Part 10
112. Instead of "The book fell _on_ the floor," say "The book fell to the floor."
113. Instead of "His opinions are _approved of_ by all," say "His opinions are approved by all."
114. Instead of "I will add _one more_ argument," say "I will add one argument more," or "another argument."
115. Instead of "Captain Reilly was killed _by_ a bullet," say "Captain Reilly was killed with a bullet."
116. Instead of "A sad curse is war," say "War is a sad curse."
117. Instead of "He stands _six foot_ high," say "He measures six feet," or "His height is six feet."
118. Instead of "I go _every now and then_," say "I go often, or frequently."
119. Instead of "Who finds him in clothes," say "Who provides him with clothes."
120. Say "The first two," and "the last two," instead of "the _two first_," "the two last;" leave out all expletives, such as "of all," "first of all," "last of all," "best of all," &c., &c.
121. Instead of "His health was _drank with enthusiasm_," say "His health was drunk enthusiastically."
122. Instead of "_Except_ I am prevented," say "Unless I am prevented."
123. Instead of "In its _primary sense_," say "In its primitive sense."
124. Instead of "It grieves me to _see_ you," say "I am grieved to see you."
125. Instead of "Give me _them_ papers," say "Give me those papers."
126. Instead of "_Those_ papers I hold in my hand," say "These papers I hold in my hand."
127. Instead of "I could scarcely imagine but _what_," say "I could scarcely imagine but that."
128. Instead of "He was a man _notorious_ for his benevolence," say "He was noted for his benevolence."
129. Instead of "She was a woman _celebrated_ for her crimes," say "She was notorious on account of her crimes."
130. Instead of "What may your name be?" say "What is your name?"
131. Instead of "Bills are requested not to be stuck here," say "Billstickers are requested not to stick bills here."
132. Instead of "By _smoking it often_ becomes habitual," say "By smoking often it becomes habitual."
133. Instead of "I lifted it _up_," say "I lifted it."
134. Instead of "It is _equally of the same_ value," say "It is of the same value," or "equal value."
135. Instead of "I knew it _previous_ to your telling me," say "I knew it previously to your telling me."
136. Instead of "You _was_ out when I called," say "You were out when I called."
137. Instead of "I thought I should _have won_ this game," say "I thought I should win this game."
138. Instead of "_This_ much is certain," say "Thus much is certain," or, "So much is certain."
139. Instead of "He went away _as it may be_ yesterday week," say "He went away yesterday week."
140. Instead of "He came _the Saturday as it may be before the Monday_," specify the Monday on which he came.
141. Instead of "Put your watch _in_ your pocket," say "Put your watch into your pocket."
142. Instead of "He has _got_ riches," say "He has riches."
143. Instead of "Will you _set_ down?" say "Will you sit down?"
144. Instead of "The hen is _setting_," say "The hen is sitting."
145. Instead of "It is raining very _hard_," say "It is raining very fast."
146. Instead of "No _thankee_," say "No thank you."
147. Instead of "I cannot do it without _farther_ means," say "I cannot do it without further means."
148. Instead of "No sooner _but_," or "No other _but_," say "than."
149. Instead of "_Nobody else_ but her," say "Nobody but her."
150. Instead of "He fell _down_ from the balloon," say "He fell from the balloon."
151. Instead of "He rose _up_ from the ground," say "He rose from the ground."
152. Instead of "_These_ kind of oranges _are_ not good," say "This kind of oranges is not good."
153. Instead of "Somehow or _another_," say "Somehow or other."
154. Instead of "_Undeniable_ references required," say "Unexceptionable references required."
155. Instead of "I cannot _rise_ sufficient funds," say "I cannot raise sufficient funds."
156. Instead of "I cannot _raise_ so early in the morning," say "I cannot rise so early in the morning."
157. Instead of "_Well_, I don't know," say "I don't know."
158. Instead of "_Will_ I give you some more tea?" say "Shall I give you some more tea?"
159. Instead of "Oh dear, what _will_ I do?" say "Oh dear, what shall I do?"
160. Instead of "I think _indifferent_ of it," say "I think indifferently of it."
161. Instead of "I will send it _conformable_ to your orders," say "I will send it conformably to your orders."
