WORDS.--SPELLING.--PRONUNCIATION
188. To write and to speak good English, one must have a good working
vocabulary. He must know words and be able to use them correctly;
he must employ only words that are in good use; he must be able
to choose words and phrases that accurately express his meaning;
and he must be able to spell and pronounce correctly the words
that he uses.
WORDS
189. GOOD USE. The first essential that a word should have, is
that it be in good use. A word is in good use when it is used
grammatically and in its true sense, and is also:
(1) _Reputable_; in use by good authors and writers in general.
The use of a word by one or two good writers is not sufficient
to make a word reputable; the use must be general.
(2) _National_; not foreign or local in its use.
(3) _Present_; used by the writers of one's own time.
190. OFFENSES AGAINST GOOD USE. The offenses against good use are
usually said to be of three classes: Solecisms, Barbarisms, and
Improprieties.
191. SOLECISMS are the violations of the principles of grammar.
Solecisms have been treated under the earlier chapters on grammar.
192. BARBARISMS. The second offense against good use, a barbarism,
is a word not in reputable, present or national use. The following
rules may be given on this subject:
1. AVOID OBSOLETE WORDS. Obsolete words are words that, once in
good use, have since passed out of general use. This rule might
also be made to include obsolescent words: words that are at present
time passing out of use. Examples of obsolete words:
methinks yesterwhiles twixt
yclept afeard shoon
2. AVOID NEWLY COINED EXPRESSIONS OR NEW USES OF OLD EXPRESSIONS.
There are a great many words current in the newspapers and in other
hasty writing that have not the sanction of general good use at
the present time, though many of these words may in time come into
use. A safe rule is to avoid all words that are at all doubtful.
Examples:
an invite an exposé a try
enthuse a combine fake
A common newspaper fault is the coining of a verb or adjective from
a noun, or a noun from a verb. Examples:
locomote suicided derailment
pluralized burglarized refereed
3. AVOID FOREIGN WORDS. A foreign word should not be used until it
has become naturalized by being in general, reputable use. Since
there are almost always English words just as expressive as the
foreign words, the use of the foreign words usually indicates
affectation on the part of the one using them. Examples:
billet-doux (love letter) conversazione (conversation)
ad nauseam (to disgust) distingué (distinguished)
ad infinitum (infinitely) entre nous (between us)
4. AVOID PROVINCIALISMS. Provincialisms are expressions current
and well understood in one locality, but not current or differently
understood in another locality. Examples:
guess (think) reckon (suppose)
near (stingy) smart (clever)
tuckered (tired out) lift (elevator)
tote (carry) ruination (ruin)
5. AVOID VULGARISMS. Vulgarisms are words whose use shows vulgarity
or ignorance. Such words as the following are always in bad taste:
chaw nigger your'n
gal flustrated hadn't oughter
haint dern his'n
6. AVOID SLANG. Slang is a form of vulgarism that is very prevalent
in its use even by educated people. Slang words, it is true, sometimes
come into good repute and usage, but the process is slow. The safest
rule is to avoid slang expressions because of their general bad
taste and because of their weakening effect on one's vocabulary
of good words. Examples of slang:
grind swipe booze
long green on a toot dough
pinch peach dukes
7. AVOID CLIPPED OR ABBREVIATED WORDS. The use of such words is
another form of vulgarism. Examples:
pard (partner) rep (reputation)
doc (doctor) cal'late (calculate)
musee (museum) a comp (complimentary ticket)
8. AVOID TECHNICAL OR PROFESSIONAL WORDS. Such words are usually
clearly understood only by persons of one class or profession.
Examples:
valence hagiology allonge
kilowatt sclerosis estoppel
193. WHEN BARBARISMS MAY BE USED. In the foregoing rules barbarisms
have been treated as at all times to be avoided. This is true of
their use in general composition, and in a measure true of their
use in composition of a special nature. But barbarisms may sometimes
be used properly. Obsolete words would be permissible in poetry
or in historical novels, technical words permissible in technical
writing, and even vulgarisms and provincialisms permissible in
dialect stories.
EXERCISE 76
_Substitute for each of the barbarisms in the following list an
expression that is in good use. When in doubt consult a good
dictionary:_
Chaw, quoth, fake, reckon, dern, forsooth, his'n, an invite, entre
nous, tote, hadn't oughter, yclept, a combine, ain't, dole, a try,
nouveau riche, puny, grub, twain, a boom, alter ego, a poke, cuss,
eld, enthused, mesalliance, tollable, disremember, locomote, a right
smart ways, chink, afeard, orate, nary a one, yore, pluralized,
distingué, ruination, complected, mayhap, burglarized, mal de mer,
tuckered, grind, near, suicided, callate, cracker-jack, erst,
railroaded, chic, down town, deceased (verb), a rig, swipe, spake,
on a toot, knocker, peradventure, guess, prof, classy, booze, per
se, cute, biz, bug-house, swell, opry, rep, photo, cinch, corker,
in cahoot, pants, fess up, exam, bike, incog, zoo, secondhanded,
getable, outclassed, gents, mucker, galoot, dub, up against it,
on tick, to rattle, in hock, busted on the bum, to watch out, get
left.
EXERCISE 77
_Make a list of such barbarisms as you yourself use, and devise
for them as many good substitute expressions as you can. Practice
using the good expressions that you have made._
EXERCISE 78
_Correct the italicized barbarisms in the following sentences:_
1. They can go _everywheres_.
2. He spends all his time _grinding_.
3. There _ain't_ a _sightlier_ town in the state.
4. He ate the whole _hunk_ of cake.
5. He was treated very _illy_.
6. Smith's new house is very _showy_.
7. Not _muchly_ will I go.
8. All were ready for breakfast before _sun-up_.
9. Do you like _light-complected_ people?
10. I had never _orated_ before.
11. Their clothes are always _tasty_ in appearance.
12. He has money, but he is very _near_.
13. He left the room _unbeknown_ to his mother.
14. If manners are any indication, she belongs to the _nouveau riche_.
15. I feel pretty _tollable_ today.
16. I _reckon_ all will be able to get seats.
17. Do you _callate_ to get there before noon?
18. If I had as much _long green_ as he has, I wouldn't be such a
_tight-wad_.
19. He was the _beau ideal_ of soldier.
20. John is a _crazy cuss_.
21. Let me say _en passant_ we did not ask for the tickets.
22. Even at that time John had a bad _rep_.
23. That woman is the Countess of Verdun, _née_ Smith.
24. _Methinks_ you are wrong.
25. The teacher _spake_ sharply to her.
26. I _didn't go for to do_ it.
27. It will be published _inside of_ two months.
28. The duke and his wife were travelling _incog_.
29. I hadn't _thought on_ that.
30. There is little difference _twixt_ the two.
31. Come now, _fess up_.
32. It's a _right smart ways_ to Williamsport.
33. You _wot_ not what you say.
34. He bought a _poke_ of apples for his lunch.
35. Brown runs a pretty _classy_ store.
36. I finally _got shut_ of him.
37. I _could of_ jumped across.
38. That can't be done _nohow_.
39. You make such _dumb_ mistakes.
40. I never saw such a _bum_ show.
194. IMPROPRIETIES. The third offense against good use, an impropriety,
is the use of a proper word in an improper sense. In many cases an
offense against good use may be called a barbarism, an impropriety,
or a solecism, since the fields covered by the three terms somewhat
overlap one another. Many improprieties have their origin in the
similarities in sound, spelling or meaning of words. The following
exercises deal with a number of common improprieties resulting
from the confusion of two similar words.
EXERCISE 79
_Study the proper use of the words given under each of the following
divisions. In each group of sentences fill the blanks with the
proper words:_
ACCEPT, EXCEPT. See Glossary at end of book, under _except_.
1. I cannot ---- your gift.
2. Have you no books ---- these?
3. Cicero was not ---- from the list of those condemned.
4. He ---- the invitation.
AFFECT, EFFECT. See Glossary under _effect_.
1. Will your plan ---- a reform from the present condition?
2. The sad news will seriously ---- his mother.
3. How was the bank ---- by the indictment of its president?
4. The change of schedule was ---- without a hitch.
AGGRAVATE, IRRITATE. See Glossary.
1. Her manner ---- me.
2. The crime was ---- by being committed in cold blood.
3. The children do everything they can to ---- her.
4. His illness was ---- by lack of proper food.
ALLUDE, MENTION. See Glossary.
1. He ---- (to) certain events which he dared not name directly.
2. The attorney ---- (to) no names.
3. That passage in his book delicately ---- (to) his mother.
4. In his speech the labor leader boldly ---- (to) his recent arrest.
ARGUE, AUGUR. _To argue_ is to state reasons for one's belief. _To
augur_ means _to foretell, to presage_.
1. The reported quarrel ---- ill for the army.
2. He will ---- at length on any subject.
3. Her darkening looks ---- a quarrel.
AVOCATION, VOCATION. A _vocation_ is one's principal work or calling.
_An avocation_ is something aside from or subordinate to that principal
calling.
1. The young physician enthusiastically pursues his ----.
2. Law is his ----, but politics is his ----.
3. The ministry should be one's ----, never his ----.
4. While preparing for his life work, school teaching was for a
time his ----.
BESIDES, BESIDE. _Besides_ means _in addition to. Beside_ refers
to place; as, _He sits beside you_.
1. ---- you, who else was there?
2. Is there nothing ---- this to do?
3. John walked ---- me.
4. ---- me was a tree.
CALCULATE, INTEND. _To calculate_ means _to compute, to adjust_ or
_to adapt. Intend_ means _to have formed the plan to do something_.
1. He ---- to sell books this summer.
2. He ---- that the work will take ten years.
3. He ---- to finish it as soon as he can.
4. The oil is ---- to flow at the rate of a gallon a minute.
CHARACTER, REPUTATION. See Glossary.
1. In this community his ---- is excellent.
2. One's friends may endow him with a good ----, but not with a good ----.
3. Slander may ruin one's ----, but it will not destroy his ----.
4. See that your ---- is right, and your ---- will establish itself.
CLAIM, ASSERT. _To claim_ means to make a demand for what is one's
own. It should not be confused with _assert_.
1. I ---- that I am innocent.
2. John ---- the property as his.
3. They ---- their right to the land.
4. The cashier ---- the money in payment of a note.
5. Do you still ---- that you were born in America?
COUNCIL, COUNSEL, CONSUL. A _council_ is a group of persons called
in to hold consultation. _Counsel_ means _an adviser_, as a lawyer;
or _advice_ that is given. _Consul_ is an officer of the government.
