_official_ is one holding public office or performing duties of a
public nature; usually he is a subordinate officer; an _officer_ is one
who holds an office _by election or appointment_, especially a civil
office, as under a government, municipality, or the like.
~of the name of~. Compare BY THE NAME OF.
~older~, ~oldest~: These terms are, according to best usage, applied
only to persons belonging to different families or to things, as,
Lincoln was _older_ than Hay; this book is the _oldest_ in the library.
Compare ELDER, ELDEST.
~on~ is frequently used where _in_ would be preferable. Fitz-Greene
Halleck once said to a friend, “Why do people persist in saying _on_
Broadway? Might they not as well say Our Father, who art _on_ Heaven?”
~once in a way~ (~or while~): A colloquialism for “now and then,”
better expressed by a single word, as _occasionally_.
~one~: Used sometimes as in writing narrative instead of “I,” “he,” or
“a.” Bain (“Higher Eng. Grammar”) says: “_One_ should be followed by
_one_ and not by _he_ (nor for that matter by _I_ or _a_); as, ‘What
_one_ sees or feels, _one_ can not be sure that _one_ sees or feels.’”
To begin with _one_ and to continue with any one of the substitutes
suggested would not only be incorrect but would confuse the reader.
~one another~. Compare EACH OTHER.
~one-horse~: A slang term for “second rate”; implying “of inferior
capacity, quality or resources.”
~only~: This word, whose correct position depends upon the intention
of the author, is often misplaced. The examples of the uses of _only_
here given will serve to illustrate correct usage. “_Only_ his father
spoke to him”; here _only_ means that of all persons who might have
spoken, but one, his father, spoke to him. “His father _only_ spoke to
him” implies that his father “only _spoke_” and did not scold him,
which, perhaps, he might have felt his duty called upon him to do. “His
father spoke _only_ to him” means that, of all the persons present, his
father chose to speak to him alone, but this sentence may perhaps be
more lucidly expressed “His father spoke to him _only_.”
~on the level~. See under LEVEL.
~on the street~. Compare IN THE STREET; ON.
~onto~: A word meaning “upon the top of,” avoided by purists as
colloquial or vulgar. Condemned by Phelps as a vulgarism but now
gradually growing in popularity. Inasmuch as its form is analogous to
_into_, _unto_, _upon_, all of which are sanctioned by best usage,
Phelps’s condemnation is perhaps a little premature. The word has been
objected to by some critics as redundant or needless. “Considered as
a new word (it is in reality a revival of an old form), it conforms
to the two main neoteristic canons by which the admissibility of new
words is to be decided. (See HALL, _Modern English_, pp. 171, 173.) It
obeys the analogy of _in to_ = _into_. It may also be held to supply
an antecedent blank, as may be shown by examples. It never should be
employed where _on_ is sufficient; but simple _on_ after verbs of
motion may be wholly ambiguous, so that _on to_, meaning ‘to or toward
and _on_,’ may become necessary to clear up the ambiguity. ‘The boy
fell _on_ the roof’ may mean that he fell while _on_ the roof, or that
he fell, as from the chimney-top or some overlooking window, _to_
the roof so as to be _on_ it; but if we say ‘The boy fell _on to_ the
roof,’ there is no doubt that the latter is the meaning. The canons
for deciding the eligibility of new words appear therefore to claim
for _on to_ the right to struggle for continued existence and general
acceptance.” So says Dr. I. K. Funk in the STANDARD DICTIONARY.
~O~, _Oh_: Although often used indiscriminately it is generally
conceded that “O” is used to express exclamation or direct address
while “oh” is used to express the emotion of joy, pain, sorrow, or
surprise. See the examples.
“O Mary, go and call the cattle home.”
“O God, whose thunder shakes the skies.”
“Oh! say, can you see by the dawn’s early light”--
“Oh! why should the spirit of mortal be proud?”
~open up~ is properly used to signify “explore; discover; as, to _open
up_ a new country,” but not so in the sense of “introduce; as, to _open
up_ a subject.” Here the word _up_ is superfluous; but in this, as in
the majority of cases where _open up_ is used, it would be better to
substitute a more specific term. See UP.
~opinion~ is sometimes more than an _impression_, being a conclusion
or judgment held with confidence, though falling short of positive
knowledge. The word should therefore not be used interchangeably with
_idea_, which may be a mere conception, with or without foundation for
its belief. One may have an _idea_ of enjoyment, but hold an _opinion_
on the result of a campaign.