162. Instead of "Give me a _few_ broth," say "Give me some broth."
163. Instead of "_Her_ said it was hers," say "She said it was hers."
164. Instead of "To be _given away gratis_," say "To be given away."
165. Instead of "Will you enter in?" say "Will you enter?"
166. Instead of "_This_ three days or more," say "These three days or more."
167. Instead of "He is a bad _grammarian_," say "He is not a grammarian."
168. Instead of "We _accuse him for_," say "We accuse him of."
169. Instead of "We _acquit_ him _from_," say "We acquit him of."
170. Instead of "I am averse _from_ that," say "I am averse to that."
171. Instead of "I confide _on_ you," say "I confide in you."
172. Instead of "I differ _with_ you," say "I differ from you."
173. Instead of "As soon as _ever_," say "As soon as."
174. Instead of "The _very best_" or "The _very worst_," say "The best or the worst."
175. Instead of "A _winter's morning_," say "A winter morning," or "A wintry morning."
176. Instead of "Fine morning, _this_ morning," say "This is a fine morning."
177. Instead of "How _do_ you _do_?" say "How are you?"
178. Instead of "Not so well as I could wish," say "Not quite well."
179. Avoid such phrases as "No great shakes," "Nothing to boast of," "Down in my boots," "Suffering from the blues." All such sentences indicate vulgarity.
180. Instead of "No one _cannot_ prevail upon him," say "No one can prevail upon him."
181. Instead of "No one _hasn't_ called," say "No one has called."
182. Avoid such phrases as "If I was you," or even, "If I were you." Better say, "I advise you how to act."
183. Instead of "You have a _right_ to pay me," say "It is right that you should pay me."
184. Instead of "I am going _on_ a tour," say "I am about to take a tour," or "going."
185. Instead of "I am going _over_ the bridge," say "I am going _across_ the bridge."
186. Instead of "He is coming here," say "He is coming hither."
187. Instead of "He lives opposite the square," say "He lives opposite to the square."
188. Instead of "He _belongs_ to the Reform Club," say "He is a member of the Reform Club."
189. Avoid such phrases as "I am up to you," "I'll be down upon you," "Cut," or "Mizzle."
190. Instead of "I _should just_ think I could," say "I think I can."
191. Instead of "There has been a _good deal_," say "There has been much."
192. Instead of "_Following up_ a principle," say "Guided by a principle."
193. Instead of "Your _obedient, humble servant_," say "Your obedient," or, "Your humble servant."
194. Instead of saying "The effort you are making _for_ meeting the bill," say "The effort you are making to meet the bill."
195. Instead of saying "It _shall_ be submitted to investigation and inquiry," say "It shall be submitted to investigation," or "to inquiry."
196. Dispense with the phrase "_Conceal from themselves the fact_;" it suggests a gross anomaly.
197. Never say "_Pure and unadulterated_," because the phrase embodies a repetition.
198. Instead of saying "Adequate for," say "Adequate to."
199. Instead of saying "A _surplus over and above_," say "A surplus."
200. Instead of saying "A _lasting and permanent_ peace," say "A permanent peace."
201. Instead of saying "I left you _behind at_ London," say "I left you behind me at London."
202. Instead of saying "_Has been_ followed by immediate dismissal," say "Was followed by immediate dismissal."
203. Instead of saying "Charlotte was met _with_ Thomas," say "Charlotte was met by Thomas." But if Charlotte and Thomas were walking together, "Charlotte and Thomas were met by," &c.
204. Instead of "It is strange that no author should _never_ have written," say "It is strange that no author should ever have written."
205. Instead of "I won't never write," say "I will never write."
206. To say "Do _not_ give him _no more_ of your money," is equivalent to saying "Give him some of your money." Say "Do not give him _any_ of your money."
207. Instead of saying "They are not what nature _designed_ them," say "They are not what nature designed them to be."
208. Instead of "By this _means_," say "By these means."
209. Instead of saying "A beautiful _seat and gardens_," say "A beautiful _seat_ and its gardens."
210. Instead of "All that was _wanting_," say "All that was wanted."
211. Instead of saying "I had not the pleasure of hearing his sentiments when I wrote that letter," say "I had not the pleasure of having heard," &c.
