Chapter II: Choice of Words (1)

Our American writers evince much variety in their graces of diction, but in the accurate choice of words James Russell Lowell and William Cullen Bryant stand out conspicuous above the rest. So careful and persistent was the latter, that during the time that he was editor of _The Evening Post,_ of New York City, he required the various writers upon that paper to avoid the use of a long list of words and expressions which he had prepared for them, and which were commonly employed by other papers. This list was not only used, but enlarged by his successors.

Strive to cultivate the habit of observing words; trace their delicate shades of meaning as employed by the most polished writers; note their suggestiveness; mark the accuracy with which they are chosen. In this way your mind will be kept on the alert to discover the beauties as well as the blemishes of all the thought pictures that are presented, and your vocabulary will be greatly enlarged and enriched.

BRYANT’S LIST OF OBJECTIONABLE EXPRESSIONS

_Above,_ and _over,_ use more than. _Artiste,_ use artist. _Aspirant._ _Authoress_ _Beat,_ use defeat. _Bagging,_ use capturing. _Balance,_ use remainder. _Banquet,_ use dinner or supper. _Bogus._ _Casket,_ use coffin. _Claimed,_ use asserted. _Collided._ _Commence,_ use begin. _Compete._ _Cortege,_ use procession. _Cotemporary,_ use contemporary. _Couple,_ use two. _Darkey,_ use negro. _Day before yesterday,_ use the day before yesterday. _Débût._ _Decease,_ as a verb. _Democracy,_ applied to a political party. _Develop,_ use expose. _Devouring element,_ use fire. _Donate._ _Employe._ _Enacted,_ use acted. _Endorse,_ use approve. _En route._ _Esq._ _Graduate,_ use is graduated. _Gents,_ use gentlemen. _Hon._ _House,_ use House of Representatives. _Humbug._ _Inaugurate,_ use begin. _In our midst._ _Item,_ use particle, extract, or paragraph. _Is being done,_ and all similar passive forms. _Jeopardize._ _Jubilant,_ use rejoicing.

_Juvenile,_ use boy. _Lady,_ use wife. _Last,_ use latest. _Lengthy,_ use long. _Leniency,_ use lenity. _Loafer._ _Loan,_ or _loaned,_ use lend or lent. _Located._ _Majority,_ use most. _Mrs. President._ _Mrs. Governor._ _Mrs. General._ _Mutual,_ use common. _Official,_ use officer. _Ovation._ _On yesterday._ _Over his signature._ _Pants,_ use pantaloons. _Parties,_ use persons. _Partially,_ use partly. _Past two weeks,_ use last two weeks. _Poetess._ _Portion,_ use part. _Posted,_ use informed. _Progress,_ use advance. _Quite,_ when prefixed to good, large, etc. _Raid,_ use attack. _Realized,_ use obtained. _Reliable,_ use trustworthy. _Rendition,_ use performance. _Repudiate,_ use reject or disown. _Retire,_ as an active verb.v _Rev.,_ use the Rev. _Role,_ use part. _Roughs._ _Rowdies._ _Secesh._ _Sensation,_ use noteworthy event. _Standpoint,_ use point of view. _Start,_ in the sense of setting out. _State,_ use say. _Taboo._ _Talent,_ use talents or ability. _Talented._ _Tapis._ _The deceased._ _War,_ use dispute or disagreement.

STILTS

Avoid bombastic language. Work for plain expressions rather than for the unusual. Use the simplest words that the subject will bear.

The following clipping, giving an account of the commencement exercises of a noted female college, strikingly illustrates what to avoid:

“Like some beacon-light upon a rock-bound coast against which the surges of the ocean unceasingly roll, and casting its beams far across the waters warning the mariner from the danger near, the college, like a Gibraltar, stands upon the high plains of learning, shedding its rays of knowledge, from the murmurings of the Atlantic to the whirlwinds of the Pacific, guiding womankind from the dark valley of ignorance, and wooing her with wisdom’s lore, leads creation’s fairest, purest, best into flowery dells where she can pluck the richest food of knowledge, and crowns her brow with a coronet of gems whose brilliancy can never grow dim: for they glisten with the purest thought, that seems as a spark struck from the mind of Deity. There is no need for the daughters of this community to seek colleges of distant climes whereat to be educated, for right here in their own city, God’s paradise on earth, is situated a noble college, the bright diadem of that paradise, that has done more for the higher education of woman than any institution in our land.”

PURITY

An author’s diction is pure when he uses such words only as belong to the idiom of the language. The only standard of purity is the practice of the best writers and speakers. A violation of purity is called a barbarism.

Unlike the Latin, Greek, or Hebrew, the English is a living language, and, like all living organisms, manifests its life by taking in new material and casting off old waste continually. Science, art, and philosophy give rise to new ideas which, in turn, demand new words for their expression. Of these, some gain a permanent foothold, while others float awhile upon the currents of conversation and newspaper literature and then disappear.

Good usage is the only real authority in the choice of reputable words; and to determine, in every case, what good usage dictates, is not an easy matter. Authors, like words, must be tested by time before their forms of expression may become a law for others. Pope, in his _Essay on Criticism,_ laid down a rule which, for point and brevity, has never been excelled:

“In words, as fashions, the same rule will hold; Alike fantastic, if too new or old; Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.”

BARBARISMS

Campbell, in his _Philosophy of Rhetoric,_ says that a word to be legitimate must have these three signs of authority:

1. It must be _reputable,_ or that of educated people, as opposed to that of the ignorant or vulgar. 2. It must be _national,_ as opposed to what is either local or technical. 3. It must be _present,_ as opposed to what is obsolete.

Any word that does not have these three qualities may, in general, be styled a barbarism.

ANGLICIZED WORDS

Many foreign words, in process of time, become so thoroughly domesticated that their translation, or the use of an awkward equivalent, would be a greater mark of pedantry than the use of the foreign words. The proper use of such terms as _fiat, palladium, cabal, quorum, omnibus, antique, artiste, coquette, ennui, physique, régime, tableau, amateur,_ cannot be censured on the ground of their foreign character.

