=Prepositions.=--Never use a preposition to end a sentence:
For whom is that? To whom are you writing? The matter to which I am
referring.
Two prepositions should not come together, as: “That is the man I went
_to for_ advice.” But, “That is the man to whom I went for advice.”
=Previous, Previously.=--“He wrote me previous to his coming.” Say
“previously to his coming.”
=Quantity, Number.=--_Quantity_ is used of that which can be measured;
_number_, of that which can be counted; as, “There is a large _quantity_
of sugar on hand”; “There are a large _number_ of eggs in the basket.”
In connection with the use of the singular or the plural verb with the
word _number_, note that the plural verb is used when _number_ means
_several_; the singular, when _number_ is used to stand for a unit; as,
“A _number_ of persons _are_ going” (several); “The _number is_ limited
to five.”
=Quite.=--“There are quite a number of Americans here.” Say “there are
several.” One is _quite_ a number. It is correct to say “there are quite
twenty” to express that the number is completely made up--which is the
meaning of _quite_.
=Raised.=--“I was raised in the South.” Say “brought up.” “I was raised
in Mr. Stephens’ family.” Say “taken care of,” “brought up,”
“instructed,” or “trained.” We “raise” horses, cattle, sheep, swine,
poultry and crops, but apply a more refining process to human beings.
=Ran, Run.=--Say “this horse has often run a mile in two minutes and a
half; yesterday he ran a mile in two minutes and three-quarters.”
=Rang, Rung.=--“I have rang the bell half a dozen times.” Say “have
rung.” But say in the imperfect, “they rang the bells merrily for
Christmas day.”
=Rather--than, Prefer--to.=--“He _preferred_ doing nothing _rather than_
run the risk of doing wrong,” should be “He preferred doing nothing
rather than running the risk of doing wrong”; or “He preferred to do
nothing rather than to run the risk of doing wrong.”
=Receipt and Recipe.=--One properly says, “The _receipt_ calls for three
cupfuls of flour,” _recipe_ being restricted in its use as a medical
term. Century gives the following: _Receipt_ is distinguished from
_recipe_ by the common restriction of that word [_recipe_] to medical
and relative uses; as, “A _receipt_ for a pudding.”
=Reckon.=--Provincial for _think_. “I _reckon_ he will come soon.” Say
“I _think_” or “I _believe_.”
=Reference, Recommendation.=--A person seeking employment or position,
names certain persons who know him as his _references_. They may, if
they are so disposed, and can do so with truth, give him their
_recommendation_.
=Regard.=--“In regard _of_ this matter.” Say “in regard _to_,” or “with
regard _to_.”
Regarded _from_ that standpoint, but looked at _in_ that light.
=Relations, Relatives, Kin, Kindred.=--It is better to speak of ones
_relatives_ than of his _relations_. _Relations_ has other meanings.
_Kin_ and _kindred_ are old English words, which deserve to be more in
fashion than they are.
=Relative Pronouns.=--_Who_ is used exclusively with persons, _which_
exclusively with things, and _that_ with persons and things. In common
conversation _that_ is more frequently used with persons than _who_. But
_who_ is considered more elegant.
Examples of the correct use of the relative pronouns, _who_, _which_,
_that_, and _what_: