Yes; it follows the verb, and tells of the thing opened or acted upon.

What sort of a verb would you call the word opened?

An active verb.

Why would you call the word opened an active verb ?

Because it tells what Noah (the noun which went before) did to the noun which followed the verb opened, that is to the window.

What are Passive Verbs?

Passive verbs are those words which tell of actions re

ceived or suffered by the persons, places, or things, for which the nouns or pronouns stand that go before the verbs.

Can you give me an instance of the use of a passive verb ?

The window was opened.

Which is the verb among the words the window was opened?

The words was opened?

But

you have named two words, was and opened.

Yes;

because the word was, when used with another verb, forms part of that verb.

You said the window was opened-what is the word window ?

A noun, because a name standing for a thing.

What connection has the noun [word] window, with the words was opened?

The noun [word] window goes before the verb, and tells us what was opened.

Then when you say the window was opened, what sort of a verb would you call the verb was opened?

A passive verb.

Why would you call was opened a passive verb ? Because it tells us of the action suffered or received by or done to the noun which went before, that is to the window.

You have explained the active verbs and the passive verbs, now tell me about the neuter verbsWhat are Neuter Verbs?

Neuter verbs are those verbs which tell of the existence or being, or the state that the things, persons, or places, are in, for which the noun or pronoun words stand. Give me an instance of the use of a neuter verb. He is.

Which do

you call the verb in the words He is? The word is, for it tells of the existence or being. What is the word He?

The word He is a pronoun, and stands for the person spoken of.

What connection is there between the verb is, and the pronoun He?

The verb is, marks or tells of the existence of the person for whom the pronoun word He stands.

What sort of a verb would you call the word is? A neuter verb.

Why would

you call the word is a neuter verb? Because it is neither active nor passive, and only tells of the existence or being of the person for whom the pronoun word He stands.

Give me another instance of a neuter verb.

John sleeps.

Which is the verb in the words John sleeps?

The word sleeps is the verb.

Why do you call the word sleeps a verb?

Because it tells the state of the person for whom the noun stands.

When you say John sleeps-what is the word John?

The word John is a noun.

Why do you call the word John in this instance a noun ?

Because it stands for a person who is so named.

What connection is there between the verb sleeps and the noun John?

The word sleeps marks the state which John (the noun) is in.

Then what sort of a verb would you call the word sleeps?

A neuter verb.

Why would you call the verb sleeps a neuter verb? Because the word sleeps is neither active nor passive, and merely tells the state the person is in for whom the noun stands.

PARTICIPLES.

Have you any more to say concerning verbs?

Yes; verbs sometimes partake of the nature of adjectives, by adding d, ed, or ing.

Have you any name for verbs when they partake of the nature of adjectives?

Yes; they are called Participles.

Are there any participles in these words-" Two blind men followed Jesus, crying and saying?”

Yes; the words crying and saying.

Can you give me an instance of a participle that ends with a d or with ed?

The Patriarchs moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt. Acts iv. 2.

Have you anything more to say concerning the participles?

Yes; participles, like the articles, are sometimes spoken of as a sort or kind of words by themselves.

Then by adding the participles it would make nine

sorts.

Yes; and they would stand thus-Articles, Nouns, Adjectives, Pronouns, Verbs, Participles, Adverbs, Prepositions, and Conjunctions.

ADVERBS.

You have explained four out of the seven sorts of words, viz. :-Nouns, Adjectives, Pronouns, and Verbs; now tell me about the AdverbsWhat is an Adverb ?

An adverb is a word added or joined to a verb, to describe something about the verb.

Are there any adverbs among these words-Peter went out and wept bitterly?

Yes, two-the words out and bitterly.

Why is the word out an adverb ?

Because it is joined to the verb went, and describes or tells where Peter went.

C

You say the word bitterly is an adverb-why ?

Because it is joined to the verb wept, and describes or tells how Peter wept.

Are adverbs always joined to verbs ?

No; they are sometimes joined to adjectives--as a very great multitude.

What is the word multitude?

A noun, because a name, for a large number of people assembled together.

What is the word great?

An adjective, describing or telling about the noun multitude, that the multitude was large.

You said a very great multitude-What is the word very?

The word very is an adverb, added or joined to the adjective great, to heighten or increase its meaning.

Why are adverbs joined to adjectives?

To describe something about or concerning the adjective. Is there any other use of the adverb ?

Yes; one adverb is sometimes joined to another adverb. Give me an instance ?

He ran very swiftly.

What are the words

very swiftly?

Two adverbs joined to each other.

What is the word ran?

A Verb.

Are both the adverbs joined to the verb ran?

No; one is joined to the verb, and the other is joined to the adverb.