Plain, and short rules for pointing periods, and reading sentences grammatically, with the great use of them by M. Lewis ...

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Title: Plain, and short rules for pointing periods, and reading sentences grammatically, with the great use of them by M. Lewis ...
Author: Lewis, M. (Mark), fl. 1678.
Publication: [S.l. :: s.n.,; 1675?]
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Subject terms: English language -- Punctuation -- Early works to 1800.
Cite this Item: "Plain, and short rules for pointing periods, and reading sentences grammatically, with the great use of them by M. Lewis ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A48292.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 2, 2024.

Pages

POSTSCRIPT.

I Should have spoken more distinctly to a principal Verb: upon which the whole process depends. A principal verb is twofold: absolutely principal; or comparatively. A verb absolutely principal exprestes the state, or motion of a Subject; or affects an Object not treated of in a former Period, its Clause shall begin with a Great Letter, and shall have a Periodus Supina before it, as, God created the World. Man rules over the Creatures. The Sun shines in the Firmament. A verb comparatively principal expresses the state, or motion of a Subject; or affects an Object immediately spoken of before, i.e. relates to the same maner, as the former Period doth, yet it is a principal verb: because it is no member of a Period; neither is it tacked on by a Conjunction to a former Clause, it doth indeed relate to a former Period: for Periods may have the same respect to Periods, as Clauses have to Clauses, neither is it absolutely principal: because it will easily resolve into a depending verb. This Period shall begin with a small Letter, and shall have a Periodus pendens be∣fore it: because the sense yet hangs. As that of Salust. Mans excellency consists in his Soul, and Body. The Soul commands, the Body obeys. In this we are like to God, in that to Beasts. It resolves thus. Our excellency consists, either in our Souls, by which we command like God; or Bodies, with which we work like Bruits.

Take a Scheme for POINTING thus.

So many finite Verbs there are in any discourse, so many stops must be made, and no •…•…re, unless by accident. So many principal Verbs, so many principal Points or Periods. So many depending Verbs, so many depending Points. As, a protasis, and apodosis are distin∣guished by a Colon, membra dividentia by a sub-Colon. Sentences united by a Conjunction, which are not membra dividentia, are distinguished by a Comma, Exegetical expressions, the Infinitive Mood, intercepting Clauses, occasion a sub-Comma, if such a distinction might be granted, and may be marked by a streight line, thus (••). Let this Postscript be a praxis.