because kind and sort are singular nouns and must be modified by the singular adjectives this and that.

Practice saying the following until you are so used to the sound that you will never make a mistake.

Most boys like to go camping.

It was almost dark when we reached the camp.

What part of speech is most? What word does it serve or modify?

What part of speech is almost? What does it modify?

Boys and girls would never think of saying,
Almost boys like to go camping.

But many boys and girls say,

It was most dark when we reached the camp.
Yet most dark is as wrong as almost boys.

Most is an adjective and means greatest in number or quantity. An adjective serves or modifies a noun.

Almost is an adverb and means nearly. An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.

Write the following sentences, using most or almost correctly in each one.

1. They starved to death.

2. girls like pretty ribbons.

3. The men were

exhausted.

Make other sentences, using most and almost corSome of you may write your sentences on the blackboard.

rectly.

YET

Practice saying the following until you have formed the habit of correct speaking.

He didn't go.

I didn't do it.

He didn't finish it.

I didn't see her.
He didn't do it.

He hasn't gone yet.

I haven't done it yet.

He hasn't finished it yet.
I haven't seen her yet.
He hasn't done it yet.

Notice that didn't is never followed by yet.
The word yet is used after hasn't or haven't.

289

NOUNS OF ADDRESS

1. Helen, you must come into the house now.

2. Have you studied your lessons, Tom?

3. I am glad to see you, Mrs. Allen.

In each of these sentences a word is used to name the person who is spoken to. Such a word, you remember, is called a noun of address.

Would either one of these sentences be complete if the noun of address were omitted? Read each one, dropping the name. Does what is left express a thought completely?

The verb in sentence 1 is must come. Its subject is you. Into the house and now are modifiers. The word Helen does not depend on any word in the sentence, nor does any word in the sentence depend on it. A word that stands alone in this way, and that can be dropped without spoiling the sense of the sentence, is said to be independent.

Find the subjects and verbs in sentences 2 and 3. What does this prove to you about the words Tom and Mrs. Allen?

A noun of address is independent of the rest of the sentence.

A noun of address is sometimes called a vocative. This word comes from the Latin word meaning to call. A vocative is merely a word which calls someone or something.

Find the nouns of address in the following sentences:

1. Give me of your bark, O birch tree.

2. At mid-day, O king, I saw a light in the sky.

3. Pardon me, Miss Roberts, for keeping you wait

ing.

4. America, America,

God shed his grace on thee.

5. You must wake and call me early,

Call me early, mother dear.

A GAME

Here are some suggestions for make-believe scenes in which you can practice calling each other by name. Act them out just as you would if you were at home playing house or playing school.

She must pretend
Several boys and

1. Choose a girl to be hostess. that she is giving an afternoon tea. girls will pretend to be guests. After the greetings are exchanged they must keep the conversation going for three minutes, without any awkward pauses. Remember to use nouns of address whenever politeness requires it.

2. Choose a boy to be an employer in an office on a busy morning. Several boys and girls will pretend to be the clerks, book-keepers, typists, and stenographers. One boy may be the office manager, and one the officeboy. Several other children may be callers on business. Make the scene as much like life as you can.

nouns of address whenever they are needed.

Use

290

LEARNING TO SPEAK CORRECTLY

Below are some groups of sentences that use the right word in a place where many persons use a word that does not belong there. Each group is headed by a question. Most boys and girls will answer "Yes" to the question. Read each group of sentences many times until you have formed the habit of saying the right thing.

1. Do you ever say anything like this: "I have got a new hat"?

You should say:

a. I have a new hat.

b. We received our reports to-day.
c. I haven't time to wait for you.
d. Mary has her new coat on.

2. Do you ever say: "We had lots of fun"?
You should say:

a. We had a great deal of fun.

b. His new car cost a large sum of money.
c. There were a great many people at the play.
d. You have plenty of time to catch the train.

3. Do you ever say: "Your new dress is real pretty"? You should say:

a. Your new dress is very pretty.

b. Sixth grade lessons are very hard.