The detached adverbial modifier.
Any part of speech used in the function of an adverbial modifier may be detached, which accounts for the comma that separates it from the rest of the sentence.
The Corporal lit a pipe, carefully,because the enemy was close. (Heym)
In her excitement, Maria jammed the bedroom-door together. (London)
One summer, during a brief vacation at Knocke,his visit had come to the
notice of Harrington Brande... (Cronin)
An adverbial modifier expressed by the Nominative Absolute Participial Construction or any other absolute construction is generally detached.
The train coming in a minute later, the two brothers parted and entered their
respective compartments. (Galsworthy)
With his face buried in his hands,he did not see her enter. the room.
(Keating)
Of all the kinds of adverbial modifiers that of attendant circumstances is most apt to become detached.
They drove on, without speaking again,to Stanhope Gate. (Galsworthy)
He came in, with a large parcel under his arm.(Collins)
She had moved through its gaudiness and pettiness and glamour, her head
high and her lashes low, clothed in an immaculate dignity. (Sanborn)
Nicholas lay there, his brow still contracted,filled with perplexity and
confusion. (Cronin)
The kitchen became the sitting room, she and Robert eating their meals
beforethe warm stove. (Lawrence)
The detached attribute.
A detached attribute can modify not only a common noun as an ordinary attribute does but also a proper noun and a pronoun.
The crowd was now in constant uproar, yelling,gesticulating,beseeching
and reviling with Latin intensity. (Cronin)
There was a star-like quality about Judice, radiantand unreachable.
(Sanborn)
It was a wide white building, one storey high. (Sanborn)
Dumb with amazement, Mr. Gradgrind crossed to the spot where his family
was thus disgraced. (Dickens)
Stout,middle-aged,full of energy, she bustled backwards and forwards from
the kitchen to the dining-room. (Prichard)
The detached object.
The prepositional indirect object is often detached.
She does not change — except her hair.(Galsworthy)
A silver tray was brought, with German plums. (Galsworthy)
Huckleberry Finn was there, with his dead cat. (Twain)
THE INDEPENDENT ELEMENTS OFTHE SENTENCE
§ 40. The independent elements of the sentence are words arid word-groups which are not grammatically dependent on any part of the sentence.
They are:
1. Interjections, such as ah, oh, hurrah, eh, hallo, goodness gracious, good heavens, etc.
Oh, if I only knew what a dreadful thing it is to be clean, I’d never come. (
Shaw)
“Oh gracious me! that innocent Toots,” returned Susan hysterically. (Dickens)
2. Direct address.
Good morning, sweet child! (Douglas)
Don’t be tiresome, Marcellus!(Douglas)
3. Parenthesis.
A parenthesis either shows the speaker’s attitude towards the thought expressed in the sentence or connects a given sentence with another one, or summarizes that which is said in the sentence. A parenthesis is connected with the rest of the sentence rather semantically than grammatically. No question can be put to it. Very often it is detached from the rest of the sentence and consequently it is often separated from it by commas or dashes.
He had probablynever occupied a chair with a fuller sense of embarrassment.
(Galsworthy)
To be sure, Morris had treated her badly of late. (Prichard)
Unfortunately,it will be you who will have to explain that to him. (Heym)
But you shouldn’t pay him to-night, anyway,you’re his guest. (Galsworthy)
Besides, you know, I’m a pensioner, anyway. That makes me 65, to begin
with.(Maltz)
Speaking seriously though,Kit... it’s very good and thoughtful, and like you,
to do this. (Dickens)
§ 41. A parenthesiscan be expressed by:
1. Modal words, such as indeed, certainly, assuredly, decidedly, in fact, truly,, naturally, surely, actually, possibly, perhaps, evidently, obviously, maybe.
Evidently,he was not a man, he must be some other kind of animal. (Shaw)
Luckily,poor dear Roger had been spared this dreadful anxiety. (Galsworthy)
2. Adverbs which to a certain extent serve as connectives, such as firstly, secondly, finally, thus, consequently, then, anyway, moreover, besides, still, yet, nevertheless, otherwise, notwithstanding, therefore, etc.
He mightn’t like it. Besides, uncle Soames wants to get back, I suppose.
(Galsworthy)
He was losing money. Furthermore,he had sweated to make the truck
comfortable for them. (Maltz)
3. Prepositional phrases, such as in aword, in truth, in my opinion, in short, by the by, on the one hand, on the contrary, at least, etc.
Everybody has his own problem. Mine is practically worthless, for instance.
