relation to things. But it was once common to say, "the man
_which._" This should now be avoided. It is now usual to say, "Our
Father _who_ art in heaven," instead of "_which_ art in heaven."
2. _Whose_ is, however, sometimes applied to things as well as to
persons. We may therefore say, "The country _whose_ inhabitants are
free." Grammarians differ in opinion upon this subject, but general
usage justifies the rule.
3. _Thou_ is employed in solemn discourse, and you in common
language. _Ye_ (plural) is also used in serious addresses, and you
in familiar language.
4. The uses of the word _It_ are various, and very perplexing to the
uneducated. It is not only used to imply persons, but things, and
even, ideas, and therefore, in speaking or writing, its assistance
is constantly required. The perplexity respecting this word arises
from the fact that in using it in the construction of a long
sentence, sufficient care is not taken to ensure that when _it_ is
employed it really points out or refers to the object intended. For
instance, "It was raining when John set out in his cart to go to the
market, and he was delayed so long that it was over before he
arrived." Now what is to be understood by this sentence? Was the
rain over? or the market? Either or both might be inferred from the
construction of the sentence, which, therefore, should be written
thus:--"It was raining when John set out in his cart to go to the
market, and he was delayed so long that the market was over before
he arrived."
5. _Rule_.--After writing a sentence always look through it, and see
that wherever the word It is employed, it refers to or carries the
mind back to the object which it is intended to point out.
6. The general distinction between _This_ and _That_ may be thus
defined: _this_ denotes an object present or near, in time or place,
_that_ something which is absent.
7. _These_ refers, in the same manner, to present objects, while
_those_ refers to things that are remote.
8. _Who_ changes, under certain conditions, into _whose_ and _whom_.
But _that_ and _which_ always remain the same.
9. _That_ may be applied to nouns or subjects of all sorts; as, the
_girl that_ went to school, the _dog that_ bit me, the _ship that_
went to London, the _opinion that_ he entertains.
10. The misuse of these pronouns gives rise to more errors in
speaking and writing than any other cause.
11. When you wish to distinguish between two or more persons, say,
"_Which_ is the happy man?"--not _who_--"_Which_ of those ladies do
you admire?"
12. Instead of "_Who_ do you think him to be?"--say, "_Whom_ do you
think him to be?"
13. _Whom_ should I see?
14. To _whom_ do you speak?
15. _Who_ said so?
16. _Who_ gave it to you?
17. Of _whom_ did you procure them?
18. _Who_ was _he_?
19. _Who_ do men say that _I_ am?
20. _Whom_ do they represent _me_ to be? [1]
21. In many instances in which _who_ is used as an interrogative, it
does not become _whom_; as "_Who_ do you speak to?" "_Who_ do you
expect?" "_Who_ is she married to?" "_Who_ is this reserved for?"
"_Who_ was it made by?" Such sentences are found in the writings of
our best authors, and it would be presumptuous to consider them as
ungrammatical. If the word _whom_ should be preferred, then it would
be best to say, "For _whom_ is this reserved?" &c.
22. Instead of "After _which_ hour," say "After _that_ hour."
23. _Self_ should never be added to _his, their, mine, or thine._
24. _Each_ is used to denote every individual of a number.
25. _Every_ denotes all the individuals of a number.
26. _Either_ and _or_ denote an alternative: "I will take _either_
road, at your pleasure;" "I will take this _or_ that."
27. _Neither_ means _not either_; and _nor_ means _not the other_.
28. _Either_ is sometimes used for _each_--"Two thieves were
crucified, on _either_ side one."
29. "Let _each_ esteem others as good as themselves," should be,
"Let _each_ esteem others as good as _himself_."
30. "There are bodies _each_ of which _are_ so small," should be,
"each of which _is_ so small."
31. Do not use double superlatives, such as _most straightest_,
_most highest_, _most finest_.
32. The term _worser_ has gone out of use; but _lesser_ is still
retained.