1. In the colonies each governor had his ----.
2. The advisers gave him ---- when he desired it.
3. The United States has a ---- in every important foreign port.
4. In criminal cases the accused must be provided with ----.
5. The president's cabinet constitutes for him a sort of ----.
6. In Rome two ---- were elected to manage the affairs of the state.
EMIGRATION, IMMIGRATION. See Glossary.
1. Foreign ---- into the United States is greatly restricted.
2. The ---- of the citizens of the United States to Canada is
becoming a matter of concern.
3. Our ---- Bureau enforces the Chinese Exclusion Act.
4. The treatment of the royalists caused a great ---- from France.
GOOD, WELL. _Good_ is an adjective. _Well_ is usually an adverb,
though sometimes an adjective; as, _Are you well to-day?_
1. She talks very ----.
2. She prepares a ---- paper, even if she does not write ----.
3. Do ---- what you are doing.
4. Did you have a ---- time?
5. Recite it as ---- as you can.
HOUSE, HOME. _House_ means only _a building. Home_ means a place
that is one's habitual place of residence.
1. He thought often of the flowers about the door of his old ----.
2. They have recently bought a ---- which they intend to make their ----.
3. Mr. Heim lives here now, but his ---- is in Lewisburg.
4. He has several miserable ---- that he rents.
5. Such a place is not fit to be called a ----.
MOST, ALMOST. _Almost_ is an adverb meaning _nearly. Most_ never
has this meaning.
1. I was ---- injured when the machine broke.
2. It is ---- time for him to come.
3. The ---- discouraging thing was his indifference.
4. I ---- missed the car.
5. ---- of the books are torn.
LET, LEAVE. See Glossary, under _leave_.
1. Will his employer ---- him go so early.
2. I shall ---- at noon.
3. ---- me help you with your coat.
4. ---- me here for a while.
5. This book I ---- with you.
6. Do not ---- that danger disturb you.
LIKE, AS. _Like_ should not be used as a conjunction in the sense
of _as_. As a preposition it is correct. It is wrong to say, _Do
like I do_; but right to say, _Do as I do_.
1. He looks ---- James.
2. Read ---- James does.
3. Does she look ---- me?
4. She thinks of it ---- I thought.
5. Lincoln could do a thing ---- that.
6. Other men could not do ---- Lincoln did.
LIKELY, LIABLE, PROBABLY. It is better to avoid using _likely_ as
an adverb; but it may be used as an adjective; as, _He is likely
to come. Probably_ refers to any sort of possibility. _Liable_
refers to an unpleasant or unfavorable possibility; it should not
be used as equivalent to _likely_.
1. He is ---- to arrest for doing that.
2. The president's car will ---- arrive at noon.
3. It is ---- to rain to-day.
4. Is he ---- to write to us?
5. Continued exposure makes one more ---- to serious illness.
6. What will ---- come of it?
LOAN, LEND. _Loan_ should be used only as a noun, and _lend_ only
as a verb.
1. I wish to obtain a ---- of fifty dollars.
2. Will you ---- me your knife?
3. A ---- of money loses both itself and friend.
4. A ---- is something that one ---- to another.
MAD, ANGRY. Mad means _insane, uncontrollably excited through fear_,
etc. It should not be used for _angry_ or _vexed_.
1. His manner of speaking makes me ----.
2. It makes one ---- to see such behavior.
3. The noise almost drove me ----.
MUCH, MANY. _Much_ refers to quantity; _many_ to number.
1. Sometimes they have as ---- as fifty in a class.
2. ---- of the trouble comes from his weak eyes.
3. Do you use ---- horses on the farm?
4. How ---- marbles did the boy have?
NEAR, NEARLY. _Near_ is an adjective; _nearly_ an adverb.
1. Is the work ---- finished?
2. The man was ---- the end of the porch.
3. It was ---- noon when Blucher came.
4. They are ---- insane with worry.
5. Mary is not ---- so old as John.
OBSERVATION, OBSERVANCE. _Observation_ means to _watch, to look at.
Observance_ means _to celebrate, to keep_. _Observation_ applies
to a fact or an object; _observance_ to a festival, a holiday, or
a rule.
1. The ---- of the astronomer proved the theory.
2. Sunday ---- is of value to one's bodily as well as to one's spiritual health.
3. The ---- of the sanitary regulations was insisted upon.
4. The scientist needs highly developed powers of ----.
RESPECTIVELY, RESPECTFULLY. _Respectively_ means _particularly,
relating to each. Respectfully_ means _characterized by high regard._
1. These three kinds of architecture were characterized ---- as
"severe," "graceful," and "ornate."
2. Sign your letter "Yours ----," not "yours ----."
3. Their shares were ---- two hundred dollars and five hundred dollars,
4. The class ---- informed the faculty of their desire.
SUSPECT, EXPECT. _Suspect_ means _to mistrust. Expect_ means _to
look forward to_.
1. I ---- that he will come.
2. He ---- his brother of hiding his coat.
3. When do you ---- to finish the work?
4. The man was never before ---- of having done wrong.
TEACH, LEARN. See Glossary under _learn_.
1. You must ---- him to be careful.
2. He must ---- to be careful.
3. To ---- a class to study is a difficult task.
4. Who ---- your class to-day.
TRANSPIRE, HAPPEN. _Transpire_ does not mean _to happen_. It means
_to become gradually known, to leak out_.
1. She knows everything that ---- in the village.
2. It ---- that he had secretly sold the farm.
3. No more important event than this has ---- in the last ten years.
4. It has now ---- that some money was stolen.
QUITE, VERY. _Quite_ is not in good use in the sense of _very_ or
_to a great degree_. It properly means _entirely_.
1. The book is ---- easy to study.
2. Have you ---- finished your work.
3. The train ran ---- slowly for most of the distance.
4. That is ---- easy to do.
5. We were ---- unable to reach the city any sooner.
EXERCISE 80
_The following list includes some groups of words that are often
confused. Far the proper meaning of the words refer to a good
dictionary. Write sentences using the words in their proper senses:_
practical, skilled sensible, sensitive
couple, two access, accession
future, subsequent allusion, illusion, delusion
folk, family conscience, consciousness
evidence, testimony identity, identification
party, person, firm limit, limitation
plenty, many, enough of majority, plurality
portion, part materialize, appear
solicitation, solicitude invent, discover
human, humane prescribe, proscribe
bound, determined some, somewhat, something
fix, mend mutual, common
foot, pay noted, notorious
creditable, credible wait for, wait on
exceptionable, exceptional in, into
EXERCISE 81
_Show how the use of each of the two italicized words in the following
sentences would affect the meaning of the sentence:_
1. We experienced a _succession series_ of hindrances.
2. That _statement assertion_ was made by an eye witness.
3. The student has remarkable _ability capacity_.
4. In my _estimate estimation_ the cost will be higher than fifty dollars.
5. The _import importance_ of his words is not fully understood.
6. The _union unity_ of the clubs is remarkable.
7. The _acts actions_ of the president were closely watched.
8. The man needed a new _stimulus stimulant_.
9. He was _captivated captured_ by her unusual charms.
10. We are quick to _impute impugn_ motives that we think to exist.
11. He was _convinced convicted_ by John's argument.
12. The dog's suffering was _alleviated relieved_ by the medicine.
13. He _persuaded advised_ me to consult a lawyer.
14. His behavior was _funny odd_.
15. The plan seems _practical practicable_.
16. That is the _latest last_ letter.
17. That certainly was not a _human humane_ action.
18. He _waited on waited for_ his mother.
19. The _completeness completion_ of the work brought many congratulations.
EXERCISE 82
_Supply a word which will remedy the italicized impropriety in each
of the following sentences. When in doubt consult a dictionary:_
1. The _majority_ of the illustrations are good.
2. No one can accurately _predicate_ what the weather will be.
3. Shall you _except_ the invitation?
4. They _claim_ that the assertion cannot be proved.
5. They finally _located_ the criminal in Dravosburg.
6. I shall _leave_ you go at noon.
7. The _balance_ of the essay was uninteresting.
8. By questions they tried to _eliminate_ the true story.
9. They _impugn_ false motives to me.
10. He was greatly _effected_ by the news.
11. Sabbath _observation_ was then very strict.
12. They _expect_ that she wrote the letter.
13. The _invention_ of electricity has revolutionized all manufactures.
14. Who _learned_ her to sing?
15. Edison _discovered_ the phonograph.
16. One cannot comprehend the _enormity_ of a billion of dollars.
17. Many _complements_ were paid to her beauty.
18. His _consciousness_ pricked him.
19. How could any one be guilty of such a cruel _action_.
20. The _advancement_ of the army was very slow.
195. IDIOMS. There are in English, as in other languages, a number
of expressions that cannot be justified by the rules of grammar or
rhetoric; and yet these expressions are among the most forcible
ones in the language, and are continually used by the best writers.
These expressions that lie outside all rules we call idioms. Compare
the following idiomatic expressions with the unidiomatic expressions
that succeed them. The second expression in each group is in accord
with the strict rules of composition; but the first, the idiomatic,
is far more forceful.
Idiomatic: The book which I read about.
Unidiomatic: The book about which I read.
Idiomatic: More than one life was lost.
Unidiomatic: More lives than one life were lost.
Idiomatic: Speak loud. Speak louder.
Unidiomatic: Speak loudly. Speak more loudly.
Idiomatic: A ten-foot pole.
Unidiomatic: A ten-feet pole.
Idiomatic: He strove with might and main.
Unidiomatic: He strove with might. (Might and main are two words
of the same meaning.)
Idiomatic: He lectured on every other day.
Unidiomatic: He lectured on one day out of every two.
Idioms are not to be avoided. On the contrary, because they contribute
great ease and force to composition, their use is to be encouraged.
But the distinction between idiomatic and unidiomatic expressions
is a fine one, and rests solely on usage. Care must be taken not
to go beyond the idiomatic. There is probably little danger that
the ordinary writer or speaker will not use idioms enough.
The following expressions are examples of commonly used idioms:
He was standing at the door _in his shirt sleeves_.
I _don't think_ it will rain (I think it will not rain).
She walked out of the room _on her father's arm_.
John was a poor _shot_.
Do you feel _like a little candy_?
See what my foolishness has brought me _to_.
What part of the city will they settle _in_?
What was the house built _for_?
John needs a match to light his pipe _with_.
That is all I ask _for_.
What are you driving _at_?
_Hard put to it._
_By all odds._
_Must needs._
I must _get up_ by noon.
_Get rid of._
_Get used to._
_Never so good._
_Whether or no._
I can't go _either_.
_You forget yourself_ when you speak so harshly.
I can come only _every other_ day.
If the bell rings _answer the door_.
_I take it_ that you will be there too.
_Come and see_ me.
_Try and_ do it.
The thief _took to his heels_.
196. CHOICE OF WORDS. The words in which a thought is expressed may
not offend against good use, and yet still be objectionable because
they do not accurately and appropriately express the thought. One
should choose not merely a word that will approximately express
the thought, but the one word that best expresses it. The following
suggestions are given to aid in the choice of words:
1. CHOOSE SIMPLE ENGLISH WORDS and avoid what is called "fine writing."
Young writers and newspaper writers are greatly given to this offense
of fine or bombastic writing. Examples:
FINE WRITING SIMPLE STYLE
Was launched into eternity Was hanged
Disastrous conflagration Great fire
Called into requisition the services Sent for the doctor
of the family physician
Was accorded an ovation Was applauded
Palatial mansion Comfortable house
Acute auricular perceptions Sharp ears
A disciple of Izaak Walton A fisherman
2. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GENERAL AND SPECIFIC TERMS. In some cases
general words may be used to advantage, but more often specific
words should be used, since they call to the mind a definite image.
Compare these sentences:
The _high color_ of his face showed his embarrassment.
His _crimson_ face showed his embarrassment.
He was a _large_ man.
He was a _fat_ man.
He was a man of _large frame_.
He was a _tall, heavily proportioned_ man.
He was a man _six feet four inches tall_ and _heavy_ in proportion.
It was an _impressive_ building.
It was a building of _impressive size_.
It was a building of _impressive beauty_.
His _fault_ was robbery.
His _crime_ was robbery.
3. AVOID OVER-STATEMENT OF FACTS. The use of words that are too
strong is a fault especially characteristic of Americans. Examples:
Poor: The concert was _simply exquisite_.
Better: The concert was _very good_.
Poor: She was _wild_ over the mistake.
Better: She was _much annoyed_ by the mistake.
4. AVOID HACKNEYED PHRASES; expressions that have been worked to
death. Examples:
His paternal acres.
The infuriated beast.
The gentle zephyrs of springtime.
Was gathered to his fathers.
The blushing bride was led to the hymeneal altar.
Applauded to the echo.
EXERCISE 83
_For each of the following expressions devise the best simple English
expression that you can:_
1. Individual was precipitated.
2. Tendered him a banquet.
3. At the witching hour of midnight.
4. The devouring element was checked.
5. Piscatorial sport.
6. Pedal extremities.
7. Fraught with tremendous possibilities.
8. Amid the plaudits of the multitude.
9. Caudal extremity.
10. Passed to his long home.
11. Dissected the Thanksgiving bird.
12. Presided at the organ.
13. Finger of scorn pointed at him.
14. Wended his way.
15. The green eyed monster.
16. The whole aggregation of knowledge chasers.
17. Maternal ancestor.
18. Shuffled off this mortal coil.
19. Failed to materialize at the banquet.
20. Tonsorial artist.
21. Twirler of the sphere.
22. Pugilistic encounters.
23. Performed his matutinal ablutions.
24. Partook of a magnificent collation.
25. Solemnized the rites of matrimony.
EXERCISE 84
_In the third paragraph of the selection from Cranford (see §186)
observe the use of the following words: HUMAN, WEAKNESS, HANKS,
TWISTED, ANNOYED, and UNDOING. Study the specific nature of these
words by grouping about each of them other words of somewhat similar
meaning, and then comparing the force of the various words in each
group._
_This sort of exercise may be continued by choosing passages from
any careful writer and studying the words that he has used._
EXERCISE 85
_Substitute for each of the following expressions some expression
that will be less general or less exaggerated:_
1. She is _nice_ looking.
2. We had a _perfectly gorgeous_ time.
3. John is a _professional_ man.
4. The play was _simply exquisite_.
5. To hear his voice makes me feel _funny_.
6. The opposing team was _completely annihilated_.
7. A _noise_ caught our attention.
8. His manners are _horrid_.
9. We had a _great_ time.
10. Such arrogance is _unendurable_.
11. That is a _good_ book.
197. HOW TO IMPROVE ONE'S VOCABULARY. The few following suggestions
may be found helpful in the acquiring of a good vocabulary:
1. CULTIVATE THE DICTIONARY HABIT. Learn the meaning, pronunciation,
and spelling of each new word that you meet. Only when these three
things are grasped about each word, does one really know the word.
Some persons have found it an invaluable aid to carry with them a
small note book or card on which they note down to be looked up
at a convenient time words concerning which they are in doubt.
2. IN YOUR WRITING AND SPEAKING USE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THE NEW
WORDS THAT YOU ACQUIRE.
3. CONSTRUCT GOOD ENGLISH EXPRESSIONS for all the slang, fine writing,
and hackneyed phrases that you meet, and then use the good expressions
instead of the bad ones.
4. STUDY SYNONYMS; words of similar form and meaning. Only by a
knowledge of synonyms can you express fine shades of meaning. _Crabbe's_
English Synonyms and _Fernald's_ Synonyms and Antonyms are good
books of reference for this purpose. In addition to these books,
lists of synonyms will be found in many books that are designed
for general reference.
5. TRY TO GET THE ONE WORD that will best express the idea.
6. READ GOOD BOOKS and good magazines, and read them carefully.
7. CULTIVATE THE SOCIETY of those who use good language.
EXERCISE 86
_Look up the meaning of each of the words in the following groups of
synonyms. Construct sentences in which each word is used correctly:_
1. Love, like.
2. Wit, humor.
3. Discover, invent.
4. Observe, watch.
5. Pride, vanity, conceit.
6. Proof, evidence, testimony.
7. Balance, rest, remainder.
8. Word, term, expression.
9. Bring, fetch, carry.
10. Abandon, desert, forsake.
11. Propose, purpose, intend.
12. Healthful, healthy, wholesome.
13. Student, pupil, scholar.
14. Capacity, power, ability.
15. Blame, censure, criticism.
16. Accede, agree, yield, acquiesce.
17. Trickery, cunning, chicane, fraud.
18. Instruction, education, training, tuition.
19. Hardship, obstacle, hindrance, difficulty.
20. Maxim, precept, rule, law
21. Multitude, crowd, throng, swarm.
22. Delight, happiness, pleasure, joy.
23. Work, labor, toil, drudgery, task.
24. Silent, mute, dumb, speechless.
25. Kill, murder, assassinate, slay.
26. Hatred, enmity, dislike, ill-will.
27. Example, pattern, sample, model.
28. Obvious, plain, clear, apparent.
29. Noted, eminent, famous, prominent, notorious.
30. Old, aged, antique, ancient, antiquated, obsolete.
SPELLING
198. The following is a list of words that are frequently misspelled
or confused. Where possible, an effort has been made to arrange
them in groups in order that they may be more easily remembered.
The word with an added ending has been used in most cases in place
of the bare word itself as, _occasional_ instead of _occasion_.
A few rules have been included.
accede descend pressure
accident fascinate misspelled
accommodate mischievous possession
accordance miscellaneous
accuracy muscle recollection
succeed susceptible dispelled
occasional miscellaneous
occur existence monosyllable
experience intellectual
across sentence parallel
amount embellishment
apart foregoing wholly
arouse forehead woolly
village
already forty villain
all right foreign till
forfeit
amateur formally perpetual
grandeur formerly persuade
perspiration
appal fulfill
apparatus willful police
appetite policies
approximate guardian
opportunity guessing presence
opposite precede
disappoint imminent preceptor
disappearance immediately
accommodation fiend
choose commission siege
chosen grammar friend
inflammation yielding
boundary recommend
elementary summary seize
symmetrical receive
final committee receipt
finally
usual ledger succeed
usually legible proceed
ascend assassin recede
ascent dissimilar secede
discerning essential accede
discipline messenger intercede
discontent concede
discreet necessary supersede
descent necessity
passport
199. Words ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel,
if monosyllables, or if the last syllable is accented, double the
final consonant before the ending _-ed_ and _-ing_, but not before
_-ence_; as,
rob, rob_bed_, rob_bing_, rob_bers_.
confer, confer_red_, confer_ring_, confer_ence_.
transmit, transmit_ted_, transmit_ting_, transmi_ssion_.
impel, impel_led_, impel_ling_, imp_ulsion_.
Similar to the above are.
defer, infer, prefer, refer, transfer, occur (occurrence), abhor
(abhorrence), omit, remit, permit, commit, beset, impel, compel,
repel, excel (excellence), mob, sob, rub, skid.
If these words are not accented on the last syllable, the consonant
is not doubled; as,
benefit, benefit_ed_, benefit_ing_, benefi_cial_.
Similar are:
differ, summon, model.
200. Words ending in silent _e_ drop the _e_ before a suffix beginning
with a vowel; as,
arrive, arriv_ing_, arriv_ed_, arriv_al_.
precede, preced_ed_, preced_ing_, preced_ence_.
receive, receiv_ed_, receiv_ing_.
Similar are:
move, write, blame, tame, come, receive, believe, relieve, grieve,
deceive, conceive, perceive, seize, precede, concede, supersede,
recede, argue, rue, construe, woe, pursue.
201. Words ending in _-ge, -ce_, or _-se_, retain the _e_ before
endings: as,
arrange, arrangement; arrange, arranging.
Similar are:
gauge, manage, balance, finance, peace, service, amuse, use.
202. Words in _-dge_ do not retain the _e_ before endings; as,
acknowledge, acknowledg_ment_, acknowledg_ed_, acknowledg_ing_.
Similar are:
nudge, judge.
203. Most words ending in _y_ preceded by a consonant change _y_
to _i_ before all endings except-_ing_:
busy, bus_iness_, bus_ied_, busy_ing_.
Similar are:
duty, mercy, penny, pity, vary, weary, study.
