troublesome words must be sought in text-books on grammar and
rhetoric, where the subject will be found treated with a more
particular attention, and at greater length, than is possible in a
book of the character of this. Briefly and generally, in the first
person, a mere intention is indicated by shall, as, I shall go;
whereas will denotes some degree of compliance or determination, as, I
will go--as if my going had been requested or forbidden. In the second
and the third person, will merely forecasts, as, You (or he) will go;
but shall implies something of promise, permission or compulsion by
the speaker, as, You (or he) shall go. Another and less obvious
compulsion--that of circumstance--speaks in shall, as sometimes used
with good effect: In Germany you shall not turn over a chip without
uncovering a philosopher. The sentence is barely more than indicative,
shall being almost, but not quite, equivalent to can.
_Win out_. Like its antithesis, "lose out," this reasonless phrase is
of sport, "sporty."
_Win_ for _Won_. "I went to the race and win ten dollars." This
atrocious solecism seems to be unknown outside the world of sport,
where may it ever remain.
_Without_ for _Unless_. "I cannot go without I recover." Peasantese.
_Witness_ for _See_. To witness is more than merely to see, or
observe; it is to observe, and to tell afterward.
_Would-be_. "The would-be assassin was arrested." The word doubtless
supplies a want, but we can better endure the want than the word. In
the instance of the assassin, it is needless, for he who attempts to
murder is an assassin, whether he succeeds or not.