OBSOLETE WORDS

Some writers affect an antiquated style by the introduction of such words as _peradventure, perchance,_ _anon, behest, quoth, erewhile._ The use of such words gives a strange sound to the sentence, and generally indicates that the writer is not thoroughly in earnest. The expression is lowered in tone and is made to sound fantastic.

NEW WORDS

A word should not be condemned because it is new. If it is really needed it will be welcomed, and soon find a permanent place. Shakespeare, Addison, and Johnson introduced many new words, to which their names afterward gave a sanction. Carlyle, Coleridge, Tennyson, and Browning have introduced or given currency to new words, and made strange ones familiar.

New words are objectionable when they are employed without proper authority. The chief sources of supply of the objectionable kind are the current slang of the street and the sensational newspaper. They are often the result of a desire to say things in such a manner as to reflect smartness upon the speaker, or to present things in a humorous or picturesque way. That they are frequently very effective cannot be gainsaid. Sometimes they are coined in the heat of political or social discussion, and, for a time, express what everybody is talking about; but it is impossible to tell whether they will live beyond the occasion that produced them. So long as their usage is doubtful it is safer not to employ them.

SLANG

Slang is somewhat like chicken-pox or measles, very catching, and just as inevitable in its run; and very few of us escape it. It is severest, too, where the sanitary conditions are most favorable to its development. Where there is least thought and culture to counteract its influence slang words crowd out those of a more serious character, until, in time, the young and inexperienced speaker or writer is unable to distinguish between the counterfeit and the genuine.

While most persons condemn slang, there are very few who are entirely free from its use. It varies greatly in its degrees of coarseness or refinement, and adapts itself to all classes and conditions. Many know no other language, and we are unwillingly compelled to admit that while their speech is often ungrammatical and unrhetorical, it is generally clear, concise, and forcible.

Strive to acquire a vocabulary so large and to cultivate a taste so fine that when a slang expression rises to your mind you can use it if you think it best fits the occasion, or substitute something better in its place. Purity of diction is a garden of slow growth even under the most favorable conditions, and the unrestrained indulgence in slang is like scattering seeds of the vilest plants among the choicest flowers.

SOCIETY SLANG

“This is an _elegant_ day,” “that is an _elegant_ view,” “Mary is _awfully nice,” “_Jennie is _dreadfully sweet,”_ “Gertrude is _delicious,”_ and “Tom is _perfectly splendid.”_ The use of such extravagant phrases tends to weaken the significance of the words when legitimately employed.

COMMERCIAL SLANG

Commercial terms are employed in the common language of everyday life to such an extent as to constitute a form of commercial slang. The following will serve for illustration; “The _balance_ of the journey” for remainder, “he was _well posted.”_ for well informed, “I _calculate_ he will come to-morrow” for believe or think, “I _reckon_ he is your friend” for I suppose.

COMMON SLANG

To materialize, to burglarize, to enthuse, to suicide, to wire, to jump upon, to sit upon, to take in, are a few of the many examples of slang that should be avoided.

PROVINCIALISMS

A word that is used only in a limited part of the country is called a provincialism. It must be known and recognized for what it is worth, but not obtruded where it does not belong.

Whatever may be said of the faults of speech of the American people, it is doubtful if any other nation, whether it covers a large territory or is limited in area, speaks the language native to the country with the uniformity that we do. Yet, there are peculiarities that mark the expression of most of our people, even among the best informed. The words _calculate, reckon,_ and _guess_ are not the only words that betray the locality of the speaker. Any person who has been five hundred miles from home cannot fail to have observed words that were used differently from the way in which he had been accustomed to use them, and he probably heard terms of expression that seemed strange to him. In like manner, his own expressions sounded strange to those who heard him. That which distinguished his speech from theirs and theirs from his would, in large part, be covered by the word “provincialism.”

Not only do we have local and sectional peculiarities of speech, but we may be said to have national mannerisms. Mr. Alexander Melville Bell, the eminent elocutionist, relates that some years ago when residing in Edinburgh, a stranger called to make some inquiries in regard to professional matters.

“I have called on you, sir, for the purpose of,” etc.

“When did you cross the Atlantic?” I asked.

The stranger looked up with surprise amounting almost to consternation.

“How do you know that I have crossed the Atlantic?”

“Your manner of using the little word ‘sir’ is not heard in England or Scotland.”

This gentleman, Mr. Bell says, was one of the most eminent teachers of elocution in America, and his speech was perfectly free from ordinary local coloring, in all but the one little element which had escaped observation.

WHICH?

Much diversity of usage exists and some difference of opinion prevails concerning the proper expression to use when you are addressed, and fail to understand just what has been said. Such interrogative rejoinders as _“What?” “How?” “Which?” “Hey?”_ are plainly objectionable. _“Sir?” _and _“Madam!”_ once common, are no longer tolerated in society. The English expression _“Beg pardon”_ has found favor, but it is not wholly acceptable. _“Excuse me”_ is suggested by a writer on the subject. It has no more syllables than _“Beg pardon,”_ and is nearly equivalent in signification, but it is also subject to the objection that it is often used to imply a difference of opinion, as when a person makes a statement to which you take exception, you begin your reply with the expression, _“Excuse me.”_

Whatever is adopted will doubtless be a convenient contraction, like _“Beg pardon,”_ which is a short way of saying, “I beg your pardon for failing to understand what you said;” or “_Excuse me,”_ which is a condensation of “Excuse me for not fully grasping your meaning.”

WORDS IMPROPERLY USED

Commodious—Convenient

A word of caution in the use of the smaller dictionaries is necessary. The most elaborate definition often fails to give an adequate idea of the signification of a term unless it is accompanied with one or more quotations illustrating its use. The small dictionaries give only the briefest definitions, without illustration, and therefore should be interpreted with caution.

Some years ago a young man of moderate attainments was very desirous of enlarging his vocabulary and of using words beyond the ordinary vernacular of his neighborhood. To this end, he made a small vest-pocket lexicon his constant companion.