212. Instead of "The quality of the apples _were_ good," say "The quality of the apples was good."
213. Instead of "The want of learning, courage, and energy _are_ more visible," say "Is more visible."
214. Instead of "We are conversant _about_ it," say "We are conversant with it."
215. Instead of "We called _at_ William," say "We called on William."
216. Instead of "We die _for_ want," say "We die of want."
217. Instead of "He died _by_ fever," say "He died of fever."
218. Instead of "I _enjoy_ bad health," say "My health is not good."
219. Instead of "_Either_ of the three," say "Any one of the three."
220. Instead of "Better _nor_ that," say "Better than that."
221. Instead of "We often think _on_ you," say "We often think of you."
222. Instead of "Though he came, I did not see him," say "Though he came, yet I did not see him."
223. Instead of "Mine is _so_ good as yours," say "Mine is as good as yours."
224. Instead of "He was remarkable handsome," say "He was remarkably handsome."
225. Instead of "Smoke ascends _up_ the chimney," I say "Smoke ascends the chimney."
226. Instead of "You will _some_ day be convinced," say "You will one day be convinced."
227. Instead of saying "Because I don't choose to," say "Because I would rather not."
228. Instead of "_Because_ why?" say "Why?"
229. Instead of "That _there_ boy," say "That boy."
230. Instead of "Direct your letter to me," say "Address your letter to me."
231. Instead of "The horse is not _much worth_," say "The horse is not worth much."
232. Instead of "The subject-matter of debate," say "The subject of debate."
233. Instead of saying "When he _was_ come back," say "When he had come back."
234. Instead of saying "His health has been _shook_," say "His health has been shaken."
235. Instead of "It was _spoke_ in my presence," say "It was spoken in my presence."
236. Instead of "_Very_ right," or "_Very_ wrong," say "Right," or "Wrong."
237. Instead of "The _mortgager_ paid him the money," say "The mortgagee paid him the money." The mortgagee lends; the mortgager borrows.
238. Instead of "This town is not _as_ large as we thought," say "This town is not so large as we thought."
239. Instead of "I _took you to be_ another person," say "I mistook you for another person."
240. Instead of "On _either_ side of the river," say "On each side of the river."
241. Instead of "_There's_ fifty," say "There are fifty."
242. Instead of "The _best_ of the two," say "The better of the two."
243. Instead of "My clothes have _become too small_ for me," say "I have grown too stout for my clothes."
244. Instead of "Is Lord Lytton in?" say "Is Lord Lytton within?"
245. Instead of "Two _spoonsful_ of physic," say "Two spoonfuls of physic."
246. Instead of "He _must_ not do it." say "He need not do it."
247. Instead of "She said, says she," say "She said."
248. Avoid such phrases as "I said, says I," "Thinks I to myself, thinks I," &c.
249. Instead of "I don't think so," say "I think not."
250. Instead of "He was in _eminent_ danger," say "He was in _imminent_ danger."
251. Instead of "The weather is _hot_," say "The weather is very warm."
252. Instead of "I _sweat_," say "I _perspire_."
253. Instead of "I _only_ want two shillings," say "I want only two shillings."
254. Instead of "Whatsomever," always take care to say "Whatever," or "Whatsoever."
255. Avoid such exclamations as "God bless me!" "God deliver me!" "By God!" "By Gor'!" "My Lor'!" "Upon my soul," &c., which are vulgar on the one hand, and savour of impiety on the other, for:
256. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."
[Footnote 1: Persons who wish to become well acquainted with the principles of 'English Grammar' by an easy process, are recommended to procure "The Useful Grammar," price 3d., published by Houlston and Sons.]
[SOME FEMALE SPIDERS PRODUCE 2,000 EGGS.]
182. Pronunciation.
Accent is a particular stress or force of the voice upon certain syllables or words. This mark ' in printing denotes the syllable upon which the stress or force of the voice should he placed.
[THERE ARE 9,000 CELLS IN A SQUARE FOOT OF HONEYCOMB.]
183. A Word may have more than One Accent.
Take as an instance aspiration. In uttering this word we give a marked emphasis of the voice upon the first and third syllables, and therefore those syllables are said to be accented. The first of these accents is less distinguishable than the second, upon which we dwell longer, therefore the second accent in point of order is called the primary, or chief accent of the word.
[A COW CONSUMES 100 LBS. OF GREEN FOOD DAILY.]
184. When the full Accent falls on a Vowel,
that vowel should have a long sound, as in _vo'cal_; but when I it, falls on or after a consonant, the preceding vowel has a short sound, as in _hab'it_.
[2,300 SILKWORMS PRODUCE 1LB OF SILK.]
185. To obtain a Good Knowledge of Pronunciation,
it is advisable for the reader to listen to the examples given by good speakers, and by educated persons. We learn the pronunciation of words, to a great extent, by _imitation_, just as birds acquire the notes of other birds which may be near them.
[A QUEEN BEE PRODUCES 100,000 EGGS IN A SEASON.]
186. Double Meaning.
But it will be very important to bear in mind that there are many words having a double meaning or application, and that the difference of meaning is indicated by the difference of the accent. Among these words, _nouns_ are distinguished from _verbs_ by this means: _nouns_ are mostly accented on the first syllable, and _verbs_ on the last.
[A COW YIELDS 168 LBS. OF BUTTER PER ANNUM.]
