To have been.
PARTICIPLES.
Pres. Being. Perf. Been. Compound, Having been.
This verb to be, though very irregular in its conjugation, is by far the
most important verb in our language, for it is more frequently used than
any other; many rules of syntax depend on constructions associated with
it, and, without its aid, no passive verb can be conjugated. You ought,
therefore, to make yourself perfectly familiar with all its changes,
before you proceed any farther.
* * * * *
II. PASSIVE VERBS.
The _cases of nouns_ are a fruitful theme for investigation and
discussion. In the progress of these lectures, this subject has
frequently engaged our attention; and, now, in introducing to your
notice the passive verb, it will, perhaps, be found both interesting and
profitable to present one more view of the nominative case.
Every sentence, you recollect, must have one _finite_ verb, or more than
one, and one _nominative_, either expressed or implied, for, without
them, no sentence can exist.
The _nominative_ is the _actor_ or _subject_ concerning which the verb
makes an affirmation.
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