(a) As a complement of a transitive verb, and at the same time a modifier of the object (for an example, see Sec. 350, 4).

(b) As a modifier of subject, object, or complement (see Sec. 351, 6).

(2) The adverbial use, modifying the predicate, instances of which were seen in Sec. 352, 3.  In these the participial phrases connect closely with the verb, and there is no difficulty in seeing that they modify.

[Sidenote:  These need close watching.]

There are other participial phrases which are used adverbially, but require somewhat closer attention; thus, “The letter of introduction_, containing no matters of business_, was speedily run through.”

In this sentence, the expression containing no matters of business does not describe letter, but it is equivalent to because it contained no matters of business, and hence is adverbial, modifying was speedily run through.

Notice these additional examples:—­

Being a great collector of everything relating to Milton [reason, “Because I was,” etc.], I had naturally possessed myself of Richardson the painter’s thick octavo volumes.

Neither the one nor the other writer was valued by the public, both having [since they had] a long warfare to accomplish of contumely and ridicule.

Wilt thou, therefore, being now wiser [as thou art] in thy thoughts, suffer God to give by seeming to refuse?

(3) Wholly independent in meaning and grammar.  See Sec. 355, (5), and these additional examples:—­

Assuming the specific heat to be the same as that of water, the entire mass of the sun would cool down to 15,000 deg.  Fahrenheit in five thousand years.

This case excepted, the French have the keenest possible sense of everything odious and ludicrous in posing.

INFINITIVES AND INFINITIVE PHRASES.

358.  The various uses of the infinitive give considerable trouble, and they will be presented here in full, or as nearly so as the student will require.

I. The verbal use. (1) Completing an incomplete verb, but having no other office than a verbal one.

(a) With may (might), can (could), should, would, seem, ought, etc.:  “My weekly bill used invariably to be about fifty shillings;” “There, my dear, he should not have known them at all;” “He would instruct her in the white man’s religion, and teach her how to be happy and good.”

(b) With the forms of be, being equivalent to a future with obligation, necessity, etc.:  as in the sentences, “Ingenuity and cleverness are to be rewarded by State prizes;” “‘The Fair Penitent’ was to be acted that evening.”

(c) With the definite forms of go, equivalent to a future:  “I was going to repeat my remonstrances;” “I am not going to dissert on Hood’s humor.”