This much

"This much can be said in his favor." Change this much to so much or thus much.

That far

The expressions this far and that far, although they are very common, are, nevertheless, incorrect. Thus far or so far should be used instead.

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Over, More than

"There were not over thirty persons present." Over is incorrect; above has some sanction; but more than, is the best, and should be used.

Real good

This is one of those good-natured expressions that insinuate themselves into the speech of even cultured people. Very good is just as short, and much more correct. Really good scarcely conveys the thought intended.

So nice

"This basket of flowers is so nice." So nice does not tell how nice. So requires a correlative to complete its meaning. Use very nice or very pretty.

Pell-mell

"He rushes pell-mell down the street." One bird cannot flock by itself, nor can one man rush pell-mell. It will require at least several men to produce the intermixing and confusion which the word is intended to convey.

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CHAPTER VIII

Conjunctions

As a general rule, sentences should not begin with conjunctions. And, or, and nor are often needlessly employed to introduce a sentence. The disjunctive but may sometimes be used to advantage in this position, and in animated and easy speech or writing the coordinate conjunction and may be serviceable, but these and all other conjunctions, when made to introduce sentences, should be used sparingly.

Reason, Because

"The reason I ask you to tell the story is because you can do it better than I." Because means "for the reason." This makes the sentence equivalent to "The reason I ask you to tell the story is for the reason that you can do it better than I." Use that instead of because.

"Because William studied law is no reason why his brother should not do so." The following is better: "That William studied law is no reason why his brother should not do so."

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Only, Except, But

"The house was as convenient as his, only that it was a trifle smaller." Use except for only.

"The field was as large as his, only the soil was less fertile." Use but for only.

But, Except

"Being the eldest of the brothers but Philip, who was an invalid, he assumed charge of his father's estate." Except is better than but.

But what, But that

"Think no man so perfect but what he may err." Say, "but that he may err."

"I could not think but what he was insane." Use but that.

But, If

"I should not wonder but the assembly would adjourn to-day." Use if instead of but.

But, That

"I have no doubt but he will serve you well." Say, "that he will serve you well."

That, That

"I wished to show, by your own writings, that so far were you from being competent to teach others English composition, that you had need yourself to study its first principles."— Moon, Dean's English.

The second that is superfluous. This fault is very

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common with writers who use long sentences. The intervention of details between the first that and the clause which it is intended to introduce causes the writer to forget that he has used the introductory word, and prompts him to repeat it unconsciously.

But

"There is no doubt but that he is the greatest painter of the age." The word but is superfluous. "He never doubted but that he was the best fisherman on the coast." Omit but.

That

"He told me he would write as soon as he reached London." Say, "He told me that he would write," etc.

Than

"The Romans loved war better than the Greeks." Such ambiguous forms should be avoided. As it is not probable that the speaker intended to say that the Romans loved war better than they loved the Greeks, he should have framed his sentence thus: "The Romans loved war better than the Greeks did."

But that

"He suffered no inconvenience but that arising from the dust." But that, or except that, is correct. Some persons improperly use than that after no.

"I don't know but that I shall go to Europe." Omit that. "I don't know but I shall go," etc.

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Other than

"We suffered no other inconvenience but that arising from the dust." This is incorrect. After other we should use than. Therefore, "We suffered no other inconvenience than that arising from the dust."

After else, other, rather, and all comparatives, the latter term of comparison should be introduced by the conjunction than.

Either the

"Passengers are requested not to converse with either conductor or driver." This is one of those business notices that are often more concise than correct. It implies that there are two conductors and two drivers. The sentence should read, "Passengers are requested not to converse with either the conductor or the driver."

Lest, That

"I feared lest I should be left behind." Use the copulative that, and not the disjunctive lest. "I feared that I should be left behind."

Otherwise than

"He cannot do otherwise but follow your direction." Use than, not but, after otherwise. Hence, "He cannot do otherwise than follow," etc.

After that

"After that I have attended to the business I will call upon you." The word that is superfluous.

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But what

"His parents will never believe but what he was enticed away by his uncle." Omit what. The use of but that would be equally objectionable. But is sufficient.

A reconstruction of the sentence would improve it. "His parents will always believe," or "Will never cease to believe that," etc.

Doubt not but

"I doubt not but your friend will return." Say, "I doubt not that your friend will return."

Not impossible but

"It is not impossible but he may call to-day." Use that instead of but.

Whether, Whether

"Ginevra has not decided whether she will study history or whether she will study philosophy." As there is nothing gained in clearness or in emphasis by the repetition of "whether she will," this shorter sentence would be better: "Ginevra has not decided whether she will study history or philosophy."

As though

"He spoke as though, he had a customer for his house." Say, "as if he had a purchaser," etc.

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Except

"I will not let thee go except thou bless me." This use of the word except occurs frequently in the Scriptures, but it is now regarded as obsolete. The word unless should be used instead.

"Few speakers except Burke could have held their attention." In this sentence, besides should take the place of except.

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CHAPTER IX

Correlatives

Certain adverbs and conjunctions, in comparison or antithesis, require the use of corresponding adverbs and conjunctions. Such corresponding words are called correlatives. The following are the principal ones in use: as, as. not merely, but also. as, so. not merely, but even. both, and. so, as. if, then. so, that. either, or. such, as. neither, nor. such, that. not only, but. though, yet. not only, but also. when, then. not only, but even. where, there. not merely, but. whether, or.

The improper grouping of these correlatives is the cause of many errors in speech and writing.

As... as

"She is as wise as she is good." "Mary is as clever as her brother." The correlatives as... as are

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employed in expressing equality. Their use in any other connection is considered inelegant. "As far as I am able to judge, he would make a very worthy officer." This is a very common error. The sentence should be, "So far as I am able," etc.

As is often followed by so. "As thy days, so shall thy strength be."

So... as

In such negative assertions as, "This is not as fine a tree as that," the first as should be changed to so. Say, "She is not so handsome as she once was." "This edition of Tennyson is not so fine as that."

Either, Neither

The correlatives either, or, and neither, nor, are employed when two objects are mentioned; as, "Either you or I must go to town to-day," "Neither James nor Henry was proficient in history."

"He neither bought, sold, or exchanged stocks and bonds." The sentence should be, "He neither bought, sold, nor exchanged stocks and bonds."

"That is not true, neither." As we already have one negative in the word not, the word neither should be changed to either, to avoid the double negation.

A negative other than neither may take either or or nor as its correlative, "She was not so handsome as her mother, or so brilliant as her father." "He was never happy nor contented afterward."

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Position of correlatives

The placing of correlatives requires care. "He not only gave me advice, but also money." This is a faulty construction because the first member of the correlative, not only, being placed before the verb gave leads us to expect that the action of giving is to be contrasted with some other action. The close of the sentence reveals the fact that the words advice and money represent the ideas intended for contrast. The first correlative should, therefore, have been placed before advice, and the sentence should read, "He gave me not only advice, but also money."

"I remember that I am not here as a censor either of manners or morals." This sentence from Richard Grant White will be improved by changing the position of the first member of the correlative. "I remember that I am not here as a censor of either manners or morals."

"I neither estimated myself highly nor lowly." It should be, "I estimated myself neither highly nor lowly."

"He neither attempted to excite anger, nor ridicule, nor admiration." The sentence should be, "He attempted to excite neither anger, nor ridicule, nor admiration." But here we have the correlative neither, nor, used with more than two objects, which is a violation of a principle previously stated. The

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sentence is purposely introduced to call attention to the fact that many respectable writers not only use neither, nor, with three or more objects, but also defend it. This usage may be avoided by a reconstruction of the sentence; as, "He did not attempt to excite anger, nor ridicule, nor admiration."

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CHAPTER X

The Infinitive

Many errors arise from not knowing how to use the infinitive mood. Perhaps the most common fault is to interpose an adverb between the preposition to and the infinitive verb; as, "It is not necessary to accurately relate all that he said." "You must not expect to always find people agreeable." Whether we shall place the adverb before the verb or after it must often be determined by considerations of emphasis and smoothness as well as of clearness and correctness. In the foregoing sentences it is better to place accurately after the verb, and always before the preposition to.

Supply "to"

The preposition to as the sign of the infinitive is often improperly omitted.

