But as far as philosophical
accuracy and the convenience and advantage of the learner are concerned,
it is believed that no arrangement is preferable to the following. I am
not unaware that plausible objections may be raised against it; but what
arrangement cannot be objected to?
There are five moods of verbs, the Indicative, the Subjunctive, the
Imperative, the Potential, and the Infinitive.
The INDICATIVE MOOD simply indicates or declares a thing; as, "He
_writes_;" or it asks a question; as, "_Does_ he _write_? Who _wrote_
that?"
The term _indicative_, comes from the Latin _indico_, to _declare_.
Hence, the legitimate province of the indicative mood, is to _declare_
things, whether positively or negatively; thus, _positively_, He _came_
with me; _negatively_, He _came not_ with me. But in order to avoid a
multiplication of moods, we extend its meaning, and use the indicative
mood in asking a question; as, Who _came_ with you?
The subjunctive mood being more analogous to the indicative in
conjugation, than any other, it ought to be presented next in order.
This mood, however, differs materially from the indicative in sense;
therefore you ought to make yourself well acquainted with the nature of
the indicative, before you commence with the subjunctive.
Pages:
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324