204. WORDS OF SIMILAR SOUND:
canvas (cloth) principle (rule)
canvass (all meanings except _cloth_) principal (chief)
capitol (a building) stationary (immovable)
capital (all meanings except _building_) stationery (articles)
counsel (advice or an adviser) miner (a workman)
council (a body of persons) minor (under age)
complement (a completing element) angel (a spiritual being)
compliment (praise) angle (geometrical)
205. MISCELLANEOUS WORDS:
annual laundry schedule
awkward leisure separate
beneficial lenient Spaniard
decimal license speak
exhilarate mechanical specimen
familiarize mediæval speech
fiber medicine spherical
fibrous militia subtle
genuine motor surely
gluey negotiate technical
height origin tenement
hideous pacified their
hundredths phalanx therefore
hysterical physique thinnest
icicle privilege until
irremediable prodigies vengeance
laboratory rarefy visible
laid rinse wherein
larynx saucer yielding
PRONUNCIATION
206. The following list is made up of words that are frequently
mispronounced. An effort has been made to arrange them in groups
according to the most frequent source of error in their pronunciation.
The only marks regularly used are the signs for the long and short
sounds of the vowel.
a as in _hate_ i as in _high_ u as in _use_
a as in _hat_ i as in _hit_ u as in _run_
e as in _me_ o as in _old_ oo as in _boot_
e as in _met_ o as in _hop_ oo as in _foot_
When sounds are not otherwise indicated take the sound that comes
most naturally to the tongue.
207. a AS IN _HATE_:
WORD CORRECT PRONUNCIATION
alma mater _alma mater_
apparatus _apparatus_
apricot _apricot_
attaché _attasha'_
audacious _audashus_
ballet _bal'la_
blasé _blaza'_
blatant _blatant_
chasten _chasen_
Cleopatra _Cleopatra_
compatriot _compatriot_
gratis _gratis_ or _grahtis_
harem _harem_ or _hahrem_
heinous _hanous_
hiatus _hiatus_
implacable _implakable_
nape _nap_
née _na_
négligé _naglezha'_
patron _patron_
protégé _protazha'_
résumé _razuma'_
tenacious _tenashus_
tomato _tomato_ or _tomahto_
valet _va'la_ or _val'et_
vase _vas, vahz_, or _vaz_
veracious _verashus_
vivacious _vivashus_
208. a AS IN _HAT_:
alternative _alternative_
Arab _Ar'ab_, not _arab_
arid _ar'id_
asphalt _asfalt_, not _fawlt_
bade _bad_
catch not _ketch_
defalcate _defal'kate_, not _fawl_
dilletante _dilletan'te_
forbade _forbad_
granary _granary_
program _pro'gram_, not _grum_
rapine _rap'in_
rational _rational_
sacrament _sacrament_
209. Ä AS IN _ARM_:
aunt _änt_
behalf _behäf_
calf _käf_
calm _käm_
half _häf_
laugh _läf_
psalm _säm_
210. e AS IN _ME_:
amenable _amenable_
clique _klek_, not _klick_
creek _krek_, not _krick_
either _eether_ (preferable)
mediocre _mediocre_
naïve _na'eve_ (_a_ as in _arm_)
neither _neether_ (preferable)
precedence _prece'dence_
precedent _prece'dent_ (when an adjective)
predecessor _predecessor_
predilection _predilection_
premature _premature_
quay _ke_
resplendent _resplen'dent_
sacrilegious _sacrilegious_, not -_religious_
series _serez_
sleek _slek_, not _slick_
suite _swet_, not like _boot_
211. e AS IN _MET_:
again _agen_
against _agenst_
crematory _krem'atory_
deaf _def_, not _def_
heroine _heroin_, not like _hero_
measure _mezhure_, not _ma_
metric _metrik_
precedent _prec'edent_ (noun)
prelate _prel'at_
presentation _prezentation_
sesame _ses'ame_
steady _stedy_, not _stiddy_
tenet _ten'et_
weapon _wepon_, not _wepon_
212. i AS IN _HIGH_:
appendicitis _appendicitis_
biennial _biennial_
biography _biography_
bronchitis _bronkitis_
carbine _carbine_
decisive _decisive_
demise _demise_
dynasty _di'nasty_
finis _finis_
grimy _grimy_
hiatus _hia'tus_
inquiry _inqui'ry_
long-lived _long-livd_
peritonitis _peritonitis_
privacy _privacy_
short-lived _short-livd_
simultaneous _simultaneous_
tiny _tiny_, not _teny_
213. i AS IN _HIT_:
bicycle _bi'sicle_
breeches _briches_
breeching _briching_
feminine _feminin_
genuine _genuin_
hypocrisy _hipok'risy_
italic _ital'ik_
Italian _italyan_
maritime _maritim_
pretty _pritty_
puerile _pu'eril_
respite _res'pit_
tribune _trib'un_
214. o AS IN _OLD_:
Adonis _Adonis_
apropos _apropo_
bowsprit _bowsprit_
brooch _broch_ not _broosh_
compromise _compromize_
jowl _jol_, not like _owl_
molecular _molecular_
ogle _ogle_
trow _tro_
vocable _vocable_
zoology _zoology_, not _zoo_
215. o AS IN _HOP_:
choler _koler_
dolorous _dolorous_
florid _florid_
molecule _molecule_
obelisk _obelisk_
probity _probity_
solecism _solesism_
solstice _solstice_
stolid _stolid_
216. oo AS IN _BOOT_:
bouquet _booka'_
canteloupe _can'taloop_
coup d'état _koo data'_
coupon _koo'pon_
ghoul _gool_
hoof _hoof_
roof _roof_
root _root_
route _root_
routine _rootine_
wound _woond_
217. u AS IN _USE_:
accurate _ak'kurat_
culinary _kulinary_
gubernatorial _gubernatorial_
jugular _jugular_
218. u AS IN _US_:
constable _kunstable_
courtesan _kur'tezan_
hover _huver_
iron _iurn_
monetary _munetary_
nothing _nuthing_
wont _wunt_ (different from _won't_)
219. MISCELLANEOUS WORDS.
adobe _ado'ba_
algebra not _bra_
alien _alyen_, not _alien_
ameliorate _amelyorate_
antarctic _antarktik_
anti not _anti_
archangel _arkangel_
archbishop _arch_, not _ark_
arch fiend _arch_, not _ark_
architect _arkitect_
awkward _awkward_, not _ard_
Beethoven _batoven_
Bingen _Bing'en_
blackguard _blag'gard_
Bowdoin _bodn_
brougham _broom_
business _bizness_
caldron _kawldron_
calk _kawk_
Cayenne _kien'_
courtier _kortyer_
cuckoo _kookoo_
dilemma _dilem'ma_
directly not _directly_
dishevelled _dishev'ld_
Don Juan _Don Juan_ or _hooan_
drought _drowt_
drouth _drowth_
extempore _extempore_ (four syllables)
familiarity _familyarity_
gaol _jal_
genealogy _-alogy_, not _-ology_
gemus _genyus_
Gloucester _gloster_
gooseberry _gooz_, not _goos_
Hawaiian _Hawi'yan_ (_a_ as in _arm_)
Helena _hel'ena_ (except _St. Hele'na_)
inconvenience _inconvenyence_
Israel _izrael_, not _issrael_
jeans _janes_
joust _just_ or _joost_
larynx _lar'inx'_ or _la'rinx_, not _larnix_
literature _literature_, or _choor_
Messrs. _meshyerz_ or _mesyerz_
Mineralogy _-alogy_, not _-ology_
nature _nature_, or _choor_
oleomargarine _g_ is hard, as in _get_
orchid _orkid_
oust _owst_, not _oost_
peculiar _peculyar_
pecuniary _pekun'yari_
perspiration not _prespiratian_
prestige _pres'tij_ or _prestezh'_
pronunciation _pronunzeashun_ or _pronunsheashun_
saucy not _sassy_
schedule _skedyul_
semi not _semi_
theater _the'ater_ not _thea'ter_
turgid _turjid_
usage _uzage_
usurp _uzurp_
vermilion _vermilyun_
wife's not _wives_
Xerxes _zerxes_
220. WORDS WITH A SILENT LETTER:
almond _ahmund_
chasten _chasen_
chestnut _chesnut_
glisten _glissen_
kiln _kill_
often _ofen_
ostler _osler_
poignant _poin'ant_
psalter _sawlter_
salmon _samun_
schism _sism_
soften _sofen_
subtle _sutle_
sword _sord_
thyme _time_
toward _tord_
221. WORKS CHIEFLY OF FOREIGN PRONUNCIATION:
WORD CORRECT PRONUNCIATION
bivouac _biv'wak_
chargé d'affaires _shar zha'daffar'_
connoisseur _connissur_
dishabille _dis'abil_
ennui _onwe_, not _ongwe_
finale _finah'le_
foyer _fwaya'_
massage _masahzh_
naïve _nah'ev_
papier maché _papya mahsha_
piquant _pe'kant_
prima facie _prima fa'shie_
pro tempore _pro tem'pore_
régime _razhem'_
222. WORDS OFTEN PRONOUNCED WITH A WRONG NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:
aerial _aereal_, not _areal_
athlete two sylables, not _ath e lete_
attacked _attakt_, two syllables
casualty _kazh'ualte_, not _ality_
conduit _condit_ or _kundit_, not _dooit_
different three syllables, not _diffrunt_
elm not _ellum_
helm not _hel um_
history three syllables, not _histry_
honorable not _honrable_
hygienic _hy gi en' ic_, four syllables
interest not _intrust_
interesting not _intrusting_
ivory not _ivry_
omelet not _omlet_
realm not _rellum_
separable not _seprable_
ticklish two syllables, not _tickelish_
valuable _valuable_, not _valuble_
vaudeville _vodvil_
Zeus _zus_, not _zeus_
223. WORDS ACCENTED ON THE FIRST SYLLABLE:
admirable _ad'mirable_
alias _a'lias_
applicable _ap'plicable_
bicycle _bi'sikle_
chastisement _chas'tisement_
construe _con'strue_
despicable _des'picable_
desultory _des'ultory_
disputant _dis'putant_
exigency _ex'ijency_
explicable _ex'plicable_
exquisite _ex'quisite_
extant _ex'tant_
formidable _for'midable_
Genoa _jen'oa_
gondola _gon'dola_
harass _har'ass_
hospitable _hos'pitable_
impious _im'pious_, not _imp?ous_
industry _in'dustry_
inventory _in'ventory_
lamentable _lam'entable_
mischievous _mis'chievous_
obligatory _ob'ligatory_
pariah _pa'riah_
peremptory _per'emptory_
preferable _pref'erable_
Romola _Rom'ola_
vehemence _ve'hemence_
224. WORDS ACCENTED ON THE SECOND SYLLABLE:
WORD CORRECT PRONUNCIATION
abdomen _abdo'men_
acclimate _accli'mate_
acumen _acu'men_
albumen _albu'men_
artificer _artif'iser_
bitumen _bitu'men_
chicanery _shika'nery_
illustrate _illus'trate_
incognito _inkog'nito_
incomparable _incom'parable_
indisputable _indis'putable_
inexorable _inex'orable_
inexplicable _inex'plicable_
inhospitable _inhos'pitable_
inquiry _inqui'ry_
irrevocable _irrev'ocable_
misconstrue _miscon'strue_
nitrogenous _nitroj'enous_
opponent _oppo'nent_
pianist _pian'ist_
refutable _refut'able_
syllabic _syllab'ic_
telegraphy _teleg'raphy_
vagary _vaga'ry_
Yosemite _yo swm' i te_
225. WORDS ACCENTED ON THE LAST SYLLABLE:
address _address'_
adept _adept'_
adult _adult'_
ally _ally'_
commandant _commandänt' (ä as in arm)_
contour _contour'_
dessert _dessert'_
dilate _dilate'_
excise _eksiz'_
finance _finance'_
grimace _grimace'_
importune _importune'_
occult _occult'_
pretence _pretence'_
research _research'_
robust _robust'_
romance _romance'_
tirade _tirade'_
226. WORDS WHOSE PRONUNCIATION DEPENDS ON MEANING:
accent _Accent'_ the first syllable.