"Please write clearly, so that we may understand," "Your efforts will tend to hinder rather than hasten the work," "Strive so to criticise as not to embarrass

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nor discourage your pupil." These sentences will be corrected by inserting to before the italicized words.

In such expressions as "Please excuse my son's absence," "Please write me a letter," "Please hand me the book," many authorities insist upon the use of to before the verb. The sentences may, however, be regarded as softened forms of the imperative; as, "Hand me the book, if you please." Transposed, "If you please, hand me the book." Contracted, "Please, hand me the book." From this, the comma may have slipped out and left the sentence as first written.

Omit "to"

When a series of infinitives relate to the same object, the word to should be used before the first verb and omitted before the others; as, "He taught me to read, write, and cipher." "The most accomplished way of using books at present is to serve them as some do lords— learn their titles and then brag of their acquaintance."

The active verbs bid, dare, feel, hear, let, make, need, see, and their participles, usually take the infinitive after them, without the preposition to. Such expressions, as "He bade me to depart," "I dare to say he is a villain," "I had difficulty in making him to see his error," are, therefore, wrong, and are corrected by omitting to.

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Incomplete Infinitive

Such incomplete expressions as the following are very common: "He has not gone to Europe, nor is he likely to." "She has not written her essay, nor does she intend to." "Can a man arrive at excellence who has no desire to?" The addition of the word go to the first sentence, and of write it, to the second would make them complete. In the case of the third sentence it would be awkward to say, "Can a man arrive at excellence who has no desire to arrive at excellence." We therefore substitute the more convenient expression "to do so."

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CHAPTER XI

Participles

Participles relate to nouns or pronouns, or else are governed by prepositions. Those ending in ing should not be made the subjects or objects of verbs while they retain the government and adjuncts of participles. They may often be converted into nouns or take the form of the infinitive.

"Not attending to this rule is the cause of a very common error." Better, "Inattention to this rule," etc. "He abhorred being in debt." Better, "He abhorred debt," "Cavilling and objecting upon any subject is much easier than clearing up difficulties." Say, "To cavil and object upon any subject is much easier than to clear up difficulties."

Omit "of"

Active participles have the same government as the verbs from which they are derived. The preposition of, therefore, should not be used after the participle, when the verb would not require it. Omit of in such expressions as these: "Keeping of one day

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in seven," "By preaching of repentance," "They left beating of Paul," "From calling of names they came to blows," "They set about repairing of the walls."

If the article the occurs before the participle, the preposition of must be retained; as, "They strictly observed the keeping of one day in seven."

When a transitive participle is converted into a noun, of must be inserted to govern the object following. "He was very exact in forming his sentences," "He was very exact in the formation of his sentences."

Omit the possessive

The possessive case should not be prefixed to a participle that is not taken in all respects as a noun. It should, therefore, be expunged in the following sentences: "By our offending others, we expose ourselves." "She rewarded the boy for his studying so diligently." "He errs in his giving the word a double construction."

The possessives in such cases as the following should be avoided: "I have some recollection of his father's being a judge." "To prevent its being a dry detail of terms." These sentences may be improved by recasting them. "I have some recollection that his father was a judge." "To prevent it from being a dry detail of terms."

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When the noun or pronoun to which the participle relates is a passive subject, it should not have the possessive form; as, "The daily instances of men's dying around us remind us of the brevity of human life." "We do not speak of a monosyllable's having a primary accent." Change men's to men, and monosyllable's to monosyllable.

After verbs

Verbs do not govern participles. "I intend doing it," "I remember meeting Longfellow," and similar expressions should be changed by the substitution of the infinitive for the participle; as, "I intend to do it," "I remember to have met Longfellow."

After verbs signifying to persevere, to desist, the participle ending in ing is permitted; as, "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them."

Place

In the use of participles and of verbal nouns, the leading word in sense should always be made the leading word, and not the adjunct, in the construction.

"They did not give notice of the pupil leaving." Here, the leading idea is leaving. Pupil should, therefore, be subordinate by changing its form to the possessive; as, "They did not give notice of the pupil's leaving." Better still, "They did not give notice that the pupil had left."

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Clearness

The word to which the participle relates should stand out clearly. "By giving way to sin, trouble is encountered." This implies that trouble gives way to sin. The relation of the participle is made clear by saying, "By giving way to sin, we encounter trouble."

"By yielding to temptation, our peace is sacrificed." This should be, "By yielding to temptation we sacrifice our peace."

"A poor child was found in the streets by a wealthy and benevolent gentleman, suffering from cold and hunger." Say, "A poor child, suffering from cold and hunger, was found," etc.

Awkward Construction

Such awkward sentences as the following should be avoided. In most cases they will require to be recast.

"But as soon as the whole body is attempted to be carved, a disproportion between its various parts results."

"The offence attempted to be charged should be alleged under another section of the statute." The following is a better arrangement:

"But as soon as an attempt is made to carve the whole body," etc. "The offence which it is attempted to charge," etc.

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Is building

The active participle in a passive sense is employed by many excellent writers and is condemned by others.

"Corn is selling for fifty cents a bushel."

"Corn is being sold for fifty cents a bushel."

The commercial world evidently prefers the former sentence. There is a breeziness and an energy in it that is lacking in the latter. It must, however, be used with caution. In the following examples the passive form is decidedly better than the active: "The foundation was being laid," "They are being educated," "While the speech was being delivered," etc.

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CHAPTER XII

Prepositions

Clearness and elegance of style are, in no small degree, dependent upon the choice and right use of prepositions. Many rules have been formulated, some of which are deserving of consideration, while others are nearly or quite useless. Among the latter may be mentioned, by way of illustration, the oft-repeated rule that between or betwixt must invariably be used when only two things are referred to, and that among must be employed when more than two are named. While it is true that the order could not be reversed, that among, when used, must be employed in reference to three or more persons or things, and that between may always be employed in speaking of two objects, yet the practice of many of the best writers does not limit the use of between to two objects. In fact, there are cases in which among will not take the place of between; as, "I set out eighty trees with ample space between them." "The stones on his farm were so plentiful that the grass could not grow up between them."

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Between, Among

"The seven children divided the apples between them." Two children may divide apples between, them, but in this case it is better to say, "The seven children divided the apples among them."

George Eliot, in Middlemarch, says: "The fight lay entirely between Pinkerton, the old Tory member; Bagster, the new Whig member; and Brook, the Independent member." In this case, between or with is more satisfactory than among, although three persons are referred to.

Choice

Many sentences betoken ignorance and others indicate extreme carelessness on the part of the writers by the inapt choice of their prepositions, which often express relations so delicate in their distinctions that nothing short of an extended study of the best writers will confer the desired skill. We present some examples.

By, In

"We do not accept the proposition referred to by your letter." The writer should have employed the preposition in.

Differ with, From

We differ with a person in opinion or belief; we differ from him in appearance, in attainments, in wealth, in rank, etc.

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Different from, To, Than

"Your story is very plausible, but Henry's is different to that." "My book is quite different than his." The adjective different must not be followed by the preposition to or than. The sentences will be correct when from is substituted.

At, To

Never use the vulgar expression, "He is to home." Say at home.

Preferred before, To

"He was preferred before me." Say preferred to me.

With, Of

"He died with consumption." Of is the proper preposition to employ. But we say, He is afflicted with rheumatism, or bronchitis, or other disease.

In respect of, To

"In respect of this matter, he is at fault." Better, "to this matter."

Of, From

"He was acquitted from the charge of larceny." Acquitted of the charge.

In, Into

Into implies direction or motion. "They walked into the church," means that they entered it from the outside. "They walked in the church," means that they walked back and forth within the church.

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"The vessel is in port." "She came into port yesterday."

Of, In

"There was no use of asking his permission, for he would not grant it." In asking.

In, On

"He is a person in whom you can rely." "That is a man in whose statements you can depend." Use on for in.

To, With

Two persons are reconciled to each other; two doctrines or measures are reconciled with each other when they are made to agree.

"This noun is in apposition to that." Use with.

With, By

These two prepositions are often confounded. They have a similarity of signification with a difference of use. Both imply a connection between some instrument or means and the agent by whom it is used. With signifies the closer relation and by the more remote one.

It is said that an ancient king of Scotland once asked his nobles by what tenure they held their lands. The chiefs drew their swords, saying, "By these we acquired our lands, and with these we will defend them."