33. The use of such words as _chiefest_, _extremest_, &c., has
become obsolete, because they do not give any superior force to the
meanings of the primary words, _chief_, _extreme_, &c.
34. Such expressions as _more impossible_, _more indispensable_,
_more universal_, _more uncontrollable_, _more unlimited_, &c., are
objectionable, as they really enfeeble the meaning which it is the
object of the speaker or writer to strengthen. For instance,
_impossible_ gains no strength by rendering it _more_ impossible.
This class of error is common with persons who say, "A _great large_
house," "A _great big_ animal," "A _little small_ foot," "A _tiny
little_ hand."
35. _Here_, _there_, and _where_, originally denoting place, may
now, by common consent, he used to denote other meanings; such as,
"_There_ I agree with you," "_Where_ we differ," "We find pain
_where_ we expected pleasure," "_Here_ you mistake me."
36. _Hence_, _whence_, and _thence_, denoting departure, &c., may be
used without the word _from_. The idea of _from_ is included in the
word _whence_--therefore it is unnecessary to say "_From whence_."
37. _Hither_, _thither_, and _whither_, denoting to a place, have
generally been superseded by _here_, _there_, and _where_. But there
is no good reason why they should not be employed. If, however, they
are used, it is unnecessary to add the word _to_, because that is
implied--"_Whither_ are you going?" "_Where_ are you going?" Each of
these sentences is complete. To say, "Where are you going _to_?" is
redundant.
38. Two _negatives_ destroy each other, and produce an affirmative.
"_Nor_ did he _not_ observe them," conveys the idea that he _did_
observe them.
39. But negative assertions are allowable. "His manners are not
unpolite," which implies that his manners are, in some degree,
marked by politeness.
40. Instead of "I _had_ rather walk," say "I _would_ rather walk."
41. Instead of "I _had better_ go," say "It were better that I
should go."
42. Instead of "I doubt not _but_ I shall be able to go," say "I
doubt not that I shall be able to go."
43. Instead of "Let you and _I_," say "Let you and me."
44. Instead of "I am not so tall as _him_," say "I am not so tall as
he."
45. When asked "Who is there?" do not answer "Me," but "I."
46. Instead of "For you and _I_," say "For you and me."
47. Instead of "_Says_ I," say "I said."
48. Instead of "You are taller than _me_," say "You are taller than
I."
49. Instead of "I _ain't_," or "I _arn't_," say "I am not."
50. Instead of "Whether I be present or _no_," say "Whether I be
present or not."
51. For "Not that I know _on_," say "Not that I know."
52. Instead of "_Was_ I to do so," say "_Were_ I to do so."
53. Instead of "I would do the same if I _was him_," say "I would do
the same if I were he."
54. Instead of "I _had_ as lief go myself," say "I would as soon go
myself," or "I would rather."
55. It is better to say "Bred and born," than "Born and bred."
56. It is better to say "Six weeks ago," than "Six weeks back."
57. It is better to say "Since which time," than "Since when."
58. It is better to say "I repeated it," than "I said so over
again."
59. It is better to say "A physician," or "A surgeon," than "A
medical man."
60. Instead of "He was too young to _have_ suffered much," say "He
was too young to suffer much."
61. Instead of "_Less_ friends," say "Fewer friends." Less refers
to quantity.
62. Instead of "A _quantity_ of people," say "A number of people."
63. Instead of "_He and they_ we know," say "Him and them."
64. Instead of "_As_ far as I can see," say "So far as I can see."
65. Instead of "If I am _not mistaken_," say "If I mistake not."
66. Instead of "You _are mistaken_," say "You mistake."
67. Instead of "What _beautiful_ tea!" say "What good tea!"
68. Instead of "What a _nice_ prospect!" say "What a _beautiful_
prospect!"
69. Instead of "A _new pair_ of gloves," say "A pair of new gloves."
70. Instead of saying "_He_ belongs to the _house_," say "The house
belongs to him."
71. Instead of saying "_Not no_ such thing," say "Not any such
thing."
