any of the words in the sentences, but are used merely to introduce the sentences. They serve in a measure to connect them with something which has gone before.

395.The adverbthereis also used as an introductory word. When it is used in this manner, it loses its adverbial force. There, as ordinarily used, is an adverb of place, but it is often used to introduce a sentence. For example: There is some mistake about it. In this sentence there is not used as an adverb, but it is used simply as an introductory word. It is used to introduce a sentence in which the verb comes before the real subject. Mistake is the real subject of the verb is, and there is used simply as the introductory word.

396.The indefinite pronounitis also used as an introductory word, to introduce a sentence in much the same manner as there. The real subject of the verb occurs later in the sentence. For example:

It is best to know the truth.

This could be written, To know the truth is best, and the entire meaning of the sentence would be conveyed.

397.Adverbs of mode. You remember in our study of adverbs, we had certain adverbs which were called adverbs of mode. These are used to modify the entire sentence. They express the feeling in which the entire sentence is uttered. Adverbs of mode may be regarded also as independent words. They are such words as, indeed, surely, certainly, perhaps, etc. For example:

Indeed, I cannot tell you now.

Surely, I will comply with your request.

Perhaps it may be true.

I certainly hope to do so before long.

Exercise 4

Note in the following sentences the words which are pure interjections, and those which are other parts of speech used as exclamatory words. Mark those which are used in direct address, those which are used parenthetically, and those which are used as mere introductory words.

1. Oh, it seems impossible to believe it.

2. Surely, you will accept my word.

3. Nonsense, there is not the least truth in the story.

4. It will be impossible for us to join.

5. Therefore we urge you to join in this campaign.

6. There is only one solution to the problem.

7. It is difficult to discover the true facts.

8. Well, I have done my best to persuade you.

9. Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order.

10. Comrades, come and stand for your rights.

11. Yes, I have studied that philosophy.

12. Enough! we have been enslaved too long.

13. Hark! we hear the tramp of the army of labor.

14. Alas! that any should refuse to join in this battle.

15. You have not, it seems, understood the issue.

16. Indeed, solidarity is our only hope.

17. Br-r-r-r-r-r-r, thus whirl the machines that grind our children's lives.

18. Hush! Over the crash of the cannon sounds the wail of Europe's women and children.

EXPLANATORY WORDS

398. We sometimes use words which do not belong in the construction of a sentence to explain other words in the sentence. For example:

We, the undersigned, subscribe as follows:

Helen Keller, the most wonderful woman of this age, champions the cause of the working class.

In the first sentence, the words, the undersigned, are added to the pronoun we to explain who we means. In the second sentence, the words, the most wonderful woman of this age, are added to explain who Helen Keller is. Words added to other words in this way are called explanatory words. They are placed in apposition to the noun which they explain. Apposition means by the side of, or in position near. You remember that in clauses we found that a clause may be placed in apposition with a noun to explain the meaning of that noun. For example:

There is an old saying, in union there is strength.

These words in apposition may themselves be modified or limited by other words or phrases or clauses. For example:

Helen Keller, the most wonderful woman of this age, champions the cause of the working class.