By often relates to the person; with to the instrument.

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"He lay on the ground half concealed with a clump of bushes." "That speech was characterized with eloquence." Use by in the last two sentences.

With, To

We correspond with a person when we exchange letters. In speaking of the adaptation of one object to another, the preposition to should be used after the verb correspond; as, "This picture corresponds to that." With is often incorrectly used in such cases instead of to.

Position

The old grammarian gave a very good rule when he said, "A preposition is a very bad word to end a sentence with;" but it is sometimes easier to follow his example than his precept. In general, the strength of a sentence is improved by not placing small particles at the end.

"Which house do you live in?" Better, "In which house do you live?"

"Avarice is a vice which most men are guilty of." Say, "of which most men are guilty."

"He is a man that you should be acquainted with." Say, "with whom you should be acquainted."

"Is this the man that you spoke of?" Better, "of whom you spoke."

"These are principles that our forefathers died for." Rather, "for which our forefathers died."

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Omission

Prepositions are often omitted when their use is necessary to the correct grammatical construction of the sentence.

"They now live on this side the river." Say, "on this side of the river."

"Esther and Helen sit opposite each other." It is more correct to say, "sit opposite to each other."

"John is worthy our help." Better, "of our help."

"What use is this to us?" Of what use, etc.

"This law was passed the same year that I was born." Say, "In the same year," etc.

"Washington was inaugurated President April 30, 1789." Some critics insist upon the insertion of on before a date, as "on April 30," but general usage justifies its omission. With equal force they might urge the use of in before 1789. The entire expression of day, month, and year is elliptical.

If the same preposition be required by several nouns or pronouns, it must be repeated in every case if it be repeated at all. "He is interested in philosophy, history, and in science." This sentence may be corrected by placing in before history or by omitting it before science. The several subjects are individualized more strongly by the use of in before each noun. This is shown in the greater obscurity given to history by the omission of the preposition in the foregoing sentence.

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"We may have a feeling of innocence or of guilt, of merit or demerit." Insert of before demerit.

Needless Prepositions

Prepositions, like other parts of speech that contribute nothing to the meaning, should not be suffered to cumber the sentence.

Where am I at? Where is my book at? I went there at about noon. In what latitude is Chicago in? Where are you going to? Take your hat off of the table. Where has James been to? They offered to Caesar a crown. This is a subject of which I intended to speak about (omit of or about, but not both). She has a sister of ten years old. Leap in with me into this angry flood.

The older writers employed the useless for in such expressions as, What went ye out for to see? The apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

All of

A very common error is the unnecessary use of the preposition of after all; as, "during all of this period," "in all of these cases," "for all of the conditions," etc.

Up above

In most cases one of these prepositions will be found useless. "The ladder reached up above the chimney."

From hence

The adverbs hence, thence, whence, include the idea of from. The preposition should, therefore, be omitted.

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CHAPTER XIII

The Article

A, which is a shortened form of an, signifies one, or any. An was formerly used before nouns beginning with either a consonant or a vowel sound, but now an is used before a vowel sound and a before a consonant sound; as, a book, a hat, an apple, an eagle.

It will be observed that an heiress, an herb, an honest man, an honorable career, an hourly visit, a euchre party, a euphemism, a eulogy, a union, etc., are not exceptions to the foregoing rule, for the h being silent in heiress, herb, etc., the article an precedes a vowel sound, and in euphemism, eulogy, union, the article a precedes the consonant sound of y. Compare u-nit with you knit.

In like manner some persons have felt disposed to say many an one instead of many a one because of the presence of the vowel o. But the sound is the consonant sound of w as in won, and the article should be a and not an.

There is a difference of opinion among writers concerning the use of a and an, before words beginning

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with h, when not silent, especially when the accent falls on the second syllable; as, a harpoon, a hegira, a herbarium, a herculean effort, a hiatus, a hidalgo, a hydraulic engine, a hyena, a historian. The absence of the accent weakens the h sound, and makes it seem as if the article a was made to precede a vowel. The use of an is certainly more euphonious and is supported by Webster's Dictionary and other high authority.

The Honorable, The Reverend

Such titles as Honorable and Reverend require the article the; as, "The Honorable William R. Gladstone is often styled 'The Grand Old Man,'" "The Reverend Henry Ward Beecher was an eloquent orator," not Honorable William, E. Gladstone, or Reverend Henry Ward Beecher.

Article omitted

"A clergyman and philosopher entered the hall together." "A clergyman and philosopher" means one person who is both clergyman and philosopher. The article should be repeated. "A clergyman and a philosopher entered the hall together."

"A red and white flag" means one flag of two colors. "A red and a white flag" means two flags, a red flag and a white flag. "A great and a good man has departed." The verb has implies that only

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one man has departed, hence the sentence should be, "A great and good man has departed."

"They sang the first and second verse," should be, "They sang the first and the second verse." "The literal and figurative meaning of words" should be, "The literal and the figurative meaning of words."

"In framing of his sentences he was very exact," should be, "In the framing," etc., or, "In framing his sentences he was very exact." "The masculine and feminine gender," should be, "The masculine and the feminine gender."

"After singing a hymn, Miss Willard made a stirring address." If Miss Willard alone sang the hymn the sentence is correct. If the congregation sang the hymn the sentence should be, "After the singing of a hymn, Miss Willard made a stirring address."

"He is but a poor writer at best." Say, "at the best." "He received but a thousand votes at most." Say, "at the most."

"John came day before yesterday." Say, "the day before yesterday."

Article redundant

"Shakespeare was a greater writer than an actor," should be, "Shakespeare was a greater writer than actor."

"This is the kind of a tree of which he was speaking,"

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should be, "This is the kind of tree," etc. "What kind of a bird is this?" should be, "What kind of bird."

"The one styled the Provost is the head of the University," should be, "The one styled Provost."

"The nominative and the objective cases," should be "The nominative and objective cases."

"He made a mistake in the giving out the text." Say "in giving out the text," or, "in the giving out of the text." In the latter instance, the participle becomes a noun and may take the article before it.

Articles interchanged

"An elephant is the emblem of Siam," should be, "The elephant is the emblem," etc. "A digraph is the union of two letters to represent one sound." Should be, "A digraph is a union," etc.

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CHAPTER XIV

Redundancy

We are all creatures of habit. Our sayings, as well as our doings, are largely a series of habits. In some instances we are unconscious of our peculiarities and find it almost impossible to shake them off.

The following are verbatim expressions as they dropped from the lips of a young clergyman in the pulpit. They show a deeply-seated habit of repetition of thought. As he was a graduate of one of the first colleges in the land, we are the more surprised that the habit was not checked before he passed through his college and seminary courses. The expressions are here given as a caution to others to be on their guard: "Supremest and highest," "separate and sever us," "derision, sarcasm, and contempt," "disobedient and disloyal and sinful," "hold aloof from iniquity, from sin," "necessity of being reclaimed and brought back," "their beautiful and their elegant city," "so abandoned and given up to evil and iniquity," "soaked and stained with human gore and blood," "beautiful and resplendent," "hardened and solidified into stone and adamant," "this

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arctic splendor and brilliancy," "were being slaughtered and cut down," "in the rapidity and the swiftness of the train," "with all the mightiness and the splendor of his genius," "the force and the pressure it brings to bear," "has and possesses the power," "lights flashed and gleamed."

The above were all taken from a single discourse. Another peculiarity of the same speaker was his use of the preposition between. Instead of saying, "Between him and his father there was a perfect understanding of the matter," he would say, "Between him and between his father there was a perfect understanding of the matter."

Young writers will find it a valuable exercise to go through a letter, essay, or other composition which they have written, with the view of ascertaining how many words they can eliminate without diminishing the force of what has been written. An article or two from the daily paper, and an occasional page from some recent work of fiction will afford further opportunity for profitable practice in pruning.

Widow woman

"And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king."— I Kings xi, 26.

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The expression is now regarded as an archaism, and not to be used in modern speech or writing. Omit woman.

Why

Many persons have a foolish habit of beginning their answer to a question with the word why. In some cases it doubtless has its origin in the desire to gain time while the mind is preparing the answer, but in most instances it is merely a habit.

Some persons prefix the word why to the statement of a fact or to the asking of a question. This is even worse than to employ it to introduce the answer. Restrict it to its legitimate use.

