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he _possessive_ case. Hence, it is clear, that nouns have three cases or positions. As the nominative and objective cases of the noun are inseparably connected with the verb, it is impossible for you to understand them until you shall have acquired some knowledge of this part of speech. I will, therefore, now give you a partial description of the verb in connexion with the noun; which will enable me to illustrate the cases of the noun so clearly, that you may easily comprehend their nature. In the formation of language, mankind, in order to hold converse with each other, found it necessary, in the first place, to give _names_ to the various objects by which they were surrounded. Hence the origin of the first part of speech, which we denominate the _noun_. But merely to name the objects which they beheld or thought of, was not sufficient for their purpose. They perceived that these objects existed, moved, acted, or caused some action to be done. In looking at a man, for instance, they perceived that he lived, walked, ate, smiled, talked, ran, and so on. They perceived that plants grow, flowers bloom, and rivers flow. Hence the necessity of another part of speech, whose office it should be to express these existences and actions. This second class of words we call VERBS. A verb is a word which signifies to BE, to DO, or to SUFFER; as, I _am_; I _rule_; I _am ruled_. Verbs are of three kinds, active, passive, and neuter. They are also divided into regular, irregular, and defective. The term _verb_ is derived from the Latin word _verbum_, which signifies a _word_. This part of speech is called a _verb_ or _word_, because it is deemed the most important word in every sentence: and without a verb and nominative, either expressed or implied, no sentence can exist. The noun is the original and leading part of speech; the verb comes next in order, and is far more complex than the noun. These two are the most useful in the language, and form the basis of the science of grammar. The other eight parts of speech are subordinate to these two, and, as you will hereafter learn, of minor importance. For all practical purposes, the foregoing definition and division of the verb, though, perhaps, not philosophically correct, will be found as _convenient_ as any other. I adopt them, therefore, to be consistent with the principle, that, in arranging the materials of this treatise, I shall not alter or reject any established de
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