72. Instead of "I hope you'll think nothing _on_ it," say "I hope
you'll think nothing of it."
73. Instead of "Restore it _back_ to me," say "Restore it to me."
74. Instead of "I suspect the _veracity_ of his story," say "I doubt
the truth of his story."
75. Instead of "I seldom _or ever_ see him," say "I seldom see him."
76. Instead of "_Rather warmish_" or "A _little_ warmish," say
"Rather warm."
77. Instead of "I expected _to have_ found him," say "I expected to
find him."
78. Instead of "_Shay_," say "Chaise."
79. Instead of "He is a very _rising_ person," say "He is rising
rapidly."
80. Instead of "Who _learns_ you music?" say "Who teaches you
music?"
81. Instead of "I _never_ sing _whenever_ I can help it," say "I
never sing when I can help it."
82. Instead of "Before I do that I must _first_ ask leave," say
"Before I do that I must ask leave."
83. Instead of "To _get over_ the difficulty," say "To overcome the
difficulty."
84. The phrase "_get over_" is in many cases misapplied, as, to "get
over a person," to "get over a week," to "get over an opposition."
85. Instead of saying "The _observation_ of the rule," say "The
observance of the rule."
86. Instead of "A man _of_ eighty years of age," say "A man eighty
years old."
87. Instead of "Here _lays_ his honoured head," say "Here lies his
honoured head."
88. Instead of "He died from _negligence_," say "He died through
neglect," or "in consequence of neglect."
89. Instead of "Apples are plenty," say "Apples are plentiful."
90. Instead of "The _latter end_ of the year," say "The end, or the
close of the year."
91. Instead of "The _then_ government," say "The government of that
age, or century, or year, or time."
92. Instead of "For _ought_ I know," say "For aught I know."
93. Instead of "A _couple_ of chairs," say "Two chairs."
94. Instead of "_Two couples_," say "Four persons."
95. But you may say "A married couple," or, "A married pair," or, "A
couple of fowls," &c., in any case where one of each sex is to be
understood.
96. Instead of "They are _united together_ in the bonds of
matrimony," say "They are united in matrimony," or, "They are
married."
97. Instead of "We travel _slow_," say "We travel slowly."
98. Instead of "He plunged _down_ into the river," say "He plunged
into the river."
99. Instead of "He jumped _from off of_ the scaffolding," say "He
jumped off from the scaffolding."
100. Instead of "He came the last _of all_," say "He came the
last."
101. Instead of "_universal_," with reference to things that have
any limit, say "general;" "generally approved," instead of
"universally approved;" "generally beloved," instead of "universally
beloved."
102. Instead of "They ruined _one another_," say "They ruined each
other."
103. Instead of "If _in case_ I succeed," say "If I succeed."
104. Instead of "A _large enough_ room," say "A room large enough."
105. Instead of "This villa _to let_," say "This villa to be let."
106. Instead of "I am slight in comparison _to_ you," say "I am
slight in comparison with you."
107. Instead of "I went _for_ to see him," say "I went to see him."
108. Instead of "The cake is all _eat up_," say "The cake is all
eaten."
109. Instead of "It is bad _at the best_," say "It is very bad."
110. Instead of "Handsome is _as_ handsome does," say "Handsome is
who handsome does."
111. Instead of "As I _take_ it," say "As I see," or, "As I under
stand it."
112. Instead of "The book fell _on_ the floor," say "The book fell
to the floor."
113. Instead of "His opinions are _approved of_ by all," say "His
opinions are approved by all."
114. Instead of "I will add _one more_ argument," say "I will add
one argument more," or "another argument."
115. Instead of "Captain Reilly was killed _by_ a bullet," say
"Captain Reilly was killed with a bullet."
116. Instead of "A sad curse is war," say "War is a sad curse."
117. Instead of "He stands _six foot_ high," say "He measures six
feet," or "His height is six feet."
118. Instead of "I go _every now and then_," say "I go often, or
frequently."