(Maltz)
By the way, Harry, I have often meant to ask you: is she your mother’s sister
or your father’s? (Shaw)
4. Infinitive and participial phrases, such as to be sure, to tell the truth, to begin with, generally speaking, strictly speaking, etc.
Sarah; my dear, comparatively speaking,you’re safe. (Dickens)
To tell you the truth, I don’t want to go there.
SENTENCES WITH HOMOGENEOUS PARTS
Two or more parts of the sentence having the same function and referring to the same part of the sentence are called homogeneous parts of the sentence. They are linked either by means of coordinating conjunctions or asyndetically.
There can be:
1. Two or more homogeneous subjects to one predicate.
From the edge of the bed came a rippleand whisper.(Wells)
To her extreme relief, her fatherand sistersappeared. (Dashwood)
2. Two or more homogeneous predicates to one subject.
(a) Simple predicates.
That gentleman started, stared, retreated, rubbedhis eyes, staredagain and finally shouted:“Stop, stop!” (Dickens)
(b) A compound verbal modal predicate with homogeneous parts within it.
Thousands of sheets must be printed,dried,cut.(Heym)
(c) A compound verbal aspect predicate with homogeneous parts within it.
First he began to understandand then to speakEnglish.
(d) A compound nominal predicate with several predicatives within it.
The sky was clear,remote,and empty.(Wells)
The above mentioned cases do not cover all possible cases of homogeneous predicates.
3. Two or more attributes, objects, or adverbial modifiers to one part of the sentence.
The unlighted, unusedroom behind the sitting-room seemed to absorb and
even intensify the changing moods of the house. (Bennett) (ATTRIBUTES)
He could imitate other people’s speech,their accent,their mannerisms,
their tone.(Heym) (DIRECT OBJECTS)
He talked of Spain,his sunstroke,Val’s horses,their father’s health.
(Galsworthy) (PREPOSITIONAL INDIRECT OBJECTS)
She extended a slender hand and smiled pleasantlyand naturally.(Wells)
(ADVERBIAL MODIFIERS OF MANNER)
But I saw nothing moving, in earthor sky.(Wells) (ADVERBIAL
MODIFIERS OF PLACE)
Chapter XVI
WORD ORDER
§ 1. Word order in English is of much greater importance than in Russian. Due to the wealth of inflexions word order in Russian is rather free as the inflexions show the function of each Word in a sentence. As English words have hardly any inflexions and their relation to each other is shown by their place in the sentence and not by their form, word order in English is fixed. We cannot change the position of different parts of the sentence at will, especially that of the subject and the object.
To illustrate this we Shall try to change the order of words in the following sentence.
Mrs. Winter sent the little boy with a message to the next village one
December day. (Hardy)
If we put the direct object in the first place and the subject in the third, the meaning of the sentence will change altogether because the object, being placed at the head of the sentence, becomes the subject and the subject, being placed after the predicate, becomes the object.
The little boy sent Mrs. Winter with a message to the next village one
December day.
In Russian such changes of word order are in most cases possible.
Моя сестра видела замечательный фильм в Москве.
Замечательный фильм видела моя сестра в Москве.
So due to the absence of case distinctions word order is practically the only means of distinguishing between the subject and the direct object.
The above sentence may serve as an example of direct word order in an English declarative sentence:
(1) the subject;
(2) the predicate;
(3) objects;
(4) adverbial modifiers.
Inverted order of words.
The order of words in which the subject is placed after the predicate is called inverted order or inversion.
Haven’t youany family? (Du Maurier)
§ 3. Certain types of sentences require the inverted order of words. These are:
1. Interrogative sentences. In most of them the inversion is partial as only part of the predicate is placed before the subject, viz. the auxiliary or modal verb.
Where did they find her? (Du Maurier)
Can I show you my library? (Greene)
The whole predicate is placed before the subject when it is expressed by the verb to be or to have.
Is he at home?
Have you many friends?
N o t e. — No inversion is used when the interrogative word is the subject of
the sentence or an attribute to the subject: Who is in the room? Who speaks
English here? What photos are lying on the table?
2. Sentences introduced by there.
There is nothing marvellousin what Jam is going to relate. (Dickens)
Into the lane where he sat there opened three or four garden gates.
(Dickens)
3. Compound sentences, their second part beginning with so or neither.
“Most of these military men are good shots,” observed Mr. Snod-grass,
calmly; “but so are you,ain’t you?” (Dickens)
Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. R., escaped unhurt, so did three of their sons.
(Daily Worker)
4. Simple exclamatory sentences expressing wish.
Be it so!