Having consulted it in the course of a conversation with a friend, he remarked, as he was about to return it to his pocket, “What a commodious book this is.” His friend suggested that he again consult the “commodious” volume. With a look of the utmost confidence he turned to the word, and exclaimed: “There! I knew I was right. _Commodious_ means _convenient,_ and that is just what this little book is.”

It was useless to explain that smallness sometimes renders a thing inconvenient, and this young man, doubtless, still felicitates himself upon his intimate acquaintance with that _commodious_ pocket dictionary.

Ability, Capacity

A fond mother was told by the principal of a boarding-school that her daughter would not be graduated, as she lacked capacity. “Get her a capacity. Her father don’t stand on the matter of expense. Get her anything she wants. He’ll foot the bill.” But for once the indulgent mother was obliged to learn that there are some things money will not purchase. The father had the financial _ability,_ but the daughter lacked the necessary intellectual _capacity._

But we may have literary as well as financial ability. _Ability _implies the power of doing; _capacity_ the faculty of receiving.

About, Almost

“This work is _about_ done.” Use “_almost_ done.”

Acceptance, Acceptation

These words cannot be used interchangeably. “He wrote signifying his _acceptance_ of the office.” “According to the common _acceptation_ of this term, he is a knave.”

Access, Accession

“He gained _access_ to the fort.” “The only _accession,_ which the Roman empire received was the province of Britain.”

Accident, Injury

Accident is sometimes used incorrectly for _injury._ as “His _accident_ was very painful.”

Mutual, Common

Some men seek to be great by copying great men’s faults. Dickens may say “Our Mutual Friend,” but Dickens’s strong point was not grammar. If you have a friend in common with Smith, in speaking of him to Smith, say our _common _friend. The word _mutual_ should always convey a sense of reciprocity, as “Happy in our mutual help and mutual love.”

Myself

This word is generally used for emphasis, as “I _myself_ will do it,” “I wrote it _myself.”_ It should not be used for the unemphatic pronouns _I_ and _me,_ as in “James and _myself_ are going to town,” “He gave the books to James and _myself.”_ It is properly used with a reflexive verb without emphasis, as “I will defend _myself.”_

Negligence, Neglect

_Negligence_ is the habit, _neglect_ the act, of leaving things undone. The adjectives _negligent_ and _neglectful_ should, in like manner, be discriminated.

Never, Not

The word _never_ is sometimes colloquially used for _not, _as “I _never_ remember to have seen Lincoln.” Say “I _do not _remember,” etc. _Never_ should not be used in reference to events that can take place but once, as “Warren _never_ died at Lexington.”

Love, Like

We may _love_ our parents, our children, our country, the truth; and we may _like_ roast turkey and cranberry sauce. “I _love _cherries,” “I _adore_ strawberries,” are school-girl expressions that should be avoided. Love is an emotion of the heart, and not of the palate.

Cheap, Low-priced

These words are often used synonymously. A picture purchased for ten thousand dollars may be cheap; another, for which ten dollars was paid, although low-priced, may be dear.

Mad, Angry

The frequent use of _mad_ in the sense of angry should be avoided. A person who is insane is _mad._ A dog that has hydrophobia is _mad._ Figuratively we say _mad,_ with rage, _mad_ with terror, _mad_ with pain; but to be vexed, or angry, or out of patience, does not justify the use of so strong a term as _mad._

Most, Almost, Very

Sometimes incorrectly used for _almost,_ as “He writes to me _most_ every week.”

It is often loosely used in the sense of _very,_ as “This is a _most _interesting book.” Aim to use _most_ only as the superlative of _much_, or _many._ Do not use the indefinite article before it, as “This is _a most_ beautiful picture.” We may say “This is _the most _beautiful picture,” for here comparison is implied.

Portion, Part

“Give me the _portion_ of goods that falleth to me.” “We traveled a _part_ of the distance on foot.” _Portion_ is applied to that which is set aside for a special purpose, often as the share or allotment of an individual, as the wife’s _portion,_ the _portion_ of the oldest son, etc. _Part_ is a more general term.

Postal

Bryant would not have said, “I will send you a _postal_ by to-morrow’s mail.” _Postal card_ or _post card_ would be better.

Practical, Practicable

These words are sometimes confounded. _Practicable_ means “that may be done or accomplished,” and implies that the means or resources are available; as, a _practicable_ road, a _practicable_ aim. _Practical_ means “capable of being turned to use or account;” as, “The _practical_ man begins by doing; the theorist often ends by thinking.”

Predicate

This word is sometimes incorrectly used in the sense of _form _or _base;_ as, “He _predicated_ his statement on the information he had just received.” Neither should it be used in the sense of _predict; _as, “The sky is overcast, and I _predicate_ a storm tomorrow.”

Prefer—than

“I _prefer_ to walk _than_ to ride.” Say “I prefer walking to riding;” or, “I would rather walk than ride.” “To skate is _preferable than_ to coast.” Say “Skating is preferable to coasting.”

Amount, Number

_Amount_ applies to what is thought of in the mass or bulk, as money, wheat, coal. _Number_ is used when we think of the individuals composing the mass, as men, books, horses, vessels.

Answer, Reply

An _answer_ implies a question. We may _reply_ to a remark or assertion. A _reply_ is more formal than an _answer._

Antagonize, Alienate, Oppose

The word _antagonize_ should not be used in the sense of _alienate;_ as, “Your proposition will _antagonize_ many supporters of the measure.” “The Senate _opposed_ the bill which passed the House” is better than “_antagonized_ the bill.”

Anticipate, Expect

“The arrival of the President was hourly _anticipated”_ is pompous. Use _expected._

Any, At all

“He was so far from the speaker’s platform that he could not hear _any.”_ Better “that he could not hear,” or “hear at all,” or “hear what was said.”

Apparent, Evident

These words are often used interchangeably. That which is _apparent_ may be what it appears to be, or it may be very different; that which is _evident _admits of no doubt. The same is true of _apparently_ and _evidently._

Prejudice

“He is not the best person for the position, but his many kindnesses to me _prejudice_ me in his favor.” We may be prejudiced against a person or thing, but cannot be prejudiced in favor. Use _predispose._

Presume

This word is often employed when _think, believe,_ or _daresay _would be better.