Look at here

This is one of the numerous expressions designed to call the attention of the person addressed to the speaker. It is both ungrammatical and vulgar. The omission of at will render it grammatical. "See here" is still better.

Look and see

"Look and see if the teacher is coming." The words "look and" are superfluous. "See whether the teacher is coming" is a better expression.

Recollect of

The word of is superfluous in such expressions; as, "I recollect of crossing Lake Champlain on the ice," "Do you recollect of his paying you a compliment?"

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Settle up, down

"He has settled up his father's affairs." "He has settled down upon the old farm." Up and down may be omitted.

"He has settled down to business" is a colloquial expression which may be improved by recasting the sentence.

In so far

"He is not to blame in so far as I understand the circumstances." "In so far as I know he is a thoroughly honest man." "In so far as I have influence it shall be exerted in your favor." Omit in.

Pocket-handkerchief

The word handkerchief conveys the full meaning. Pocket is therefore superfluous and should be omitted. If a cloth or tie for the neck is meant, call it a neck tie or a neckerchief, but not a neck-handkerchief.

Have got

"I have got a fine farm." "He has got four sons and three daughters." "James has got a rare collection of butterflies." In such expressions got is superfluous. But, if the idea of gaining or acquiring is to be conveyed, the word got may be retained; as, "I have got my license," "I have got my degree," "I have got my reward."

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Off of

"Can I borrow a pencil off of you?" "I bought a knife off of him yesterday." Such faulty expressions are very common among school children, and should be promptly checked by the teacher. The off is superfluous.

"He jumped off of the boat." Say, "He jumped off the boat."

The young lady appointed to sell articles at a church fair entreated her friends to "buy something off of me." She should say, "Please buy something from me," or "Make your purchases at my table."

For to see

"But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?" Matt. xi, 8. "I will try for to do what you wish." This form of expression, once very common, is now obsolete. Omit for.

Appreciate highly

To appreciate is to set a full value upon a thing. We may value highly, or prize highly, or esteem highly, but the word highly when used with appreciate is superfluous.

Ascend up

"With great difficulty they ascended up the hill." As they could not ascend down the hill it is evident that the word up is superfluous.

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Been to

"Where has he been to?" The sentence is not only more concise, but more elegant without the terminal to.

Both

The sentence, "The two children both resembled each other," will be greatly improved by omitting the word both. So also in "These baskets are both alike," "William and I both went to Cuba."

But that

"I do not doubt but that my uncle will come." The sentence is shorter and more clear without the word but. "I have no idea but that the crew was drowned." Here but is necessary. Without it the opposite meaning would be conveyed.

Equally as well

"James did it well, but Henry did it equally as well." As well or equally well should be used instead of equally as well. "This method will be equally as efficacious." Omit as.

Everywheres

"I have looked everywheres for the book, and I cannot find it." This is a vulgarism that should be avoided. Say everywhere.

Feel like

"I feel like as if I should be sick." The word like is unnecessary.

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Few

"There are a few persons who read well." This sentence will be improved by saying, "Few persons read well."

Help but be

This is an awkward expression which is improved by being reduced to the two words help being; as, "I could not help being moved by his appeal."

Kind of a

"He jumped into a kind of a chaise, and hurried off to the station." A kind of chaise would be better.

New beginner

"Mary plays on the piano very well for a new beginner." If she is a beginner she must of necessity be new to it.

Opens up

"This story opens up beautifully." The up is superfluous.

Seeming paradox

The word paradox alone implies all that the word seeming is intended to convey, hence seeming is superfluous. "This was once a paradox but time now gives it proof."

Different

"There were ten different men ready to accept the offer." As no reference to the appearance or characteristics of the men is intended, the word different is unnecessary.

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Rise up

"They rose up early and started on their journey." Up is superfluous and should be omitted.

Sink down

"The multitude sank down upon the ground." As they could not sink up or in any other direction than down, the latter word should be omitted.

Smell of

"Did you smell of the roses?" "No; but I smelled them and found them very fragrant." "The gardener smelt of them for he has been culling them all morning and his clothing is perfumed with them." The of is superfluous in such expressions as taste of, feel of, and usually in smell of.

Think for

"He is taller than you think for." For is unnecessary. "He is taller than you think" is the contracted form of "He is taller than you think he is."

Differ among themselves

"The authorities differed among themselves." The words among themselves may be omitted.

End up

"That ends up the business." Say "that ends (or closes) the business."

Had have

"Had I have known that he was a lawyer I should have consulted him." Omit have.

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Had ought to

"I had ought to have gone to school to-day; I hadn't ought to have gone fishing." Incorrect. Say, "I ought to have gone (or I should have gone) to school to-day; I ought not to have gone fishing." If the second clause is not an after-thought the sentence can be still further improved by condensing it; as, "I should have gone to school to-day, and not to have gone fishing."

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CHAPTER XV

Two Negatives

The use of two negatives in a sentence is much more common than is generally supposed. To assume that only those who are grossly ignorant of grammatical rules and constructions employ them, is an error. Writers whose names are as bright stars in the constellation of literature have slipped on this treacherous ground.

A negation, in English, admits of only one negative word. The use of a single negative carries the meaning halfway around the circle. The meaning is therefore diametrically opposed to that which would be expressed without the negative. The use of a second negative would carry the meaning the remaining distance around the circle, thus bringing it to the starting point, and making it equivalent to the affirmative. The second negative destroys the effect of the first. The two negatives are equivalent to an affirmative.

Double Negatives

While two negatives in the same sentence destroy each other, a double negative has the effect of a more

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exact and guarded affirmative; as, "It is not improbable that Congress will convene in special session before the end of the summer." "It is not unimportant that, he attend to the matter at once." "His story was not incredible." "The fund was not inexhaustible."

Redundant Negatives

"No one else but the workmen had any business at the meeting." Omit else.

"Let us see whether or not there was not a mistake in the record." Omit either or not or the second not.

"The boat will not stop only when the signal flag is raised." Omit not or change only to except.

"He will never return, I don't believe." Say, "He will never return," or, if that statement is two emphatic, say, "I don't believe he will ever return."

Don't want none

"I don't want none," "I ain't got nothing," "He can't do no more," are inelegant expressions that convey a meaning opposed to that intended.

"I don't want any," or, "I do not want any," or, "I want none," are correct equivalents for the first sentence; "I haven't anything," or, "I have nothing," should take the place of the second; and, "He can't do any more," or, "He can do no more," or "He cannot do more," will serve for the third.

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Not—Hardly

"I cannot stop to tell you hardly any of the adventures that befell Theseus." Change cannot to can. "I have not had a moment's time to read hardly since I left school." Say, "I have hardly a moment's time," etc.

No—no

"The faculties are called into no exercise by doing a thing merely because others do it, no more than by believing a thing only because others believe it," says George P. Marsh. He should have used any instead of the second no.

Nothing—nor

"There was nothing at the Columbian Exposition more beautiful, nor more suggestive of the progress of American art, than Tiffany's display." Change nor to or.

Can't do nothing

"He says he can't do nothing for me." Use "He can do nothing," or "He can't do anything for me."

Cannot by no means

This double negative should be avoided. "I cannot by no means permit you to go." Say, "I cannot possibly," or "I cannot, under any consideration, permit you to go."

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Nor—no

"Give not me counsel, nor let no comforter delight mine ear," says Shakespeare.

"There can be no rules laid down, nor no manner recommended," says Sheridan.

"No skill could obviate, nor no remedy dispel the terrible infection."

The foregoing sentences may be corrected by changing nor to and.

Not—no

"I pray you bear with me; I cannot go no further," says Shakespeare. "I can go no further," or "I cannot go any further," will make the sentence correct.

Nor—not

"I never did repent for doing good, nor shall not now."

"We need not, nor do not, confine the purposes of God."

"Which do not continue, nor are not binding."

"For my part I love him not, nor hate him not."

In these sentences, change nor to and.

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CHAPTER XVI

Accordance of Verb with Subject

No rule of grammar is more familiar to the schoolboy than that which relates to the agreement of the verb with its subject, or nominative, and none that is more frequently violated. It would be a mistake, however, to assume that the schoolboy is the only transgressor. Ladies and gentlemen of culture and refinement, writers and speakers of experience and renown, have alike been caught in the quicksands of verb constructions.

