ENGLISH GRAMMAR

 

AND

 

COMPOSITION

 

FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

 

BY

G. H. ARMSTRONG, M.A., B.Pæd.,

Principal Borden St. School, Toronto.

 

 

 

TORONTO:

 

The Hunter, Rose Co., Limited, Temple Building.

PREFACE.

It is not considered necessary to offer an apology for the publicationof a work on English grammar and composition forthe Public Schools of Ontario.

The plan of the work is inductive and practical, and theauthor has endeavored to make the book a useful one for thepurposes of teaching. Every principle is presented through theobservation of examples of good English.

The study of grammar aids the student to master his mother-tongue,but its chief function is to secure mental discipline. Forthe development of the intellectual powers, the capable teacher,well furnished with rational methods, will find this study superiorto all others. It is a study in recognizing similarities, in distinguishingdifferences, in making abstractions, in forming generalizations.The object of Parts I.-IV. of this book is to contributesomething to the science of elementary English grammar.

Part V. treats of composition. The usual exercises in completinghalf-built sentences, in straightening out wrecks of sentences,in combining simple sentences into complex sentences, in expandingphrases into clauses, etc., will not be found therein. Theyhave done quite enough towards fostering stupidity in our schools.The art of expression is acquired through steady practice, thereforepupils should write compositions not once a week, but duringpart of every period, about things which they understand. Theyshould be taught good form in expression, and trained to correcttheir own exercises.

This part of the work, though brief, will be found suggestive.Teachers and pupils have not been deprived of the pleasure andprofit of an independent examination of the construction of theprose selections.

This little volume owes something to several English grammars,and the debt is hereby acknowledged.

G. H. ARMSTRONG.

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