187. Noun signifies Name;
_Nouns_ are the names of persons and things, as well as of things not material and palpable, but of which we have a conception and knowledge, such as _courage_, _firmness_, _goodness_, _strength_; and _verbs_ express _actions, movements,_ &c. If the word used signifies that anything has been done, or is being done, or is, or is to be done, then that word is a _verb_.
[IT WOULD TAKE 27,600 SPIDERS TO PRODUCE 1 LB. OF WEB.]
188. Examples of the above.
Thus when we say that anything is "an in'sult," that word is a _noun_, and is accented on the first syllable; but when we say he did it "to insult' another person," the word insult' implies _acting_, and becomes a verb, and should be accented on the last syllable. The effect is, that, in speaking, you should employ a different pronunciation in the use of the same word, when uttering such sentences as these:--"What an in'sult!" "Do you mean to insult' me?" In the first sentence the stress of voice must be laid upon the first syllable, _in'_, and in the latter case upon the second syllable, _sult'_.
189. Meaning varied by Accentuation.
A list of nearly all the words that are liable to this variation is given in the following page. It will be noticed that those in the first column, having the accent on the first syllable, are mostly nouns; and that those in the second column, which have the accent on the second and final syllable, are mostly verbs:
Noun, &c. Verb, &c.| Noun, &c. Verb, &c. |Noun, &c. Verb, &c. ---------------------|----------------------|-------------------- Ab'ject abject' | Con'trast contrast' | In'lay inlay' Ab'sent absent' | Con'verse converse' | In'sult insult' Ab'stract abstract' | Con'vert convert' | Ob'ject object' Ac'cent accent' | Con'vict convict' | Out'leap outleap' Affix affix' | Con'voy convoy' | Per'fect perfect' As'pect aspect' | De'crease decrease' | Per'fume perfume' At’tribute attribute'| Des'cant descant' | Per'mit permit' Aug'ment augment' | Des'ert desert' | Pre'fix prefix' Au'gust august' | De'tail detail' | Pre'mise premise' Bom'bard bombard' | Di'gest digest' | Pre'sage presage' Col'league colleague'| Dis'cord discord' | Pres'ent present' Col'lect collect' | Dis'count discount' | Prod'uce produce' Com'ment comment' | Ef'flux efflux' | Proj'ect project' Com'pact compact' | Es'cort escort' | Prot'est protest' Com'plot complot' | Es'say essay' | Reb'el rebel' Com'port comport' | Ex'ile exile' | Rec'ord record' Com'pound compound' | Ex'port export' | Ref'use refuse' Com'press compress' | Ex'tract extract' | Re'tail retail' Con'cert concert' | Fer'ment ferment' | Sub'ject subject' Con'crete concrete' | Fore'cast forecast' | Su'pine supine' Con'duct conduct' | Fore'taste foretaste'| Sur'vey survey' Con fine confine' | Fre'quent frequent' | Tor'ment torment' Con'flict conflict' | Im'part impart' | Tra'ject traject' Con'serve conserve' | Im'port import' | Trans'fer transfer' Con'sort consort' | Im'press impress' | Trans'port transport' Con'test contest' | Im'print imprint' | Un'dress undress' Con'text context' | In'cense incense' | Up'cast upcast' Con'tract contract' | In'crease increase' | Up'start upstart'
190. Exceptions
Cement' is an Exception to the above rule, and should always be accented on the last syllable. So also the word Consols'.
191. Hints to "Cockney Speakers."
The most objectionable error of the Cockney, that of substituting the _v_ for the _w_, and _vice versâ_, is, we believe, pretty generally abandoned. Such sentences as "Are you going to Vest Vickkam?" "This is wery good weal," &c., were too intolerable to be retained. Moreover, there has been a very able schoolmaster at work during the past forty years. This schoolmaster is no other than the loquacious Mr. _Punch_, from whose works we quote a few admirable exercises:
i. Low Cockney.--"Seen that party lately?" "What! the party with the wooden leg, as come with--" "No, no--not that party. The party, you know, as--" "Oh! ah! I know the party you mean, now." "Well, a party told me as he can't agree with that other party, and he says that if another party can't be found to make it all square, he shall look out for a party as will."--(_And so on for half an hour._)
ii. Police.--"Lor, Soosan, how's a feller to eat meat such weather as this! Now, a bit o' pickled salmon and cowcumber, or a lobster salid, _might_ do."