~or~. Compare IF; NOR.
~oral~ should be differentiated from ~verbal~. The former applies to
what is spoken by mouth, whereas the latter indicates that which has
been reduced to words.
~orate~: A term to avoid when “speak, declaim, harangue,” or a like
word will express what is intended. It may, however, be fittingly used
meaning “to play the orator, talk windily in round periods”: it meets
the canon of “supplying an antecedent blank,” and is a legitimate word,
especially in humorous or contemptuous use.
~ordinance~, ~ordnance~: These words have no relation in common. An
_ordinance_ is a regulation ordained by some one in authority as a
“municipal _ordinance_.” _Ordnance_ is artillery, especially heavy
guns, cannon of all kinds, mortars, howitzers, etc.
~ornery~: A barbarous dialectism for “ordinary” which can not be too
severely condemned.
~other~: This word is often improperly omitted from general
comparisons; for instance, “All men are better than he” obviously
should be “All _other_ men,” etc., as the person excepted of necessity
belongs to the class embraced by “all men.”
~other~, ~otherwise~: When these words introduce a clause of comparison
they should be followed by the conjunction _than_, instead of which
the words _but_ and _except_ are often erroneously introduced. _Than_
is indeed the conjunction of simple comparison, and should be used
after adjectives in the comparative degree. In better usage _else_ is
also followed by _than_, unless the word is introduced, as frequently,
without appreciably adding effect to the sentence; as, “She did
nothing (_else_) _but_ weep,” though even here the introduction of the
unnecessary word would make _than_ the preferable sequence. “He knew no
_other_ course _than_ this”--not _but_ or _except_. “It can not operate
_otherwise than_ for good”--not _but_. “No _quicker_ did he climb the
rope _than_ (not _but_) back he fell.”
~ought~. Compare AUGHT.
~ought~, ~hadn’t~. See HAD OUGHT.
~out of sight~: An intense vulgarism for “superb.”
~over and above~, if redundant, is an undesirable expression. Avoid the
addition of words to a sentence that fail to add to the sense. “_Over
and above_ his debts illness had now to be provided for.” It were
better to say “In _addition_ to his debts,” etc.
~over~, ~across~: _Over_ is sometimes misused for “across.” Do not say
“go _over_ the bridge” when you mean _across_ it.
~overflowed~: The banks of a river may be _overflowed_; they should
never be spoken of as _overflown_. There is no verb to _overfly_, but
there is one to _overflow_ the participles of which are _overflowed_,
_overflowing_. The termination--_flown_ used commonly by the
illiterate is the past participle of _fly_. Although _flown_ originally
meant “flooded” the word in the sense is now obsolete.
~over~, ~not over~: Opposed by some writers when used as equivalent
to _more than_, _not more than_, but defensible as having a tinge of
metaphor suggestive of overflowing quantity or overtopping height and
having the support of literary usage.
~overshoes~. Compare RUBBERS.
~over with~: Avoid as incorrect all such sentences as, “When the game
was _over with_, we enjoyed a cold collation.” Here the word “with” is
redundant.
~owing~. Compare DUE.
~own~: Some critics object to the use of this word in the sense of
_confess_, but it is sanctioned by literary usage and dates from the
seventeenth century. ~To own up~, or ~to~, in the sense of “to make
a full confession” or “to admit unreservedly when challenged” is a
colloquialism.
P
~pack~: A word sometimes misapplied especially in speaking of a number
of persons; as, “the whole _pack_.” It is correctly used when applied
to dogs or wolves, hence, from the latter application, also to any band
of men leagued together for evil purposes; as, “a _pack_ of thieves”:
sometimes, also, correctly styled a _gang_.
~pain~. Compare PANE.
~pair~: Great care should be exercised in applying modifying adjectives
to this word. Thus one may say “a new _pair_ of trousers;” “a new
_pair_ of scissors;” but not “a new _pair_ of shoes.” There is a
distinction in the use--“a new pair” as applied to gloves or shoes
implies exchange of one pair for another; here, “a _different_ pair”
would be preferred. In general, say, rather, “a _pair_ of new shoes”;
“a _pair_ of new gloves.” This word remains _pair_ in the plural when
it is preceded by a number: otherwise it takes the _s_. “Two _pair_ of
gloves,” but “many _pairs_ of trousers.”
~pane~: Sometimes confused with ~pain~. The first designates “a piece,
division or compartment, most commonly a plate of window glass”; the
second denotes “a distressing or disagreeable emotion.” The spellings
of the two words should never be confused, but occasionally are.