Place the _ac'cent_ upon the first syllable.
aged An _a'ged_ man.
Properly _aged_ wine (one syllable).
blessed The _bless'ed_ saints.
Let them be _blessed_ (one syllable).
contrast The strange _con'trast_.
_Contrast'_ the two.
converse Did you _converse'_ with him?
Is the _con'verse_ true?
desert The sandy _des'ert_.
They _desert'_ their friends.
learned He _learned_ (one syllable) to sing.
A _learn ed_ man.
precedent A _prece'dent_ place.
It establishes a _prec'edent_.
project A new _proj'ect_.
To _project'_ from.
GLOSSARY OF MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS
ADMIRE. Do not use _admire_ in the sense of _like_.
Wrong: I should _admire_ to be able to do that.
Right: I should _like_ to be able to do that.
AGGRAVATE. Do not use _aggravate_ in the sense of _irritate_ or
_disturb_. _Aggravate_ means _to make worse_.
Wrong: His impudence _aggravates_ me.
Right: His impudence _irritates_ me.
AIN'T. _Ain't_ and _hain't_ are never proper as contractions of
_am not, is not_, or _are not_.
ALLOW. Do not use _allow_ in the sense of _assert, say_, or _intend_.
Wrong: He _allowed_ that he had better start. I _allow_ to be back
before noon.
Right: He _said_ that he had better start. I _intend_ to be back
before noon.
ALLUDE. Do not use _allude_ in the sense of _refer_. To _allude_
to a thing means to refer to it in an indirect way.
Wrong: He _alluded_ by name to John Milton.
Right: He _alluded_ to Milton by the term "Blind Poet."
ANY. Do not use _any_ in the sense of _at all_ or _to any degree_.
Wrong: Because of the injury he can not see _any_.
AS. Do not use _as_ for the relative pronouns _who_ and _that_.
Wrong: I am the man _as_ digs your garden. Not _as_ I remember.
Right: I am the man _who_ digs your garden. Not _that_ I remember.
AS. Do not use _as_ in the sense of _since_ or _because_.
Wrong: I cannot come _as_ I am sick now.
Right: I cannot come; I am sick now.
Right: I cannot come _because_ I am sick now.
AT. Do not use _at_ for _in_ with the names of large cities
Wrong: He lives _at_ Philadelphia.
Right: He lives _in_ Philadelphia.
ATTACKTED. Do not use this form for _attacked_.
AWFUL, AWFULLY. These are two very much overworked words. Substitute
other and more accurate expressions.
Wrong: We have had an _awfully_ good time. That is an _awfully_
pretty dress.
Right: We have had an _exceedingly_ nice time. That is a _very_
pretty dress.
BADLY. Do not use _badly_ in the sense of _very much_.
Wrong: She wanted _badly_ to come.
Right: She wanted _very much_ to come.
BESIDE, BESIDES. _Beside_ means _next to. Besides_ means _in addition
to_.
Right: John lives _beside_ his mother.
Right: _Besides_ the daughters, there are three sons.
BETWEEN. Do not use _between_ when referring to more than two objects.
Wrong: There is bad feeling _between_ the members of the class.
Right: There is bad feeling _among_ the members of the class.
BLOWED. Do not use _blowed_ for _blew_ or _blown_. There is no such
word.
BEST. Do not use _best_ when only two objects are referred to.
Use _better_. _Best_ should be used only when more than two are
referred to.
Wrong: He is the _best_ of the two brothers.
Right: He is the _better_ of the two brothers.
Right: He is the _best_ of the three brothers.
BOUND. Do not use _bound_ for _determined_.
Wrong: He was _bound_ to go skating.
Right: He was _determined_ to go skating.
Right: He _bound_ himself to pay three hundred dollars.
BUT. Do not use _but_ after a negative in the sense of _only_. See
§46.
Wrong: There _isn't but_ one apple left.
Right: There _is but_ one apple left.
CALCULATE. Do not use _calculate_ in the sense of _think, expect_,
or _intend_.
CAN. Do not use _can_ to denote permission. It denotes ability or
possibility. _May_ denotes permission. See §69
Wrong: _Can_ I speak to you for a minute?
Right: _May_ I speak to you for a moment?
CHARACTER, REPUTATION. Do not confuse these two words. _Character_
means one's moral condition. _Reputation_ means the morality that
others believe one to possess.
CLUM. There is no such form of the verb _climb_.
COMPLECTED. Do not use _complected_ for _complexioned_. See §40.
CONCLUDE. Do not use conclude in the sense of _forming an intention._
Right: Finally, I _decided_ to go home.
Right: I was forced to _conclude_ that I had made an error.
CONSIDERABLE. Do not use _considerable_ in the sense of _very much_.
Wrong: This lesson is _considerable_ better than yesterday's.
CUTE. A much overworked word. Use some expression that is more accurate;
as, _pretty, amusing_, etc.
DECEASE, DISEASE. Do not confuse _decease_ and _disease_. The first
means _death_, the second _sickness_. _The deceased_ means a person
who is dead.
Wrong: The _diseased_ will be buried at four o'clock.
Wrong: The property of the _diseased_ will be sold at auction.
DECEASE. Do not use _decease_ as a verb in the sense of _die_.
Wrong: His father _deceased_ last year.
DEMAND. _Demand_ should not have a person as its object.
Wrong: He _demanded_ John to pay.
Right: He _demanded_ payment from John. He _demanded_ that John
pay.
DIFFERENT. Use the preposition _from_ after _different_, not _than_.
DON'T. Do not use _don't_ with a subject in the third person singular.
See §64.
DOWN. Do not use _down_ as a verb in the sense of _defeat_ or
_overthrow_.
Wrong: Our football team _has downed_ every other team in the state.
Right: Our football team _has defeated_ every other team in the
state.
DROWNDED. _Drownded_ is not a proper form of the verb _drown_. Say
_drowned_. (Pronounced _drownd._)
EACH OTHER. Do not use _each other_ to refer to more than two objects.
See §44.
Wrong: The members of the regiment helped _each other_.
Right: The members of the regiment helped _one another_.
EFFECT, AFFECT. Do not confuse _effect_ and _affect. Effect_ means
_a result_, or _to cause a thing to be done. Affect_ means _to
disturb_ or _have an influence on_.
Wrong: The news _effected_ him seriously.
Right: The news _affected_ him seriously.
Wrong: The _affect_ of this news was to cause war.
Right: The _effect_ of this news was to cause war.
EITHER. Do not use _either_ with reference to more than two objects,
nor follow it by a plural verb. See §43.
Wrong: _Either_ of the three will do. _Either_ you or John _have_
done it.
Right: _Any one_ of the three will do. _Either_ you or John _has_
done it.
EMIGRATE, IMMIGRATE. Do not confuse _emigrate_ and _immigrate_.
_To emigrate_ means _to go out of a place_, to _immigrate_ means
_to come into a place_.
Right: The Italians _emigrate_ from their country.
Right: Of those who _immigrate_ to America, a large number are Italians.
ENOUGH. Do not follow _enough_ by a clause beginning with _that_
or _so that_.
Wrong: I studied _enough_ that I could recite the lesson.
Right: I studied _enough to_ recite the lesson.
ENTHUSE. Do not use _enthuse_ in the sense of to create enthusiasm.
Wrong: He tried to _enthuse_ his audience.
Right: He tried to _arouse_ enthusiasm in his audience.
ETC. _Etc._ stands for _et cetera_, and means _and so forth_. Do
not spell it _ect_. Do not use it in composition that is intended
to be elegant.
EVERYBODY. _Everybody_ should not be followed by a plural verb or
a plural pronoun. See §21.
EXCEPT, ACCEPT. Do not confuse these two words. _Accept_ means _to
acknowledge_. _Except_ means _to exclude_.
Right: I cannot _accept_ such slovenly work.
Wrong: I _except_ your apology.
EXCEPT. Do not use _except_ for _unless_. See §85.
Wrong: I can not sleep _except_ it is quiet.
EXPECT. Do not use _expect_ in the sense of _suppose_ or _think_.
Wrong: I _expect_ you have read that book.
Right: I _suppose_ you have read that book.
FINE. Do not use _fine_ in place of some more definite word. _Fine_
is a much over-worked word.
Wrong: The book is _fine_ for class-room work.
Right: The book is _well adapted_ for class-room work.
FIRSTLY. _Firstly_ should never be used. Say _first_. See §40.
FIRST-RATE. Do not use _first-rate_ as an adverb in the sense of
_very well_.
Wrong: That does _first-rate_.
Right: That does _very well_.
Right: He is a _first-rate fellow_.
FORMER. Do not use _former_ when more than two are referred to.
Say _first_. See §41.
FROM. Do not use _from_ with _whence, hence_ and _thence_.
Wrong: _From whence_ have you come?
Right: _Whence_ have you come? _From where_ have you come?
FUNNY. Do not use _funny_ for _singular_ or _strange_. _Funny_ is
an overworked word.
Wrong: It is _funny_ that he died.
Right: It is _singular_ that he died.
GENT. Do not use the word at all. Say _gentleman_ or _man_.
GENTLEMAN. Do not use _gentleman_ to denote sex only. Say _man_.
_Gentleman_ is properly used, however, to denote a person of refinement.