119. Instead of "Who finds him in clothes," say "Who provides him
with clothes."
120. Say "The first two," and "the last two," instead of "the _two
first_," "the two last;" leave out all expletives, such as "of all,"
"first of all," "last of all," "best of all," &c., &c.
121. Instead of "His health was _drank with enthusiasm_," say "His
health was drunk enthusiastically."
122. Instead of "_Except_ I am prevented," say "Unless I am
prevented."
123. Instead of "In its _primary sense_," say "In its primitive
sense."
124. Instead of "It grieves me to _see_ you," say "I am grieved to
see you."
125. Instead of "Give me _them_ papers," say "Give me those papers."
126. Instead of "_Those_ papers I hold in my hand," say "These
papers I hold in my hand."
127. Instead of "I could scarcely imagine but _what_," say "I could
scarcely imagine but that."
128. Instead of "He was a man _notorious_ for his benevolence," say
"He was noted for his benevolence."
129. Instead of "She was a woman _celebrated_ for her crimes," say
"She was notorious on account of her crimes."
130. Instead of "What may your name be?" say "What is your name?"
131. Instead of "Bills are requested not to be stuck here," say
"Billstickers are requested not to stick bills here."
132. Instead of "By _smoking it often_ becomes habitual," say "By
smoking often it becomes habitual."
133. Instead of "I lifted it _up_," say "I lifted it."
134. Instead of "It is _equally of the same_ value," say "It is of
the same value," or "equal value."
135. Instead of "I knew it _previous_ to your telling me," say "I
knew it previously to your telling me."
136. Instead of "You _was_ out when I called," say "You were out
when I called."
137. Instead of "I thought I should _have won_ this game," say "I
thought I should win this game."
138. Instead of "_This_ much is certain," say "Thus much is
certain," or, "So much is certain."
139. Instead of "He went away _as it may be_ yesterday week," say
"He went away yesterday week."
140. Instead of "He came _the Saturday as it may be before the
Monday_," specify the Monday on which he came.
141. Instead of "Put your watch _in_ your pocket," say "Put your
watch into your pocket."
142. Instead of "He has _got_ riches," say "He has riches."
143. Instead of "Will you _set_ down?" say "Will you sit down?"
144. Instead of "The hen is _setting_," say "The hen is sitting."
145. Instead of "It is raining very _hard_," say "It is raining
very fast."
146. Instead of "No _thankee_," say "No thank you."
147. Instead of "I cannot do it without _farther_ means," say "I
cannot do it without further means."
148. Instead of "No sooner _but_," or "No other _but_," say "than."
149. Instead of "_Nobody else_ but her," say "Nobody but her."
150. Instead of "He fell _down_ from the balloon," say "He fell from
the balloon."
151. Instead of "He rose _up_ from the ground," say "He rose from
the ground."
152. Instead of "_These_ kind of oranges _are_ not good," say "This
kind of oranges is not good."
153. Instead of "Somehow or _another_," say "Somehow or other."
154. Instead of "_Undeniable_ references required," say
"Unexceptionable references required."
155. Instead of "I cannot _rise_ sufficient funds," say "I cannot
raise sufficient funds."
156. Instead of "I cannot _raise_ so early in the morning," say "I
cannot rise so early in the morning."
157. Instead of "_Well_, I don't know," say "I don't know."
158. Instead of "_Will_ I give you some more tea?" say "Shall I give
you some more tea?"
159. Instead of "Oh dear, what _will_ I do?" say "Oh dear, what
shall I do?"
160. Instead of "I think _indifferent_ of it," say "I think
indifferently of it."
161. Instead of "I will send it _conformable_ to your orders," say
"I will send it conformably to your orders."
162. Instead of "Give me a _few_ broth," say "Give me some broth."
163. Instead of "_Her_ said it was hers," say "She said it was
hers."
164. Instead of "To be _given away gratis_," say "To be given away."
165. Instead of "Will you enter in?" say "Will you enter?"
166. Instead of "_This_ three days or more," say "These three days
or more."