"This painting is one of the finest masterpieces that ever was given to the world." A transposition of the sentence will show that the verb should be were, and not was. "Of the finest masterpieces that ever were given to the world, this painting is one."

"His essay on 'Capital and Labor' is one of the best that has ever been written on the subject." The verb should be have.

"The steamer, with all her passengers and crew, were lost." The subject is steamer, and the verb should be was.

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Interrogative sentences

"What signifies his good resolutions, when he does not possess strength of purpose sufficient to put them into practice?" Resolutions is the subject, and the verb should be signify.

"Of what profit is his prayers, while his practices are the abomination of the neighborhood?" Prayers being plural, the verb should be are.

"What avails good sentiments with a bad life?" Use avail.

Subject after the Verb

"In virtue and piety consist the happiness of man." Happiness, the subject, being singular, the verb should be consists, to agree with its nominative.

"To these recommendations were appended a copy of the minority report." A transposition of the sentence will show that the verb should be was, and not were. "A copy of the minority report was appended to these recommendations."

Whenever the sentence is introduced by a phrase consisting in part of a noun in the plural, or several nouns in the singular or plural, and, especially, where the subject follows the verb; care must be taken to keep the nominative well in mind, so that the verb may be in strict accord with it.

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Compound Subjects

When a verb has two or more nominatives it must be plural. These nominatives may or may not be connected by and or other connecting particle. The nominatives may consist of nouns or pronouns, either singular or plural, or they may be phrases.

"Washington and Lincoln were chosen instruments of government."

"Judges and senates have been bought for gold,

Esteem and love were never to be sold."— Pope.

"Art, empire, earth itself, to change are doomed."— Beattie.

"You and he resemble each other."

"To read and to sing are desirable accomplishments."

"To be wise in our own eyes, to be wise in the opinion of the world, and to be wise in the sight of our Creator, are three things so very different as rarely to coincide."— Blair.

Singular in Meaning

Nominatives are sometimes plural in form but singular in meaning. Such nominatives require a verb in the singular.

"The philosopher and poet was banished from his country." Was is correct, because philosopher and poet are the same person.

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"Ambition, and not the safety of the state, was concerned." Was is correct, because ambition is the subject. The words, "and not the safety of the state," simply emphasize the subject, but do not give it a plural meaning.

"Truth, and truth only, is worth seeking for its own sake." Another case of emphasis.

Each, Every, No, Not

When two or more nominatives are qualified by one of the foregoing words the verb must be singular.

"Every limb and feature appears with its respective grace."— Steele.

"Not a bird, not a beast, not a tree, not a shrub were to be seen." Use was instead of were.

Poetical Construction

When the verb separates its nominatives, it agrees with that which precedes it.

"Forth in the pleasing spring, Thy beauty walks, thy tenderness, and love."— Thomson.

Or, Nor, As well as, But, Save

When two or more nominatives in the singular are separated by such words as the preceding, the verb must be singular.

"Veracity, as well as justice, is to be our rule of life."— Butler.

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"Not a weed nor a blade of grass were to be seen." Change were to was.

"Nothing but wailings were heard." Transpose. "Nothing was heard but wailings." The verb should be was.

"Either one or the other of them are in the wrong." The verb should be is.

If, however, one or more of the nominatives are plural, the verb must be plural.

"It is not his wealth, or gifts, or culture that gives him this distinction." Gifts being plural, the verb should be give.

Some authorities say that the verb should agree in number with the subject which is placed next before it, and be understood (or silent) to the rest; as, "Neither he nor his brothers were there," "Neither his brothers nor he was there," "Neither you nor I am concerned."

Prof. Genung, author of Outlines of Rhetoric, says: "When a clash of concord arises, either choose subjects that have the same number, or choose a verb that has the same form for both numbers." He gives this sentence to show the change of verb: "Fame or the emoluments of valor were (was) never to be his." "Fame or the emoluments of valor could never be his." And this sentence to show the change of one of the subjects: "Neither the halter nor bayonets

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are (is) sufficient to prevent us from obtaining our rights." "Neither the halter nor the bayonet is sufficient to prevent us from obtaining our rights."

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns, like army, committee, class, peasantry, nobility, are, grammatically, singular, but they are often so modified by their surroundings as to convey a plural idea, and when so modified the verb must be plural. When the collective noun conveys the idea of unity, the verb must be singular.

"The army was disbanded."

"The council were divided."

"A number of men and women were present."

"The people rejoice in their freedom."

"The peasantry go barefoot, and the middle sort make use of wooden shoes."

"The world stands in awe of your majesty."

"All the world are spectators of your conduct."

Weights, Measures, and Values

The names of weights, measures, and values, when considered as wholes, require singular verbs, and when considered as units require verbs in the plural.

"There is twenty shillings in my purse," meaning one pound in value. "There are twenty shillings in my purse," meaning twenty separate coins, each being a shilling. "Sixty-three gallons equals a hogshead." "Ten tons of coal are consumed daily."

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Titles of Books

Whether the form be singular or plural, the title is considered a unit, and requires a verb in the singular; as, "'The Merry Wives of Windsor' was written by Shakespeare." "Dr. Holmes's American Annals was published in 1805."

Whereabouts

"The whereabouts of his cousins were not known to him." The plural form of this word is misleading. The verb should be was.

Phenomena, Effluvia

"A strange phenomena," "A disagreeable effluvia" are incorrect forms not infrequently met with. Both words are plural, and require plural verbs and also the omission of the article a.

You was

This very incorrect form is often employed by those who know better, and who use it, seemingly, out of courtesy to the uneducated people with whom they are brought in contact. If it be a courtesy, it is one that is "more honored in the breach than in the observance."

Those who use the expression ignorantly are not likely to read this book, or any other of a similar character, and need scarcely be told that was should be were.

INDEX

A, An, 181. Aberration of intellect, 87. A 1,83. A hundred others' woes— Pronouns, 126. Ability, Capacity, 27. About, Almost, 28. About, Around, 95. Above, More than, Preceding, 111. Above, Foregoing, 87. Above up, 180. Acceptance, Acceptation, 28. Access, Accession, 28. Accident, Injury, 28. Accord, Give, 86. Accordance of Verb with Subject, 198. Collective Nouns, 203. Compound Subjects, 200. Each, Every, No, Not, 201. Interrogative sentences, 199. Or, Nor, As well as, But, Save, 201. Phenomena, Effluvia, 204. Poetical Construction, 201. Singular in Meaning, 200. Subject after the Verb, 199. Titles of Books, 204. Weights, Measures, and Values, 203. Whereabouts, 204. You was, 204. Acoustics, Ethics, Politics, 143. Act, Action, 86. Adherence, Adhesion, 36. Adjective or Adverb, 150. Adopt, Take, 37. Adverbs, 150. Adverbs for Relative Pronouns, 140. Advise, Persuade, 52. Affect, Effect, 37. After of— Possessive case, 127. After than and as— Pronouns, 132. After that, 159. After the Imperative— Pronouns, 132. After verbs— Participles, 171. After the verb To be— Pronouns, 131. After verbs and prepositions— Pronouns, 130. Again, Against, 115. Aggravate, Exasperate, 37. Agreeably disappointed, 77. Agreement with Antecedent— Pronouns, 133. Ain't, 119. Alex. Melville Bell, 24. Alienate, Antagonize, Oppose, 32. Alighted, Lit, Lighted, 88. All, Is that all? 108. All of, 180. All, Whole, 41, 51. Alleviate, Relieve, 37. Allow, Guess, Reckon, Calculate, 56. Allowed, Said, 87. Allude to, Refer to, 77. Almost, About, 28. Almost, Most, Very, 30. Alms, Odds, Riches, 145. Alone, Only, 113. Alternative, 87. Alternation, 87. Alumna, Formula, 144, Alumnus, Terminus, Cactus, 143. Ambiguity— Pronouns, 135. Among the rest, 78. Among, Between, 175. Amount, Number, 32. Analysis, Crises, 143. And, To— Try and, 117. Anglicized Words, 20. Angry, Mad, 30. Animalcules, not Animalculae, 148. Anniversary, 87. Answer, Reply, 32. Antagonize, Alienate, Oppose, 32. Anticipate, Expect, 32. Any, At all, 32. Anyhow, 81. Anyways, Somewheres, Thereabouts, 78. Apart, Aside, 78. Apparent, Evident, 33. Appendix, Index, 148. Appointed you and I— after verbs and prepositions, 130. Appreciate highly, 189. Apprehend, Comprehend, 105. Archimedes' Screw, 125. Argue, Augur, 98. Around, About, 95. Articles, 181. A, An, 181. Interchanged, 184. Omitted, 182. Redundant, 183. Titles— The Reverend, 182. As after Equally, 190. As... as, 162. As, Like, 88. As... so, 163. As soon as, Directly, Immediately, 77. As, That, 70. As though, As if, 160. As well as, Or, Nor, But, Save, 201. Ascend up, 189. Aside, Apart, 78. Asparagus, Sparrowgrass, 34. Assets, Alms, Scissors, 145. Assure, Promise, 34. At all, Any, 32. At, To, 176. At you, 114. Attacked, Burst, Drowned, 108. Aware, Conscious, 39. Away, Way, 41. Awful, 81. Awkward construction— Participles, 172.