iii. Cockney Yachtsman.--(Example of affectation.) Scene: the Regatta Ball.--"I say, Tom, what's that little craft with the black velvet flying at the fore, close under the lee scuppers of the man-of-war?" "Why, from her fore-and-aft rig, and the cut of her mainsail, I should say she's down from the port of London; but I'll signal the commodore to come and introduce us!"
iv. Omnibus Driver.--_Old acquaintance_. "'Ave a drop, Bill?" _Driver._ "Why, yer see, Jim, this 'ere young hoss has only been in 'arness once afore, and he's such a beggar to bolt, ten to one if I leave 'im he'll be a-runnin' hoff, and a smashin' into suthun. Howsoever--here--(_handing reins to a timid passenger_)--lay hold, sir, I'LL CHANCE IT!"
v. Costermonger (_to extremely genteel person_).--"I say, guv'ner, give us a hist with this 'ere bilin' o' greens!" (A large hamper of market stuff.)
vi. Genteel Cockney (_by the seaside_).--_Blanche._ "How grand, how solemn, dear Frederick, this is! I really think the ocean is more beautiful under this aspect than under any other!" _Frederick_.--"H'm--ah! Per-waps. By the way, Blanche, there's a fella shwimping. S'pose we ask him if he can get us some pwawns for breakfast to-mowaw mawning?"
vii. Stuck-up Cockney.--(_Small Swell enters a tailor's shop_.) "A--Brown, A--want some more coats!" _Snip_. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. How many would you please to want?" _Small Swell_. "A--let me see; A--ll have eight. A--no, I'll have nine; and look here! A--shall want some trousers." _Snip_. "Yes, sir, thank you, sir. How many would you like?" _Small Swell_.--"A--don't know exactly. S'pose we say twenty-four pairs; and look here! Show me some patterns that won't be worn by any snobs!"
viii. Cockney Flunkey,--(_Country Footman meekly inquires of London Footman_)--"Pray, sir, what do you think of our town? A nice place, ain't it" _London Footman (condescendingly_). "Vell, Joseph, I likes your town well enough. It's clean: your streets are hairy; and you have lots of rewins. But I don't like your champagne, it's all gewsberry!"
ix Cockney Cabby (_with politeness_).--"Beg pardon, sir; please don't smoke in the keb. sir; ladies do complain o' the 'bacca uncommon. Better let me smoke it for yer outside, sir!"
x. Military Cockney.--_Lieutenant Blazer (of the Plungers)_.--"Gwood gwacious! Here's a howible go! The ifan [? word not legible] v's going to gwow a moustache! _Cornet Huffey_ (whose face is whiskerless). "Yaw don't mean that! Wall! there's only one alternative for us. We must shave!"
xi. Juvenile Low Cockney.--"Jack; Whereabouts is Amstid-am?" _Jack._ "Well, I can't say exackerley, but I know it's somewhere near 'Ampstid-'eath!"
xii. Cockney Domestic.--_Servant girl_--"Well, mam--Heverythink considered, I'm afraid you won't suit me. I've always bin brought up genteel: and I couldn't go nowheres where there ain't no footman kep'."
xiii. Another.--_Lady._ "Wish to leave! why, I thought, Thompson, you were very comfortable with me!" _Thompson (who is extremely refined)_. "Ho yes, mum! I don't find no fault with you, mum--nor yet with master--but the truth _his_, mum--the _hother_ servants is so orrid vulgar and hignorant, and speaks so hungrammaticai, that I reely cannot live in the same 'ouse with 'em--and I should like to go this day month, if so be has it won't illconvenience you!"
xiv. Cockney "Waiter.--"'Am, sir? Yessir? Don't take anything with your 'am, do you, sir?" _Gentleman._ "Yes, I do; I take the letter H!"
xv. Cockney Hairdresser.--"They say, sir, the cholera is in the Hair, sir!" _Gent (very uneasy)_. "Indeed! Ahem! Then I hope you're very particular about the brushes you use." _Hairdresser._ "Oh, I see you don't nunderstand me, sir; I don't mean the 'air of the 'ed, but the _h_air _h_of the _h_atmosphere?"
xvi. Cockney Sweep _(seated upon a donkey)_.--"Fitch us out another penn'orth o' strawberry hice, with a dollop o' lemon water in it."
xvii. Feminine Cookney _(by the sea-side.)_--"Oh, Harriet, dear, put on your hat and let us thee the stheamboat come in. The thea is tho rough!--and the people will be tho abthurdly thick!"
[ALUM FIRST DISCOVERED A.D. 1300.]
192. Correction
Londoners who desire to correct the defects of their utterance cannot do better than to exercise themselves frequently upon those words respecting which they have been in error.
193. Hints for the Correction of the Irish Brogue.