~pants~: A vulgarism or tailor’s cant for _pantaloons_ meaning
_trousers_ which should be the word used by preference.
~paradox~: Commonly used incorrectly in the phrase “a seeming
paradox,”--a thing that does not exist, a paradox being a statement
that seems to be at variance with common sense. A statement may,
however, be characterized as _paradoxical_.
~paraphernalia~, from the Greek _para_, beyond, + _phero_, bring, is
properly applied to the personal articles, as jewelry, reserved to a
wife over and above her dower or marriage portion, and should not be
used in the sense of finery or regalia. Yet the application is common
but savors of grandiloquence. The finery and regalia are not, or should
not be, “over and above,” but should be as of right or of good taste.
Compare OVER AND ABOVE.
~pare~, ~pair~: Words the spellings of which are sometimes confused.
_Pare_, to remove the outer covering from is from the Latin _paro_ and
means “prepare”; _pair_, designating two persons or things, is from the
Latin _par_, which means “equal.” See PAIR.
~parenthesis~: The phrase _in parenthesis_ includes both signs, and
an expression placed between these signs is therefore said to be
“in parenthesis.” _Parentheses_ refers only to two or more sets of
parenthetical expressions. Due care should be exercised in using this
word.
~parson~: Although a good word used to designate “the clergyman of
a parish,” _parson_ is often used contemptuously, and from this use
has acquired a sense that detracts from the dignity of the office;
therefore, is one to be avoided. Do not say “Our _parson_ is a popular
man”; say, rather, “Our _minister_....”
~partake~ should never be used as a synonym for “eat” or “drink.” One
may _partake of_ a meal with other persons, that is, share it with
them, but one does not partake a meal by one’s self.
~partially~ should not be used for “partly,” as, having the meaning
“with unjust favoritism” it may be misunderstood.
~party~, ~person~: Except in legal terminology, _person_ is preferable;
_party_ means, in general, an entertainment. In the legal sense,
_party_ is a person (or body of persons collectively) who (or which)
takes a certain specified part in a legal transaction, as “A. B., the
party of the first part.” From this application of the term, the word
has been loosely extended to mean _person_. Do not say “A certain
_party_,” etc., but “A certain _person_”; party in such a connection is
a vulgarism.
~pathos~. Compare BATHOS.
~patrons~ should not be used for “customers.” A _patron_ is one who
fosters a person or thing; a _customer_ is one who deals regularly at
one establishment.
~peach~: Used in the sense of “beauty,” possibly from the delicate and
downy skin of the fruit, is a playful though undesirable expression
used commonly by young men and boys, especially in referring to women;
as, “Isn’t she a peach!” Lexicographers do not recognize this usage of
the word.
~peculiarly impressive~: A phrase heard sometimes for “singularly” or
“strikingly impressive”; but the word is from the Latin _peculiaris_,
“one’s own,” and it is in this respect that the individuality enters
the case. What belongs exclusively to a person is _peculiarly_ his;
and the sense of remarkable, as from singularity, intensity, or
exceptionality, is better expressed by the word of this class best
adapted to the case.
~pecuniary~. Compare FINANCIAL.
~peel~ should not be confused with ~peal~. The first designates “rind”;
the second, “ring.”
~pell-mell~: This word etymologically implies a crowd and confusion
and is not applied to an individual. Thus, “He rushed out _pell-mell_”
should be “He rushed out hastily and excitedly.”
~penny~: In the plural this word is either _pennies_ or _pence_. In the
one case it means a number of individual coins; in the second case it
signifies a specific sum of money.
~people~: Where individual persons, or a number of such, are intended,
this word should be discarded in favor of _persons_; as, “most
_persons_ are of this opinion.” People means _persons_ collectively; as
“_People_ say.”
~per~: This is a Latin preposition, correctly joined only with Latin
words; as, _per centum_, abbreviated _per cent._; _per diem_; _per
annum_. _Per head_ and _per person_, _per year_, _per day_ are common
commercial locutions; use preferably the English forms _a_ head, _a_
person, _a_ year, _a_ day. If you must use a Latin phrase be sure you
use all Latin.
~perfectly killing~: An inane expression used commonly by women for
“in stylish attire,” and also, “intensely comic” or “absurd.” Compare
SPLENDID.
~perform~ does not mean ~play~. One _performs_ music _on_ a piano or
_plays the_ piano, but does not _perform_ the piano. To perform _on_
the piano would rather indicate “to strum” upon it or (if you like)
_play upon_ or _play with_ it than to _play it_.