Pretend, Profess

“I do not _pretend_ to be an orator.” _Pretend_ means _to feign, to sham;_ as, “He _pretends_ to be asleep,” and should not be used when _claim_ or _profess_ would better suit the purpose.

Preventative

The correct form of the word is _preventive,_ not _preventative._

Previous, Previously

The adjective _previous_ is often incorrectly used for the adverb _previously;_ as, “Previous to his imprisonment he made a confession of his crime.”

Promise, Assure

“I _promise_ you we had a good time yesterday.” _Promise_ relates to the future, hence “I _assure_ you,” etc., would be better.

Propose, Purpose

To _propose_ is to set before the mind for consideration; to _purpose_ is to intend. “I _propose_ sending my son to college” should be “I _purpose,”_ etc. “I _propose_ that you go to college, my son.” “Thank you, father, I accept the proposal.”

Sparrowgrass, Asparagus

The word _sparrowgrass,_ which is a corruption of the word _asparagus,_ illustrates how readily the uneducated mind associates an unusual term with another that is familiar, and as the mental impression is received through the ear, and lacks that definiteness which the printed form would give, the new idea, when repeated, often assumes a picturesque, if not a ludicrous, form. Many of Mrs. Partington’s quaint sayings furnish further illustration.

The following incident, from a Western paper, shows the successive stages in the farmer’s mental operations from the familiar terms _skin, hide, oxhide, _up to the unfamiliar chemical term _oxide,_ through which he was obliged to pass before he succeeded in making known his wants:

The man was in a brown study when he went into the drug store.

“What can we do for you?” inquired the clerk.

“I want black—something of something,” he said; “have you got any?”

“Probably we have,” replied the clerk, “but you’ll have to be more definite than that to get it.”

The farmer thought for a moment.

“Got any black sheepskin of something?” he asked.

“No; we don’t keep sheepskins. We have chamois-skins, though.”

“That ain’t it, I know,” said the customer. “Got any other kind of skins?”

“No.”

“Skins—skins—skins!” slowly repeated the man, struggling with his slippery memory. “Calfskin seems to be something like it. Got any black calfskins of anything?”

“No, not one,” and the clerk laughed.

The customer grew red in the face.

“Confound it!” he said, “if it ain’t a skin, what in thunder is it?”

“Possibly it’s a hide?” suggested the clerk.

“That’s it! That’s it!” exclaimed the man.

“Have you got any black hides of something or anything?”

The clerk shook his head sadly as the man tramped up and down the store.

“Got any black cowhide of anything?” he asked, after a moment’s thought.

The clerk’s face showed a gleam of intelligence, and then broke into a smile.

“Possibly it’s black oxide of manganese you want?” he said, quietly.

“Of course, that’s it!” he exclaimed, as he threw his arms around the clerk’s neck. “I knowed blamed well there was a skin or hide or something somewhere about the thing,” and he calmed down quietly and waited for what he wanted.

Accord, Give

“They _accorded_ him due praise.” “They _gave_ him the desired information.”

Act, Action

“The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered _acts_ of kindness and of love.” “Suit the _action_ to the word.” _Action_ suggests the operation; _act_, the accomplished result.

Adherence, Adhesion

These words were once interchangeable, but are now distinct. _Adhesion _relates to physical bodies; _adherence_ to mental states.

Adopt, Take

“What course will you _take?”_ is better than “What course will you _adopt?”_

Affect, Effect

These words are sometimes confounded. “The climate _affected _their health.” “They sailed away without _effecting_ their purpose.”

Aggravate, Exasperate

To _aggravate_ means to intensify, to make worse; to _exasperate _means to provoke, to irritate. “To _aggravate_ the horrors of the scene.” “His remarks _exasperated_ me.” “His conduct _aggravates_ me” should be “His conduct _annoys_ (or _displeases,_ or _irritates, _or _exasperates)_ me.”

Alleviate, Relieve

These words differ chiefly in degree. The latter is the stronger word.

Proposal, Proposition

A _proposition_ implies consideration or discussion; a _proposal _contemplates acceptance or rejection. “Your _proposition_ to build our new warehouse has received favorable consideration, and we are ready to receive your _proposals.”_

Providing, Provided

“You may go to skate, _providing_ you first finish your task.” Incorrect. You should say _provided._

Proved, Proven

_Proven_ is sometimes incorrectly used for _proved._ “The evidence was complete and his guilt was fully _proved.” Not proven_ is a legal term used in England to denote that the guilt of the accused is not made out, though not disproved.

Quantity, Number

_Quantity_ refers to the _how much; number_ to the _how many. _“He purchased a large _quantity_ of _wheat, corn, apples, lime, _and _sand,_ and a _number_ of _houses, stores_, _chairs, _and _books.”_ It is, therefore, incorrect to say, “There was a large _quantity_ of bicycles in the yard,” “He sold a large _quantity_ of books at auction.”

Quite a few

In some parts of the country this expression is in common use in the sense of _many, a large number,_ etc. “How many people were at church to-day?” _“Quite a few,”_ meaning a considerable number.

Commence, Begin

Some persons always _commence,_ but never _begin._ The tendency toward pomp and parade in speech prompts many persons to avoid the use of our strong, rugged Anglo-Saxon words, and to substitute their high-sounding Latin equivalents, until, in time, the preferable native forms come to be regarded as commonplace and objectionable. American usage is more faulty than English in this regard. Use _begin_ and _beginning_ more, and _commence _and, _commencement_ less.

Complete, Finished

There is a distinction in the use of these words that is not always observed. _Complete_ signifies _nothing lacking,_ every element and part being supplied. That which is _finished_ has had all done to it that was intended. A vessel may be _finished_ and yet be _incomplete._

Conclusion, End

The more pretentious word _conclusion_ is often used where the simple Anglo-Saxon word _end_ would be preferable.

Conscious, Aware

“He was _aware_ of the enemy’s designs.” “_Conscious_ of his fate, he boldly approached the furious beast.” _Conscious_ relates to what is within our own mind; _aware_ to what is without.

Continual, Continuous

_Continuous_ implies _uninterrupted, unbroken. Continual _relates to acts that are frequently repeated. “The _continuous_ ride is often finished in five hours, but owing to _continual_ delays we were eight hours on the way.”

Convict, Convince

The Irishman who brandished his club and, exclaimed that he was open to conviction, but he would like to see the man that could convince him, used a form of argument that was most convincing, but failed in his discrimination of language. _Convict_ refers to the outer condition, and generally applies to something wrong; _convince,_ which may be used of either right or wrong, refers to the judgment.

Custom, Habit

_Habit_ is a tendency which leads us to do easily; _custom_ grows out of the habitual doing or frequent repetition of the same act. _Custom _refers to the usages of society, or of the individual; _habit_ refers more frequently to the individual acts. “Ill _habits_ gather by unseen degrees.”

“Man yields to custom as he bows to fate, In all things ruled— mind, body, and estate.”

Want, Need

These words are often used interchangeably, but should be discriminated. _Need_ implies the lack; _want_ also implies the lack, but couples with it the wish to supply the lack. “Some men _need_ help, but will not ask for it; others _want_ help (that is, they need help, or think they do, and ask for it) and get it, too.”

Way, Away

“He is _way_ down in Florida,” is incorrect. “He is _away _down in Florida” is better grammar. “He is in Florida” is still better. _Down_ indicates the direction, and _away_ magnifies the distance. As most persons know the direction, and as modern railway travel shortens long distances, the abbreviated sentence is sufficiently full.

Ways, Way

“He is a long _ways_ from home” is a very common, but faulty expression. Say “Uncle Charles is now a long _way_ on his journey.” “The boat is a good _way_ off the shore.”

Whole, All

“The _whole_ of the scholars went to the fair to-day.” _“All_ of the school went to the fair to-day.” The sentences will be improved by transposing _whole_ and _all. “All_ of the scholars went to the fair to-day,” not half of them. “The _whole_ school went to the fair to-day,” not a part of it. _All_ refers to the individual scholars; _whole_ to the school as a unit.

Without, Unless

“He cannot miss the way _without_ he forgets my instructions.” “I will not dig the potatoes _without_ Tom comes to help.” Use _unless _instead of _without._

Worse, More

“He dislikes arithmetic _worse_ than grammar.” Use _more_ instead of _worse._

Rarely, Rare

“It is _rarely_ that you hear of a prodigal youth growing into an economical man.” _Rarely_ should be _rare_ to form the adjective attribute of the verb.

Real, Really

_Real_ is often incorrectly used as an adverb, especially by schoolgirls; as, “I think he is _real_ mean.” The grammar will be improved by substituting _really_ for _real,_ but the expression, as a whole, being applied to all kinds and degrees of offenses, has become meaningless.

_Real_ is often carelessly used in the sense of _very;_ as _real _pretty, _real_ bright, _real_ kind.

Recipe, Receipt

A _recipe_ is a formula for making some mixture or preparation of materials; a _receipt_ is an acknowledgment of that which has been received.

Region, Neighborhood

_Region_ is a broader and more comprehensive term, and should not be applied to the narrow limits of a _neighborhood._

Remit, Send

The word _remit_ is often used when _send_ would be better. _Remit_ means to send back, to forgive, to relax. In its commercial sense it means to transmit or send money in payment of a demand; as, “He _remitted _the amount by mail.”

Residence, House

This pretentious word is often used when _house_ or _home_ would be in better taste.

Deface, Disfigure

“The walls of many public buildings are _defaced_ by persons who desire that their names shall remain when they are gone.” “They _disfigure_ their faces that they may appear unto men to fast.” _Disfigure_ applies more generally to persons; _deface,_ to things.

Demean, Degrade

The word _demean_ is often incorrectly used in the sense of _degrade, lower._ It should be used in the sense of _behave, conduct, deport,_ and not in the sense of _degrade._

Depot, Station

For many years the word _depôt_ was largely employed in the sense of a railway station. Its primary meaning is a _warehouse_ or _storehouse_ or _military station._ As applied to a stopping place for railroad trains the English word _station_ is greatly to be preferred to the French word _depôt,_ and is rapidly coming into general use in this country.

Description, Kind

“Flowers of every _description_ were found in his garden.” In the above sense the word _kind_ or _variety_ would be more appropriate.

Bring, Fetch, Carry

_Bring_ implies motion from the object toward the person who issues the command or makes the request. _Fetch_ implies two motions, first, toward the object; second, toward the person who wishes it. The gardener, who is in the garden, calls to his servant, who is at the barn, “John, _bring_ me the rake. You will find it in the barn.” And if John is with him in the garden, he would say, “John, _fetch_ me the rake from the barn.”

The use of _fetch_ is more common among English writers than with us. In fact, many speakers and writers in America rarely use the word.

_Carry_ is a more general term, and means _to convey,_ without thought of the direction.

Character, Reputation

These words are often confounded. “Character,” says Abbott, “is what a person is; reputation is what he is supposed to be. Character is in himself, reputation is in the minds of others. Character is injured by temptations and by wrong-doing; reputation by slanders and libels. Character endures throughout defamation in every form, but perishes where there is a voluntary transgression; reputation may last through numerous transgressions, but be destroyed by a single, and even an unfounded, accusation or aspersion.”

Farther, Further

Although these words are often used interchangeably even by good writers, yet a finer taste and a keener power of discrimination is shown in the use of _farther_ when referring to literal distance, and of _further _in reference to quantity or degree; as, “Each day’s journey removes them _farther_ from home,” “He concluded his speech by remarking that he had nothing _further_ to say.” _Farther_ is the comparative of _far; further_ is the comparative of _forth._

Fault, Defect

Speakers and writers often fail to discriminate in the use of these words. A _defect_ implies a deficiency, a lack, a falling short, while a _fault_ signifies that there is something wrong.

“Men still had faults, and men will have them still, He that hath none, and lives as angels do Must be an angel.”

“It is in general more profitable to reckon up our defects than to boast of our attainments.”

Few, Little

These words and their comparatives, _fewer, less,_ are often confounded. _Few_ relates to number, or to what may be counted; _little _refers to quantity, or to what may be measured. A man may have _few _books and _little_ money; he may have _fewer_ friends and _less _influence than his neighbor. But do not say “The man has _less _friends than his neighbor.”

Each other, One another

While some excellent authorities use these expressions interchangeably, most grammarians and authors employ _each other_ in referring to two persons or things, and _one another_ when more than two are considered; as, “Both contestants speak kindly of _each other.” _“Gentlemen are always polite to _one another.”_

Those who prefer to have wide latitude in speech will be glad to know that Murray, in one of the rules in his grammar, says, “Two negatives in English destroy _one another.”_

Shakespeare says, “It is a good divine that follows his own instructions. I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done, than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching.” This is as true of expression as of morals.

Either, Neither

“Palms and beautiful flowers lined the hall on _either_ side,” is a common but faulty form of expression. _Either_ refers to one of two things. In the foregoing sentence the thought is that _both_ sides of the hall were lined, hence the word _both_ should have been used. If, however, each side of the hall is thought of separately, then _each,_ would be the proper word to employ.

_“Either_ of the two books will please you.” _“Any_ of the three books will prove satisfactory.” _“Any one_ of the five men would make a good candidate.” _“Neither_ of the two men will serve.” _“None_ of the ten men were present.” “_Not one_ of all the houses was left standing.” These sentences represent the best usage with regard to _either, neither,_ and also of _any, none, any one, not one._

These kind

Adjectives implying number must agree with the nouns which they qualify. _This_ and _that_ qualify nouns in the singular; _these _and _those_ belong to nouns in the plural.

_“These kind_ of potatoes grow well in this soil.” Use _this. “This _twenty _years_ have I known him.” Use _these._ “The beam was _two foot_ above my head,” Use _feet. _“For _this,_ among other reasons, I abandoned the profession.” Say “For _this_ reason, among others, I abandoned the profession.” “He rides the bicycle daily, and by _this means_ he preserves his health.” “The partners were all honest, courteous, and industrious, and by _these means _acquired wealth.” The word _means_ being either singular or plural, the two preceding sentences are both correct.

Some means or another

“By _some means or another_ he always gets the better part of the bargain.” This sentence may be corrected by saying _“one means or another,”_ or _“some means or other.”_

Than

After _other, otherwise, else,_ or an adjective in the comparative degree, _than_ should be used, and not _but_ or _except._

“No other way _but_ this was open to him.” Use _than._

“History and philosophy cannot otherwise affect the mind _but_ for its enlargement and benefit.” Use _than._

“Flowers are often nothing else _but_ cultivated weeds.” Use _than._

“He no sooner entered the bridge _but_ he met an infuriated bull coming toward him.” Use _than._

“He offered no other objection _except_ the one already mentioned.” Use _than._

“He read five other books on ‘Crime and Its Causes’ _in addition to _those you named.” Use _than._

With equal propriety we may say, “He offered no objection except the one already mentioned,” or “He read five books on ‘Crime and Its Causes’ in addition to those you named.” It is the use of the word _other,_ or _otherwise,_ or _else,_ that makes necessary the correlative term _than._

Besides

After _else_ and _other_ the preposition _besides_ is sometimes employed.

“Other boys _besides_ these are mischievous.”

“Other arts _besides_ music are elevating and inspiring.”

“We must have recourse to something else _besides_ punishment.”

It will be observed that the use of _besides_ in this section differs from the use of _than_ in the preceding discussion. _“Other... than” _is exclusive of those mentioned; whereas, “_other... besides” _includes those mentioned.

Other

“Iron is more useful than all the metals.” The faultiness of this sentence becomes apparent when we remember that iron itself is a metal and is included in the word _metals, _which forms one side of the comparison. In short, “Iron is more useful than iron together with all the other metals.” This statement is absurd. The sentence should, therefore, read, “Iron is more useful than all the _other _metals.”

“The Washington monument is higher than any monument in America.” Since it is in America, and as it cannot be higher than itself, the sentence is made correct by adding the word _other;_ as, “The Washington monument is higher than any _other_ monument in America.”

“This book, which I have just finished, is superior to any work on the subject that I have yet seen.” Say “to any _other_ work.”

“Of all other creatures, man is the most highly endowed.” Say “of all creatures,” etc.

“No general was ever so beloved by his soldiers.” Say “No _other _general,” etc.

“Nothing delights him so much as a storm at sea.” “Nothing _else _delights him,” etc.

One’s, His

Whether we should say “One ought to know _one’s_ own mind,” or “One ought to know _his_ own mind,” is a question that the critics have earnestly discussed, but have never settled, except as each settles it for himself. The masculine pronoun is often used with an antecedent whose gender is not known. There can, therefore, be no objection to the use of _his_ on the question of gender. As a matter of euphony, _his_ is preferable to _one’s._ Both have the sanction of good usage.

None

Although literally signifying _no one,_ the word _none_ may be used with a plural verb, having the force of a collective noun.

_“None_ but the brave deserves the fair.”— _Dryden._

_“None_ knew thee but to love thee, _None_ named thee but to praise.”—_Halleck._

“I look for ghosts; but _none_ will force Their way to me.”—_Wordsworth._

“Of all the girls that e’er were seen, There’s _none_ so fine as Nelly.”—_Swift._

All, Whole

The word _all_ is often incorrectly used for _the whole._

“The river rose and spread over all the valley.” This should be “over the _whole_ valley.”

“The day being stormy, the members of Class A were _all_ the children at school to-day.” Correct by saying “were the only children at school to-day.”

Perpetually, Continually

_Perpetually_ is not synonymous with _continually. Perpetually _means never-ceasing. That which is done _continually_ may be subject to interruptions.

Persuade, Advise

“Almost thou _persuadest_ me to be a Christian.” Paul had _advised _many persons to become Christians, some of whom, like Agrippa, were _almost persuaded._

Wharf, Dock

These words are sometimes confounded. The _wharf_ is the pier, or landing, upon which the vessel unloads her cargo. The _dock_ is the artificial waterway, or basin, formed by the wharves. “The vessel came into the _dock_ and was made fast to the _wharf.”_

Contemptible, Contemptuous

_Contemptible_ is sometimes incorrectly used for _contemptuous._ A story is told of Richard Parson, an English scholar and critic. A gentleman being in dispute with him, angrily exclaimed, “My opinion of you is most _contemptible,_ sir,” upon which Parson quickly retorted, “I never knew an opinion of yours that was not _contemptible.”_

Healthy, Wholesome

These terms are not synonymous. Toadstools may be _healthy,_ but they would not be regarded as _wholesome._ Plants and animals are _healthy_ when the conditions of their growth are favorable. They are _wholesome_ when, as food, they promote the health of those persons who eat them.

In a fix

Many persons instead of saying “He is in trouble,” or “He is in an awkward position,” or “He is perplexed,” or _embarrassed,_ employ the vulgarism, “He is _in a fix.”_ Although Shakespeare may say, “This was the _most unkindest_ cut of all,” and De Quincey may write, “Poor Aroar cannot live and cannot die—so that he is in an _almighty fix,”_ we lesser mortals are forbidden such expressions.

Fly, Flee

In a general sense _fly_ is applied to winged creatures and _flee_ to persons. “What exile from himself can _flee?”_ “When the swallows homeward _fly.”_ The past tense forms are sometimes confused, as, “The inhabitants _flew_ to the fort for safety,” “The wild geese have all _fled_ to the South.” The principal parts of the verbs are:

Present. Past. Perf. part. fly, flew, flown. flee, fled, fled.

The verbs _flew_ and _fled_ in the foregoing sentences should be transposed. _Fly_ implies motion either from or toward. _Flee_ implies motion from. _Fly_ may be used, in a figurative sense, of persons, to indicate great speed as of wings. “I _flew _to his rescue.” “He _flew_ to my rescue.” “Resist the devil and he will _flee_ from you.”

The word _flown_ is sometimes used erroneously as the past tense or perfect participle of the verb _flow._ The parts of this verb are _flow, flowed, flowed. “_The river has _overflowed_ (not _overflown)_ its banks.”

Get, Got

Because a horse is willing is no reason why he should be ridden to death. The verb _get_ and its past-tense form _got_ admit of many meanings, as the following, from an old English publication, fully proves: “I _got_ on horseback within ten minutes after I _got_ your letter. When I _got _to Canterbury I _got_ a chaise for town; but I _got_ wet through before I _got_ to Canterbury, and I have _got_ such a cold as I shall not be able to _get_ rid of in a hurry. I _got_ to the Treasury about noon, but, first of all, I _got_ shaved and dressed. I soon _got _into the secret of _getting_ a memorial before the Board, but I could not _get_ an answer then. However, I _got_ intelligence from the messenger that I should most likely _get_ an answer the next morning. As soon as I _got_ back to my inn I _got_ my supper and _got_ to bed. It was not long before I _got_ to sleep. When I _got_ up in the morning I _got_ myself dressed, and then _got_ my breakfast, that I might _get_ out in time to _get_ an answer to my memorial. As soon as I _got_ it I _got_ into the chaise and _got_ to Canterbury by three, and about teatime I _got_ home. I have _got_ nothing more to say.”

Those who are disposed to overwork the words _get_ and _got_ will find it interesting and profitable to read the foregoing exercise, substituting other words for those in italics.

With _have_ the word _got_ is generally superfluous; as, “I have _got_ a cold,” “I have _got_ to go to Boston this evening,” “Have you _got_ Hires’s root-beer on draught?” For “I _did not get_ to meet your cousin,” say “I _had no opportunity,”_ or “I _was prevented,” _etc.

Another very faulty use of _got_ is heard in such expressions as “He _got_ killed,” “They _got_ beaten,” “She _got_ cured,” etc. _Was_ or _were_ would be more appropriate.

Since _to get_ means _to obtain, to procure, to gain,_ the use of the word is justified in such expressions as “I have _got_ a larger farm than you have, because I have worked harder for it.” “I have _got_ a better knowledge of the Pacific coast than he has, because I traveled extensively through that region.” And yet, when we have been overworked, the physician usually prescribes a period of absolute rest; so, in view of the multifarious uses to which _get_ has been applied, would it not be well to permit it to retire for a time, in order that it may the more quickly be rejuvenated.

Guess, Reckon, Calculate, Allow

“I _guess_ he is not going to vote to-day.” “I _reckon_ we are going to have fair weather now.” “I _calculate_ this ground would grow good potatoes.” “I _allow_ she’s the prettiest girl that ever visited these parts.” The foregoing sentences may be improved by recasting them. “I think he is not going to (or will not) vote to-day.” “I believe we shall now have fair weather.” “I suppose this ground would yield fine potatoes.” “I regard her as the handsomest lady that has ever visited this place (or _neighborhood,_ or _locality)._

Gums, Overshoes

“Tom is outside, cleaning his _gums_ on the mat.” While a mat will do very well for _overshoes,_ a tooth-brush and sozodont would be better for the _gums._

Funny

“Isn’t it _funny_ that Smith, who resided in Chicago, should have died the same day that his father died in Boston?” “Isn’t it _funny _that the murderer who escaped hanging on a mere technicality of the law should have been killed the next day in a railroad accident?” “How _funny _that these maples should grow so tall on this mountain top!” “It is _funny_ to think that James, who now pays his addresses to me, should once have been in love with my youngest sister.” The foregoing illustrations are not more incongruous than those we daily hear. _Odd, strange, peculiar, unusual, _represent some of the ideas intended to be conveyed by that much-abused word.

Good deal, Great deal

This idiom is defended by some authorities as being in perfectly good use, and by others it is denounced as being incorrect. Both _good deal _and _greet deal_ are somewhat colloquial, and should be used sparingly in writing.

Had better, Would better

Like _a good deal_ and some other idioms, this expression is denounced by some writers and defended by others. Grammatical construction supports more strongly the forms _would better, would rather,_ etc. “I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” “I would rather read than drive to-day.” “I would rather not go.” Omit _rather_ and the superiority of _would_ over _had_ becomes apparent.

If, Whether

“I do not know _if_ he sold his farm or exchanged it for city property.” Use _whether._

Illy, Ill

Do not use _illy_ for _ill._ The former is becoming obsolete, and the latter, as an adverb, is taking its place. Say “An ill-ventilated room,” not “an illy-ventilated room.”

Implicit

This word means _tacitly understood, resting on the word or authority of another._ It should not be used in the sense of _unbounded, unlimited._

Individual

This word should not be used broadly in the sense of _a_ _person,_ but should always convey some thought of _a_ _single _thing or person, as opposed to many.

Journal

As this word is from the French, _jour,_ day, it should not be applied to a monthly or quarterly magazine.

Know as

“I do not _know as_ I can see you to-day.” Say _know that._

Last, Latest

“Did you receive my _last_ letter?”

“I hope not. I enjoy your letters very much, and I trust you may live to write many more.”

Cunning

This word is much used by young ladies in speaking of what is small, or dainty, or pleasing, as “A _cunning_ little bonnet,” _“A cunning _little watch,” etc. While the word properly embodies the idea of skill or dexterity on the part of the workman, and while the appreciation of such skill, in speaking of the artist or artisan, might be expressed by _cunning,_ it is better not to use the word in referring to the product of the workmanship.

Curious

_Curious_ means _inquisitive, rare._ In the sense of _strange _or _remarkable,_ its use should be guarded.

Cute

This word is often used colloquially in the sense of _clever, sharp, shrewd, ingenious, cunning._ It is doubtless an abbreviation of _acute._ It is not found in good literary usage.

Favor, Resemble

The use of the word _favor_ in the sense of _resemble_ is a provincialism that should be avoided. “The son _favors_ the father” is correct if the meaning be that the son shows favor or kindness to the father; but if reference to their similarity of appearance is intended, the verb _resemble_ should be employed.

Balance, Remainder

This word, like numerous others, has been borrowed from the commercial world, and has had such a wide use that its faultiness is not noticed even by many who regard themselves as careful speakers and writers. “I cut down part of the timber this year, and expect to cut the _balance_ next spring.” “My cousin will remain with us the _balance_ of this week.” “James ate half of the melon to-day, and will eat the _balance_ to-morrow.” In these and all similar cases the word _remainder_ should be used. _Balance_ is a term that applies to accounts, and signifies the amount necessary to be added to one side of the account in order to make it equal the other.

Behave

“Now, my children, you must _behave_ while I am gone.” The mother intended to ask her children to _behave well,_ but as _behave_ is a neutral word, and may be followed by _well_ or _ill,_ her form of expression permits the children to supply whichever adverb suits them the better. _Behave_ requires a qualifying word to make the meaning clear.

Bound

“He was _determined_ to study medicine,” not “He was _bound,” _etc. _Bound_ implies that he was under a bond or obligation to another, rather than impelled by the action of his own mind.

Better, Best

While some good writers violate the rule, yet the best authorities restrict the use of the comparative degree to two objects.

“Mary is the _better_ scholar of the two.”

“Although both are young, Susan is the _younger.”_

“Of two evils, choose the _lesser,”_ not the _least._

Former, First

_Former_ and _latter_ being adjectives of the comparative degree, should be used in speaking of two objects. When more than two objects are named, use _first_ and _last._

“My sons, John and Luther, are both at college. The _first _expects to study law, and the _last_ to study medicine.” Use _former _and _latter._

“New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago are the most populous cities in the United States. The _former_ has long been at the front; the _latter _has only recently entered the race.” Use _first_ and _last _instead of _former_ and _latter._

These, Those

When objects near and remote are referred to, _this_ and its plural _these_ are applied to the objects near at hand, _that_ and its plural _those_ to objects at a distance.

When reference is made to contrasted antecedent terms, _this_ and _these_ are applied to the latter; _that_ and _those_ to the former, as

“Farewell my friends! farewell my foes! My peace with _these,_ my love with _those!”_

_—Burns._

Fictitious Writer

Do not say a _fictitious writer_ when you mean a _writer of fiction._

Firstly

_First_ is an adverb as well as an adjective. We should, therefore, say first, secondly, thirdly, and not _firstly, secondly, _etc.

First-rate

An article may be rated in quality as first, or second, or third. If it rates _first,_ it may be called a _first-rate_ article. The word is properly used as an adjective, but should not be employed as an adverb, as in the sentence, “He sings first-rate.”

Fix, Mend, Repair

_Fix_ means _to make fast,_ but its incorrect use in the sense of _mend, repair, arrange,_ is so common that the word when properly used sounds strange, if not strained. “To _fix up_ the room,” “to _fix up_ the accounts,” “to _fix up_ matters with my creditors,” “to _fix_ the rascals who betrayed me,” are examples illustrating the looseness with which the word is used.

Round, Square

When a thing is _round_ or _square_ it cannot be _rounder _or _squarer._ These adjectives do not admit of comparative and superlative forms. But we may say _more nearly round_ or _less nearly square._

States, Says

“He _states_ he is going fishing to-morrow.” _States_ is too formal a word, and should be used only of some important assertion. “He _says_ he is going,” etc.

Stop, Stay

To _stop_ is to cease moving. “At what hotel do you _stop” _should be “At what hotel do you _stay.”_ “When you come to the city _stay_ with me,” not _stop_ with me.

Subtile, Subtle

_Subtile_ means thin, fine, rare, delicate; _subtle_ means sly, artful, cunning, elusive. “More _subtile_ web Arachne cannot spin.” “He had to contend with a _subtle_ foe.”

Summons