167. Instead of "He is a bad _grammarian_," say "He is not a
grammarian."
168. Instead of "We _accuse him for_," say "We accuse him of."
169. Instead of "We _acquit_ him _from_," say "We acquit him of."
170. Instead of "I am averse _from_ that," say "I am averse to
that."
171. Instead of "I confide _on_ you," say "I confide in you."
172. Instead of "I differ _with_ you," say "I differ from you."
173. Instead of "As soon as _ever_," say "As soon as."
174. Instead of "The _very best_" or "The _very worst_," say "The
best or the worst."
175. Instead of "A _winter's morning_," say "A winter morning," or
"A wintry morning."
176. Instead of "Fine morning, _this_ morning," say "This is a fine
morning."
177. Instead of "How _do_ you _do_?" say "How are you?"
178. Instead of "Not so well as I could wish," say "Not quite well."
179. Avoid such phrases as "No great shakes," "Nothing to boast of,"
"Down in my boots," "Suffering from the blues." All such sentences
indicate vulgarity.
180. Instead of "No one _cannot_ prevail upon him," say "No one can
prevail upon him."
181. Instead of "No one _hasn't_ called," say "No one has called."
182. Avoid such phrases as "If I was you," or even, "If I were you."
Better say, "I advise you how to act."
183. Instead of "You have a _right_ to pay me," say "It is right
that you should pay me."
184. Instead of "I am going _on_ a tour," say "I am about to take a
tour," or "going."
185. Instead of "I am going _over_ the bridge," say "I am going
_across_ the bridge."
186. Instead of "He is coming here," say "He is coming hither."
187. Instead of "He lives opposite the square," say "He lives
opposite to the square."
188. Instead of "He _belongs_ to the Reform Club," say "He is a
member of the Reform Club."
189. Avoid such phrases as "I am up to you," "I'll be down upon
you," "Cut," or "Mizzle."
190. Instead of "I _should just_ think I could," say "I think I
can."
191. Instead of "There has been a _good deal_," say "There has been
much."
192. Instead of "_Following up_ a principle," say "Guided by a
principle."
193. Instead of "Your _obedient, humble servant_," say "Your
obedient," or, "Your humble servant."
194. Instead of saying "The effort you are making _for_ meeting the
bill," say "The effort you are making to meet the bill."
195. Instead of saying "It _shall_ be submitted to investigation and
inquiry," say "It shall be submitted to investigation," or "to
inquiry."
196. Dispense with the phrase "_Conceal from themselves the fact_;"
it suggests a gross anomaly.
197. Never say "_Pure and unadulterated_," because the phrase
embodies a repetition.
198. Instead of saying "Adequate for," say "Adequate to."
199. Instead of saying "A _surplus over and above_," say "A
surplus."
200. Instead of saying "A _lasting and permanent_ peace," say "A
permanent peace."
201. Instead of saying "I left you _behind at_ London," say "I left
you behind me at London."
202. Instead of saying "_Has been_ followed by immediate dismissal,"
say "Was followed by immediate dismissal."
203. Instead of saying "Charlotte was met _with_ Thomas," say
"Charlotte was met by Thomas." But if Charlotte and Thomas were
walking together, "Charlotte and Thomas were met by," &c.
204. Instead of "It is strange that no author should _never_ have
written," say "It is strange that no author should ever have
written."
205. Instead of "I won't never write," say "I will never write."
206. To say "Do _not_ give him _no more_ of your money," is
equivalent to saying "Give him some of your money." Say "Do not give
him _any_ of your money."
207. Instead of saying "They are not what nature _designed_ them,"
say "They are not what nature designed them to be."
208. Instead of "By this _means_," say "By these means."
209. Instead of saying "A beautiful _seat and gardens_," say "A
beautiful _seat_ and its gardens."