~perform~. Compare ASSUME.
~permit~. Compare ALLOW.
~perpetually~; Distinguish from _continually_. There is a difference
between that which is done unceasingly and that which merely takes
place constantly.
~person~. Compare PARTY.
~personalty~ is sometimes considered to mean articles of personal
adornment. It does not. It is a legal term, now in contradistinction
to _realty_, and includes therefore all movables, as money; personal
property of any kind whatever, as household goods; chattels real and
personal; things movable as distinguished from _realty_ or landed
property in any form.
~persons~. Compare PEOPLE.
~perspicacity~, ~perspicuity~; Terms often confused. _Perspicacity_
is “acuteness, clear-sightedness or penetration”; _perspicuity_ is
“clearness of expression or style, lucidity”; and is applied to speech
and writing.
~persuade~, ~convince~: That which _persuades_, leads or attracts
(Latin _suadeo_, advise), that which _convinces_, binds (Latin _vinco_,
conquer). A person when _convinced_ that he is wrong is _persuaded_,
by justice or interest, to amend his ways.
~peruse~ should not be used when the simple _read_ is meant. The former
implies to read with care and attention and is almost synonymous with
_scan_, which is to examine with critical care and in detail. A person
is more likely to _read_ than to _scan_ or _peruse_ the Bible.
~petition~, ~partition~: Sometimes pronounced as if they were
homophones, but they are not. Exercise care in their use. A _petition_
is a request, a _partition_ is that which separates anything into
distinct parts.
~phenomenon~ is the singular of _phenomena_, and the distinction
should be observed in speech. Avoid as incorrect such locution as “A
remarkable phenomena.”
~piece, a~: A provincial vulgarism used in such phrases as “We went
along the road _a piece_”; “he followed me _a piece_,” etc.
~pike~: A vulgarism used as a verb for “to move away rapidly,” and as
a noun, contemptuously, for “a shiftless class of persons.”
~pillar~, ~pillow~: Discriminate carefully between these words.
A _pillar_ is a firm, upright, separate support; a _pillow_ is a
head-rest. Note the difference in the spellings.
~pile-in~: Slang for “get to work.”
~pipe-off~: A vulgarism for to “take in at a glance.”
~pity~, ~sympathy~: Not synonymous terms. _Pity_ awakens a feeling
of grief or sorrow in one for the distress of another; _sympathy_ is
a feeling kindred with that of another for his state or condition.
_Sympathy_ implies a degree of equality which _pity_ does not. We may
_pity_ one whom we disdain but we can not _sympathize_ with him.
~place~: Used objectively without a preposition, or even adverbially,
a provincialism common in parts of the United States; as, “She is
always wanting _to go places_”; “Can’t I _go any place_ (correctly
_anywhere_)?” “I must _go some place_ (_somewhere_)”; “I can’t find it
_any place_.” Such forms are solecisms.
~place~, ~plaice~: Homophones, so care should be exercised in their use
and spelling. A _place_ is a particular point or portion of space; a
_plaice_ is a fish.
~plank~: Used usually with “down” this term is commonly employed by
persons careless of their diction for “pay out” or “lay down”: said
especially of money, and a term to be avoided.
~plead~, ~pleaded~ or ~pled~, ~pleading~: The spelling of _pled_ for
the past is not warranted, and is a colloquialism. Careful speakers use
_pleaded_.
~pleasure~ is distinguished from _happiness_, although in common
conversation the terms are frequently used as if they were synonymous.
“By _happiness_,” says Hamilton, “is meant the complement of all the
_pleasures_ of which we are susceptible.” Crabb says, “_Happiness_
comprehends that aggregate of _pleasurable_ sensations which we
derive from external objects”: it is “a condition in which _pleasure_
predominates over pain or evil; a continued experience of _pleasures_
and joys.” “_Pleasure_ is the accompaniment of the moderate and
suitable activity of some organ or faculty of the mind.”
~plentiful~. Compare BOUNTIFUL.
~plenty~: The colloquialism by which _plenty_, which is a noun, is
treated as an adjective or adverb is altogether inadmissible. In such
cases _plentiful_ and _plentifully_ should be used. “We have _plenty
of_ money.” “Cash is _plentiful_.” “We are _plentifully_ supplied”--not
“We have _plenty_ enough cash.”
~plunk~: A vulgarism for a silver dollar.
