276.  It has been intimated in Sec. 235, we must beware of the rule, “A verb agrees with its subject in person and number.”  Sometimes it does; usually it does not, if agrees means that the verb changes its form for the different persons and numbers.  The verb be has more forms than other verbs, and may be said to agree with its subject in several of its forms.  But unless the verb is present, and ends in _-s_, or is an old or poetic form ending in _-st_ or _-eth_, it is best for the student not to state it as a general rule that “the verb agrees with its subject in person and number,” but merely to tell what the subject of the verb is.

II.  VERB PHRASES.

277.  Verb phrases are made up of a principal verb followed by an infinitive, and should always be analyzed as phrases, and not taken as single verbs.  Especially frequent are those made up of should, would, may, might, can, could, must, followed by a pure infinitive without to.  Take these examples:—­

1.  Lee should of himself have replenished his stock.

2.  The government might have been strong and prosperous.

In such sentences as 1, call should a weak verb, intransitive, therefore active; indicative, past tense; has for its subject Lee. Have replenished is a perfect active infinitive.

In 2, call might a weak verb, intransitive, active, indicative (as it means could), past tense; has the subject government. Have been is a perfect active infinitive.

For fuller parsing of the infinitive, see Sec. 278(2).

III.  VERBALS.

278. (1) Participle.  Tell (a) from what verb it is derived; (b) whether active or passive, imperfect, perfect, etc.; (c) to what word it belongs.  If a participial adjective, give points (a) and (b), then parse it as an adjective.

(2) Infinitive.  Tell (a) from what verb it is derived; (b) whether indefinite, perfect, definite, etc.

(3) Gerund. (a) From what verb derived; (b) its use (Sec. 273).

Exercise.

Parse the verbs, verbals, and verb phrases in the following sentences:—­

1.  Byron builds a structure that repeats certain elements in nature or humanity.

2.  The birds were singing as if there were no aching hearts, no sin nor sorrow, in the world.

3.  Let it rise! let it rise, till it meet the sun in his coming; let the earliest light of the morning gild it, and parting day linger and play on its summit.

4.  You are gathered to your fathers, and live only to your country in her grateful remembrance.

5.  Read this Declaration at the head of the army.