Back up, Support, 82. Badly, Greatly, 114. Bad toothache, 70. Balance, Remainder, 60. Bandits, Banditti, 148. Barbaric, Barbarous, 98. Barbarisms, 20. Beaus, Tableaux, Chateaux, 147. Beautifully, Beautiful, 70. Because, Reason, 156. Been to, 190. Beg, Beg leave, 71. Beg pardon, Which? 26. Begin, Commence, 38. Behave, 60. Bell, Alex. Melville, 24. Besides, 49. Beside, Besides, 108. Better, Best, 61. Between, Among, 175. Between you and I— After verbs and prepositions, 130. Black Oxide of Manganese, 36. Bombastic Language, 18. Both, 190. Both, Both of, 72. Both, Each, 72. Bound, 61. Bountiful, Plentiful, 108. Brace, Pair, Couple, 147. Bravery, Courage, 116. Bring, Fetch, Carry, 44. Brooks's Arithmetics, 125. Brothers, Brethren, 149. Bryant's list, 16. Bulk, 82. Burglarize, 82. Burst, Attacked, Drowned, 108. But, Except, 157. But, If, 157. But, Only, Except, 157. But, Or, Nor, Save— As well as, 201. But superfluous, 158. But that, 158, 190. But that, But what, 82, 157. But that, 157. But that, Than that, 158. But what, 160. But what, But that, 82, 157. By, In, 175. By, With, 177.

Calculate, 83. Calculate, Guess, Reckon, Allow, 56. Calculated, Liable, 83. Calligraphy, 68. Came across, Met with, 109. Campbell's law, 20. Can, Could, Will, 115. Can but, Cannot but, 68. Cannot by no means, 196. Can't and Couldn't, 120. Can't do nothing, 196. Cantos, Heroes, 145. Capacity, Ability, 27. Carry, Bring, Fetch, 44. Case forms— Pronouns, 129. Casualty, Casuality, 68. Character, Reputation, 44. Chauncey Depew and Eli Perkins, 65. Cheap, Low-priced, 30. Cherubim, Seraphim, 142. Choice of prepositions, 175. Choice of relatives— Pronouns, 138. Choice of words, 15. Chrysalis, Analysis, 143. Chuck-full, 74. Clearness— Participles, 172. Clever, Smart, 85. Climax, 112. Climb down, 103. Collective nouns, 203. Collective nouns— Pronouns, 135. Commence, Begin, 38. Commenced to write, 107. Commercial slang, 23. Commodious, Convenient, 26. Common, Mutual, 28. Common slang, 23. Complected, 69. Complete, Finished, Through, 39, 99. Compound subject, 200. Comprehend, Apprehend, 105. Conclusion, End, 39. Conjunctions, 156. Conscious, Aware, 39. Contemplate, Propose, 75. Contemptible, Contemptuous, 52. Continual, Continuous, 39. Continually, Perpetually, 52. Contractions, 118. Convenient, Commodious, 26. Convict, Convince, 40. Correlatives, 162. Could, Can, Will, 115. Couldn't, Can't, 120. Couple, Pair, Brace, 147. Couple, Several, 76. Courage, Bravery, 116. Criterion, Datum, 144. Crowd, 74. Cunning, 59. Cupfuls— Plural compounds, 147. Curious, 59. Custom, Habit, 40. Customer, Patron, 93. Cute, 59. Cut in half, 98.

Daren't, Dursen't, 123. Data, Strata, 144. Datum, Phenomenon, 144, 204. Deface, Disfigure, 43. Defect, Fault, 45. Degrade, Demean, 43. Depot, Station, 43. Description, Kind, 44. Didn't, Don't, 120. Dies, Dice, 149. Differ among themselves, 192. Different, 191. Differ with, From, 175. Different from, to, than, 75, 176. Directly, Immediately, As soon as, 77. Disfigure, Deface, 43. Disremember, 69. Dispense, Dispense with, 75. Dock, Wharf, 52. Don't and Didn't, 120. Don't want none, 195. Double negatives, 194. Double possessives, 126. Doubt not but, 160. Dreadful solemn— Adjective or adverb? 152. Drive, Ride, 76. Drowned, Attacked, Burst, 108. Dry, Thirsty, 75. Due, Owing, 71. Dursent, Daren't, 123. Dutch, German, 75.

Each, Both, 72. Each, Every, 71. Each, Every, No, Not, 201. Each other, One another, 46. Each other's eyes— Pronouns, 126. Each... their— Agreement with antecedent, 134. Effect, Affect, 37. Effluvia, Phenomena, 144, 204. Either, Neither, 47, 163. Either the... or the, 159. Elder, Older, 91. Eli Perkins and Chauncey Depew, 65. Ellipsis, Analysis, 143. Else ...besides, 49. Else than, Other than, 159. Emigrants, Immigrants, 78. Empty, 86. End, Conclusion, 39. Endorse, Indorse, 84. End up, 192. Enjoy, 86. Enjoyed poor health, 36. Equally as well, 190. Evacuate, Vacate, 75. Ever, Never, 72. Every confidence, 67. Every, Each, 71. Every, Each, No, Not, 201. Everybody else's, 128. Everybody... they— Agreement with antecedent, 134. Every once in awhile, 73. Everywheres, 190. Evident, Apparent, 33. Exasperate, Aggravate, 37. Except, But, 157. Except, But, Only, 157. Except, Unless, Besides, 161. Exceptionable, Exceptional, 73. Excuse me— Which? 26. Expect, Anticipate, 32. Expect, Suspect, Suppose, 110.

Factor, 112. Farther, Further, 45. Fathers-in-law— Plural compounds, 147. Fault, Defect, 45. Favor, Resemble, 59. Feel like, 190. Feels badly— Adjective or adverb? 151. Female, Woman, 73. Fetch, Bring, Carry, 44. Few, 191. Few, Little, 46. Fewer, Less, 73. Fictitious writer, 62. Fine writing, 8. Finished, Complete, Through, 39, 99. Fire, Throw, 78. First, Firstly, 62. First, Former, 61. First-rate, 62. First two, 79. Fish, Fly, 148. Fix, In a, 53. Fix, Mend, Repair, 62. Fly, Flee, 53. Flys, Fishes, 148. Foregoing, Above, 87. Foreign words, 9. Former, First, 61. Formulas, Larvas, Stigmas, 144. For to see, 189. Frederick the Great's Kindness— Nouns in apposition, 127. From hence, thence, whence, 180. From, Of, 104, 176. Funny, 56. Further, Farther, 45. Future, Subsequent, 79.

Gent's pants, 79. German, Dutch, 75. Get, Got, 54. Give, Accord, 36. Good deal, Great deal, 57. Good piece, Long distance, 110. Good usage, 19. Good, Well, 158. Got to, Must, 115. Governor, the old man, 97. Great big, 98. Great deal, Good deal, 57. Greatly, Badly, 114. Grouse, Quail, Snipe, 149. Grow, Raise, Rear, 113. Guess, Reckon, Calculate, Allow, 56. Gums, Overshoes, 56.