~polite~, ~civil~, ~polished~: _Civil_, from the Latin _civilis_,
from _civis_, a citizen, denotes that which is becoming to a citizen.
_Polite_ is the Latin _politus_, participle of _polio_, polish.
Civility is therefore negative, the mere absence of rudeness, whereas
politeness is the positive evidence of good breeding. A _polite_ man
is naturally so, but a _polished_ man is one who has, by art, acquired
the smoothness which comes of having had the rough edges rubbed off.
_Polite_ denotes a quality; _polished_ denotes a state.
~politics~ is a singular word of plural form. “His hobby _is
politics_”--not “_Politics are_ his hobby.”
~polity~ and ~policy~ both come from the Latin _politica_, (Gr.
_politeia_, polity, _polis_, city); but they must not be confounded.
“_Polity_ is the permanent system of government of a state, a church,
or a society; _policy_ is the method of management with reference to
the attainment of certain ends. The national _polity_ of the United
States is republican; each administration has a _policy_ of its own.”
~pore~: Compare POUR.
~possessive case, the~: A very unnecessary difficulty appears to
be felt, even by educated men, in the use of the apostrophe in the
possessive case. It is placed immediately after the noun under
consideration. If, for instance, you are talking of a lady and refer
to her glove, you say “the _lady’s_ glove”--then the apostrophe
should immediately follow the noun in question; viz., _lady_, in the
singular. If, however, there are two ladies or more, you say “the
_ladies’_ gloves,” and the apostrophe should follow _ladies_; that is,
_lady_, in the plural. In like manner, you write “the _boy’s_ father,”
or “the _boys’_ father,” when referring to one or to two or more
boys, respectively. “The _man’s_ hat,” “the _men’s_ hats,” with the
apostrophe following the noun _man_ or _men_, will note the possessive
in the singular and plural for the noun _man_.
The nearest approach to a difficulty is where a plural ends with an “s”
or a sibilant sound; but here the rule is still the same--place the
apostrophe after the noun referred to, that is, the plural, though
for the sake of smoothness and euphony, omit the succeeding (or rather
non-succeeding) “s.” Thus, “the _boss’s_ desk” in the singular, “the
_bosses’_ desks,” in the plural. When the singular ends in “s,” the
possessive “s” is usually retained, excepting where the noun has three
or more syllables and the word following commences with this letter.
Thus, Charles’s uncle; Burns’s poems; Burns’s stanza; Damocles’ sword.
The possessive “s” is also generally omitted before “sake”--as, “For
conscience’ _sake_” (conscience having the “s” sound); “for Jesus’
_sake_.”
In speaking of a firm, where the partners constitute but one object
of contemplation, the apostrophe is used but once--after the complete
object of contemplation, that is, after the title or firm name; as,
“Jones and Robinson’s store.” If Jones and Robinson, instead of being
in partnership had independent businesses you would speak of “Jones’s
and Robinson’s stores”--this being no exception to, but merely an
exemplification of, the rule that the apostrophe immediately follows
the noun or name (or firm name) under consideration.
Occasionally, the possessive appears in double form, the substantive
being preceded by _of_ and followed by the apostrophe with _s_. This
occurs, however, only in idiomatic phrases, as, “He was a friend of my
father’s,” which is equivalent to “He was one of my father’s friends”
or “He was a friend of (the number of) my father’s (friends),” when
it may be supposed that the person spoken of possesses more than one
object of the kind referred to, this double form of possessive is
properly used. “It was a fault of my friend to be loquacious” would
signify the one particular weakness of my friend: “It was a fault of
my friend’s to be loquacious,” that is, “of my friend’s faults,” would
signify that this was one of various faults.
The apostrophe is not used with the possessive personal pronouns. Write
“yours (_not_ your’s) truly.” Compare ’S.
~post~: A colloquialism, generally undesirable, for _inform_. It is
derived from the bookkeeping signification of the term, where it
means that the ledger is supplied, by transfer, with the information
contained in the books of original entry.
~pour~, ~pore~: Exercise care in using these homophones. The first
is of Celtic origin and means “to cause to flow, as a liquid, in a
continuous stream”; whereas _pore_ is from the Middle English _poren_,
and means “to gaze or ponder with close and continued application, as
in reading or studying.”
~power~: In the sense of “a great number or quantity,” this word is an
undesirable colloquialism that has gained ground especially in rural
districts. One may say of a man “He was a _power_ among the people,”
but not “A _power_ of people heard him.”