e conjunction, and see
how the sentence will read: "Orlando _or_ Thomas, _who studies his
lesson, makes_ rapid progress." Now, you perceive, that a different
construction takes place, for the latter expression does not imply, that
Orlando and Thomas, _both_ study and make rapid progress; but it
asserts, that either the one _or_ the other studies, and makes rapid
progress. Hence the verb _makes_ is singular, because it expresses the
action of the one _or_ the other of its nominatives. And you observe,
too, that the pronouns _who_ and _his_, and the noun _lesson_, are
likewise in the singular, agreeing with Orlando _or_ Thomas, agreeably
to RULE 9. _Studies_ is also singular, agreeing with _who_, according to
RULE 4.

EXERCISES IN PARSING.

Joseph and his brother reside in New York. The Sun, moon, and stars,
admonish us of a superior and superintending Power. I respect my friend,
because he is upright and obliging. Henry and William, who obey their
teacher, improve rapidly. Henry or William, who obeys his teacher,
improves very fast. Neither rank nor possession makes the guilty mind
happy. Wisdom, virtue, and meekness, form the good man's happiness and
interest: they support him in adversity, and comfort him in prosperity.
Man is a little lower than the angels. The United States, as justly as
Great Britain, can now boast of their literary institutions.

NOTE. The verb _form_ is plural, and agrees with three nouns singular,
connected by copulative conjunctions, according to RULE 8. The verb
_comfort_ agrees with _they_ for its nominative. It is connected to
_support_ by the conjunction _and_, agreeably to RULE 34. _Angels_ is
nom. to _are_ understood, and _Great Britain_ is nom. to _can boast_
understood, according to RULE 35.

REMARKS ON CONJUNCTIONS AND PREPOSITIONS.

The same word is occasionally employed, either as a conjunction, an
adverb, or a preposition. "I submitted, _for_ it was in vain to resist;"
in this example, _for_ is a conjunction, because it connects the two
members of a compound sentence. In the next it is a preposition, and
governs _victory_ in the objective case: "He contended _for_ victory
only."

In the first of the following sentences, _since_ is a conjunction; in
the second, it is a preposition, and in the third, an adverb; "_Since_
we must part, let us do it peaceably; I have not seen him _since_ that
time; Our friendship commenced long _since._"

"He will repent _before_ he dies; Stand _