Habit, Custom, 40. Had better, Would better, 57. Had have, 192. Had ought to, 193. Hadn't, Haven't, Hasn't, 121. Haint, Taint, 121. Hangs on, Continues, 115. Have got, 188. Have saw, Has went, 114. Haven't, Hasn't, Hadn't, 121. Haply, Happily, 114. Happen, Transpire, 65. Has went, Have saw, 114. Hate, Dislike, 116. Healthy, Wholesome, 52. Healthy, Healthful, 112. Hearty meal, 98. He is no better than me— After than and as, 133. Help but be, 191. Heroes, Cantos, Stuccoes, 145. Herrings, Trout, Pike, 149. He's, She's, It's, 123. Hey? Which? 25. Hire, Lease, Let, Rent, 88. His, One's, 50. His or her— Needless pronouns, 136. Hope, Wish, 99. House, Residence, 43. How for by which— Adverbs for relative pronouns, 140 How, That, 154. Hung, Hanged, 112.

I am him-Case forms, 129. Idea, Opinion, 113. If, But, 157. If, Whether, 58. Ill, Sick, 107. Illy, Ill, 58. Immediately, Directly, As soon as, 77. Immigrants, Emigrants, 78. Implicit, 58. I'm, You're, He's, She's, It's, We're, They're, 123. In a fix, 53. In, By, 175. In, Into, 85, 176. In, Of, 177. In, On, 177. In our midst, 84. In respect of, To, 176. In so far, 188. Inaugurate, 109. Incomplete Infinitive, 168. Index, Appendix, 148. Individual, 58. Indorse, Endorse, 84. Infinitive, 166. Infinitive, Incomplete, 168. Infinitive needed— Supply To, 166. Infinitive unnecessary— Omit "To," 167. Informed, Posted, 86. Injury, Accident, 28. Interchanged Articles, 184. Interrogatives— Pronouns, 130. Interrogative sentences, 199. Into, In, 85, 176. Introduce, Present, 105. "Is building," 173. Isn't, 121. It's, He's, She's, 123. It is me— Case forms, 129.

John and Mary's sled— Double possessives, 126. Journal, 68. Junius's letters, 125. Juntos, Heroes, Virtuosos, 145. Just going to, 85.

Kind, Description, 44. Kind of, 85. Kind of a, 191. Knights Templars, 147. Know as, Know that, 58. Knowing, 85.

Last, Latest, 59. Lay, Lie, 69. Lead a dance, 117. Learn, Teach, 88. Lease, Let, Rent, Hire, 88. Leave, Quit, 83. Lend, Loan, 88. Less, Fewer, 73. Lest, That, 159. Let it alone, Leave it alone, 83. Let, Lease, Rent, Hire, 88. Let you and I try it— After the Imperative, 132. Let's, 123. Liable, Calculated, 83. Lie, Lay, 69. Lighted, Lit, Alighted, 88. Like, As, 88. Like, Love, 29. List of Principal Correlatives, 162. Lit, Lighted, 88. Little, Few, 46. Little piece, Short distance, 67. Little bit, 74. Loan, Lend, 88. Look and see, 187. Look at here, 187. Lot, Number, 116. Love, Like, 29. Low-priced, Cheap, 30. Luck, 84.

Mad, Angry, 30. Make, Manufacture, 65. Make way with, 84. Mayn't, Mustn't, Mightn't, Oughtn't, 122. Mayst, Mightest, 123. Means, Alms, Headquarters, 146. Measures, Weights, Values, 203. Memorandum, Datum, 144. Mend, Fix, Repair, 62. Mention, Allude to, Refer to, 77. Men's and boys' shoes, 124. Men, women, and children's shoes— Double possessives, 126. Met with, Came across, 109. Mightn't, Mustn't, Mayn't, Oughtn't, 122. Mightst, Mayst, 123. Mighty, Very, 104. Misplaced relatives— Pronouns, 141. Mixed pronouns, 136. More than, Above, Preceding, 111. More than, Over, 155. More, Worse, 42. Mosquitoes, Heroes, Halos, 145. Most, Almost, Very, 30. Musselmans, Dragomans, 145. Mustn't, Mayn't, Mightn't, and Oughtn't, 122. Mutual, Common, 28. Myself, 29.

Nasty, Nice, 89. Near, Nearly, 89. Need, Want, 40. Needless Articles, 183. Needless Prepositions, 180. Needless Pronouns, 136. Negatives, 194. Negligence, Neglect, 29. Neighborhood, Region, 42. Neither, Either, 47, 163. Neither... nor, Either, 163. Never, Ever, 72. Never... nor (or or), Either, 163. Never, Not, 29. News, 142. New beginner, 191. New Words, 21. Nice, Nasty, 89. Nicely, 89. No, Each, Every, Not, 201. No... no, 154, 196. No, Not, 154. No good, No use, 89. No more than I could help, 111. No use, No good, 89. Nor... no, 197. Nor, Or— Pronouns, 135. Nor, Or, As well as, But, Save, 201. Nor... not, 197. None, Singular or plural, 51. Not... hardly, 196. Not impossible but, 160. Not... neither, Either, 163. Not, Never, 29. Not... or (or nor), Either, 163. Not... no, 197. Noted, Notorious, 94. Nothing like, 94. Nothing... nor, 196. Notorious, Noted, 94. Nouns in Apposition— Possessive Case 126. Nouns, Plural-Possessive Case, 125. Nouns, Singular— Possessive Case, 125. Nowhere near so, 94. Nucleus, Terminus, Fungus, 143. Number, 142. Number, Amount, 32. Number, Lot, 116. Number, Quantity, 38.

O, Oh, 90. Observe, Say, 90. Obsolete Words, 20. Odds, Alms, Riches, 145. Of any, Of all, 90. Of, From, 104,176. Of, In, 177. "Of" redundant, 169. Of, With, 176. Off of, 189. Older, Elder, 91. Omission of Article, 182. Omit the Possessive, 170. Omission of Preposition, 179. Omit "Of," 169. Omit "To," 167. Omitted Relatives— Pronouns, 141. On, Over, Upon, 104. One another, Each other, 46. One... they— Agreement with Antecedent, 134. One's, His, 50. Only, 91. Only, Alone, 113. Only, Except, But, 157. Onto, Upon, 92. Opens up, 191. Opinion, Idea, 113. Oppose, antagonize, Alienate, 32. Or. Nor, As well as, But, Save, 201. Or, Nor— Pronouns, 135. Other, 49. Other... besides, 49. Other than, 159. Other than, Otherwise than, 48. Otherwise than, Otherwise but, 159. Ottomans, Mussulmans, 145. Ought, Should, Would, 102. Oughtn't, Mustn't, Mayn't, Mightn't, 122. Outstart, 92. Over and Above, More than, 92. Over, More than, 155. Over, On, Upon, 104. Over with, 110. Overflown, Overflowed, 110. Overlook, Oversee, 95. Overshoes, Gums, 56. Overworked Expressions, 13. Owing, Due, 71. Oxide of Manganese, Black, 36.