210. Instead of "All that was _wanting_," say "All that was wanted."
211. Instead of saying "I had not the pleasure of hearing his
sentiments when I wrote that letter," say "I had not the pleasure of
having heard," &c.
212. Instead of "The quality of the apples _were_ good," say "The
quality of the apples was good."
213. Instead of "The want of learning, courage, and energy _are_
more visible," say "Is more visible."
214. Instead of "We are conversant _about_ it," say "We are
conversant with it."
215. Instead of "We called _at_ William," say "We called on
William."
216. Instead of "We die _for_ want," say "We die of want."
217. Instead of "He died _by_ fever," say "He died of fever."
218. Instead of "I _enjoy_ bad health," say "My health is not good."
219. Instead of "_Either_ of the three," say "Any one of the three."
220. Instead of "Better _nor_ that," say "Better than that."
221. Instead of "We often think _on_ you," say "We often think of
you."
222. Instead of "Though he came, I did not see him," say "Though he
came, yet I did not see him."
223. Instead of "Mine is _so_ good as yours," say "Mine is as good
as yours."
224. Instead of "He was remarkable handsome," say "He was remarkably
handsome."
225. Instead of "Smoke ascends _up_ the chimney," I say "Smoke
ascends the chimney."
226. Instead of "You will _some_ day be convinced," say "You will
one day be convinced."
227. Instead of saying "Because I don't choose to," say "Because I
would rather not."
228. Instead of "_Because_ why?" say "Why?"
229. Instead of "That _there_ boy," say "That boy."
230. Instead of "Direct your letter to me," say "Address your letter
to me."
231. Instead of "The horse is not _much worth_," say "The horse is
not worth much."
232. Instead of "The subject-matter of debate," say "The subject of
debate."
233. Instead of saying "When he _was_ come back," say "When he had
come back."
234. Instead of saying "His health has been _shook_," say "His
health has been shaken."
235. Instead of "It was _spoke_ in my presence," say "It was spoken
in my presence."
236. Instead of "_Very_ right," or "_Very_ wrong," say "Right," or
"Wrong."
237. Instead of "The _mortgager_ paid him the money," say "The
mortgagee paid him the money." The mortgagee lends; the mortgager
borrows.
238. Instead of "This town is not _as_ large as we thought," say
"This town is not so large as we thought."
239. Instead of "I _took you to be_ another person," say "I mistook
you for another person."
240. Instead of "On _either_ side of the river," say "On each side
of the river."
241. Instead of "_There's_ fifty," say "There are fifty."
242. Instead of "The _best_ of the two," say "The better of the
two."
243. Instead of "My clothes have _become too small_ for me," say "I
have grown too stout for my clothes."
244. Instead of "Is Lord Lytton in?" say "Is Lord Lytton within?"
245. Instead of "Two _spoonsful_ of physic," say "Two spoonfuls of
physic."
246. Instead of "He _must_ not do it." say "He need not do it."
247. Instead of "She said, says she," say "She said."
248. Avoid such phrases as "I said, says I," "Thinks I to myself,
thinks I," &c.
249. Instead of "I don't think so," say "I think not."
250. Instead of "He was in _eminent_ danger," say "He was in
_imminent_ danger."
251. Instead of "The weather is _hot_," say "The weather is very
warm."
252. Instead of "I _sweat_," say "I _perspire_."
253. Instead of "I _only_ want two shillings," say "I want only two
shillings."
254. Instead of "Whatsomever," always take care to say "Whatever,"
or "Whatsoever."
255. Avoid such exclamations as "God bless me!" "God deliver me!"
"By God!" "By Gor'!" "My Lor'!" "Upon my soul," &c., which are
vulgar on the one hand, and savour of impiety on the other, for:
256. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."
[Footnote 1: Persons who wish to become well acquainted with the
principles of 'English Grammar' by an easy process, are recommended to
procure "The Useful Grammar," price 3d., published by Houlston and
Sons.]
[SOME FEMALE SPIDERS PRODUCE 2,000 EGGS.]
182. Pronunciation.