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4. The indefinite are those, which express their subjects in an indefinite or general manner. The following are of this kind: some, other, any, one, all, such, &c.

Of these pronouns, only the words one and other are varied. One has a possessive case, which it forms in the same manner as substantives: as, one, one's. This word has a general signification, meaning people at large; and sometimes also a peculiar reference to the person who is speaking: as, "One ought to pity the distresses of mankind." "One is apt to love one's self." This word is . often used, by good writers, in the plural number: as, "The great ones of the world;""The boy wounded the old bird, and stole the young ones," "My wife and the little ones are in good health,"

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The plural others is only used when apart from the noun to which it refers, whether expressed or understood: as, "When you have perused these papers, I will send you the others." "He pleases some, but he disgusts others." When this pronoun is joined to nouns, either singular or plural, it has no variation: as, "the other man," "the other men."

The following phrases may serve to exemplify the indefinite pronouns. "Some of you are wise and good;" “ A few of them were idle, the others industrious;" "Neither is there any that is unexceptionable;" "One ought to know one's own mind;" "They were all present;" "Such

is the state of man, that he is never at rest;" "Some are happy, while others are miserable."

The word another is composed of the indefinite article prefixed to the word other.

None is used in both numbers: as, "None is so deaf as he that will not hear;" "None of those are equal to these." It seems originally to have signified, according to its derivation, not one, and therefore to have had no plural; but there is good authority for the use of it in the plural number: as, "None that go unto her return again." Prov. ii. \9. "Terms of peace were none vouchsaf 'd." Milton, "None of them are varied to express the gender." "None of them have different endings for the numbers." Lowth's Introduction. "None of their pro

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We have endeavoured to distinguish, and explain the nature of the adjective pronouns; but it is difficult to divide them in an exact and unexceptionable manner. Some of them, in particular applications, might have been differently classed; but it is presumed that, in general, the distribution is tolerably correct. All the pronouns, except the personal and relative, may indeed, in a general view of them, be considered as definitive pronouns, because they define or ascertain the extent of the common name, or general term, to which they refer, or are joined; but as each class of them does this, more or less exactly, or in a manner peculiar to itself, a division adapted to this circumstance appears to be suitable to the nature of things, and the understanding of learners.

It is the opinion of some respectable grammarians, that the words this, that, any, some, such, his, their, our, &c. are pronouns, when they are used separately from the nouns to which they relate; but that, when they are joined to those nouns, they are not to be considered as belonging to this species of words; because, in this association, they rather ascertain a substantive, than sup

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my health Other

ply the place of one. They assert that, in the phrases, 66 give me that," "this is John's" and "such were some of you," the words in italics are pronouns; but that, in the following phrases, they are not pronouns; "this book is instructive," "some boys are ingenious," " is declining," "our hearts are deceitful," &c. grammarians think, that none of these forms of speech can properly be called pronouns; as the genuine pronoun stands by itself, without the aid of a noun expressed or understood. They are of opinion, that in the expressions, "Give me that;" "this is John's," &c. the noun is always understood, and must be supplied in the mind of the reader: as, "Give me that book," "this book is John's;"" and such persons were some persons amongst you."

Some writers are of opinion, that the pronouns should be classed into substantive and adjective pronouns. Under the former, they include the personal and the relative; under the latter, all the others. But this division, though a neat one, does not appear to be accurate. All the relative pronouns will not range under the substantive head.— We have distributed these parts of speech, in the mode which we think most correct and intelligible: but, for the information of students, and to direct their inquiries on the subject, we state the different opinions of several judicious writers on Grammar.

Some grammarians have considered the articles, and all the adjective pronouns, as pure adjectives. Others have proceeded so far as to class even the relative pronouns among the adjectives. Others again have placed the pronouns this, that, other, some, any, &c. in the rank of articles. These innovations are, however, not likely to be of any use, or to meet with general approbation. An adherence to the established terms and arrangement, produces many advantages, and occasions no material, inconvenience. It is easy to advance plausible objections

against almost every definition, rule, and arrangement of grammar. But in most cases of this nature, it is certainly much better, to supply the defects and abridge superfluities, by occasional notes and observations, than by disorganizing, or altering, a system which has been long established, and generally approved — See page 59—61, and Chapter xi. Section 1. On " Derivation."

* It is probable, that any attempt to establish a different classification of the parts of speech, from that which is commonly received, will be found of little utility, either in practice or in speculation.

ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA.

CHAPTER VI.

OF VERBS.

Section I.

Of the nature of Verbs in general.

A VERB is a word which signifies to BE, to DO, or to SUFFER: as, "I am, I rule, I am ruled."

Verbs are of three kinds; ACTIVE, Passive, and NEUTER. They are also divided inio REGULAR, IRREGULAR, and DEFECTIVE.

A Verb Active expresses an action, and necessarily implies an agent, and an object acted upon: as, to love; " I love Penelope."

A Verb Passive expresses a passion, or a suffering, or the receiving of an action; and necessarily implies an object acted upon, and an agent by which it is acted upon: as, to be loved; Penelope is loved by me."

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A Verb Neuter expresses neither action nor passion, but being, or a state of being: as, "I am, I sleep, I sit *."

* Verbs have been distinguished by some writers, into the following kinds.

1st. Active-transitive, or those which denote an action that passes from the agent to some object: as, Cæsar conquered Pompey.

2d. Active-intransitive, or those which express that kind of action, which has no effect upon any thing beyond the agent himself: as, Cæsar walked. 3d. Passive, or those which express, not action, but passion, whether pleasing or painful: as, Portia was loved; Pompey was conquered.

4th. Neuter,

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