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III. SYNTAX.
THE ANALYSIS OF SENTENCES.
224. What is a sentence?
A sentence is that which arises from combining several
words, so as to express a complete notion.
Ex: mukti siddhichchu [= (eternal) liberation was accom-
plished]; kámam kálan (=lust is death).
SUBJECT, PREDICATE AND OBJECT.
225. How many words are necessary to form a sentence?
One to express the subject and another to express the
predicate. Thus at least two words must be contained
expressed or understood) in every sentence.
Ex: ní pó (= go thou); pó (= go).
226. What are the subject and predicate?
The subject is the word which expresses that, concern-
ing which we speak. It is also the nominative of the
finite verb of the sentence.
Ex: Kéḷan nallavan (= Kéḷan is a good man); in this 'Kéḷan'
is the subject.
The predicate is the word which expresses the action
(done or suffered) or the attribute etc. assigned to
the subject.