Gentle reader, may younever feel what I then felt. May your eyesnever shed
such stormy, heart-wrung tears as poured from mine. (Ch. Bronte)
§ 4. The inverted order of words is widely used when a word or a group of words is put in a prominent position, i. e. when it either opens the sentence or is withdrawn to the end of the sentence so as to produce a greater effect. So word order often becomes a means of emphasis, thus acquiring a stylistic function.
In this case inversion is not due to the structure of the sentence but to the author’s wish to produce a certain stylistic effect.
1. Inversion occurs when an adverbial modifier opens the sentence.
Here we must distinguish the following cases:
(a) Adverbial modifiers expressed by a phrase or phrases open the sentence, and the subject often has a lengthy modifier.
In an open barouche, the horses of which had been taken out, stood a stout
old gentlemanin a blue coat and bright buttons. (Dickens)
On a chair — a shiny leather chair displaying its horsehair through a hole in
the top left hand corner — stood a black despatch case. (Galsworthy)
(b) An adverbial modifier with a negative meaning opens the sentence. Here belong such adverbial modifiers as: in vain, never, little, etc. In this case the auxiliary do must be used if the predicate does not contain either an auxiliary or a modal verb.
In vain did the eager Luffey and the enthusiastic strugglers do all that skill
and experience could suggest. (Dickens)
Little had I dreamed,when I pressed my face longingly against Miss Minns’s
low greenish window-panes, that I would so soon have the honour to be her
guest. (Cronin)
Never before and never since, have I known such peace, such a sense of
tranquil happiness. (Cronin)
(c) Adverbial modifiers expressed by such adverbs as so, thus, now, then, etc. placed at the head of the sentence, if the subject is expressed by a noun.
So wore the day away.(London)
Thus spoke Mr. Pickwickedging himself as Hear as possible to the
portmanteau. (Dickens)
Now was the momentto act.
Then across the evening stillness, broke a blood-curdling yelp,and
Montmorency left the boat. (Jerome)
If the subject is a pronoun inversion does not take place.
Thus he thought and crumpled up and sank down uponthe wet earth.
(London)
(d) Adverbial modifiers of manner expressed by adverbs placed at the head of the sentence, may or may not cause inversion. In case of inversion the auxiliary do must be used if the predicate does not contain either an auxiliary or a modal verb.
Silently and patiently did the doctor bear all this. (Dickens)
Dimly and darkly had the sombre shadowsof a summer’s night fallen upon
all around, when they again reached Dingley Dell. (Dickens)
B u t: And suddenly the moon appeared,young and tender, floating up on her
back from behind a tree. (Galsworthy)
Speedily that worthy gentleman appeared.(Dickens)
(f) An adverbial modifier preceded by so is placed at the head of the sentence.
So beautifully did she sing that the audience burst into applause.
2. Inversion occurs when the emphatic particle only, the adverbs hardly, scarcely (correlated with the conjunction when), the adverb no sooner (correlated with the conjunction than), or the conjunction nor open the sentence. If there is inversion the auxiliary do must be used if the predicate does not contain either an auxiliary or a modal verb.
Only once did he meet his match in tennis.
In only one respect has there been a decided lack of progressin the domain
of medicine, that is in the time it takes to become a qualified practitioner.
(Leacock)
I do not care to speak first. Nor do I desire to make trouble for another.
(Cronin)
No sooner had Aunt Julie received this emblem of departure than a change
came over her... (Galsworthy)
Scarcely iocs one long task completed when a guard unlocked our door.
(London)
3. Inversion occurs when the sentence begins with the word here which is not an adverbial modifier of place but has some demonstrative force.
“Here is my card,Sir,” replied Mr. Pickwick. (Dickens)
«Вот моя визитная карточка, сэр», — ответил мистер Пиквик.
Here comes my brother John.
Вот идет мой брат Джон.
If the subject is expressed by a personal pronoun the order of words is direct.
“Here he is!” said Sam rising with great glee. (Dickens)
«Вот он!» — радостно сказал Сэм, вставая.
“Here we are!”exclaimed that gentleman. (Dickens)
«Вот и мы!» — воскликнул этот джентльмен.
4. Inversion occurs when postpositions denoting direction open the sentence and the subject is expressed by a noun. Here belong such words as in, out, down, away, up, etc. This order of words makes the speech especially lively.
Out went Mr. Pickwick’s head again. (Dickens)
The wind carries their voices — away fly the sentenceslike little narrow
ribbons. (Mansfield)
Suddenly in bounced the landlady: “There’s a letter for you, Miss Moss.”
(Mansfield)
But if the subject is a pronoun there is no inversion:
Down he fell.
