Thus, in the common place phrases, "_Be_ there
quickly; _Stand_ out of my way; _Sit_ or _lie_ farther."
It is admitted that these verbs are here employed in an _active_
sense; but it is certain, that they are not used according to their
proper, _literal_ meaning. When I tell a man, _literally_, to
_stand, sit_, or _lie_, by _moving_ he would disobey me; but when I
say, "_Stand_ out of my way," I employ the neuter verb _stand_,
instead of the active verb _move_ or _go_, and in a correspondent
sense. My meaning is, _Move_ yourself out of my way; or _take_ your
_stand_ somewhere else. This, however, does not prove that _stand_
is properly used. If we choose to overstep the bounds of custom, we
can employ any _word_ in the language as an active-transitive verb.
_Be, sit_, and _lie_, may be explained in the same manner.
4. Neuter verbs are used in connexion with adverbs which express the
manner of _action_. They must, therefore, be considered active
verbs. The child _sleeps soundly_; He _sits genteelly_; They _live
contentedly_ and _happily_ together.
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