Pair, Couple, Brace, 147. Pants, Gent's, 79. Pappy, the Old Man, 97. Parenthetical Expressions— Pronouns, 133. Part, Portion, 30. Partake, Ate, 105. Participles, 169, After Verbs, 171. Awkward Construction, 172. Clearness, 172. "Is building," 173. "Of" redundant, 169. Omit the Possessive, 170. Place of, 171. Party, Person, 93. Patron, Customer, 93. Peas, Pease, 149. Pell-mell, 155. Pennies, Pence, 149. Per, 93. Peradventure, Perchance, 93. Performers, 93. Period, Point, 94. Perpetually, Continually, 52. Person, Party, 93. Perspire, Sweat, 86. Persuade, Advise, 52. Peruse, 78. Pet Words, 12. Phenomena, Data, Effluvia, 144, 204. Place of Participles, 171. Plead, Pleaded, 94. Plenty, Plentiful, 95. Plural Compounds, 147. Plural Nouns, 125. Pocket-handkerchief, 188. Poet, Poetess, 73. Poetic Terms, 9. Poetical Construction, 201. Point, Period, 94. Politics, Acoustics, Ethics, 143. Portion, Part, 30. Position of Correlatives, 164. Position of Preposition, 178. Possessive Case, 124. After of, 127. Double possessives, 126. Nouns, Singular, 125. " Plural, 125. " in apposition, 126. Pronouns, 126. Somebody else's, 127. Postal, 31. Posted, Informed, 86. Powerful sight, 105. Practical, Practicable, 31. Preceding, Above, More than, 111. Predicate, 31. Prefer than, 31. Preferred before, to, 176. Prejudice, 33. Prepositions, 174. All of, 180. At, To, 176. Between, Among, 175. By, In, 175. Choice, 175. Differ with, from, 175. Different from, to, than, 176. From hence, 180. In, Into, 176. In, On, 177. In respect of, to, 176. Needless prepositions, 180. Of, In, 177. Of, From, 176. Omission of prepositions, 179. Position, 178. Preferred before, to, 176. To, With, 177. Up above, 180. With, By, 177. With, Of, 176. With, To, 178. Present, Introduce, 105. Presume, Think, Believe, 33. Pretend, Profess, 33. Pretty, Very, 116. Preventative, Preventive, 33. Previous, Previously, 33. Profess, Pretend, 33. Promise, Assure, 34. Pronouns, 129. Adverbs for Relative Pronouns, 140. After than and as, 132. " the Imperative, 132. " To be, 131. " Verbs and Prepositions, 130. Agreement with Antecedent, 133. Ambiguity, 135. Case Forms, 129. Choice of Relatives, 138. Collective Nouns, 135. Interrogatives, 130. Misplaced Relatives, 141. Mixed, 136. Needless, 136. Omitted Relatives, 141. Or, Nor, 135. Parenthetical expressions, 133. Silent Predicate, 132. The one, the other, 141. Uniform Relatives, 137. Which and who after and, 140. Pronouns— Possessive Case, 126. Pronouns— Personal and Relative, 129. Proper Names— Plurals, 146. Propose, Purpose, 34. Proposal, Proposition, 37. Propose, Contemplate, 75. Prospectus, Terminus, Apparatus, 148. Proved, Proven, 38. Providing, Provided, 37. Provincialisms, 24. Pupil, Scholar, 107. Purity of Diction, 19. Purpose, Propose, 34.

Quail, Grouse, Woodcock, 149. Quantity, Number, 38. Quite, Very, Rather, 153. Quite a few, 38. Quit, Leave, 83.

Raise, Grow, Rear, 113. Rarely, Rare, 42. Rather than, Other than, 159. Real, Really, 42. Real good, 155. Rear, Raise, Grow, 113. Reason, Because, 156. Receipt, Recipe, 42. Reckon, Guess, Calculate, Allow, 56. Recollect of, 187. Redundancy, 185. Redundant Article, 183. Redundant Negatives, 195. Refer to, Allude to, 77. Region, Neighborhood, 42. Relieve, Alleviate, 37. Remainder, Balance, 60. Remit, Send, 43. Rent, Lease, Let, Hire, 88. Repair, Fix, Mend, 62. Reply, Answer, 32. Reputation, Character, 44. Requisite, Requisition, Requirement, 106. Resemble, Favor, 59. Residence, House, 43. Restaurant French, 10. Revolting, 96. Reverend, 182. Riches, Alms, Odds, 145. Ride, Drive, 76. Right, Right here, Just here, 99. Right smart, 73. Rise up, 192. Round, Square, 63.

Said, Allowed, 87. Same as, Same that, 105. Save, But, Or, Nor, As well as, 201. Say, Observe, 90. Says, States, 63. Scholar, Pupil, 107. Section, Region, 106. Seeming Paradox, 191. Seldom or ever, 106. Send, Remit, 43. Seraphim, Cherubim, 142. Set, Sit, 80. Settle up, down, 188. Several, Couple, 76. Sewage, Sewerage, 106. Shall, Will, Should, Would, 100. Shall you? Will you? 102. She's, He's, It's, 123. Should, Would, Ought, 102. Should, Would, Shall, Will, 100. Shouldn't and Wouldn't, 122. Sick, Ill, 107. Sight, Many, 74. Silent Predicate— Pronouns, 132. Single, The first, 79. Singular Nouns, 125. Singular in Meaning, 201. Sink down, 192. Sit, Set, 80. Slang, 22. Slang, Commercial, Common, and Society, 23. Smart, Clever, 85. Smell of, 192. Smells sweetly— Adjective or Adverb? 151. Sociable, Social, 106. Society Slang, 23. So... as, 163. So far, That far, 154. So nice, 155. So, Such, 152. Solos, Heroes, Octavos, 145. Some better, 98. Some means or another, 48. Somebody else's, 127. Somewheres, Anyways, Thereabouts, 78. Sparrowgrass, Asparagus, 34. Specialty, Speciality, 106. Square, Round, 63. Stand a chance, 110. States, Says, 63. Station, Depot, 43. Stay, Stop, 63. Stilts, 18. Stop, Stay, 63. Strata, Data, 144. Subject after the verb, 199. Subsequent, Future, 79. Subtile, Subtle, 63. Such as you and me— After than and as, 133. Such, So, 152. Summerish, Winterish, 99. Summons, 64. Supply "To," 166. Support, Back up, 82. Sweat, Perspire, 86.

Tableaux, Beaus, Plateaus, 147. Tactics, Acoustics, 143. Taint, Haint, 121. Take, Adopt, 37. Talented, 103. Taste, 7. Tasty, Tasteful, 64. Team, 64. Teach, Learn, 88. Terminus, Radius, Focus, 143. Than, 48. Than ambiguous, 158. Thanks, I thank you, 115. That, As, 70. That, But, 157. That far, Thus far, 154. That, Lest, 159. That omitted, 158. That, that, 157. The father he died— Needless pronouns, 136. The first, Single, 79. The Honorable, the Reverend, 182. The Infinitive, 166. The Miss Browns— Titles, 146. The Old Man, 97. The one, the other— Pronouns, 141. Them books, 137. Thereabouts, Somewheres, Any ways, 78. These kind, Those kind, 47. These sort, Those kind, 64. These, Those, 62. They're, We're, You're, 123. Think for, 192. Thirsty, Dry, 75. This much, 154. This twenty years, These kind, 47. Those kind, These sort, 64. Through, Finished, Complete, 39, 99. Throw, Fire, 78. Titles of Books, 204. Titles— The Reverend, the Honorable, 182. Titles with Proper Names, 146. To always find— The Infinitive, 166. To, With, 177, 178. To, At, 176. Transpire, Happen, 65. Trite Expressions, 12. Truth, Veracity, 67. Try and, Try to, 117. Try the experiment, 67. Two foot, These kind, 48. Two Negatives, 194.

Ugly, 67. Unbeknown, 68. Underhanded, 68. Under the weather, Ill, 115. Unexampled, 96. Uniform Relatives— Pronouns, 137. Unless, Without, 41. Up above, 180. Upon, On, Over, 104. Utter, Express, 96.

Vacate, Evacuate, 75. Valuable, Valued, 97. Values, Weights, Measures, 203. Veracity, Truth, 67. Very, Most, Almost, 30. Very much of, 153. Very pleased, 97. Very, Pretty, 116. Very Vulgar Vulgarisms, 13. Vicinity, Neighborhood, 97. Vulgarisms, 13.

Want, Need, 40. Wasn't, 122. Way, Away, 41. Ways, way, 41. Weights, Measures, and Values, 203. Well, Good, 153. Weren't, 122. We're, They're, You're, 123. Wharf, Dock, 52. Wharf, Wharves, 149. What for that, 137. What? Which? Hey? 25. Whereabouts, 204. Where for in which— Adverbs for Relative Pronouns, 140. Whether, If, 58. Whether... Whether, 160. Which? 25. Which? Beg pardon, 25. Which for who, 137. Which? What? 25. Which and who after and— Pronouns, 140. Who should I see— Interrogatives, 131. Whole, All, 41, 51. Wholesome, Healthy, 52. Whom do you think he is— Interrogatives, 131. Why, 187. Widow woman, 186. Will, Could, Can, 115. Will, Shall, Should, Would, 100. Will you? Shall you? 102. Winterish, Summerish, 99. Wish, Hope, 99. With, By, 177. With, Of, 176. With, To, 177, 178. Without, Unless, 41. Woman, Female, 73. Words, Anglicized, 20. Words Improperly Used, 26. Words, New, 21. Words, Obsolete. 20. Words to be avoided, 18. Worse, More, 42. Would better, Had better, 57. Would Should, Ought, 102. Would, Should, Shall, Will, 100. Wouldn't, Shouldn't, 122.

You are him— Case Forms, 129. You're, We're, They're, 123. You was, 204.

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