Wrong: Only _gentlemen_ are allowed to vote in Pennsylvania.
Right: Mr. Lincoln was a _gentleman_ in the true sense of the word.
GOT. Do not use got with _have_ or _had_ to indicate merely _possession_
or _obligation. Got_ means acquired through effort.
Wrong: I _have got_ the measles. You _have got_ to do it.
Right: I _have_ the measles. You _must_ do it.
Right: After much study I _have got_ my lesson.
GRAND. Do not use _grand_ in place of some more definite and accurate
expression. It is another over-worked word.
Wrong: We have had a _grand time_ this afternoon.
Right: We have had a _very pleasant_ time this afternoon.
GUESS. Do not use _guess_ in the sense of _think_ or _suppose_.
Wrong: I _guess_ the trains are late to-day.
Right: I _suppose_ the trains are late to-day.
Right: Can you _guess_ the riddle?
HAD OUGHT. Do not use _had_ with _ought_. See §54.
HARDLY. Do not use _hardly_ after a negative. See §46.
Wrong: I _can not hardly_ believe that.
Right: I _can hardly_ believe that.
HAVE. Do not use _have_ after _had_.
Wrong: If I _had have been_ able to go.
Right: If I _had been_ able to go.
HEIGHTH. Do not use _heighth_ for _height_.
HUNG. Do not confuse _hung_ and _hanged_. _Hanged_ is the proper
word to use in reference to executions.
Wrong: He was condemned _to be hung_.
Right: He was condemned _to be hanged_.
Right: The picture was _hung_ in the parlor.
HUMBUG. Do not use _humbug_ as a verb.
Wrong: He has _humbugged_ the people for years.
ILLY. Do not use _illy_ for the adverb _ill_. See §40.
IN, INTO. Do not confuse _in_ and _into_.
Wrong: He went _in_ the house.
Right: He went _into_ the house.
Right: He exercised _in_ a gymnasium.
KIND. Do not precede kind by _those_ or _these_.
Wrong: I do not like _those kind_ of plays.
Right: I do not like _that kind_ of play.
KIND OF A. Do not use _a_ or _an_ after _kind of_. See §47.
Wrong: It is _one kind of_ a mistake.
Right: It is _one kind of_ mistake.
LADY. Do not use _lady_ to designate sex only. It is properly used
to indicate persons of refinement.
Wrong: Is Mrs. Johnson a colored _lady_?
Right: Is Mrs. Johnson a colored _woman_?
Right: Mrs. Johnson is a colored _woman_, and _a lady_.
LATTER. Do not use _latter_ to refer to more than two objects. Use
_last_. See §41.
LAY. Do not confuse _lay_ and _lie_. See §57.
LEARN. Do not confuse _learn_ and _teach_. _Learn_ means _to acquire
knowledge. Teach_ means _to impart knowledge_.
Wrong: He can _learn_ you as much as any one can.
Right: He can _teach_ you as much as any one can.
LEAVE. Do not confuse _leave_ and _let_. Leave means _to let remain_.
Let means _to give permission_.
Wrong: Will your mother _leave_ you go?
Right: Will your mother _let_ you go?
Right: I shall _leave_ my trunk in my room.
LIABLE. Do not use _liable_ for _likely_.
Wrong: It is _liable_ to rain to-day.
Right: It is _likely_ to rain to-day.
Right: He is _liable_ for all that he has agreed to pay.
LIGHTNING. Do not use _lightning_ as a verb in place of _lightens_.
Wrong: During the storm, it _lightnings_ frequently.
Right: During the storm, it _lightens_ frequently.
LIKE. Do not use _like_ for _as_. _Like_ is a preposition. _As_
is a conjunction.
Wrong: He doesn't talk _like_ he did yesterday.
Right: He doesn't talk _as_ he did yesterday.
Right: It looks _like_ a mahogany chair.
LIT ON. Do not use _lit on_ in the sense of _met with_ or _discovered_.
Wrong: I at last _lit on_ this plan.
LOT. Do not use _lot_ in the sense of _a great number_ or _a great
deal_.
Wrong: A _lot_ of people were there, She talks _a lot_.
MOST. Do not use _most_ for _almost_.
Wrong: I have _most_ completed the book.
Right: I have _almost_ completed the book.
Right: He has done _the most_ of the work.
MRS. Do not use _Mrs._ before titles; as, _Mrs. President, Mrs.
Professor, Mrs. Doctor_.
MUCH. Do not use _much_ for _many_. _Much_ refers to quantity. _Many_
refers to number.
Wrong: As _much as_ five hundred people were present.
Right: As _many as_ five hundred people were present.
MUTUAL. Do not confuse _mutual_ and _common_. _Mutual_ means
_interchanged_.
Wrong: John and William had a _mutual_ liking for Mary.
Right: John and William had a _common_ liking for Mary.
Right: John and William had a _mutual_ liking for each other.
NEAR. Do not use _near_ for _nearly_.
Wrong: He ran _near_ all the way to the station. I came _nearly_
making the same mistake.
Right: He ran _nearly_ all the way to the station. I came _near_
making the same mistake.
NERVE. Do not use _nerve_ in the sense of _impudence_.
NEWSY. Do not use _newsy_ in the sense of _full of news_.
NEITHER. Do not use _neither_ with reference to more than two objects,
nor follow it by a plural verb.
Wrong: _Neither_ of the three could come. _Neither_ of the two _are_
here.
Right: _No one_ of the three could come. _Neither_ of the two _is_
here.
NO GOOD. Do not use _no good_ in the sense of _worthless_ or _not
good_.
Wrong: The book is _no good_.
NO PLACE. Do not use _no place_ after a negative. See §46.
Wrong: I am not going _no place_.
Right: I am not going _anywhere_. I _am going nowhere_.
NOTORIOUS. Do not use _notorious_ in the sense of _famous_ or _noted.
Notorious_ means of _evil reputation_.
Wrong: Gladstone was a _notorious_ statesman of England.
Right: Several _notorious thieves_ were arrested.
NOWHERE NEAR. Do not use _nowhere near_ for _not nearly_. See §40.
Wrong: _Nowhere near_ so many people came as were expected.
Right: _Not nearly_ so many people came as were expected.
Right: James was _nowhere near_ the scene of the fire.
OF. Do not use _of_ for _have_ in such expressions as _could, have,
might have, should have_, etc.
Wrong: If I _could of_ been there.
Right: If I _could have_ been there.
ONLY. Guard against the improper use of _only_ after a negative.
See §46.
Wrong: There _are not only_ four books on that subject.
Right: There _are only_ four books on that subject.
OUTSIDE OF. Do not use _outside of_ for _aside from_.
Wrong: _Outside of_ James, all had a good time.
Right: _Aside from_ James, all had a good time.
OVER WITH. Do not use _over with_ for _over_.
Wrong: I must write the letter and have it _over with_.
PANTS. Do not use the word _pants_ for _trousers_.
PHOTO. Do not use _photo_ for _photograph_.
PIECE. Do not use _piece_ in the sense of _way_ or _distance_.
Wrong: I shall walk a _little piece_ with you.
Right: I shall walk a _little way_ with you.
PLACE. Do not use _place_ after _any, every, no_, etc., in the sense
of _anywhere, everywhere, nowhere_, etc.
Wrong: I can not find it _any place_.
Right: I can not find it _anywhere_.
PLENTY. Do not use _plenty_ as an adjective or an adverb.
Wrong: Money is _plenty_. He is _plenty able_ to do it.
Right: Money is _plentiful_. He is _quite able_ to do it.
POORLY. Do not use _poorly_ for _ill_ or _bad_.
Wrong: He feels very _poorly_.
PRINCIPLE, PRINCIPAL. Do not confuse _principle_ and _principal_.
_Principle_ means a _rule_ or _truth_. _Principal_ means _leader,
chief, the most important_.
PROPOSE. Do not use _propose_ in the sense of _intend_.
Wrong: I _propose_ to tell all I know.
Right: I _intend_ to tell all I know.
PROVIDING. Do not use _providing_ for _if_ or _on the condition_.
Wrong: I will go _providing_ you can get tickets for three.
Right: I will go _on the condition that_ you get the tickets.
RAISE, RISE. Do not confuse _raise_ with _rise_. See §57.
RECOMMEND, RECOMMENDATION. Do not use _recommend_ as a noun.
_Recommendation_ is the noun.
Wrong: Her employer gave her a good _recommend_.
Right: Her employer gave her a good _recommendation_.
RIGHT AWAY, RIGHT OFF. Do not use _right away_ or _right off_ in
the sense of _immediately_.
Wrong: After the play we will come _right off_.
Right: After the play we will come _at once_.
SAME. Do not use _same_ as a pronoun.
Wrong: I will write the letter and mail _same_ at once.
Right: I will write the letter and mail _it_ at once.
SAY. Do not use _say_ in the sense of _order_ or _command_.
Wrong: Your mother _said for_ you to come home at once.
Right: Your mother _said that_ you should come home at once.
SCARCELY. Do not use _scarcely_ after a negative. See §46.
Wrong: There _was not scarcely_ a pound of meat for us all.
Right: There _was scarcely_ a pound of meat for us all.
SELDOM EVER. Do not use _seldom_ with _ever_. Say instead _seldom_
or _seldom, if ever_.
Wrong: Fires _seldom ever_ occur.
Right: Fires _seldom_ occur. Fires _seldom, if ever_ occur.
SHUT OF. Do not use _shut of_ in the sense of _rid of_.
Wrong: We are _shut of_ him at last.
SIGHT. Do not use _sight_ in the sense of _many_ or _much_.
Wrong: A great _sight of people_ flocked to hear him.
Right: A great _many people_ flocked to hear him.
SIT, SET. Do not confuse these two words. See §57.
SO. Do not use _so_ alone as a conjunction. Say _so that_.
Wrong: He spoke in the open air, _so_ more could see and hear him.
Right: He spoke in the open air, _so that_ more could see and hear
him.
SOME. Do not use _some_ as an adverb in the sense of _somewhat_
or a _little_.
Wrong: He plays the violin _some_.
Right: He plays the violin _a little_.
SORT OF A. Do not use _a_ after _sort of_. See _Kind of a_.
SORT. Do not precede _sort_ by _these_ or _those_. See _Kind_.
SUCH. Do not follow _such_ by _who, which_, or _that_ as relatives.
Wrong: All _such persons who_ think so will soon see their mistake.
Right: All _such persons as_ think so will soon see their mistake.
Right: He spoke with _such_ force _that_ we were compelled to listen.
