240. The forms of the verb _be_ have several uses:--

(1) _As principal verbs._

The light that never _was_ on sea and land.--WORDSWORTH.

(2) _As auxiliary verbs_, in four ways,--

(_a_) With verbal forms in _-ing_ (imperfect participle) to form the
definite tenses.

Broadswords _are maddening_ in the rear,--Each broadsword bright
_was brandishing_ like beam of light.--SCOTT.

(_b_) With the past participle in _-ed_, _-en_, etc., to form the
passive voice.

By solemn vision and bright silver dream,
His infancy _was nurtured_.
--SHELLEY.

(_c_) With past participle of intransitive verbs, being equivalent to
the present perfect and past perfect tenses active; as,

When we _are gone_
From every object dear to mortal sight.
--WORDSWORTH

We drank tea, which _was_ now _become_ an occasional
banquet.--GOLDSMITH.

(_d_) With the infinitive, to express intention, obligation,
condition, etc.; thus,

It _was to have been called_ the Order of Minerva.--THACKERAY.

Ingenuity and cleverness _are to be rewarded_ by State
prizes.--_Id._

If I _were to explain_ the motion of a body falling to the
ground.--BURKE

241. INFLECTIONS OF THE VERB _CHOOSE_.

Indicative Mood.

PRESENT TENSE.

_Singular._ _Plural._

1. I choose We choose
2. You choose You choose
3. [He] chooses [They] choose

PAST TENSE.

_Singular._ _Plural._

1. I chose We chose
2. You chose You chose
3. [He] chose [They] chose

Subjunctive Mood.

PRESENT TENSE.

_Singular._ _Plural._

1. I choose We choose
2. You choose You choose
3. [He] choose [They] choose

PAST TENSE.

_Singular._ _Plural._

1. I chose We chose
2. You chose You chose
3. [He] chose [They] chose

Imperative Mood.

PRESENT TENSE, _Singular and Plural_, Choose.

FULL CONJUGATION OF THE VERB _CHOOSE_.

[Sidenote: _Machinery of a verb in the voices, tenses, etc._]

242. In addition to the above _inflected_ forms, there are many
periphrastic or _compound_ forms, made up of auxiliaries with the
infinitives and participles. Some of these have been indicated in
Sec. 240, (2).

The ordinary tenses yet to be spoken of are made up as follows: