Chapter II: Choice of Words (3)

The Greek word _climax_ means literally _a_ _ladder, _and implies _ascent, upward movement._ The best authors use it only in this sense, and not to denote the highest point.

Factor

This word, from the Latin _factor,_ a doer, an agent, signifies _working, doing, effecting._ Its frequent use in the sense of _source _or _part_ should be avoided.

“All are but _factors_ of one stupendous whole, Whose body Nature is, and God the soul.”

Pope employs the better word _parts._

Hung, Hanged

Pictures, signs, bells, and other inanimate objects are _hung; _men are _hanged._ While some writers ignore this distinction, the best authorities observe it.

Healthy, Healthful

A lady wrote to a paper asking, “Are plants in a sleeping-room _unhealthy?”_ The answer came, “Not necessarily; we have seen some very _healthy_ plants growing in sleeping-rooms.”

Persons are _healthy_ or _unhealthy._ A plant or tree is _healthy_ or _unhealthy_ according as it possesses vigor. Food, surroundings and conditions are _healthful_ or _unhealthful _according as they promote or destroy health.

Idea, Opinion

“Many persons think that the interior of the earth is a mass of fire; what is your _idea?”_ Say, “What is your _opinion?”_

Alone, Only

“An _only_ child” is one that has neither brother nor sister. “A child _alone”_ is one that is left to itself. “Virtue _alone_ makes us happy” means that virtue unaccompanied by any other advantages is sufficient to make us happy. “Virtue _only_ makes us happy” means that nothing else can do it.

Grow, Raise, Rear

“We _grow_ wheat, corn, oats, and potatoes on our farm.” “We _raise_ wheat,” etc., would be better. With the same propriety we might use _sleep_ for _lodge,_ and _eat_ for _feed,_ or supply with food; as, “We can _eat_ and _sleep_ fifty persons at one time.”

The word _raise_ is often incorrectly used in the sense of _rear; _as, “She _raised_ a family of nine children.” It is sometimes employed in the sense of _increase,_ as, “The landlord _raised_ my_ _rent.” _Increased_ would be better.

Has went

“He goes to school,” “He went to school yesterday,” “He has gone to the West.” Avoid such ungrammatical forms as “He _has_ _went,” “_I _have_ saw.”

Badly, Greatly

_Badly_ is often incorrectly used for _greatly_ or _very much,_ as, “I need it _badly,”_ “He was _badly_ hurt.”

“That fence wants painting _badly,_ I think I’ll do it myself,” said the economical husband.

“Yes,” said his wife, “you had better do it yourself if you think it wants to be done _badly.”_

At you

“If you don’t stop teasing me I will do something _at_ you,” meaning “I will punish you.” That form of expression is very common in some localities, and it is even more inelegant than common. The use of the preposition _to_ instead of _at_ would be a slight improvement, but the sentence should be entirely recast.

Haply, Happily

In the reading of the Scriptures the word _happily_ is sometimes used where the archaic word _haply_ should be employed. In like manner the word _thoroughly_ is substituted for the old form _throughly._ Both words should be pronounced as they are spelled.

Thanks

To say “I thank you” requires but little more effort than to say _“Thanks,”_ and it will be received as a more sincere token of thankfulness.

Got to

This inelegant expression is often employed where _must_ would serve the purpose better. “This work _has got to be_ done.” Say, “Must be done.”

Hangs on

“The cold weather _hangs on.”_ Better, “The cold weather continues.”

Under the Weather

“Are you well?” “No; I have been quite _under the weather.” _Substitute _sick_ or _ill,_ for the colloquial expression _under the weather._

Again, Against

_Again_ is often erroneously used for _against;_ as, “He leaned _again_ the tree for support.” Say, “He leaned _against_ the tree for support.”

Could, Can, Will

_Could_ is often incorrectly employed where _can_ or _will_ would be more appropriate.

_“Could_ you lend me a dollar this morning?” If the thought of the inquirer is, “Are you willing to lend,” etc., he should have used _will _instead of _could;_ but if his thought was, “Are you able to lend,” or “Do you have a dollar to spare this morning,” he should have used _can._

Bravery, Courage

_Bravery_ is inborn; _courage_ is the result of reason and determination. The _brave_ are often reckless; the _courageous_ are always cautious.

Hate

Avoid the use of _hate_ for _dislike,_ and all other intensive words when the thought is more correctly expressed by a milder word.

Pretty, Very

_Pretty_ is often incorrectly used in the sense of _very _or _moderately,_ as “He was _pretty_ badly hurt,” “He is a _pretty_ good scholar,” “She is _pretty_ wealthy,” “Thomas is _pretty_ ugly.” So common is this provincialism in some localities that the incongruity of such an expression as the last would pass undiscovered.

Lot, Number

The use of _lot_ for _number_ or _many_ is a colloquialism that should be avoided. “He collected a _lot (large number) _of books on the subject.” “A _lot_ of policemen were gathered there” “I ate _lots of_ oranges while I was in Florida.”

Lead a dance

“He _led_ his companion _a fine dance.”_ This expression, as generally used, is ironical, and implies that the leader conducts those who are led through experiences unfamiliar to them and usually to their disadvantage. To lead astray, to deceive, to corrupt the morals of, may be substituted for the foregoing inelegant expression.

Try and

“Have you been to the country this summer?” “No; but I will _try and go _next week.”. The second speaker intends to convey the idea that it is his purpose to go if nothing occurs to prevent, but his going is still a matter of uncertainty. His statement, however, when properly interpreted means that he not only will try, but that he positively will go.

“Try _and_ finish that work to-day.” Here the purpose is not to command that the work shall be finished, but that the trial shall be made. As the sentence stands two distinct commands are given, first, that the trial shall be made, and, second, that the work must be completed. The sentence should read, “Try to finish that work to-day.”

Use _to_ instead of _and_ in such expressions as “Try _and _make it convenient to come,” “Try _and_ do your work properly,” “Try _and_ think of your lessons,” “Try _and_ go _and_ see our sick neighbor.”