(_That_ is not a relative here.)
TASTY. Do not use _tasty_ in the sense of _tasteful_.
THAT. Do not use _that_ as an adverb.
Wrong: I did not think the book was _that_ small.
Right: I did not think that the book was _so_ small.
THAT THERE, THIS HERE, THESE HERE, THOSE THERE. _There_ and _here_,
in all these expressions are worse than unnecessary.
THEM THERE. Do not use _them there_ for _those_.
Wrong: Bring me _them there_ books.
Right: Bring me _those_ books.
THREE FIRST, TWO FIRST, ETC. Do not say _three first_, but _first
three_. There can be only one _first_.
TOO. Do not use _too_ alone before a verb or a participle.
Wrong: He is _too excited_ to listen to you.
Right: He is _too much excited_ to listen to you.
VERY. Do not use _very_ alone before a verb or a participle.
Wrong: You are _very_ mistaken.
Right: You are _very much_ mistaken.
WAIT ON, WAIT FOR. Do not confuse these two expressions. _Wait on_
means _to serve_. _Wait for_ means _to await_.
Wrong: Do not _wait on_ me if I do not come at noon.
Right: Do not _wait for_ me if I do not come at noon.
WAKE, AWAKE. Do not confuse _wake_ and _awake_. See §57.
INDEX
References are to pages. Sections or subdivisions on the pages are
sometimes indicated in parenthesis after the page numbers.
Since the _EXERCISES_ follow throughout the subjects treated,
exercises on any subject may be found by looking up that subject
in this text index.
_A_, use of article.
Abbreviated words, rule against.
Abbreviations, punctuation of (§102); use of, in letters.
_Accept_, for _except_, Glossary.
Active voice and passive voice, explained; forms of.
Adjectives, defined; capitalization of proper; confused with adverbs;
distinguished from adverbs; errors in comparison of; improper forms
of; list of irregular; placing of; adjective pronouns; punctuation
of two or more adjectives modifying same noun (§106); singular and
plural.
_Admire_, for _like_, Glossary.
Adverbs, defined; comparison of; conjunctive; confusion with adjectives;
distinguished from adjectives; double negative; errors in comparison;
list of irregularly compared; omission of; punctuation of (§116), (§121).
_Æsop's Fables_, quotation from.
_Affect_, for _effect_, Glossary.
_Aggravate_, for _irritate_, Glossary.
Agreement, of adjective and noun; of pronoun and antecedent; of verb and
subject; of verb in clauses.
Ain't, Glossary.
_Allow_, for _assert_ or _intend_, Glossary.
_Allude_, for _refer_, Glossary.
_Also_, without _and_.
_Among_, for _between_, Glossary.
_An_, use of article.
_And_, use of.
Antecedents, of pronouns, defined; agreement of pronouns and; clearness
of; compound; indefinite; of relative pronouns.
_Any_, for _at all_, Glossary.
Apostrophe, general use of; with plural nouns; with possessive nouns;
with possessive pronouns.
Apposition, explained.
Appositives, punctuation of (§108).
_Argue_, for _augur_.
_Arise_.
Articles, explained; use of.
_As_, as conjunction or adverb; as a relative pronoun, Glossary; for
_like_; for _since_, Glossary; punctuation of (§122).
_At_, for _in_, Glossary.
_Attackted_, mispronunciation of _attacked_, Glossary.
Attribute complement, explained; case of (note 2).
Auxiliary verbs, explained; _shall_ and _will_; _should_ and _would_;
_may, can, might_, and _could_.
_Avocation_, for _vocation_.
_Awake_, for _wake_, Glossary.
_Awful_, for _awfully_, Glossary.
_Bad_, for _badly_, Glossary.
Balanced sentence.
Barbarisms, defined; rules for avoidance of; when proper.
Beginning of the composition.
_Beside_, for _besides_, Glossary.
_Best_, for _better_, Glossary.
_Between_, for _among_, Glossary.
_Bible_, capitalization of (§100).
_Blowed_, for _blew_, Glossary.
Body, of the letter.
Books for reading, list of.
_Bound_, for _determined_, Glossary.
Brackets, use of.
_But_, as a relative pronoun; with a negative; with a dependent clause;
to introduce two succeeding statements.
_But that_, for _but what_.
_Calculate_, for _intend_.
_Can_, use of; model conjugation of.
"Cant expressions," in letters.
Capitalization, rules for.
Cases, classified and defined; case forms of pronouns;
case of word in apposition; case forms of relative pronouns; outline
for use of case forms; rules for forming possessive.
_Character_, for _reputation_, Glossary.
_Character of Napoleon Bonaparte_, by Channing, quotation from.
Choice of words, rules to aid in.
_Christmas_, by Washington Irving, quotation from.
_Claim_, for _assert_.
Clauses, defined; adjective; adverbial; agreement, of verb in;
principal or independent; subordinate or dependent; substantive;
_when_ and _where_ clauses.
Climax in sentences.
Clipped words, rule against.
Close of letter.
_Clum_, for _climbed_, Glossary.
"_In care of_," misuse of _c|o_ for.
Coherence, of paragraph; how to gain in paragraph; illustrations of
in paragraph; of sentence; of whole composition; words of.
Colon.
"Comma blunder".
Comma.
Common gender, defined, of nouns and pronouns.
Comparative degree; misuse of, in reference to more than two things.
Comparison, degrees of; irregular forms in; errors in; manner of comparing.
_Complected_, for _complexioned_, Glossary.
Complex sentence.
Complimentary close, in letters.
Compound nouns, explained; rules for forming plurals of.
Compound pronouns, personal; relative.
Compound sentence.
Compound subject; agreement of verb with.
Compound words, use of hyphen with (§140).
_Concluded_, for _to form an opinion_, Glossary.
Conditional clauses, punctuation of (§114).
Confusion of adjectives and adverbs.
Conjunctions, defined; misuses of; correlatives.
_Considerable_, for _considerably_, Glossary.
_Consul_, for _council_, or _counsel_.
Contractions of _not_, use of, in formal composition.
Co-ordinate clauses, punctuation of (§§112, 113), (§§118, 119, 120).
Copulative verb.
Correctly written letters.
Correlatives, placing of.
_Could_, use of; model conjugations of.
_Council, counsel_ and _consul_ confused.
_Cranford_, by Mrs. Gaskell, selection from.
_Cute_, for _pretty, clever_, etc., Glossary.
Dash, use of.
_Decease_, Glossary.
Definition, by a _when_ or _where_ clause.
Degrees in comparison, classified.
_Demand_, Glossary.
Dependent and conditional clauses, punctuation of (§114), (§§119, 120).
Dictionary, value of its use.
_Different_, with _than_, Glossary.
_Directly_, misused as a conjunction.
_Disease_, Glossary.
Division of words at ends of lines (§139).
_Don't_, Glossary.
Double negatives.
_Down_, misuse as a verb, Glossary.
_Drownded_, mispronunciation of _drowned_, Glossary.
_East_, capitalization of (§100).
_Each other_, misuse with more than two objects, Glossary.
_Effect_, for _affect_, Glossary.
_Either_, misuse with more than two objects, Glossary.
_Either-or_.
Elements of the sentence: Principal elements, subject;
predicate. Subordinate elements: attribute complement; adjective
modifier; adverbial modifier; object complement.
_Emigration_, for _immigration_, Glossary.
Emphasis, in paragraphs; in sentence.
Ending of whole composition.
_Enough_, Glossary.
_Euthuse_, Glossary.
Enumerations, punctuation before, (§§122, 123).
_Esq._, misuse after Mr..
_Etc._, misspelling of, Glossary.
Euphony, in sentences.
_Everybody_, followed by a plural form, Glossary.
_Everywheres_, for _everywhere_.
Examples, of beginning of whole composition; of correctly written letters;
of ending of whole composition; of outline of whole composition.
Exclamation point, use of.
_Except_, for _accept_, Glossary.
Explanatory relative clauses, punctuation of (§111).
Expletives.
_Expect_, for _suppose_.
_Fall_, for _fell_.
_Father_, capitalization of (§99).
_Fell_, for _fall_.
Feminine gender, defined; of nouns and pronouns.
Final words, in letters.
"Fine-writing".
_Fine_, Glossary.
_Firstly_, Glossary.
_First-rate_, Glossary.
_For_, used to introduce two succeeding clauses.
Foreign words.
_Former_, Glossary.
Form of letters.
From, Glossary.
_Funny_, for _singular_, Glossary.
Gender, defined and classified formation of feminine from
masculine; gender of pronouns.
General terms, use of.
_Gent_, Glossary.
_Gentleman_, Glossary.
Geographical names, punctuation of (§108).
Gerunds, explanation of; confusion with participle; with noun or
pronoun modifier; placing of gerund phrase.
Gettysburg speech, by Lincoln.
_Good_, for _well_.
Good use of words; offenses against.
_Got_, Glossary.
_Grand_, Glossary.
Grave forms of personal pronouns, use of.
_Guess_, for _think_, Glossary.
Hackneyed expressions, general rule against; in letters.
_Had, ought_, Glossary.
_Hain't_, Glossary.
_Hanged_, confused with _hung_, Glossary.
_Hardly_, placing of; with a negative, Glossary.
_Have_, misuse after _had_, Glossary.
Heading, of letters.
_Heighth_, for _height_, Glossary.
_Here_, misuse with demonstratives, Glossary.
_Her'n_.
_Him_, misuse with gerund.
_Hisself_.
_His'n_.
_Home_, confused with _house_; for _at home_, Glossary.
_Humbug_, Glossary.
_Hung_, confused with _hanged_, Glossary.
Hyphen, use of.
_I_, capitalization of (§100). Order of.
In the letter.
Idioms.
_i. e._, punctuation of (§122).
_Illy_, Glossary.
_Immigration_, confused with _emigration_, Glossary.
Imperative mode.
Improving one's vocabulary, rules for.
Improprieties.
Indentation, of paragraph; of paragraph, in letters.
Infinitives, explanation of; forms of; cases used with; rules for
sequence of infinitive tenses; split.
Inflection, defined.
_In_, confused with _into_, Glossary.
Inside address of letters.
Interjection.
Interrogation point, use of.
Interrogative pronouns.
Intransitive verbs, see _Transitive_.
Introductory words or phrases, punctuation of (§107).
_Kind_, with plural modifiers, Glossary.
_Kind of a_.
_Lady_, Glossary.
_Latter_, confused with _last_, Glossary.