Her skirt flies up above her waist; she tries to beat it down, but it is no use —
up it flies.(Mansfield)
5. Inversion occurs when an object or an adverbial modifier expressed by a word-group with not a..., or many a... opens the sentence.
In case of inversion the auxiliary do must be used if the predicate does not contain either an auxiliary or a modal verb.
Not a hansom did I meet with in all my drive. (London)
Not a hint, however, did she drop about sending me to school. (Ch. Bronte)
Many a dun had she talked to and turned away from her father’s door.
(Thackeray)
Many a time had he watched him digging graves in the churchyard. (Dickens)
I hated that man, many and many a time had my fingers longed to tear him.
(Dickens)
6. Inversion often occurs when a predicative expressed by an adjective or by a noun modified by an adjective or by the pronoun such opens the sentence (in case the subject is a noun or an indefinite pronoun).
Violent was Mr. Weller’s indignationas he was borne along. (Dickens)
Such is life, and we are but as grass that is cut down, and put into the oven
and baked. (Jerome)
Sweet was that evening.(Ch. Bronte)
Inversion is very common in clauses of concession where the predicative is followed by the conjunction as.
Great as was its influenceupon individual souls, it did not seriously affect the
main current of the life either of the church or of the nation. (Wakeman)
However, when the subject is expressed by a personal pronoun, the link verb follows the subject.
Bright eyes they were.(Dickens)
A strange place it was. (Dickens)
Starved and tired enough he was.(Ch. Bronte)
Miserable as he was on the steamer, a new misery came upon him. (London)
7. Inversion is also found in conditional clauses introduced without any conjunction when the predicate is expressed by was, were, had, could or should.
Even were theyabsolutely hers, it would be a passing means to enrich herself.
(Hardy)
He soon returned with food enough for half-a-dozen people and two bottles of
wine — enough to last them for a day or more, should any emergency arise.
(Hardy)
Yates would have felt better, had the gestureof a few kind words toThorpe
been permitted him. (Heym)
It must be borne in mind that emphatic order does not necessarily mean inversion; emphasis may be also achieved by the prominent position of some part of the sentence without inversion, i. e. without placing the predicate before the subject.1
1 The prominent position of each part of the sentence will be treated in paragraphs dealing with the place of different parts of the sentence.
Here we shall only mention a peculiar way of making almost any part of the sentence emphatic. This is achieved by placing it is or it was before the part of the sentence which is to be emphasized and a clause introduced by the relative pronoun who or that, by the conjunction that or without any connective after it.
So it’s youthat have disgraced the family. (Voynich)
It is not in Mr. Rochesterhe is interested. (Ch. Bronte)
Father appreciated him. It was on father’s suggestionthat he went to law
college. (London)
Position of the object.
The usual position of the object in declarative sentences is after the predicate (see Chapter XV, § 26). However, in exclamatory sentences the direct object may occupy the first place.
What wonderfully blueeyes you have, Ernest! (Wilde)
This position of the object generally does not cause inversion, except in poetry, high prose, and negative exclamatory sentences.
Thee would I spare — nay more — would save thee now! (Byron)
Passage after passage did he explore,room after room did he peep into! (Dickens)
In declarative sentences the front position of the object serves the purpose of emphasis. In Russian this position of the object is common (e. g. Волейболом он увлекался в юности, а теперь играет только в теннис); in English it occurs but seldom.
A fearful voyage Ihad with such a monster in the vessel. (Ch. Bronte)
Honeyshe had in plenty out of her own hives. (Hardy)
As a rule this prominent position of the object causes no inversion except when the object is expressed by word-groups with not a.., or many a... (see § 4, 5).
The direct object acquires some prominence when it is separated from the predicate by some secondary part of the sentence — generally an adverbial modifier or a prepositional indirect object. We may call this the back position of the object.
She produced from her pocket a most housewifely bunch of keys.(Ch.
Bronte)
I had at heart a strange and anxious thought.(Ch. Bronte)
Cowperwood smiled as he saw in the morning papers the announcementof
the passage of each ordinance granting him a franchise. (Dreiser)
As is seen from the above examples this occurs when the object has an attribute.
The front position of the indirect object in declarative sentences is rare. The prepositional indirect object is more common in this position, especially in colloquial English.
Of his lovehe would tell her nothing. (Voynich)
To Martinthe future did not seem so dim. Success trembled just before him.
(London)
Sometimes the front position of the prepositional indirect object causes inversion.
To this circumstance may be attributed the factthat none of the letters
reached my hand. (Dickens)