_Lay_, confused with lie.
_Learn_, for _teach_, Glossary.
_Leave_, for _let_, Glossary.
_Lend_, confused with _loan_.
Length, of paragraphs; of sentences.
Letter writing; body of letter; close; heading; illustrations of
correctly written letters; inside address; miscellaneous
directions; notes in third person; outside address; salutation.
_Liable_, for _likely_.
_Lie_, confused with _lay_.
_Lightning_, Glossary.
_Like_, misuse as a conjunction.
_Lit on_, Glossary.
_Loan_, confused with _lend_.
Loose sentences.
_Lot_ for _a great deal_, Glossary.
_Mad_, for _angry_.
Masculine gender, defined; of pronouns.
_May_; model conjugation of.
_Messrs._, use of.
_Might_; model conjugations of.
Mode, definition of; indicative; infinitive; imperative; obligative,
footnote; participal; potential, of; subjunctive.
Modifiers, placing of.
_Most_ for _almost_.
_Mother_, capitalization of (§99).
_Mrs._, Glossary.
_Much_, for _many_.
_Muchly_.
_Mutual_, confused with _common_, Glossary.
Name, form of verb.
_Namely_, punctuation of (§122).
_Near_, confused with _nearly_.
_Neither_, misuse with more than two objects, Glossary.
_Neither-nor_.
_Nerve_, Glossary.
Neuter gender, defined; of nouns and pronouns.
Newly coined expressions, rule against.
_Newsy_, Glossary.
Nominative case, defined; when used, note.
_No place_, Glossary.
_No_, punctuation of (§102).
_No good_, for _worthless_.
_North_, capitalization of (§100).
_Not muchly_.
Notes in the third person.
_Not only--but also_.
_Notorious_, confused with _noted_, Glossary.
Nouns, common; proper; case of; gender of; number of.
_Nowhere near_, for _not nearly_, Glossary.
Number, defined; agreement of verb and subject in number; singular;
plural; of relative pronouns; of pronouns; of pronouns with
compounded antecedent; rules for forming plurals of nouns.
_Number_, sign #, used for.
_O_ and _oh_, capitalization of (§100).
Object complement, explained.
Objective case, defined; when used.
Obligative mode (footnote).
_Observance_, confused with _observation_.
Obsolete words.
_Of_, Glossary.
Omission, of adverb _much_; of important words; of prepositions;
punctuation in case of (§117); (§138); of verbs.
_One another_, use of.
_Only_, placing of; with a negative, Glossary.
Order of heading in letters.
_Other_, use of in comparison.
_Ought_.
Outline, for composition; illustration of.
Outside address, of letters.
_Outside of_, Glossary.
Over-statement of facts, rule against.
_Over with_, Glossary.
_Pants_, Glossary.
Paragraphing of letters.
Paragraphs; coherence in; emphasis in; indentation of; in letters;
length of; unity in.
Parenthesis marks, use of; too frequent use of.
Parts of speech, classified.
Passive voice and active voice explained; forms of.
Past participle, explanation and use of.
Past tense, explanation and use of.
Participles, explanation of; confusion with gerunds; dangling; at
beginning of sentence; preceded by _thus_.
Period, use of.
Periodic sentence.
Personal pronouns, defined; classified; compound personal pronouns;
use of common and of grave forms of; unnecessary use of.
_Piece_, Glossary.
_Photo_, Glossary.
Phrases, defined; prepositional; verb; punctuation of adverbial
phrases (§116), (§121).
_Place_, Glossary.
Placing of adjectives and adverbs.
_Plenty_, Glossary.
Plural number, explained; rules for forming plurals of nouns.
Point of view, in paragraph; in sentence; in whole composition.
_Poorly_, for _ill_, Glossary.
Positive degree.
Position, in letters, of complimentary close; of heading; of inside
address; of salutation; of outside address.
Possessive case, defined; rules for forming possessives of nouns;
when used.
Potential mode, explanation and forms of.
Predicate of the sentence; defined; compound, predicate, explained.
Prepositional phrase.
Prepositions, defined; omission of; proper use of; unnecessary use
of; used as conjunctions.
_Principal_, confused with _principle_, Glossary.
Principal parts of verbs, explained; classified; list of; rules for
use of.
Principal verbs, explained.
Professional words.
Pronouns, defined; adjective; antecedent of, defined; agreement with
antecedent; case forms of; compound personal; compound relative;
gender of; interrogative; number of; outline of, use of case forms
of; relative; rules determining gender of; with compound antecedents.
Pronunciation, lists of frequently mispronounced words; words given
wrong sounds; words given wrong accent; words of foreign pronunciation;
words of similar spelling.
Proper adjectives, capitalization of (§95).
Proper nouns, defined; capitalization of (§95).
_Propose_, for _intend_, Glossary.
_Providing_, for _if_, Glossary.
Provincialisms, definition and rule against use of.
Punctuation, rules for; in letters, body; heading; inside address;
outside address; salutation.
Qualities, essential: Of sentences, unity; emphasis; euphony. Of
paragraphs, unity; coherence; emphasis. Of whole composition, unity;
coherence.
_Quite_, for _very_.
Quotation marks, use of.
Quotations, punctuation of (§115), (§123), (§131), (§§132-137).
_Raise_, confused with _rise_, Glossary.
_Recommend_, confused with _recommendation_, Glossary.
Relative causes, cases in; explanatory or non-restrictive; introduction
of successive; punctuation of (§111); use of _when_ or _where_ clause.
Relative pronouns, defined and explained; agreement of verb
with; case and number of; compound; explanatory or non-restrictive;
restrictive; use of, with different antecedents.
Repetition of similar words or syllables.
_Reputation_, confused with _character_, Glossary.
_Respectfully_, confused with _respectively_.
_Rev._.
_Right away_, Glossary.
_Right off_, Glossary.
_Rise_, confused with _raise_, Glossary.
Salutation, in letters.
_Some_, misuse as a pronoun, Glossary.
_Say_, for _order_ or _command_, Glossary.
_Scarcely_, placing of; with a negative, Glossary.
Scriptures, capitalization, of (§100).
_Seldom ever_, Glossary.
Semi-colon, use of.
Sentence elements out of natural order, (§109).
Sentences: defined; declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory;
essential qualities of; loose, periodic, balanced; simple, complex,
compound; length of; slipshod construction of.
Sequence of tenses, infinitive; in clauses.
Series of words, punctuation of.
_Set_, confused with _sit_, Glossary.
S-form of verb.
_Shut of_, for _rid of_, Glossary.
_Sight_, for _many_, Glossary.
Signature of writer, in letters.
Simple sentence, defined.
Simple words, use of.
Similar expressions of similar thoughts.
Singular form of verb, explanation and use of, after you and they.
Singular number, explained.
_Sit_, confused with _set_, Glossary.
_Shall_ and _will_, use of, in dependent clauses; in principal clauses;
in questions; model conjugations of; past tenses of.
_Should_ and _would_, model conjugations of; use of.
Slang.
_So_, use of.
Solecisms.
_Some_, misuse as an adverb, Glossary.
_Somebody else's_.
_Sort_, with plurals, Glossary.
_Sort of a_, Glossary.
_South_, capitalization of, (§100).
Speech, paragraphing of.
Specific terms, use of.
Spelling, lists of words frequently misspelled; rules for; of words of
similar sound.
"Squinting construction."
_Street_, omission of in letters.
Subject of sentence or clause, defined; agreement of verb and subject;
compound; relative pronoun as, of whole composition; statement of,
in composition.
Subject matter of letters.
Subjunctive mode.
_Such_, Glossary.
Summarizing word, use of; punctuation of, (§127).
Superlative degree; misuse in comparing only two things.
_Suspect_, for _expect_.
Syllables, division of words into, (§139).
Synonyoms, value of.
_Tasty_, for _tasteful_, Glossary.
Technical words.
"Telegraph style," in letters.
Tense, explained; sequence of.
_Than_, use of.
_That_, with what antecedents used; as a restrictive relative;
misuse of, Glossary.
_That is_, punctuation of, (§122).
_The_, use of article.
_Their'n, theirself, theirselves_.
_Them_, for _those_.
_Then_, use of.
_There_, improper use of after demonstratives, Glossary.
_They_, indefinite use of; with singular verb.
Third person, notes in the.
_Those kind_, and _these sort_.
_Three first_, Glossary.
_Thusly_.
Title of whole composition.
Titles, abbreviations of; capitalization of, (§§ 96, 97).
_To-day, to-morrow, to-night_, hyphens with, (§140).
_Too_, misuse of, Glossary.
Transition, in whole composition.
Transitive and intransitive verbs, confusion of; explanation of.
_Transpire_, for _happen_.
_Try and_, Glossary.
_Two first_, Glossary.
_Unbeknown_, for _unknown_.
Unity: Of paragraph; how to gain; illustrations of.
Of sentence. Of whole composition.
Unnecessary words, use of.
Verb phrase, explained.
Verbs, defined; agreement of verb and subject; agreement of verb in
clauses; auxiliary; gerunds; infinitives; mode; model conjugations
of _to-be_ and _to see_; omission of verbs or parts of; participles;
principal; principal parts; principal parts, list of; transitive and
intransitive; use of auxiliaries; voice.
_Very_.
_viz._, punctuation of, (§122).
Vocabulary, rules for improvement of.
_Vocation_, confused with _avocation_.
Vulgarisms.
_Wake_, confused with _awake_, Glossary.
_Wait on_, confused with _wait for_, Glossary.
_Ways_, Glossary.
Weak beginnings and endings of sentences.
_Well_, confused with _good_.
_West_, capitalization of, (§100).
_What_, with what antecedents.
_When_.
_Where_.
_Which_, with clause or phrase as antecedent; with what antecedents used.
_Who_, with what antecedents used.
Whole composition; beginning of, ending of; paragraph composition or
paragraph theme.
_Will_, use of, see _shall_.
_Without_, misuse as a conjunction.
Words, choice of; clipped or abbreviated; division of at ends of lines,
(§139); foreign; good use of; how to improve vocabulary of, idioms;
in place of figures in letters; newly-coined; of coherence;
professional; pronunciation of, provincialisms; simple English; slang;
spelling of; technical words; vulgarisms.
_Would_, see _should_.
_Yes_, punctuation of, (102).
_You_, indefinite use of; with singular verb.
_Yours truly_ and _yours respectfully_, wrong abbreviation of.
_Your'n_.
End of Project Gutenberg's Practical Grammar and Composition, by Thomas Wood